Play Strands #949
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 #949 hints
Today's official theme is "A star is born". 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 about being widely known and admired by lots of people, the kind of status someone gets after making it big.
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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 person who shines brightly in their field and inspires others, much like a glowing light in the sky.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: A, C, E, F, R, R.
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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 #949 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 8 letters
- Longest theme word
- 9 letters
Strands #949 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for October 8, 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)
FAME. It starts in row 2, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
RENOWN. It starts in row 4, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (6 letters)
REPUTE. It starts in row 2, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (7 letters)
ACCLAIM. It starts in row 4, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (8 letters)
EMINENCE. It starts in row 6, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (9 letters)
CELEBRITY. It starts in row 4, column 4, counting from the top left.
The spangram (8 letters)
LUMINARY. It starts in row 5, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: LUMINARY
Theme words: ACCLAIM, CELEBRITY, EMINENCE, FAME, RENOWN, REPUTE
The clue 'A star is born' points to someone rising to public prominence, and the theme words ACCLAIM, CELEBRITY, EMINENCE, FAME, RENOWN, and REPUTE all describe the recognition that comes with that rise. The spangram LUMINARY names the person who has become that bright star, a leading figure admired by many.
What does REPUTE mean?
The general opinion or standing someone or something has in the eyes of others; one's reputation. It appears mostly in formal phrases like 'of good repute', and here it fits the idea of being well regarded as a star.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 7 | #948 | Color for the cure |
| Oct 6 | #947 | Changing course |
| Oct 5 | #946 | Oh well, too bad, such a shame |
| Oct 4 | #945 | Grab your tokens |
| Oct 3 | #944 | A figment of your imagination |
| Oct 2 | #943 | On the sly ... |
| Oct 1 | #942 | Things fall apart |
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 Oct 8
Strands #949 questions
What was the Strands spangram on October 8, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #949 was LUMINARY, for the theme "A star is born".
What were the Strands theme words on October 8, 2026?
ACCLAIM, CELEBRITY, EMINENCE, FAME, RENOWN, REPUTE, plus the spangram LUMINARY.
What did the Strands #949 clue mean?
The clue 'A star is born' points to someone rising to public prominence, and the theme words ACCLAIM, CELEBRITY, EMINENCE, FAME, RENOWN, and REPUTE all describe the recognition that comes with that rise. The spangram LUMINARY names the person who has become that bright star, a leading figure admired by many.