Issue #355 Fri 21 Feb
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — February 21, 2025
A Friday morning often calls for a bit of nostalgia. This grid offers a straightforward path for those looking to clear their heads before the weekend.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Where the lawnmower lives, where the mail piles up, where the kids hide.
Classic childhood playthings
ANIMATED FEATURES
Spangram 4 hints · 8 letters
The connector word
An eight-letter compound noun
8 letters.
Starts with T, ends with Y.
TOYSTORY
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (5 letters)
- 2 B (8 letters)
- 3 B (4 letters)
- 4 S (6 letters)
- 5 T (6 letters)
- 6 W (6 letters)
- 7 W (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AL (5 letters)
- 2 BU (8 letters)
- 3 BU (4 letters)
- 4 SL (6 letters)
- 5 TW (6 letters)
- 6 WH (6 letters)
- 7 WO (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A green visitor from a far-off galaxy with three eyes.
5 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AL.
ALIEN
Theme word 2 of 7 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
The dead center of a target.
8 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BU.
BULLSEYE
Theme word 3 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A high-pitched sound made by an insect or a quick alert.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BU.
BUZZ
Theme word 4 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A metal coil that walks down stairs.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SL.
SLINKY
Theme word 5 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A sudden, involuntary movement of the eye.
6 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TW.
TWITCH
Theme word 6 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A sound like a rusty hinge or a tight chest.
6 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WH.
WHEEZY
Theme word 7 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A sheriff with a star and a pull-string in his back.
5 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WO.
WOODY
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
- ALIEN
- BULLSEYE
- BUZZ
- SLINKY
- TWITCH
- WHEEZY
- WOODY
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on February 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 February 21, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on February 21, 2025?
NYT Strands on February 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 February 21, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 8 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "T" — 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 February 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 · 8-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 8-letter spangram