The Unofficial Hive

NYT Spelling Bee answers & analysis

GINOTUK

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Words
26
Points
131
Genius
91
Pangram
1

Official answers

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Pangram highlighted. Click a word for its definition.

  • ginkgo

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • gunk

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • inking

    verb — To apply ink to; to cover or smear with ink.

    verb — To sign (a contract or similar document).

    verb — To apply a tattoo to (someone).

    noun — An application of ink.

    noun — Inputting text or drawings into a computer, tablet, or similar apparatus using a stylus.

    verb — (of a squid or octopus) to eject ink (sense 3)

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • king

    noun — A male monarch; a man who heads a monarchy. If it's an absolute monarchy, then he is the supreme ruler of his nation.

    noun — A powerful or majorly influential person.

    noun — A component of certain games.

    noun — A king-sized bed.

    noun — Something that has a preeminent position.

    verb — To crown king, to make (a person) king.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • kinging

    verb — To promote a piece of draughts/checkers that has traversed the board to the opposite side, that piece subsequently being permitted to move backwards as well as forwards.

    verb — To assume or pretend preeminence (over); to lord it over.

    verb — To dress and perform as a drag king.

    verb — To crown king, to make (a person) king.

    verb — To rule over as king.

    verb — To perform the duties of a king.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • 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.

  • kinking

    verb — To form a kink or twist.

    verb — To be formed into a kink or twist.

    verb — To laugh loudly.

    verb — To gasp for breath as in a severe fit of coughing.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • kiting

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • knit

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • knitting

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • knot

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • knotting

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • kook

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • nook

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • nuking

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • oink

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • oinking

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • tiki

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • toking

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • took

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • unkink

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • unkinking

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • unknit

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • unknitting

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • unknot

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • unknotting

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

Hints, no spoilers

Words by first two letters

  • gi×1
  • gu×1
  • in×1
  • ki×5
  • kn×4
  • ko×1
  • no×1
  • nu×1
  • oi×2
  • ti×1
  • to×2
  • un×6

Words by first letter and length

4678910Σ
g 11···· 2
i ·1···· 1
k 5122·· 10
n 11···· 2
o 1·1··· 2
t 21···· 3
u ·3··12 6
Σ 1083212 26

The numbers

Genius today takes 91 points of 131 available. The average answer runs 5.9 letters.

Total points vs. all 378 recorded puzzles
16th percentile
Word count vs. all recorded puzzles
6th percentile

Word lengths, today vs. 17142 recorded answers

410 today34.5% all-time522.8% all-time68 today20.0% all-time73 today12.1% all-time82 today6.3% all-time91 today2.5% all-time102 today1.2% all-time110.3% all-time120.1% all-time130.0% all-time

History

Today's letters, last seen

LetterLast in a puzzleLast as center
g Thursday, May 21, 2026 Thursday, May 21, 2026
i Saturday, May 23, 2026 Thursday, May 14, 2026
k ● Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Friday, April 3, 2026
n Saturday, May 23, 2026 Thursday, May 7, 2026
o Friday, May 22, 2026 Friday, May 22, 2026
t Friday, May 22, 2026 Monday, May 11, 2026
u Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Most common answers, all recorded puzzles

  1. noon 41
  2. naan 30
  3. nana 30
  4. onion 28
  5. toot 27
  6. loll 27
  7. mama 24
  8. mamma 24
  9. cocoon 23
  10. nene 23
  11. acacia 22
  12. acai 22
  13. bill 22
  14. loon 22
  15. aria 21
  16. onto 21
  17. toon 21
  18. cancan 21
  19. canna 21
  20. neon 21
  21. none 21
  22. olio 21
  23. anon 20
  24. lull 19
  25. lulu 19

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.