Monday, June 9, 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: 149

Number of Answers: 32

Points Needed for Genius: 104

Genius requires between 14 and 28 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 65% 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 149 was in the 39th percentile of all puzzles.
The last time there was a score this low was on May 28, 2025.
The highest score ever was 537 on January 22, 2021.
The lowest score ever was 47 on March 27, 2023.

This puzzle's 32 possible answers rank it in the 31st percentile of all puzzles.
The last time there were fewer answers than this was on May 26, 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 an 8-letter word for genius.
The last time this happened was on June 8, 2025.

Today's puzzle has an average word length of 5.6.
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 201
  • loll 197
  • toot 188
  • naan 172
  • nana 172
  • lilt 139
  • till 139
  • tilt 139
  • tint 136
  • nene 133
  • mama 132
  • mamma 132
  • acacia 124
  • acai 124
  • onto 124
  • toon 124
  • onion 121
  • anal 117
  • olio 116
  • anon 114
  • boob 112
  • booboo 112
  • dodo 110
  • baba 109
  • poop 109
  • tact 109
  • papa 108
  • lull 106
  • lulu 106
  • call 105
  • calla 105
  • ratatat 105
  • tart 105
  • tartar 105
  • attar 104
  • mitt 104
  • tatty 104
  • mono 103
  • moon 103
  • allay 102
  • ally 102
  • tattoo 102
  • ammo 101
  • cocci 101
  • momma 101
  • tutu 101
  • epee 99
  • peep 99
  • loon 98
  • roar 96


How long are words in the Bee?

There have been 102,416 answers ever accepted in the Bee - with 10,623 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*:

  • abaya
  • abba
  • abbatial
  • alba
  • albata
  • atabal
  • baal
  • babbitt
  • baith
  • balata
  • bally
  • balti
  • batata
  • bathyal
  • batt
  • battalia
  • biali
  • bibb
  • bilby
  • bitt
  • bittily
  • bitty
  • habitably
  • labiality
  • labially
  • liblab
  • titbit
  • yabby

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

ability

noun
  1. Suitableness.
  2. The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.
  3. The legal wherewithal to act.
  4. Physical power.
  5. Financial ability.
  6. A unique power of the mind; a faculty.
  7. A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude.

ably

adverb
  1. In an able manner; with great ability.

alibi

noun
  1. The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove being in another place when the alleged act was committed
verb
  1. To provide an alibi for.
  2. To provide an excuse for.

baba

noun
  1. A kind of sponge cake soaked in rum-flavoured syrup.
  2. (esp. among people of East European ancestry) A grandmother.
  3. An old woman, especially a traditional old woman from an eastern European culture.
  4. (esp. among people of Indian ancestry) A father.
  5. (Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism) A holy man, a spiritual leader.
  6. A baby, child.
  7. In baby talk, often used for a variety of words beginning with b, such as bottle or blanket.

baby

noun
  1. A very young human, particularly from birth to a couple of years old or until walking is fully mastered.
  2. Any very young animal, especially a vertebrate; many species have specific names for their babies, such as kittens for the babies of cats, puppies for the babies of dogs, and chickens for the babies of birds. See for more.
  3. Unborn young; a fetus.
  4. A person who is immature, infantile or feeble.
  5. A person who is new to or inexperienced in something.
  6. The lastborn of a family; the youngest sibling, irrespective of age.
  7. A term of endearment used to refer to or address one's girlfriend, boyfriend or spouse.
  8. A form of address to a man or a woman considered to be attractive.
  9. A pet project or responsibility.
  10. An affectionate term for anything.
  11. A small image of an infant; a doll.
verb
  1. To coddle; to pamper somebody like an infant.
  2. To tend (something) with care; to be overly attentive to (something), fuss over.
adjective
  1. Of a child: very young; of the age when he or she would be termed a baby or infant.
  2. Of an animal: young.
  3. Intended for babies.
  4. (of vegetables, etc.) Picked when small and immature (as in baby corn, baby potatoes).

baht

Etymology 1

noun
  1. The official currency of Thailand, equal to 100 satang.

Etymology 2

adverb
  1. Without (Yorkshire dialect, famously part of the song title On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at)

bail

Etymology 1

noun
  1. Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
  2. Release from imprisonment on payment of such money.
  3. The person providing such payment.
  4. A bucket or scoop used for removing water from a boat etc.
  5. A person who bails water out of a boat.
  6. Custody; keeping.
verb
  1. To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail.
  2. To release a person under such guarantee.
  3. To hand over personal property to be held temporarily by another as a bailment.
  4. To remove (water) from a boat by scooping it out.
  5. To remove water from (a boat) by scooping it out.
  6. To set free; to deliver; to release.

Etymology 2

verb
  1. To exit quickly.
  2. To fail to meet a commitment.

Etymology 3

noun
  1. A hoop, ring or handle (especially of a kettle or bucket).
  2. A stall for a cow (or other animal) (usually tethered with a semi-circular hoop).
  3. A hinged bar as a restraint for animals, or on a typewriter.
  4. A frame to restrain a cow during milking or feeding.
  5. A hoop, ring, or other object used to connect a pendant to a necklace.
  6. One of the two wooden crosspieces that rest on top of the stumps to form a wicket.
  7. (furniture) Normally curved handle suspended between sockets as a drawer pull. This may also be on a kettle or pail.
verb
  1. To secure the head of a cow during milking.

Etymology 4

verb
  1. To confine.
  2. To secure (a cow) by placing its head in a bail for milking.
  3. To keep (a traveller) detained in order to rob them; to corner (a wild animal); loosely, to detain, hold up. (Usually with up.)

bait

Etymology 1

noun
  1. Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
  2. Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
  3. Anything which allures; something used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something
  4. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
verb
  1. To attract with bait; to entice.
  2. To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.

Etymology 2

verb
  1. To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.
  2. To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.
  3. To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.
  4. (of a horse or other animal) To take food, especially during a journey.
  5. (of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.

Etymology 3

verb
  1. To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.

Etymology 4

adjective
  1. Obvious; blatant.
  2. Well-known; famous; renowned.

ball

Etymology 1

noun
  1. A solid or hollow sphere, or roughly spherical mass.
  2. A round or ellipsoidal object.
  3. (mildly, usually in the plural) A testicle.
  4. A leather-covered cushion, fastened to a handle called a ballstock; formerly used by printers for inking the form, then superseded by the roller.
  5. A large pill, a form in which medicine was given to horses; a bolus.
verb
  1. To form or wind into a ball.
  2. To heat in a furnace and form into balls for rolling.
  3. To have sexual intercourse with.
  4. To gather balls which cling to the feet, as of damp snow or clay; to gather into balls.
  5. (usually in present participle) To be hip or cool.
  6. To play basketball.
  7. To punish by affixing a ball and chain
interjection
  1. An appeal by the crowd for holding the ball against a tackled player. This is heard almost any time an opposition player is tackled, without regard to whether the rules about "prior opportunity" to dispose of the ball are fulfilled.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A formal dance.
  2. A very enjoyable time.

bath

Etymology 1

noun
  1. A tub or pool which is used for bathing: bathtub.
  2. A building or area where bathing occurs.
  3. The act of bathing.
  4. A substance or preparation in which something is immersed.
verb
  1. To wash a person or animal in a bath
noun
  1. A room containing a shower and/or bathtub, and (typically but not necessarily) a toilet.
  2. A lavatory: a room containing a toilet and (typically but not necessarily) a bathtub.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. A former Hebrew unit of liquid volume (about 23 L or 6 gallons).

battily

No Definition Found.

batty

Etymology 1

adjective
  1. Mad, crazy, silly.
  2. Belonging to, or resembling, a bat (mammal).

Etymology 2

noun
  1. (West Indian slang) The buttocks or anus.
  2. A homosexual man.

bialy

noun
  1. A flat bread roll topped with onion flakes. Instead of a hole like a bagel, it has a depression in the middle.

bilabial

noun
  1. A speech sound articulated with both lips.
adjective
  1. Articulated with both lips.

bill

Etymology 1

noun
  1. Any of various bladed or pointed hand weapons, originally designating an Anglo-Saxon sword, and later a weapon of infantry, especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, commonly consisting of a broad, heavy, double-edged, hook-shaped blade, with a short pike at the back and another at the top, attached to the end of a long staff.
  2. A cutting instrument, with hook-shaped point, and fitted with a handle, used in pruning, etc.; a billhook.
  3. Somebody armed with a bill; a billman.
  4. A pickaxe, or mattock.
  5. The extremity of the arm of an anchor; the point of or beyond the fluke (also called the peak).
verb
  1. To dig, chop, etc., with a bill.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. The beak of a bird, especially when small or flattish; sometimes also used with reference to a platypus, turtle, or other animal.
  2. A beak-like projection, especially a promontory.
  3. Of a cap or hat: the brim or peak, serving as a shade to keep sun off the face and out of the eyes.
verb
  1. To peck
  2. To stroke bill against bill, with reference to doves; to caress in fondness

Etymology 3

noun
  1. A written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)
  2. A document, originally sealed; a formal statement or official memorandum. (Now obsolete except with certain qualifying words; bill of health, bill of sale etc.)
  3. A draft of a law, presented to a legislature for enactment; a proposed or projected law.
  4. A declaration made in writing, stating some wrong the complainant has suffered from the defendant, or a fault committed by some person against a law.
  5. A piece of paper money; a banknote.
  6. A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, with the price or charge; an invoice.
  7. A paper, written or printed, and posted up or given away, to advertise something, as a lecture, a play, or the sale of goods
  8. A writing binding the signer or signers to pay a certain sum at a future day or on demand, with or without interest, as may be stated in the document; a bill of exchange. In the United States, it is usually called a note, a note of hand, or a promissory note.
  9. A set of items presented together.
verb
  1. To advertise by a bill or public notice.
  2. To charge; to send a bill to.

Etymology 4

noun
  1. The bell, or boom, of the bittern.

billy

noun
  1. A billy club.
  2. A billy goat.
  3. A good friend.
  4. A tin used by bushmen to boil tea; a billycan; a billypot.
  5. A condom (from the E-Rotic song "Willy, Use a Billy... Boy")
  6. A slubbing or roving machine.

blab

noun
  1. One who blabs; a babbler; a telltale; a gossip or gossiper.
  2. Gossip; prattle.
verb
  1. To tell tales; to gossip without reserve or discretion.

blabby

No Definition Found.

blah

noun
  1. Nonsense; drivel; idle, meaningless talk.
  2. (in plural, the blahs) A general or ambiguous feeling of discomfort, dissatisfaction, uneasiness, boredom, mild depression, etc.
verb
  1. To utter idle, meaningless talk.
adjective
  1. Dull; uninteresting; insipid.
  2. Low in spirit or health; down.
interjection
  1. An expression of mild frustration.
  2. (When spoken repeatedly, often three times in succession: blah blah blah!) Imitative of idle, meaningless talk; used sometimes in a slightly derogatory manner to mock or downplay another's words, or to show disinterest in a diatribe, rant, instructions, unsolicited advice, parenting, etc. Also used when recalling and retelling another's words, as a substitute for the portions of the speech deemed irrelevant.
  3. Representing the sound of vomiting.

blat

Etymology 1

verb
  1. To cry, as a calf or sheep; to bleat.
  2. To make a senseless noise.
  3. To talk inconsiderately.
  4. To produce an overrich or overblown sound on a brass instrument such as a trumpet, trombone, or tuba.

Etymology 2

noun
  1. Connections; relationships; one's social or business network (in Russian or Soviet society).

habit

Etymology 1

noun
  1. An action performed on a regular basis.
  2. An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
  3. A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
  4. A piece of clothing worn uniformly for a specific activity.
  5. Outward appearance; attire; dress.
  6. Form of growth or general appearance of a variety or species of plant or crystal.
  7. An addiction.

Etymology 2

verb
  1. To clothe.
  2. To inhabit.

habitability

No Definition Found.

habitat

noun
  1. Conditions suitable for an organism or population of organisms to live.
  2. A place or type of site where an organism or population naturally occurs.
  3. A terrestrial or aquatic area distinguished by geographic, abiotic and biotic features, whether entirely natural or semi-natural.
  4. A place in which a person lives.

hillbilly

noun
  1. Someone who is from the hills; especially from a rural area, with a connotation of a lack of refinement or sophistication.
  2. A white person from the rural southern part of the United States, especially the Southeastern states.
verb
  1. To emphasize one's rural or humble upbringing; to use unsophisticated charm.
  2. To portray or act as an uneducated and unsophisticated fool.
  3. To perform or experience stereotypically hillbilly-like actions.

labia

noun
  1. The folds of tissue at the opening of the vulva, at either side of the vagina.
noun
  1. A liplike structure; especially one of the two pairs of folds of skin either side of the vulva.
  2. The lip of a labiate corolla.
  3. The lip against which pressured air is driven to produce sound in a recorder and in a pipe organ with flue pipes.

labial

noun
  1. A consonant articulated by the lips.
  2. An organ pipe having a lip that influences its sound.
  3. Any of the scales bordering the mouth opening of a reptile.
adjective
  1. Of or pertaining to the lips or labia.
  2. Articulated by the lips, as the consonants b, m and w.
  3. Of an incisor or canine, on the side facing the lips. See mesial.
  4. Furnished with lips.

lability

No Definition Found.

liability

noun
  1. An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone.
  2. A handicap that holds something back, a drawback, someone or something that is a burden to whoever is required to take care of them; an individual or action that exposes others to greater risk.
  3. The likelihood of something happening.
  4. The condition of being susceptible to something.

tabby

noun
  1. A kind of waved silk, usually called watered silk, manufactured like taffeta, but thicker and stronger. The watering is given to it by calendering.
  2. A mixture of lime with shells, gravel, or stones, in equal proportions, with an equal proportion of water. When dry, this becomes as hard as rock.
  3. A brindled cat.
  4. An old maid or gossip.
verb
  1. To give a wavy or watered appearance to (a textile).
adjective
  1. Having a wavy or watered appearance
  2. Brindled; diversified in color

tabla

noun
  1. A pair of tuned hand drums, used in various musical genres of the Indian subcontinent, that are similar to bongos.

tibia

noun
  1. The inner and usually the larger of the two bones of the leg or hind limb below the knee, the shinbone
  2. The second segment from the end of an insect's leg, between the femur and tarsus.
  3. The third segment from the end of an arachnid's leg, between the patella and metatarsus.
  4. A musical instrument of the flute kind, originally made of the leg bone of an animal.

tibial

No Definition Found.