Issue #638 Mon 1 Dec
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — December 1, 2025
A crisp morning on the frozen pond. The surface is still smooth, waiting for the first mark of the day.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Cold air and the scrape of metal on frozen water.
Winter sports and arena activities
FROZEN ARENA SURFACE
Spangram 4 hints · 10 letters
The connector word
A compound noun formed by two distinct words.
10 letters.
Starts with H, ends with K.
HOCKEYRINK
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 G (5 letters)
- 2 P (4 letters)
- 3 S (10 letters)
- 4 S (6 letters)
- 5 S (6 letters)
- 6 Z (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 GO (5 letters)
- 2 PU (4 letters)
- 3 SC (10 letters)
- 4 SK (6 letters)
- 5 ST (6 letters)
- 6 ZA (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The net where you aim to put the flying rubber.
5 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GO.
GOALS
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A vulcanized rubber disc moving at high speed.
4 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PU.
PUCK
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
High overhead, the numbers change to track the lead.
10 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SC.
SCOREBOARD
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Sharp blades strapped to your feet for gliding.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SK.
SKATES
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Long wooden or composite shafts used to control the disc.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STICKS
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The slow-moving machine that resurfaces the frozen area.
7 letters.
Starts with Z.
Starts with ZA.
ZAMBONI
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
- GOALS
- PUCK
- SCOREBOARD
- SKATES
- STICKS
- ZAMBONI
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on December 1, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for December 1, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on December 1, 2025?
NYT Strands on December 1, 2025 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 1, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 10 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "H" — 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 1, 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 6 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 10-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 10-letter spangram