How to Play Strands

Find every theme word and the spangram by tracing continuous paths through adjacent letters. Read the theme clue first. It gives you the idea that connects the hidden answers. Tap a starting letter and continue through touching letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to build a word path. Change direction when needed, but do not reuse a tile in the same path. You can tap a sequence or drag across the grid. Press Check word to submit the selected path. Valid theme words are marked on the board; valid extra words contribute to the bonus meter. Find three extra words to earn a hint, or continue searching for the remaining theme words and the spangram.

The board contains six rows and eight columns of letters. Each next letter in a word must touch the previous tile horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. A tile cannot be used twice in one word, but the path may turn as it moves across the board. The spangram expresses the puzzle theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. Three accepted extra words earn a hint toward an unfound theme answer.

Treat the theme clue as a category, not necessarily as the exact wording of an answer. Scan the board for common prefixes, suffixes, and letter clusters before tracing a long path. When a path becomes awkward, undo or clear it and try a different starting letter. Use extra words to earn hints if you have found the theme but cannot locate one of its answers.

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