The NYT Strands puzzle for May 14, 2025, #437, is here with its usual fun twist and a dance-themed challenge. If you’re a fan of dancing or just enjoy puzzles with a bit of rhythm, today’s Strands puzzle will be a great one to tackle. The theme is all about movement and music, as the title “Boogie woogie woogie” suggests. But don’t fret if you’re stuck! We’ve got hints and answers for you to keep your puzzle-solving groove going.
What Is Strands?
If you’re unfamiliar with the Strands game, it’s a word puzzle that challenges players to find hidden words within a grid. The puzzle is composed of several interlocking words, and your goal is to find all the words that match the theme of the puzzle. The words in the puzzle can vary in length, but they all fit within the overall theme, which today revolves around dance and music.
In addition to the regular words, the Strands puzzle includes a special challenge: the spangram. This is a single theme word that stretches across the puzzle from one side to the other, and finding it is the ultimate goal. You’ll need to work your way through the clues to find it, but don’t worry – we’ll walk you through the process.
Also read: NYT Mini Crossword Answers and Hints for Wednesday, May 14
Today’s Theme: Boogie Woogie Woogie
As mentioned, today’s puzzle theme is dance-related. The hint provided – “Everybody dance, now” – should give you an idea of the fun vibe you’re in for. You’ll be finding words related to dancing, famous dance moves, and songs that have made their way to dance floors around the world. From classic moves to popular dance tracks, today’s Strands puzzle has got it all!
Here’s a helpful tip: Knowing some classic dance terms will give you a leg up on today’s puzzle. If you’re unfamiliar with any of the terms, don’t worry – we’ll guide you along the way.
Clue Words to Unlock In-Game Hints
To help you unlock more hints within the game, you’ll want to start with basic words that fit the puzzle. As you find words with four letters or more, Strands will reveal part of the theme word. Here are some clue words you can look for to help you along:
- CARE
- SANE
- LEAN
- BOLT
- BOLTS
- LOAN
- COLT
- MOLT
- SOON
- LOOT
- TOOL
- MALT
- NOOSE
Finding any of these words will open up clues in the puzzle, and as you collect more, you’ll get closer to uncovering the theme words and the spangram.
Strands Puzzle Answers for May 14, 2025
Now, let’s dive into the answers you’re looking for. These are the theme words that fit the dance-related topic for today’s Strands puzzle:
- HUSTLE – A classic dance move that’s been a staple of disco and dance floors for decades. The Hustle is an iconic ballroom-style dance known for its energetic, rhythmic moves.
- WOBBLE – A dance style popularized by the song “Wobble Baby” by V.I.C. It’s a fun, hip-hop-inspired dance that encourages a lot of movement and shaking.
- MACARENA – Everyone remembers this infectious Spanish dance craze from the 90s. The “Macarena” dance became a massive hit worldwide and is still a go-to dance at parties.
- FOOTLOOSE – The title of the famous 1980s movie and song, “Footloose” is associated with the energetic dance scenes in the film and the song’s fast tempo.
- LOCOMOTION – Another classic song and dance that took over the charts in the 1960s. “The Locomotion” is an easy-to-follow dance where you move like a train, which fits perfectly with the puzzle’s theme.
The Spangram for Today’s Strands Puzzle: LINEDANCE
The spangram is always the highlight of a Strands puzzle, and today’s is LINEDANCE. To find it, follow the “L” that’s located four letters to the right on the top row and work your way down. A line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows. It’s a perfect fit for today’s dance theme and a great way to wrap up the puzzle.
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Tips for Solving Strands Puzzles
If you’re new to Strands or just looking for some helpful hints to improve your puzzle-solving skills, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Start with smaller words: Focus on finding short words first. Words that are four letters or more will help you unlock the theme words and guide you toward the spangram.
- Look for related words: Since today’s puzzle is dance-themed, think about dance terms, popular dance moves, or songs that have defined dance culture. These will help you identify the right words quickly.
- Use the hints wisely: Strands reveals theme words when you unlock enough regular words. Use the hints to guide your strategy and don’t forget about the spangram – it’s always the last word to find!
- Enjoy the process: Strands puzzles are meant to be fun, so don’t get discouraged if you hit a roadblock. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at spotting the patterns and themes.
Also read: Today’s Quordle Hints & Answers – May 14, Game #1206
Final Thoughts
Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is a fun celebration of dance and music, filled with terms and songs that will get your feet tapping. Whether you’re a pro at solving word puzzles or just getting started, the dance theme adds a lively twist to the experience. So get out there and let your brain boogie through today’s puzzle – and remember, keep those dancing shoes on!
