Issue #542 Wed 27 Aug
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — August 27, 2025
The current grid demands a steady hand and a clear eye for how things connect. Ease into the flow and watch the pieces find their natural place.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A flat stone skipping across the surface, ripples expanding until they hit the mossy bank.
Geography and natural features.
GEOGRAPHIC BASINS AND HYDROLOGICAL FEATURES
Spangram 4 hints · 13 letters
The connector word
A compound noun written as a single string.
13 letters.
Starts with B, ends with R.
BODIESOFWATER
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (5 letters)
- 2 H (6 letters)
- 3 L (6 letters)
- 4 L (4 letters)
- 5 O (5 letters)
- 6 P (4 letters)
- 7 S (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BA (5 letters)
- 2 HA (6 letters)
- 3 LA (6 letters)
- 4 LA (4 letters)
- 5 OC (5 letters)
- 6 PO (4 letters)
- 7 SW (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Slow, dark currents moving through hanging Spanish moss and twisted cypress roots.
5 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BA.
BAYOU
Theme word 2 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Where ships cut their engines to sit among the pilings and wait for the tide.
6 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HA.
HARBOR
Theme word 3 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A shallow, protected stretch of turquoise separated from the deep by a thin reef.
6 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LA.
LAGOON
Theme word 4 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
Still, glassy surface reflecting the pine trees and the dock where the fishing gear sits.
4 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LA.
LAKE
Theme word 5 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The vast, restless blue that meets the horizon in every direction.
5 letters.
Starts with O.
Starts with OC.
OCEAN
Theme word 6 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A small circle of water where the lily pads gather and the frogs call at dusk.
4 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PO.
POND
Theme word 7 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Deep mud and thick vegetation where the ground feels soft and uncertain underfoot.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SW.
SWAMP
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
- BAYOU
- HARBOR
- LAGOON
- LAKE
- OCEAN
- POND
- SWAMP
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on August 27, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for August 27, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on August 27, 2025?
NYT Strands on August 27, 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 August 27, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 13 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "B" — 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 August 27, 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 · 13-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 13-letter spangram