Issue #799 Mon 11 May
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — May 11, 2026
Five theme words plus an eleven-letter spangram. A loosely gathered grid, comfortable in its assortment.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The kitchen drawer that holds batteries, rubber bands, one birthday candle, and something unidentified since 2019.
Common English phrase for miscellaneous leftovers or an assorted collection
WORDS FOR A MISCELLANEOUS MIXTURE
Spangram 4 hints · 11 letters
The connector word
Three-word idiomatic noun phrase
11 letters.
Starts with O, ends with S.
ODDS AND ENDS
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 H (10 letters)
- 2 J (6 letters)
- 3 M (8 letters)
- 4 R (6 letters)
- 5 V (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 HO (10 letters)
- 2 JU (6 letters)
- 3 MI (8 letters)
- 4 RA (6 letters)
- 5 VA (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
An American English word for a stew-like mixture of unlike things. The first syllable sounds like a pig latin mess.
10 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HO.
HODGEPODGE
Theme word 2 of 5 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
What a drawer becomes when you stop organising it. Also a verb: to mix without care.
6 letters.
Starts with J.
Starts with JU.
JUMBLE
Theme word 3 of 5 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A reduplicative compound suggesting two unlike things mashed together. Informal, slightly affectionate.
8 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MI.
MISHMASH
Theme word 4 of 5 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Literally a bag of rags. Figuratively: a disorganised collection that doesn't fit neatly anywhere.
6 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RA.
RAGBAG
Theme word 5 of 5 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The most neutral word here — breadth of type rather than disorder. A word that can be positive.
7 letters.
Starts with V.
Starts with VA.
VARIETY
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
- HODGEPODGE
- JUMBLE
- MISHMASH
- RAGBAG
- VARIETY
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on May 11, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for May 11, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on May 11, 2026?
NYT Strands on May 11, 2026 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 5 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the May 11, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 11 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "O" — 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 May 11, 2026?
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 5 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 11-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 11-letter spangram