Issue #277 Thu 5 Dec
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — December 5, 2024
The air is thin, the altitude is variable, and the grid requires a steady hand. A patient day for those who enjoy keeping their feet off the ground.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Light hitting a translucent membrane, the sudden lift of a feather, and the sound of something leaving the branch.
Mythology and the natural world.
CREATURES THAT TAKE TO THE AIR
Spangram 4 hints · 11 letters
The connector word
A compound noun made of two distinct parts.
11 letters.
Starts with W, ends with G.
WINGEDTHING
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (5 letters)
- 2 B (9 letters)
- 3 D (6 letters)
- 4 F (5 letters)
- 5 G (7 letters)
- 6 S (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AN (5 letters)
- 2 BU (9 letters)
- 3 DR (6 letters)
- 4 FA (5 letters)
- 5 GR (7 letters)
- 6 ST (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A celestial guardian often depicted in stained glass.
5 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AN.
ANGEL
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
A delicate insect that starts its life cycle as a crawling larva.
9 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BU.
BUTTERFLY
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A fire-breathing beast of legend that hoards gold in mountain caves.
6 letters.
Starts with D.
Starts with DR.
DRAGON
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A tiny, mischievous woodland spirit with translucent gossamer appendages.
5 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FA.
FAIRY
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A majestic hybrid combining the king of beasts with the king of the sky.
7 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GR.
GRIFFIN
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A long-legged wading bird traditionally credited with delivering newborns.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STORK
Spoiler zone
Complete Strands answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
Reveal the spangram
Reveal all theme words
- ANGEL
- BUTTERFLY
- DRAGON
- FAIRY
- GRIFFIN
- STORK
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on December 5, 2024. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for December 5, 2024, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on December 5, 2024?
NYT Strands on December 5, 2024 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 6 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the December 5, 2024 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 11 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "W" — the hints above ease you toward the rest one step at a time, without spelling it out.
What is the theme of NYT Strands on December 5, 2024?
We keep the theme under wraps here so nothing is spoiled — but the ladder above walks you into it, starting with the puzzle's overall vibe. Want it stated outright, with the spangram and all 6 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 11-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 11-letter spangram