Monday, November 25, 2024

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: 117

Number of Answers: 28

Points Needed for Genius: 82

Genius requires between 12 and 25 words. You need at least an 8-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 117 was in the 24th percentile of all puzzles.
The last time there was a score this low was on November 19, 2024.
The highest score ever was 537 on January 22, 2021.
The lowest score ever was 47 on March 27, 2023.

This puzzle's 28 possible answers rank it in the 21st percentile of all puzzles.
The last time there were fewer answers than this was on November 19, 2024.
The highest number of answers was 81 on June 8, 2019.
The lowest number of answers was 16 on March 27, 2023.

It takes an 8-letter word for genius.
The last time this happened was on November 22, 2024.

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 187
  • loll 179
  • toot 171
  • naan 165
  • nana 165
  • lilt 130
  • till 130
  • tilt 130
  • tint 125
  • mama 120
  • mamma 120
  • nene 117
  • acacia 113
  • acai 113
  • onto 113
  • toon 113
  • anal 110
  • onion 107
  • anon 106
  • boob 106
  • booboo 106
  • olio 103
  • lull 101
  • lulu 101
  • papa 101
  • baba 100
  • dodo 100
  • mitt 99
  • poop 98
  • allay 97
  • ally 97
  • call 96
  • calla 96
  • ratatat 96
  • tact 96
  • tart 96
  • tartar 96
  • attar 95
  • cocci 95
  • tatty 95
  • tutu 94
  • mono 93
  • moon 93
  • tattoo 93
  • ammo 92
  • epee 92
  • momma 92
  • peep 92
  • loon 91
  • roar 91


How long are words in the Bee?

There have been 93,661 answers ever accepted in the Bee - with 10,355 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*:

  • adland
  • alan
  • aland
  • alanin
  • albinal
  • ananda
  • anil
  • anilin
  • anna
  • badland
  • banda
  • bandaid
  • bani
  • banian
  • binal
  • blain
  • indaba
  • inhibin
  • inia
  • lallan
  • lalland
  • liana
  • linin
  • linn
  • nala
  • nandin
  • nandina
  • nanna
  • nidal
  • nidi
  • nihil
  • nill

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

anal

noun
  1. Any of the anal scales of a reptile.
  2. Anal sex.
adjective
  1. Of, related to, intended for or involving the anus.
  2. Of the stage in psychosexual development when the child's interest is alleged to be concentrated on the anal region.
  3. Of a person, compulsive and stubborn, obsessed with neatness and accuracy, supposedly from not having progressed beyond the anal stage.
  4. (of a vein) Proximate to the thorax.

annal

noun
  1. The record of a single event or item.

banal

adjective
  1. Common in a boring way, to the point of being predictable; containing nothing new or fresh.
  2. (history) Relating to a type of feudal jurisdiction or service.

banana

noun
  1. An elongated curved tropical fruit that grows in bunches and has a creamy flesh and a smooth skin.
  2. The tropical tree-like plant which bears clusters of bananas. The plant, usually of the genus Musa but sometimes also including plants from Ensete, has large, elongated leaves and is related to the plantain.
  3. A yellow colour, like that of a banana's skin.
  4. (mildly) A person of Asian descent, especially a Chinese American, who has assimilated into Western culture or married a Caucasian (from the "yellow" outside and "white" inside). Compare coconut or Oreo.
  5. A banana equivalent dose.
  6. A catamorphism (from the use of banana brackets in the notation).
  7. The penis.
  8. A banana kick.
adjective
  1. Curved like a banana, especially of a ball in flight.

band

Etymology 1

noun
  1. A strip of material used for strengthening or coupling.
  2. A long strip of material, color, etc, that is different from the surrounding area.
  3. A strip of decoration.
  4. That which serves as the means of union or connection between persons; a tie.
  5. A linen collar or ruff worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.
  6. (in the plural) Two strips of linen hanging from the neck in front as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress.
  7. A part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
  8. A group of energy levels in a solid state material.
  9. A bond.
  10. Pledge; security.
  11. A ring, such as a wedding ring (wedding band), or a ring put on a bird's leg to identify it.
  12. Any distinguishing line formed by chromatography, electrophoresis etc
  13. Short for band cell.
  14. (hiphop, often in the plural) A wad of money totaling $1K, held together by a band; (by extension) money
verb
  1. To fasten with a band.
  2. To fasten an identifying band around the leg of (a bird).

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A group of musicians who perform together as an ensemble, usually for a professional recording artist.
  2. A type of orchestra originally playing janissary music.
  3. A marching band.
  4. A group of people loosely united for a common purpose (a band of thieves).
  5. A small group of people living in a simple society, contrasted with tribes, chiefdoms, and states.
  6. A group of aboriginals that has official recognition as an organized unit by the federal government of Canada.
verb
  1. To group together for a common purpose; to confederate.
  2. To group (students) together by perceived ability; to stream.

Etymology 3

verb
  1. To tie; to confine by any ligature.
  2. To cohere or stick together in a mass.
  3. To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural action, as by friction.
  4. To exert a binding or restraining influence.
  5. To tie or fasten tightly together, with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.
  6. To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or influence of any kind.
  7. To couple.
  8. To oblige, restrain, or hold, by authority, law, duty, promise, vow, affection, or other social tie.
  9. To put (a person) under definite legal obligations, especially, under the obligation of a bond or covenant.
  10. To place under legal obligation to serve.
  11. To protect or strengthen by applying a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
  12. To make fast (a thing) about or upon something, as by tying; to encircle with something.
  13. To cover, as with a bandage.
  14. To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action, as by producing constipation.
  15. To put together in a cover, as of books.
  16. To make two or more elements stick together.
  17. To associate an identifier with a value; to associate a variable name, method name, etc. with the content of a storage location.
  18. To complain; to whine about something.

bandana

noun
  1. A large kerchief, usually colourful and used either as headgear or as a handkerchief, neckerchief, bikini, or sweatband.
  2. A style of calico printing, in which white or bright spots are produced upon cloth previously dyed a uniform red or dark colour, by discharging portions of the color by chemical means, while the rest of the cloth is under pressure.

bandanna

noun
  1. A large kerchief, usually colourful and used either as headgear or as a handkerchief, neckerchief, bikini, or sweatband.
  2. A style of calico printing, in which white or bright spots are produced upon cloth previously dyed a uniform red or dark colour, by discharging portions of the color by chemical means, while the rest of the cloth is under pressure.

bind

noun
  1. That which binds or ties.
  2. A troublesome situation; a problem; a predicament or quandary.
  3. Any twining or climbing plant or stem, especially a hop vine; a bine.
  4. A ligature or tie for grouping notes.
  5. A strong grip or stranglehold on a position that is difficult for the opponent to break.
  6. The indurated clay of coal mines.
verb
  1. To tie; to confine by any ligature.
  2. To cohere or stick together in a mass.
  3. To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural action, as by friction.
  4. To exert a binding or restraining influence.
  5. To tie or fasten tightly together, with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.
  6. To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or influence of any kind.
  7. To couple.
  8. To oblige, restrain, or hold, by authority, law, duty, promise, vow, affection, or other social tie.
  9. To put (a person) under definite legal obligations, especially, under the obligation of a bond or covenant.
  10. To place under legal obligation to serve.
  11. To protect or strengthen by applying a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
  12. To make fast (a thing) about or upon something, as by tying; to encircle with something.
  13. To cover, as with a bandage.
  14. To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action, as by producing constipation.
  15. To put together in a cover, as of books.
  16. To make two or more elements stick together.
  17. To associate an identifier with a value; to associate a variable name, method name, etc. with the content of a storage location.
  18. To complain; to whine about something.

bindi

Etymology 1

noun
  1. The “holy dot” traditionally worn on the forehead of married Hindu women.
  2. Makeup or jewellery worn in imitation of such a dot.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. The common lawn weed, Soliva sessilis, introduced to Australia from South America.
  2. A seed of this plant, having small sharp spines which stick painfully into bare feet.
  3. Any of a number of plants of the genus Calotis which have small burrs with fine barbed awns.
  4. Any of a various plants of the genus Sclerolaena.

bland

Etymology 1

adjective
  1. Having a soothing effect; not irritating or stimulating.
  2. Lacking in taste, flavor, or vigor.
  3. Lacking interest; boring; dull.
  4. Mild; soft, gentle, balmy; smooth in manner; suave.

Etymology 2

verb
  1. To mix; blend; mingle.
  2. To connect; associate.

Etymology 3

noun
  1. Mixture; union.
  2. A summer beverage prepared from the whey of churned milk, common among the inhabitants of the Shetland Islands.

blin

Etymology 1

noun
  1. Cessation; end.
verb
  1. To cease (from); to stop; to desist, to let up.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A blintz.

blind

noun
  1. A covering for a window to keep out light. The covering may be made of cloth or of narrow slats that can block light or allow it to pass.
  2. A destination sign mounted on a public transport vehicle displaying the route destination, number, name and/or via points, etc.
  3. Any device intended to conceal or hide.
  4. Something to mislead the eye or the understanding, or to conceal some covert deed or design; a subterfuge.
  5. A blindage.
  6. A halting place.
  7. The blindside.
  8. (1800s) No score.
  9. A forced bet: the small blind or the big blind.
  10. A player who is forced to pay such a bet.
  11. (as a plural) Those who are blind, taken as a group.
verb
  1. To make temporarily or permanently blind.
  2. To curse.
  3. To darken; to obscure to the eye or understanding; to conceal.
  4. To cover with a thin coating of sand and fine gravel, for example a road newly paved, in order that the joints between the stones may be filled.
adjective
  1. (of a person or animal) Unable to see, due to physiological or neurological factors.
  2. (of an eye) Unable to be used to see, due to physiological or neurological factors.
  3. Failing to see, acknowledge, perceive.
  4. Of a place, having little or no visibility.
  5. Closed at one end; having a dead end
  6. Having no openings for light or passage.
  7. (in certain phrases) Smallest or slightest.
  8. Without any prior knowledge.
  9. Unconditional; without regard to evidence, logic, reality, accidental mistakes, extenuating circumstances, etc.
  10. Unintelligible or illegible.
  11. Abortive; failing to produce flowers or fruit.
adverb
  1. Without seeing; unseeingly.
  2. Absolutely, totally.
  3. (three card brag) Without looking at the cards dealt.

blini

noun
  1. A small pancake, of Russian origin, made from buckwheat flour; traditionally served with melted butter, sour cream and caviar or smoked salmon.

hand

noun
  1. The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals.
  2. That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand.
  3. In linear measurement:
  4. A side; part, camp; direction, either right or left.
  5. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.
  6. An agent; a servant, or manual laborer, especially in compounds; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty; a performer more or less skillful.
  7. An instance of helping.
  8. Handwriting; style of penmanship.
  9. A person's autograph or signature.
  10. Personal possession; ownership.
  11. (usually in the plural, hands) Management, domain, control.
  12. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
  13. Applause.
  14. A Native American gambling game, involving guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or similar, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand.
  15. The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
  16. A whole rhizome of ginger.
  17. The feel of a fabric; the impression or quality of the fabric as judged qualitatively by the sense of touch.
  18. Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.
  19. Agency in transmission from one person to another.
  20. Rate; price.
verb
  1. To give, pass, or transmit with the hand, literally or figuratively.
  2. To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct.
  3. To manage.
  4. To seize; to lay hands on.
  5. To pledge by the hand; to handfast.
  6. (said of a sail) To furl.
  7. To cooperate.

handball

noun
  1. A team sport where two teams of seven players each (six players and a goalkeeper) pass and bounce a ball trying to throw it in the goal of the opposing team.
  2. The medium-sized inflated ball used in this sport.
  3. The offence of a player other than the goalkeeper touching the ball with the hand or arm on the field during play.
  4. A sport in which players alternately strike the ball against a wall with their hand. Irish and American variants have slightly different rules.
  5. The small rubber ball used in this sport.
  6. (Australian Rules Football) An act of passing a football by holding it with one hand and hitting it with the other.
  7. A schoolyard game in which a tennis ball is struck with the hand, played on a improvised court on the asphalt or pavement.
verb
  1. To manually load or unload a container, trailer, or to otherwise manually move bulk goods (often on pallets) from one type of transport receptacle to another.
  2. To illegally touch the ball with the hand or arm.
  3. To (legally) pass a football by holding it with one hand and hitting it with the other.
  4. (sexuality) To insert a hand into someone's anus.

handbill

Etymology 1

noun
  1. A pruning hook.
  2. A chopping instrument; billhook

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A loose printed sheet, to be distributed by hand.

hind

Etymology 1

adjective
  1. Located at the rear (most often said of animals' body parts).

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A female deer, especially a red deer at least two years old.
  2. A spotted food fish of the genus Epinephelus.

Etymology 3

noun
  1. A servant, especially an agricultural labourer.

inlaid

adjective
  1. (of a design) Set into a surface in a decorative pattern.
  2. (of the surface of an item) Having an inset decorative pattern.
verb
  1. To place (pieces of a foreign material) within another material to form a decorative design.
  2. To place an inlay in a tooth.

inland

noun
  1. The interior part of a country.
adjective
  1. Within the land; relatively remote from the ocean or from open water; interior
  2. Limited to the land, or to inland routes; within the seashore boundary; not passing on, or over, the sea
  3. Confined to a country or state; domestic; not foreign.
adverb
  1. Into, or towards, the interior of the land, away from the coast.

lain

Etymology 1

verb
  1. To rest in a horizontal position on a surface.
  2. To be placed or situated.
  3. To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition.
  4. Used with in: to be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist.
  5. Used with with: to have sexual relations with.
  6. Used with on/upon: to be incumbent (on); to be the responsibility of a person.
  7. To lodge; to sleep.
  8. To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.
  9. To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.

Etymology 2

verb
  1. To conceal, keep quiet about.

lanai

noun
  1. (Florida) A Hawaiian-style roofed patio.

land

Etymology 1

noun
  1. The part of Earth which is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water.
  2. Real estate or landed property; a partitioned and measurable area which is owned and on which buildings can be erected.
  3. A country or region.
  4. A person's country of origin and/or homeplace; homeland.
  5. The soil, in respect to its nature or quality for farming.
  6. (often in combination) realm, domain.
  7. The ground left unploughed between furrows; any of several portions into which a field is divided for ploughing.
  8. A shock or fright.
  9. A conducting area on a board or chip which can be used for connecting wires.
  10. In a compact disc or similar recording medium, an area of the medium which does not have pits.
  11. (travel) The non-airline portion of an itinerary. Hotel, tours, cruises, etc.
  12. The ground or floor.
  13. The lap of the strakes in a clinker-built boat; the lap of plates in an iron vessel; called also landing.
  14. In any surface prepared with indentations, perforations, or grooves, that part of the surface which is not so treated, such as the level part of a millstone between the furrows.
  15. A group of dwellings or tenements under one roof and having a common entry.
verb
  1. To descend to a surface, especially from the air.
  2. To alight, to descend from a vehicle.
  3. To come into rest.
  4. To arrive at land, especially a shore, or a dock, from a body of water.
  5. To bring to land.
  6. To acquire; to secure.
  7. To deliver.
adjective
  1. Of or relating to land.
  2. Residing or growing on land.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. Lant; urine

libidinal

adjective
  1. Relating or pertaining to the libido.

naan

noun
  1. A type of round, flat bread baked in a tandoor popular in South and Central Asian cuisine.

nada

pronoun
  1. Nothing.

naiad

noun
  1. A female deity (nymph) associated with water, especially a spring, stream, or other fresh water.
  2. The aquatic larva (nymph) of a dragonfly or damselfly.
  3. Any of various aquatic plants of the genus Najas.

nail

Etymology 1

noun
  1. The thin, horny plate at the ends of fingers and toes on humans and some other animals.
  2. The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain hemiptera.
  3. The terminal horny plate on the beak of ducks, and other allied birds.
  4. The claw of a bird or other animal.
  5. A spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials. The nail is generally driven through two or more layers of material by means of impacts from a hammer or other device. It is then held in place by friction.
  6. A round pedestal on which merchants once carried out their business, such as the four nails outside The Exchange, Bristol.
  7. An archaic English unit of length equivalent to 1/20 of an ell or 1/16 of a yard (2 1/4 inches or 5.715 cm).

Etymology 2

verb
  1. To fix (an object) to another object using a nail.
  2. To drive a nail.
  3. To stud or boss with nails, or as if with nails.
  4. To catch.
  5. To expose as a sham.
  6. To accomplish (a task) completely and successfully.
  7. To hit (a target) effectively with some weapon.
  8. Of a male, to engage in sexual intercourse with.
  9. To spike, as a cannon.
  10. To nail down: to make certain, or confirm.

nana

Etymology 1

noun
  1. A banana
  2. A fool

Etymology 2

noun
  1. (term of endearment) one's grandmother
  2. A nanny