Issue #324 Tue 21 Jan
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — January 21, 2025
A lighthearted trip through the linguistic attic today. Keep an ear out for the expressions that once defined a generation.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You find a high school yearbook in the attic and realize your favorite adjectives from the nineties sound like a different language.
Colloquialisms of past decades
RETRO COLLOQUIALISMS
Spangram 4 hints · 10 letters
The connector word
Single compound word
10 letters.
Starts with D, ends with G.
DATEDSLANG
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (4 letters)
- 2 C (6 letters)
- 3 F (5 letters)
- 4 M (5 letters)
- 5 P (4 letters)
- 6 R (7 letters)
- 7 T (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BO (4 letters)
- 2 CH (6 letters)
- 3 FR (5 letters)
- 4 MA (5 letters)
- 5 PH (4 letters)
- 6 RA (7 letters)
- 7 TU (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A term for something that is in charge or performs exceptionally well.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BO.
BOSS
Theme word 2 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Describes the best part or the top-tier selection of a group.
6 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CH.
CHERRY
Theme word 3 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Used to describe someone with a new, clean, or stylish look.
5 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FR.
FRESH
Theme word 4 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A way to describe something of high importance or great significance.
5 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MA.
MAJOR
Theme word 5 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A complimentary term for something impressive or excellent.
4 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PH.
PHAT
Theme word 6 of 7 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Used to describe something extreme or fundamentally impressive.
7 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RA.
RADICAL
Theme word 7 of 7 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A descriptor for something excellent, often associated with surfing culture.
7 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TU.
TUBULAR
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
- BOSS
- CHERRY
- FRESH
- MAJOR
- PHAT
- RADICAL
- TUBULAR
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on January 21, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for January 21, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on January 21, 2025?
NYT Strands on January 21, 2025 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 7 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the January 21, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 10 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "D" — 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 January 21, 2025?
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 7 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 10-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 10-letter spangram