Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Answers to yesterday's Bee

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The official answers for today's puzzle are:

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Number of Pangrams: 1

Maximum Puzzle Score: 178

Number of Answers: 43

Points Needed for Genius: 125

Genius requires between 20 and 37 words. You need at least a 7-letter word to reach genius. If you don't get the pangram, you need 77% of the total points to reach genius. If you get the pangram, you only need 67% of the remaining points to reach genius.

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 178 was in the 55th percentile of all puzzles.
The last time there was a score this high was on March 11, 2025.
The highest score ever was 537 on January 22, 2021.
The lowest score ever was 47 on March 27, 2023.

This puzzle's 43 possible answers rank it in the 61st percentile of all puzzles.
The last time there were more answers than this was on March 11, 2025.
The highest number of answers was 81 on June 8, 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 March 11, 2025.

Today's puzzle has an average word length of 5.1.
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 192
  • loll 184
  • toot 181
  • naan 168
  • nana 168
  • lilt 136
  • till 136
  • tilt 136
  • tint 134
  • mama 127
  • mamma 127
  • nene 126
  • acacia 119
  • acai 119
  • onto 118
  • toon 118
  • anal 113
  • onion 113
  • anon 109
  • boob 109
  • booboo 109
  • baba 107
  • olio 105
  • dodo 103
  • lull 103
  • lulu 103
  • papa 103
  • tact 103
  • call 102
  • calla 102
  • mitt 102
  • poop 101
  • ratatat 100
  • tart 100
  • tartar 100
  • tatty 100
  • allay 99
  • ally 99
  • attar 99
  • tattoo 99
  • tutu 99
  • ammo 97
  • cocci 97
  • epee 97
  • momma 97
  • mono 97
  • moon 97
  • peep 97
  • nada 93
  • loon 92


How long are words in the Bee?

There have been 98,350 answers ever accepted in the Bee - with 10,512 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*:

  • alfa
  • alfalfas
  • alfas
  • baff
  • baffs
  • blaff
  • blaffs
  • boff
  • boffola
  • boffolas
  • boffos
  • boffs
  • buffalos
  • buffo
  • buffos
  • fabs
  • faff
  • faffs
  • falbala
  • falbalas
  • fallal
  • fallals
  • flabs
  • foos
  • foosballs
  • foss
  • fossa
  • fossas
  • fubs
  • fulls
  • loof
  • loofs
  • luffa
  • luffas
  • offa
  • offals
  • sluff
  • sluffs
  • sobful
  • sulfa
  • sulfas
  • sulfo

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

afoul

adverb
  1. (principally nautical) In a state of collision or entanglement.
  2. (with of) In a state of entanglement or conflict (with).

alfalfa

noun
  1. A plant, principally of Medicago sativa, grown as a pasture crop.
  2. A type or breed of this plant.

aloof

adjective
  1. Reserved and remote; either physically or emotionally distant; standoffish.
adverb
  1. At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.
  2. Without sympathy; unfavorably.
preposition
  1. Away from; clear of.

bluff

Etymology 1

noun
  1. An act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio.
  2. An attempt to represent oneself as holding a stronger hand than one actually does.
  3. The card game poker.
  4. One who bluffs; a bluffer.
  5. An excuse.
verb
  1. To make a bluff; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is.
  2. (by analogy) To frighten or deter with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate and gain some advantage.
  3. To take advantage by bluffing.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A high, steep bank, for example by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
  2. A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow.
adjective
  1. Having a broad, flattened front.
  2. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.
  3. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
  4. Roughly frank and hearty in one's manners.

Etymology 3

verb
  1. To fluff, puff or swell up.

bluffs

noun
  1. An act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio.
  2. An attempt to represent oneself as holding a stronger hand than one actually does.
  3. The card game poker.
  4. One who bluffs; a bluffer.
  5. An excuse.
verb
  1. To make a bluff; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is.
  2. (by analogy) To frighten or deter with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate and gain some advantage.
  3. To take advantage by bluffing.
noun
  1. A high, steep bank, for example by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
  2. A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow.
verb
  1. To fluff, puff or swell up.

boffo

noun
  1. (chiefly in the world of entertainment) A great success; a hit.
adjective
  1. Outstanding; very good or successful.

buff

Etymology 1

noun
  1. Undyed leather from the skin of buffalo or similar animals.
  2. A tool, often one covered with buff leather, used for polishing.
  3. A brownish yellow colour.
  4. A military coat made of buff leather.
  5. A person who is very interested in a particular subject; an enthusiast.
  6. An effect that makes a character or item stronger.
  7. Compressive coupler force that occurs during a slack bunched condition.
  8. The bare skin.
  9. The greyish viscid substance constituting the buffy coat.
  10. A substance used to dilute (street) drugs in order to increase profits.
verb
  1. To polish and make shiny by rubbing.
  2. To make a character or an item stronger.
  3. To modify a medical chart, especially in a dishonest manner.
adjective
  1. Of the color of buff leather, a brownish yellow.
  2. Unusually muscular. (also buffed or buffed out)
  3. Physically attractive.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A buffet; a blow.
verb
  1. To strike.

Etymology 3

noun
  1. A buffalo, or the meat of a buffalo.

buffalo

noun
  1. Any of the Old World mammals of the family Bovidae, such as the Cape buffalo, Syncerus caffer, or the water buffalo Bubalus bubalis.
  2. A related North American animal, the American bison, Bison bison.
  3. A buffalo robe.
  4. The buffalo fish.
verb
  1. To hunt buffalo.
  2. To outwit, confuse, deceive, or intimidate.
  3. To pistol-whip.

buffs

noun
  1. Undyed leather from the skin of buffalo or similar animals.
  2. A tool, often one covered with buff leather, used for polishing.
  3. A brownish yellow colour.
  4. A military coat made of buff leather.
  5. A person who is very interested in a particular subject; an enthusiast.
  6. An effect that makes a character or item stronger.
  7. Compressive coupler force that occurs during a slack bunched condition.
  8. The bare skin.
  9. The greyish viscid substance constituting the buffy coat.
  10. A substance used to dilute (street) drugs in order to increase profits.
verb
  1. To polish and make shiny by rubbing.
  2. To make a character or an item stronger.
  3. To modify a medical chart, especially in a dishonest manner.
noun
  1. A buffet; a blow.
verb
  1. To strike.
noun
  1. A buffalo, or the meat of a buffalo.

fabulous

adjective
  1. Of or relating to fable, myth or legend.
  2. Characteristic of fables; marvelous, extraordinary, incredible.
  3. Fictional or not believable; made up.
  4. Known for telling fables or falsehoods; unreliable.
  5. Very good; outstanding, wonderful.
  6. Gay or pertaining to gay people.
  7. Camp, effeminate.
  8. Fashionable, glamorous

fall

Etymology 1

noun
  1. The act of moving to a lower position under the effect of gravity.
  2. A reduction in quantity, pitch, etc.
  3. The time of the year when the leaves typically fall from the trees; autumn; the season of the year between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.
  4. A loss of greatness or status.
  5. That which falls or cascades.
  6. A crucial event or circumstance.
  7. A hairpiece for women consisting of long strands of hair on a woven backing, intended primarily to cover hair loss.
  8. Blame or punishment for a failure or misdeed.
  9. The part of the rope of a tackle to which the power is applied in hoisting (usu. plural).
  10. An old Scots unit of measure equal to six ells.
  11. A short, flexible piece of leather forming part of a bullwhip, placed between the thong and the cracker.
  12. The lid, on a piano, that covers the keyboard
verb
  1. (heading) To be moved downwards.
  2. To move downwards.
  3. To happen, to change negatively.
  4. To be allotted to; to arrive through chance, fate, or inheritance.
  5. To diminish; to lessen or lower.
  6. To bring forth.
  7. To issue forth into life; to be brought forth; said of the young of certain animals.
  8. To descend in character or reputation; to become degraded; to sink into vice, error, or sin.
  9. To become ensnared or entrapped; to be worse off than before.
  10. To assume a look of shame or disappointment; to become or appear dejected; said of the face.
  11. To happen; to come to pass; to chance or light (upon).
  12. To begin with haste, ardour, or vehemence; to rush or hurry.
  13. To be dropped or uttered carelessly.
  14. (of a fabric) To hang down (under the influence of gravity).

Etymology 2

noun
  1. The chasing of a hunted whale.

falloff

noun
  1. A reduction or decline.

falloffs

noun
  1. A reduction or decline.

falls

noun
  1. The act of moving to a lower position under the effect of gravity.
  2. A reduction in quantity, pitch, etc.
  3. The time of the year when the leaves typically fall from the trees; autumn; the season of the year between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.
  4. A loss of greatness or status.
  5. That which falls or cascades.
  6. A crucial event or circumstance.
  7. A hairpiece for women consisting of long strands of hair on a woven backing, intended primarily to cover hair loss.
  8. Blame or punishment for a failure or misdeed.
  9. The part of the rope of a tackle to which the power is applied in hoisting (usu. plural).
  10. An old Scots unit of measure equal to six ells.
  11. A short, flexible piece of leather forming part of a bullwhip, placed between the thong and the cracker.
  12. The lid, on a piano, that covers the keyboard
verb
  1. (heading) To be moved downwards.
  2. To move downwards.
  3. To happen, to change negatively.
  4. To be allotted to; to arrive through chance, fate, or inheritance.
  5. To diminish; to lessen or lower.
  6. To bring forth.
  7. To issue forth into life; to be brought forth; said of the young of certain animals.
  8. To descend in character or reputation; to become degraded; to sink into vice, error, or sin.
  9. To become ensnared or entrapped; to be worse off than before.
  10. To assume a look of shame or disappointment; to become or appear dejected; said of the face.
  11. To happen; to come to pass; to chance or light (upon).
  12. To begin with haste, ardour, or vehemence; to rush or hurry.
  13. To be dropped or uttered carelessly.
  14. (of a fabric) To hang down (under the influence of gravity).
noun
  1. The chasing of a hunted whale.
noun
  1. A waterfall.

flab

noun
  1. Soft, loose flesh on a person's body; fat.

floss

Etymology 1

noun
  1. A thread used to clean the gaps between the teeth.
  2. Raw silk fibres.
  3. The fibres covering a corncob etc.; the loose downy or silky material inside the husks of certain plants, such as beans.
  4. Any thread-like material having parallel strands that are not spun or wound around each other.
  5. Spun sugar or cotton candy, especially in the phrase "candy floss".
  6. A body feather of an ostrich.
  7. A dance move in which the dancer repeatedly swings their arms, with clenched fists, from the back of their body to the front, on each side.
verb
  1. To clean the area between the teeth using floss.
  2. To show off, especially by exhibiting one's wealth or talent.
  3. To perform the floss dance move.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A small stream of water.
  2. Fluid glass floating on iron in the puddling furnace, produced by the vitrification of oxides and earths which are present.

flub

noun
  1. An error; a mistake in the performance of an action.
verb
  1. To goof, fumble, or err in the performance of an action.

flubs

noun
  1. An error; a mistake in the performance of an action.
verb
  1. To goof, fumble, or err in the performance of an action.

fluff

noun
  1. Anything light, soft or fuzzy, especially fur, hair, feathers.
  2. Anything inconsequential or superficial.
  3. A lapse or mistake, especially a mistake in an actor's lines.
  4. Marshmallow creme.
  5. A passive partner in a lesbian relationship.
  6. A fart.
verb
  1. To make something fluffy.
  2. To become fluffy, puff up.
  3. To move lightly like fluff.
  4. (of an actor or announcer) To make a mistake in one's lines.
  5. To do incorrectly, for example mishit, miskick, miscue etc.
  6. To fart.
  7. To arouse (a male pornographic actor) before filming.

fluffs

noun
  1. Anything light, soft or fuzzy, especially fur, hair, feathers.
  2. Anything inconsequential or superficial.
  3. A lapse or mistake, especially a mistake in an actor's lines.
  4. Marshmallow creme.
  5. A passive partner in a lesbian relationship.
  6. A fart.
verb
  1. To make something fluffy.
  2. To become fluffy, puff up.
  3. To move lightly like fluff.
  4. (of an actor or announcer) To make a mistake in one's lines.
  5. To do incorrectly, for example mishit, miskick, miscue etc.
  6. To fart.
  7. To arouse (a male pornographic actor) before filming.

flus

No Definition Found.

foal

noun
  1. A young horse or related animal, especially just after birth or less than a year old.
  2. A young boy who assisted the headsman by pushing or pulling the tub.
verb
  1. To give birth to (a foal); to bear offspring.

foals

noun
  1. A young horse or related animal, especially just after birth or less than a year old.
  2. A young boy who assisted the headsman by pushing or pulling the tub.
verb
  1. To give birth to (a foal); to bear offspring.

fobs

noun
  1. A little pocket near the waistline of a pair of trousers or in a waistcoat or vest to hold a pocketwatch; a watch pocket.
  2. A short chain or ribbon to connect such a pocket to the watch.
  3. A small ornament attached to such a chain. (See Usage Notes below)
  4. A hand-held remote control device used to lock/unlock motor cars etc.

fool

noun
  1. A person with poor judgment or little intelligence.
  2. A jester; a person whose role was to entertain a sovereign and the court (or lower personages).
  3. Someone who derives pleasure from something specified.
  4. Buddy, dude, man.
  5. A type of dessert made of puréed fruit and custard or cream.
  6. (often capitalized, Fool) A particular card in a tarot deck, representing a jester.
verb
  1. To trick; to deceive
  2. To act in an idiotic manner; to act foolishly
adjective
  1. Foolish.

fools

noun
  1. A person with poor judgment or little intelligence.
  2. A jester; a person whose role was to entertain a sovereign and the court (or lower personages).
  3. Someone who derives pleasure from something specified.
  4. Buddy, dude, man.
  5. A type of dessert made of puréed fruit and custard or cream.
  6. (often capitalized, Fool) A particular card in a tarot deck, representing a jester.
verb
  1. To trick; to deceive
  2. To act in an idiotic manner; to act foolishly

foosball

noun
  1. Table soccer (US), table football (UK)

foul

Etymology 1

adjective
  1. Covered with, or containing unclean matter; dirty.
  2. (of words or a way of speaking) obscene, vulgar or abusive.
  3. Detestable, unpleasant, loathsome.
  4. Disgusting, repulsive; causing disgust.
  5. Ugly; homely; poor.
  6. (of the weather) Unpleasant, stormy or rainy.
  7. Dishonest or not conforming to the established rules and customs of a game, conflict, test, etc.
  8. Entangled and therefore restricting free movement, not clear.
  9. Outside of the base lines; in foul territory.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A breach of the rules of a game, especially one involving inappropriate contact with an opposing player in order to gain an advantage; for example, tripping someone up in soccer, or contact of any kind in basketball.
  2. A (usually accidental) contact between a bowler and the lane before the bowler has released the ball.
  3. A foul ball, a ball which has been hit outside of the base lines.
verb
  1. To make dirty.
  2. To besmirch.
  3. To clog or obstruct.
  4. To entangle.
  5. To make contact with an opposing player in order to gain advantage.
  6. To hit outside of the baselines.
  7. To become clogged.
  8. To become entangled.
  9. To commit a foul.
  10. To hit a ball outside of the baselines.

fouls

noun
  1. A breach of the rules of a game, especially one involving inappropriate contact with an opposing player in order to gain an advantage; for example, tripping someone up in soccer, or contact of any kind in basketball.
  2. A (usually accidental) contact between a bowler and the lane before the bowler has released the ball.
  3. A foul ball, a ball which has been hit outside of the base lines.
verb
  1. To make dirty.
  2. To besmirch.
  3. To clog or obstruct.
  4. To entangle.
  5. To make contact with an opposing player in order to gain advantage.
  6. To hit outside of the baselines.
  7. To become clogged.
  8. To become entangled.
  9. To commit a foul.
  10. To hit a ball outside of the baselines.

full

Etymology 1

adjective
  1. Containing the maximum possible amount that can fit in the space available.
  2. Complete; with nothing omitted.
  3. Total, entire.
  4. Having eaten to satisfaction, having a "full" stomach; replete.
  5. (with of) Replete, abounding with.
  6. (of physical features) Plump, round.
  7. Of a garment, of a size that is ample, wide, or having ample folds or pleats to be comfortable.
  8. Having depth and body; rich.
  9. Having the mind filled with ideas; stocked with knowledge; stored with information.
  10. Having the attention, thoughts, etc., absorbed in any matter, and the feelings more or less excited by it.
  11. Filled with emotions.
  12. Impregnated; made pregnant.
  13. (postnominal) Said of the three cards of the same rank in a full house.
  14. Drunk, intoxicated.
adverb
  1. Fully; quite; very; thoroughly; completely; exactly; entirely.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. Utmost measure or extent; highest state or degree; the state, position, or moment of fullness; fill.
  2. (of the moon) The phase of the moon when its entire face is illuminated, full moon.
  3. (freestyle skiing) An aerialist maneuver consisting of a backflip in conjunction and simultaneous with a complete twist.
verb
  1. (of the moon) To become full or wholly illuminated.

Etymology 3

verb
  1. To baptise.

Etymology 4

verb
  1. To make cloth denser and firmer by soaking, beating and pressing, to waulk, walk

fuss

noun
  1. Excessive activity, worry, bother, or talk about something.
  2. A complaint or noise; a scene.
  3. An exhibition of affection or admiration.
verb
  1. To be very worried or excited about something, often too much.
  2. To fiddle; fidget; wiggle, or adjust
  3. (especially of babies) To cry or be ill-humoured.
  4. (with over) To show affection for, especially animals.
  5. To pet.

loaf

Etymology 1

noun
  1. (also loaf of bread) A block of bread after baking.
  2. Any solid block of food, such as meat or sugar.
  3. Shortened from "loaf of bread", the brain or the head (mainly in the phrase use one's loaf).
  4. A solid block of soap, from which standard bars are cut.

Etymology 2

verb
  1. To do nothing, to be idle.
  2. (Cockney rhyming slang) To headbutt, (from loaf of bread)

loafs

verb
  1. To do nothing, to be idle.
  2. (Cockney rhyming slang) To headbutt, (from loaf of bread)

loofa

noun
  1. A tropical vine, of the genus Luffa, having almost cylindrical fruit with a spongy, fibrous interior; the dishcloth gourd
  2. The dried fibrous interior used as a sponge for bathing
  3. Any bathing sponge

loofas

noun
  1. A tropical vine, of the genus Luffa, having almost cylindrical fruit with a spongy, fibrous interior; the dishcloth gourd
  2. The dried fibrous interior used as a sponge for bathing
  3. Any bathing sponge

luff

noun
  1. The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.
  2. The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
  3. The roundest part of a ship's bow.
  4. The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.
verb
  1. (of a sail) To shake due to being trimmed improperly.
  2. (of a boat) To alter course to windward so that the sails luff. (Alternatively luff up)
  3. To let out (a sail) so that it luffs.
  4. To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.

luffs

noun
  1. The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.
  2. The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
  3. The roundest part of a ship's bow.
  4. The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.
verb
  1. (of a sail) To shake due to being trimmed improperly.
  2. (of a boat) To alter course to windward so that the sails luff. (Alternatively luff up)
  3. To let out (a sail) so that it luffs.
  4. To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.

oafs

noun
  1. A person, especially a large male, who is clumsy or a simpleton.
  2. An elf's child; a changeling left by fairies or goblins, hence, a deformed or foolish child.

offal

noun
  1. The internal organs of an animal, used as animal food.
  2. A by-product of the grain milling process, which may include bran, husks, etc.
  3. A dead body; carrion.
  4. That which is thrown away as worthless or unfit for use; refuse; rubbish.

offs

verb
  1. To kill.
  2. To switch off.

sofa

noun
  1. A raised area of a building's floor, usually covered with carpeting, used for sitting.
  2. (furniture) An upholstered seat with a raised back and one or two raised ends, long enough to comfortably accommodate two or more people.
verb
  1. To furnish with one or more sofas.
  2. To seat or lay down on a sofa.

sofas

noun
  1. A raised area of a building's floor, usually covered with carpeting, used for sitting.
  2. (furniture) An upholstered seat with a raised back and one or two raised ends, long enough to comfortably accommodate two or more people.
verb
  1. To furnish with one or more sofas.
  2. To seat or lay down on a sofa.

soulful

Etymology 1

adjective
  1. Full of emotion and vigor.
  2. Full of soul.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. Enough to fill one's soul.