Monday, May 04, 2026

Answers to yesterday's Bee

Jump to answers for


The official answers for today's puzzle are:

Click on the arrow to show the definition.
Click outside the pop-up to close it.



Number of Pangrams: 1

Maximum Puzzle Score: 111

Number of Answers: 27

Points Needed for Genius: 78

Genius requires between 11 and 24 words. You need at least a 7-letter word to reach genius. If you don't get the pangram, you need 80% of the total points to reach genius. If you get the pangram, you only need 66% of the remaining points to reach genius.

Other days with this pangram:

The button below will reveal a chart with the number of words by each letter. Red bars indicate that there is a pangram(s) starting with that letter.


How does this puzzle compare to other puzzles?

Today's score of 111 was in the 18th percentile of all puzzles.
The last time there was a score this low was on April 21, 2026.
The highest score ever was 537 on January 22, 2021.
The lowest score ever was 47 on March 27, 2023.

This puzzle's 27 possible answers rank it in the 16th percentile of all puzzles.
The last time there were fewer answers than this was on April 27, 2026.
The highest number of answers was 81 on June 08, 2019.
The lowest number of answers was 16 on March 27, 2023.

It takes a 7-letter word for genius.
The last time this happened was on May 03, 2026.

Today's puzzle has an average word length of 5.2.
For all Bees, the average word length has been 5.3.



Haven't I seen these letters before?

Hover over a letter to see its first and most recent appearance in the Bee!



Haven't I seen these words before?

The most common words in the Bee are:

  • noon 239
  • loll 218
  • toot 214
  • nana 198
  • naan 198
  • nene 157
  • tilt 156
  • till 156
  • lilt 156
  • mamma 151
  • mama 151
  • tint 149
  • onion 145
  • toon 144
  • onto 144
  • acai 141
  • acacia 141
  • anal 134
  • anon 133
  • olio 129
  • tact 125
  • papa 125
  • baba 125
  • lulu 124
  • lull 124
  • dodo 124
  • poop 120
  • booboo 120
  • boob 120
  • moon 118
  • mono 118
  • mitt 118
  • cocci 117
  • loon 116
  • calla 116
  • call 116
  • tartar 115
  • tart 115
  • ratatat 115
  • tattoo 114
  • attar 114
  • tutu 113
  • ally 113
  • allay 113
  • momma 111
  • ammo 111
  • tatty 110
  • aria 110
  • meme 109
  • roar 108


How long are words in the Bee?

There have been 117,300 answers ever accepted in the Bee - with 10,978 unique words.
Below are the distributions of the lengths of these words.



Valid dictionary words not in today's official answers

You may be wondering why these words aren't here*:

  • fifthly
  • flightily
  • ghyll
  • gilly
  • gliff
  • hili
  • iffily
  • lighttight
  • lithify
  • thill
  • yill

*Because the New York Times considers them obscure or offensive.

fill

Etymology 1

verb
  1. To occupy fully, to take up all of.
  2. To add contents to (a container, cavity or the like) so that it is full.
  3. To enter (something), making it full.
  4. To become full.
  5. To become pervaded with something.
  6. To satisfy or obey (an order, request or requirement).
  7. To install someone, or be installed, in (a position or office), eliminating a vacancy.
  8. To treat (a tooth) by adding a dental filling to it.
  9. To fill or supply fully with food; to feed; to satisfy.
  10. To trim (a yard) so that the wind blows on the after side of the sails.
  11. (of a male) To have sexual intercourse with (a female).

Etymology 2

noun
  1. (after a possessive) A sufficient or more than sufficient amount.
  2. An amount that fills a container.
  3. The filling of a container or area.
  4. Inexpensive material used to occupy empty spaces, especially in construction.
  5. Soil and/or human-created debris discovered within a cavity or cut in the layers and exposed by excavation; fill soil.
  6. An embankment, as in railroad construction, to fill a hollow or ravine; also, the place which is to be filled.
  7. A short passage, riff, or rhythmic sound that helps to keep the listener's attention during a break between the phrases of a melody.

Etymology 3

noun
  1. One of the thills or shafts of a carriage.

filly

noun
  1. A young female horse.
  2. A young attractive female.

filth

noun
  1. Dirt; foul matter; that which soils or defiles.
  2. Smut; that which sullies or defiles the moral character; corruption; pollution.
  3. (with definite article) The police.
  4. A vile or disgusting person.
  5. Weeds growing on pasture land.

filthily

No Definition Found.

filthy

verb
  1. To make very dirty; to cover in filth.
adjective
  1. Covered with filth; very dirty.
  2. Obscene or offensive.
  3. Very unpleasant or disagreeable.

fitly

No Definition Found.

flight

Etymology 1

noun
  1. The act of flying.
  2. An instance of flying.
  3. The act of fleeing.
  4. (collective) A collective term for doves or swallows.
  5. A trip made by an aircraft, particularly one between two cities or countries, which is often planned or reserved in advance.
  6. A series of stairs between landings.
  7. A group of canal locks with a short distance between them
  8. A floor which is reached by stairs or escalators.
  9. The feathers on an arrow or dart used to help it follow an even path.
  10. A paper plane.
  11. The movement of a spinning ball through the air - concerns its speed, trajectory and drift.
  12. The ballistic trajectory of an arrow or other projectile.
  13. An aerodynamic surface designed to guide such a projectile's trajectory.
  14. An air force unit.
  15. Several sample glasses of a specific wine varietal or other beverage. The pours are smaller than a full glass and the flight will generally include three to five different samples.
  16. The shaped material forming the thread of a screw.
verb
  1. (of a spin bowler) To throw the ball in such a way that it has more airtime and more spin than usual.
  2. (by extension) To throw or kick something so as to send it flying with more loft or airtime than usual.
adjective
  1. Fast, swift, fleet.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. The act of fleeing.

flighty

adjective
  1. Given to unplanned and silly ideas or actions.
  2. (of a bird) That flies easily or often.
  3. Swift.

flit

noun
  1. A fluttering or darting movement.
  2. A particular, unexpected, short lived change of state.
  3. A homosexual.
verb
  1. To move about rapidly and nimbly.
  2. To move quickly from one location to another.
  3. To unpredictably change state for short periods of time.
  4. To move house (sometimes a sudden move to avoid debts).
  5. To be unstable; to be easily or often moved.
adjective
  1. Fast, nimble.

giggly

adjective
  1. Prone to giggling.

gill

Etymology 1

noun
  1. (animal anatomy) a breathing organ of fish and other aquatic animals
  2. (of a fish) a gill slit or gill cover
  3. One of the radial folds on the underside of the cap of a mushroom, on the surface of which the spore-producing organs are borne
  4. (animal anatomy) the fleshy flap that hangs below the beak of a fowl; a wattle
  5. The flesh under or about the chin; a wattle
  6. (spinning) one of the combs of closely ranged steel pins which divide the ribbons of flax fiber or wool into fewer parallel filaments
verb
  1. To remove the gills from a fish as part of gutting and cleaning it
  2. To catch (a fish) in a gillnet
  3. To be or become entangled in a gillnet

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A drink measure for spirits and wine (size varies regionally but it is about one quarter of a pint)
  2. A measuring jug holding a quarter or half a pint

Etymology 3

noun
  1. Rivulet
  2. Ravine

Etymology 4

noun
  1. A two-wheeled frame for transporting timber

Etymology 5

noun
  1. A leech

Etymology 6

noun
  1. A female ferret
  2. A promiscuous woman; harlot, wanton
  3. A prostitute
verb
  1. To act as a prostitute.

gilt

Etymology 1

verb
  1. To cover with a thin layer of gold; to cover with gold leaf.
  2. To adorn.
  3. To decorate with a golden surface appearance.
  4. To give a bright or pleasing aspect to.
  5. To make appear drunk.
noun
  1. Gold or other metal in a thin layer; gilding.
  2. Money.
  3. A security issued by the Bank of England (see gilt-edged)
  4. A gilded object, an object covered with gold.
adjective
  1. Golden coloured.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A young female pig, at or nearing the age of first breeding.

highlight

noun
  1. An area or a spot in a drawing, painting, or photograph that is strongly illuminated.
  2. An especially significant or interesting detail or event or period of time.
  3. A strand or spot of hair dyed a different color than the rest.
verb
  1. To make prominent; emphasize.
  2. To be a highlight of.
  3. To mark (important passages of text), e.g. with a fluorescent marker pen or in a wordprocessor, as a means of memory retention or for later reference.
  4. To dye (part of the hair) a different color than the rest.
  5. To seek the attention of (a user) on IRC by mentioning their name in a message, causing that message to appear highlighted on their screen.

highly

adverb
  1. In a high or esteemed manner.
  2. Extremely; greatly; very much.

hill

noun
  1. An elevated location smaller than a mountain.
  2. A sloping road.
  3. A heap of earth surrounding a plant.
  4. A single cluster or group of plants growing close together, and having the earth heaped up about them.
  5. The pitcher’s mound.
verb
  1. To form into a heap or mound.
  2. To heap or draw earth around plants.

hilly

adjective
  1. (of a landscape) Abundant in hills; having many hills.

hilt

noun
  1. The handle of a sword, consisting of grip, guard, and pommel, designed to facilitate use of the blade and afford protection to the hand.
  2. The base of the penis.
verb
  1. To provide with a hilt.
  2. To insert (a bodily extremity) as far as it can go into a sexual orifice so that it is impeded by the wider base to which it is attached (finger until palm, penis until pelvis).

illy

No Definition Found.

lift

Etymology 1

noun
  1. An act of lifting or raising.
  2. The act of transporting someone in a vehicle; a ride; a trip.
  3. Mechanical device for vertically transporting goods or people between floors in a building; an elevator.
  4. An upward force, such as the force that keeps aircraft aloft.
  5. (measurement) The difference in elevation between the upper pool and lower pool of a waterway, separated by lock.
  6. A thief.
  7. The lifting of a dance partner into the air.
  8. Permanent construction with a built-in platform that is lifted vertically.
  9. An improvement in mood.
  10. The amount or weight to be lifted.
  11. The space or distance through which anything is lifted.
  12. A rise; a degree of elevation.
  13. A liftgate.
  14. A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity of a yard below, and used for raising or supporting the end of the yard.
  15. One of the steps of a cone pulley.
  16. (shoemaking) A layer of leather in the heel of a shoe.
  17. That portion of the vibration of a balance during which the impulse is given.
verb
  1. To raise or rise.
  2. To steal.
  3. To source directly without acknowledgement; to plagiarise.
  4. To arrest (a person).
  5. To remove (a ban, restriction, etc.).
  6. To alleviate, to lighten (pressure, tension, stress, etc.)
  7. To cause to move upwards.
  8. To lift weights; to weight-lift.
  9. To try to raise something; to exert the strength for raising or bearing.
  10. To elevate or improve in rank, condition, etc.; often with up.
  11. To bear; to support.
  12. To collect, as moneys due; to raise.
  13. To transform (a function) into a corresponding function in a different context.
  14. To buy a security or other asset previously offered for sale.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. Air.
  2. The sky; the heavens; firmament; atmosphere.

light

Etymology 1

noun
  1. Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye can typically detect radiation (light) in the wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nanometers. Nearby shorter and longer wavelength ranges, although not visible, are commonly called ultraviolet and infrared light.
  2. A source of illumination.
  3. Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information.
  4. (in the plural) Facts; pieces of information; ideas, concepts.
  5. A notable person within a specific field or discipline.
  6. The manner in which the light strikes a picture; that part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other scene; opposed to shade.
  7. A point of view, or aspect from which a concept, person or thing is regarded.
  8. A flame or something used to create fire.
  9. A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or coloured flame.
  10. A window, or space for a window in architecture.
  11. The series of squares reserved for the answer to a crossword clue.
  12. A cross-light in a double acrostic or triple acrostic.
  13. Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity.
  14. The power of perception by vision.
  15. The brightness of the eye or eyes.
  16. A traffic light, or, by extension, an intersection controlled by one or more that will face a traveler who is receiving instructions.

Etymology 2

verb
  1. To start (a fire).
  2. To set fire to; to set burning.
  3. To illuminate; to provide light for when it is dark.
  4. To become ignited; to take fire.
  5. To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light.
  6. To make (a bonus) available to be collected by hitting a target, and thus light up the feature light corresponding to that bonus to indicate its availability.

Etymology 3

adjective
  1. Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure.
  2. Pale or whitish in color; highly luminous and more or less deficient in chroma.
  3. (of coffee) Served with extra milk or cream.

Etymology 4

noun
  1. A stone that is not thrown hard enough.
  2. See lights.
verb
  1. To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter
  2. To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off.
adjective
  1. Having little or relatively little actual weight; not cumbrous or unwieldy.
  2. Having little weight as compared with bulk; of little density or specific gravity.
  3. Of short or insufficient weight; weighing less than the legal, standard or proper amount; clipped or diminished.
  4. Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
  5. Not heavy or soggy; spongy; well raised.
  6. Gentle; having little force or momentum.
  7. Easy to endure or perform.
  8. Low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt, etc.
  9. Unimportant, trivial, having little value or significance.
  10. Unchaste, wanton.
  11. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift.
  12. Easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile.
  13. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; lacking dignity or solemnity; frivolous; airy.
  14. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy.
  15. Easily interrupted by stimulation.
adverb
  1. Carrying little.

Etymology 5

verb
  1. To find by chance.
  2. To stop upon (of eyes or a glance); to notice
  3. To alight; to land or come down.

lightly

adverb
  1. In a light manner.

lilt

noun
  1. Animated, brisk motion; spirited rhythm; sprightliness.
  2. A lively song or dance; a cheerful tune.
  3. A cheerful or melodious accent when speaking.
verb
  1. To do something rhythmically, with animation and quickness, usually of music.
  2. To sing cheerfully, especially in Gaelic.
  3. To utter with spirit, animation, or gaiety; to sing with spirit and liveliness.

lily

noun
  1. Any of several flowers in the genus Lilium of the family Liliaceae, which includes a great many ornamental species.
  2. Any of several species of herbaceous flower which may or may not resemble the genus Lilium in some way, and which are not closely related to it or each other.
  3. The flower used as a heraldic charge; also commonly used to describe the fleur-de-lis.
  4. The end of a compass needle that should point north, traditionally often ornamented with the figure of a lily or fleur-de-lis.
  5. (usually in the plural) A royal spade in auction bridge.
  6. The thirtieth Lenormand card, representing calmness and maturity.
adjective
  1. White (as a racial epithet).

tightly

adverb
  1. In a tight manner.

till

Etymology 1

preposition
  1. Until; to, up to; as late as (a given time).
  2. To, up to (physically).
  3. To make it possible that.
conjunction
  1. Until, until the time that.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A cash register.
  2. A removable box within a cash register containing the money.
  3. The contents of a cash register, for example at the beginning or end of the day or of a cashier's shift.
  4. A tray or drawer in a chest.

Etymology 3

verb
  1. To develop so as to improve or prepare for usage; to cultivate (said of knowledge, virtue, mind etc.).
  2. To work or cultivate or plough (soil); to prepare for growing vegetation and crops.
  3. To cultivate soil.
  4. To prepare; to get.

Etymology 4

noun
  1. Glacial drift consisting of a mixture of clay, sand, pebbles and boulders
  2. Manure or other material used to fertilize land

Etymology 5

noun
  1. A vetch; a tare.

tilt

Etymology 1

noun
  1. A slope or inclination.
  2. The inclination of part of the body, such as backbone, pelvis, head, etc.
  3. The controlled vertical movement of a camera, or a device to achieve this.
  4. A jousting contest.
  5. An attempt at something, such as a tilt at public office.
  6. A thrust, as with a lance.
  7. A tilt hammer.
verb
  1. To slope or incline (something); to slant.
  2. (jousting) To charge (at someone) with a lance.
  3. To be at an angle.
  4. To point or thrust a weapon at.
  5. To point or thrust (a weapon).
  6. To forge (something) with a tilt hammer.
  7. To play worse than usual (often as a result of previous bad luck or losses).
  8. (of a machine) To intentionally let the ball fall down to the drain by disabling flippers and most targets, done as a punishment to the player when the machine is nudged too violently or frequently.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A canvas covering for carts, boats, etc.
  2. Any covering overhead; especially, a tent.
verb
  1. To cover with a tilt, or awning.

tilth

noun
  1. Agricultural labour; husbandry.
  2. The state of being tilled, or prepared for a crop; culture.
  3. Rich cultivated soil.