Looking for a little help solving today’s NYT Strands puzzle? You’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find official hints, the spangram, today’s theme words, and a full grid walkthrough for Thursday’s Strands game, #697.
What Is NYT Strands?
Strands is The New York Times’ newest word game sensation, combining elements of word search, themes, and lateral thinking. Like Wordle and Connections, it’s quickly become a daily favorite for puzzle lovers. The goal? Uncover all the theme-related words on a 6×8 letter grid, including one “spangram” that ties the theme together.
Also read: Wordle Today: Hints & Answer for May 8, 2025 (#1419)
Strands Hint For May 8
Theme clue: Well, fancy that!
Strands puzzles are often tricky, and today’s clue hints at something stylish, luxurious, or possibly flashy. What do all these fancy-sounding words have in common? Let’s dig into the puzzle and find out.
Need Extra Help?
Still stumped? Let’s get you going with a few clues.
🔹 There are 7 theme words today, including one spangram.
🔹 Every letter in the grid is used exactly once between the theme words and the spangram.
🔹 You can find words by connecting letters in any direction—horizontal, vertical, diagonal—and switch direction mid-word.
First Two Letters of Each Theme Word
To make things easier, here are the first two letters of each theme word:
- LA
- OO
- EX
- DE
- OR
- SN
- GA
Notice anything these beginnings might suggest? They’re all pointing toward flair, style, and luxury.
Today’s Strands Spangram
Spangram: OOH SHINY
The spangram perfectly captures the vibe of the theme—things that catch your eye with their flair, glitz, or opulence.
Full List Of Today’s Theme Words
Here are all of today’s theme words in NYT Strands for May 8:
- LAVISH
- EXTRAVAGANT
- DELUXE
- ORNATE
- SNAZZY
- GAUDY
- OOH SHINY (spangram)
It’s a lineup of words you might associate with a fashion show, high-end decor, or a glittery celebration.
Solving Experience
Today’s puzzle was on the medium side. The bottom-left corner revealed a double “Z,” which quickly led me to spot SNAZZY—a standout starting point. From there, spotting GAUDY and EXTRAVAGANT made the theme click into place.
Finding the spangram OOH SHINY was fun—it cut across the board and brought that “aha” moment. DELUXE stood out thanks to the rare “X,” while LAVISH and ORNATE came together smoothly in the final stretch.
I used just one hint today—how about you?
Today’s Completed Strands Grid
The final grid featured all seven theme words beautifully interwoven. As always, each letter was used exactly once across all solutions.
Daily Strands Puzzle Tips
Want to improve your Strands game?
- Look for unusual letters: X, Z, or Q often signal unique words.
- Scan for repeated letters: Double letters like “ZZ” or “OO” can narrow down your word options.
- Use your hints wisely: Find 3 non-theme words (4+ letters) to unlock a hint if stuck.
Related:
More Word Game Guides
If you enjoy NYT Strands, don’t miss out on our other daily guides:
- [Wordle Today – Hints & Answer for May 8 (#1419)]
- [Quordle Hints & Answers for May 8 (#1200)]
- [Connections Answers for Today’s Puzzle]
Bookmark this site and return daily for up-to-date game guides and walkthroughs.
Also read: Quordle Hints and Answers for Thursday, May 8 (Game #1200)
Final Thoughts
That’s a wrap on today’s Strands puzzle for Thursday, May 8. The “OOH SHINY” theme brought flair, style, and a bit of sparkle to your morning brain workout. Whether you solved it solo or needed a nudge, you’ve flexed your vocabulary and puzzle skills for the day.
We’ll be back tomorrow with hints, clues, and answers for the next NYT Strands puzzle. Until then—stay sharp, stay curious, and keep hunting those spangrams!
