The Unofficial Hive

NYT Spelling Bee answers & analysis

BIKMPUN

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Words
18
Points
79
Genius
55
Pangram
1

Official answers

Show the 18 answersHide answers

Pangram highlighted. Click a word for its definition.

  • bikini

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • bumpkin

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • bunk

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • kink

    noun — A tight curl, twist, or bend in a length of thin material, hair etc.

    noun — A difficulty or flaw that is likely to impede operation, as in a plan or system.

    noun — Peculiarity or deviation in sexual behaviour or taste.

    verb — To form a kink or twist.

    verb — To be formed into a kink or twist.

    noun — An unreasonable notion; a crotchet; a whim; a caprice.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • mini

    adjective — Miniature, tiny, small.

    noun — A miniskirt.

    noun — A minicomputer.

    Appeared in 19 recorded puzzles.

  • minim

    noun — A half note, drawn as a semibreve with a stem.

    noun — Anything very minute; applied to animalcula and the like.

    noun — A unit of volume, in the Imperial and U.S. customary systems, 1/60 fluid drachm. Approximately equal to 1 drop, 62 μL or 0.9 grain (weight) of water.

    noun — A short vertical stroke used in handwriting.

    noun — A little man or being; a dwarf.

    noun — A small fish; a minnow.

    Appeared in 19 recorded puzzles.

  • minimum

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • mink

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • nimbi

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • nubbin

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • numb

    verb — To cause to become numb (physically or emotionally).

    adjective — Physically unable to feel, not having the power of sensation.

    verb — To cause (a feeling) to be less intense.

    verb — To cause (the mind, faculties, etc.) to be less acute.

    verb — To become numb (especially physically).

    adjective — Emotionally unable to feel or respond in a normal way.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • pink

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • pinup

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • pippin

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 13 recorded puzzles.

  • pumpkin

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • punk

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • unkink

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • unpin

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

bumpkin is a perfect pangram — all seven letters, each used exactly once.

Hints, no spoilers

Words by first two letters

  • bi×1
  • bu×2
  • ki×1
  • mi×4
  • ni×1
  • nu×2
  • pi×3
  • pu×2
  • un×2

Words by first letter and length

4567Σ
b 1·11 3
k 1··· 1
m 21·1 4
n 111· 3
p 2111 5
u ·11· 2
Σ 7443 18

The numbers

Genius today takes 55 points of 79 available. The average answer runs 5.2 letters.

Total points vs. all 383 recorded puzzles
1st percentile
Word count vs. all recorded puzzles
0th percentile

Word lengths, today vs. 17359 recorded answers

47 today34.7% all-time54 today22.8% all-time64 today19.9% all-time73 today12.1% all-time86.3% all-time92.6% all-time101.2% all-time110.3% all-time120.1% all-time130.0% all-time

History

Today's letters, last seen

LetterLast in a puzzleLast as center
b Thursday, July 31, 2025 Thursday, July 31, 2025
i Monday, August 4, 2025 Friday, July 18, 2025
k Friday, August 1, 2025 first recorded time
m Friday, August 1, 2025 Friday, July 25, 2025
n ● Sunday, August 3, 2025 Friday, August 1, 2025
p Saturday, August 2, 2025 Saturday, August 2, 2025
u Monday, August 4, 2025 Monday, August 4, 2025

Most common answers, all recorded puzzles

  1. noon 42
  2. naan 30
  3. nana 30
  4. onion 29
  5. toot 28
  6. loll 28
  7. mama 25
  8. mamma 25
  9. cocoon 23
  10. loon 23
  11. nene 23
  12. acacia 22
  13. acai 22
  14. bill 22
  15. neon 22
  16. none 22
  17. olio 22
  18. aria 21
  19. onto 21
  20. toon 21
  21. cancan 21
  22. canna 21
  23. lull 20
  24. lulu 20
  25. lilt 20

Valid words the Bee rejected

Dictionary words the Bee never takes

Legitimate words (per the ENABLE list) that fit the letters but aren't official answers — usually judged too obscure.