Play Strands #901
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 #901 hints
Today's official theme is "Celebrate!". 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 words that name a lively get-together where people gather to have a good time, from casual to fancy.
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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
Think of a upbeat saying about enjoying existence that stretches across the whole board, and remember it is a short phrase run together without spaces.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: B, B, F, R, S, S.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 11 letters and runs from right to left.
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Strands #901 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 11 letters
- Longest theme word
- 9 letters
Strands #901 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for August 21, 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)
BASH. It starts in row 3, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
RAGER. It starts in row 6, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (6 letters)
BANGER. It starts in row 8, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
SOIREE. It starts in row 5, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (7 letters)
SHINDIG. It starts in row 6, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (9 letters)
FESTIVITY. It starts in row 5, column 4, counting from the top left.
The spangram (11 letters)
LIFESAPARTY. It starts in row 1, column 3, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: LIFESAPARTY
Theme words: BANGER, BASH, FESTIVITY, RAGER, SHINDIG, SOIREE
The clue 'Celebrate!' points to words for festive gatherings, like BANGER, BASH, RAGER, SHINDIG, SOIREE and FESTIVITY. The spangram LIFESAPARTY sums up the whole mood with the saying that life is one big celebration.
What does SHINDIG mean?
A lively, often noisy party or social gathering, usually casual and sometimes with dancing or music. The word is informal and a bit old-fashioned, and here it is one of many synonyms for a celebration.
What does RAGER mean?
Slang for a very wild, loud, high-energy party, often with heavy drinking and a big crowd. It fits the puzzle as a casual term for a celebration.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 20 | #900 | Split superlatives |
| 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 |
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 21
Strands #901 questions
What was the Strands spangram on August 21, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #901 was LIFESAPARTY, for the theme "Celebrate!".
What were the Strands theme words on August 21, 2026?
BANGER, BASH, FESTIVITY, RAGER, SHINDIG, SOIREE, plus the spangram LIFESAPARTY.
What did the Strands #901 clue mean?
The clue 'Celebrate!' points to words for festive gatherings, like BANGER, BASH, RAGER, SHINDIG, SOIREE and FESTIVITY. The spangram LIFESAPARTY sums up the whole mood with the saying that life is one big celebration.