Play Strands #874
The same letter grid NYT shows. Drag across touching letters, or tap them one by one and tap the last letter again to check. Theme words turn blue and the spangram turns yellow. Hint outlines one word you haven't found. Nothing is saved, so your real game stays untouched.
Strands #874 hints
Today's official theme is "Frocks and smocks". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
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What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for names of different loose or flowing garments, many of them dresses or dress-like pieces from around the world.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
It's a friendly compliment you might give someone who looks great in their outfit, and it spans the whole board.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: D, G, K, M, P, T.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 13 letters and runs from top to bottom.
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Strands #874 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 13 letters
- Longest theme word
- 8 letters
Strands #874 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for July 25, 2026.
Reveal one word at a time
Only want a foothold? Open one word, find it on the board, then go back and try for the rest. Shorter words come first because they give away the least.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
GOWN. It starts in row 4, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
TUNIC. It starts in row 2, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (6 letters)
DIRNDL. It starts in row 1, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
KIMONO. It starts in row 5, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (6 letters)
MUUMUU. It starts in row 5, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (8 letters)
PINAFORE. It starts in row 5, column 2, counting from the top left.
The spangram (13 letters)
YOUWEARITWELL. It starts in row 1, column 3, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: YOUWEARITWELL
Theme words: DIRNDL, GOWN, KIMONO, MUUMUU, PINAFORE, TUNIC
The clue 'Frocks and smocks' points to dress-style garments, and the theme words are DIRNDL, GOWN, KIMONO, MUUMUU, PINAFORE and TUNIC. The spangram, YOUWEARITWELL, is the compliment you'd give someone looking sharp in any of those outfits.
What does DIRNDL mean?
A traditional dress from Alpine regions such as Bavaria and Austria, with a fitted bodice, full gathered skirt, and usually an apron, often worn at festivals like Oktoberfest. It fits the theme as a type of frock.
What does PINAFORE mean?
A sleeveless apron-like garment worn over a dress or blouse, often by children or as a work covering, with a bib front and tied or buttoned straps. It fits the theme as a smock-like garment.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 24 | #873 | There's more where that came from |
| Jul 23 | #872 | Hail to the chief petty officer |
| Jul 22 | #871 | "What is ..." |
| Jul 21 | #870 | Write there |
| Jul 20 | #869 | Small talk |
| Jul 19 | #868 | Big talk |
| Jul 18 | #867 | A healthy breakfast |
About Strands
Strands is a daily New York Times word search with a theme. Every letter on the six-by-eight board belongs to an answer, and one answer, the spangram, names the theme and stretches between opposite sides of the board. Past puzzles are a good way to learn how the themed clues are usually worded.
Other puzzles on Jul 25
Strands #874 questions
What was the Strands spangram on July 25, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #874 was YOUWEARITWELL, for the theme "Frocks and smocks".
What were the Strands theme words on July 25, 2026?
DIRNDL, GOWN, KIMONO, MUUMUU, PINAFORE, TUNIC, plus the spangram YOUWEARITWELL.
What did the Strands #874 clue mean?
The clue 'Frocks and smocks' points to dress-style garments, and the theme words are DIRNDL, GOWN, KIMONO, MUUMUU, PINAFORE and TUNIC. The spangram, YOUWEARITWELL, is the compliment you'd give someone looking sharp in any of those outfits.