Play Strands #900
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 #900 hints
Today's official theme is "Split superlatives". 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 pairs of words that fit together into old-fashioned expressions meaning something is excellent, with each expression split into two separate answers.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 8 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of a short, flattering phrase said directly to someone, which could lead into each of these expressions.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: B, B, C, G, K, P, S, V.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 8 letters and runs from left to right.
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Strands #900 in numbers
- Theme words
- 8
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 8 letters
- Longest theme word
- 8 letters
Strands #900 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for August 20, 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)
BEES. It starts in row 2, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
BEST. It starts in row 8, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (4 letters)
CATS. It starts in row 2, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (4 letters)
GOLD. It starts in row 1, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (4 letters)
VERY. It starts in row 1, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (5 letters)
KNEES. It starts in row 4, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 7 (7 letters)
PAJAMAS. It starts in row 6, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 8 (8 letters)
STANDARD. It starts in row 8, column 4, counting from the top left.
The spangram (8 letters)
YOURETHE. It starts in row 3, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: YOURETHE
Theme words: BEES, BEST, CATS, GOLD, KNEES, PAJAMAS, STANDARD, VERY
Each expression is a classic way to say something is top-notch, split into two words: bee's knees (BEES, KNEES), cat's pajamas (CATS, PAJAMAS), gold standard (GOLD, STANDARD), and very best (VERY, BEST). The spangram YOURETHE works as the opener for all of them, as in 'You're the bee's knees' or 'You're the very best.'
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 19 | #899 | For better or wurst |
| Aug 18 | #898 | Fool me once ... |
| Aug 17 | #897 | On a bender |
| Aug 16 | #896 | Learn by doing |
| Aug 15 | #895 | Sacred space |
| Aug 14 | #894 | Discovered by accident |
| Aug 13 | #893 | Coming in hot |
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 Aug 20
Strands #900 questions
What was the Strands spangram on August 20, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #900 was YOURETHE, for the theme "Split superlatives".
What were the Strands theme words on August 20, 2026?
BEES, BEST, CATS, GOLD, KNEES, PAJAMAS, STANDARD, VERY, plus the spangram YOURETHE.
What did the Strands #900 clue mean?
Each expression is a classic way to say something is top-notch, split into two words: bee's knees (BEES, KNEES), cat's pajamas (CATS, PAJAMAS), gold standard (GOLD, STANDARD), and very best (VERY, BEST). The spangram YOURETHE works as the opener for all of them, as in 'You're the bee's knees' or 'You're the very best.'