The NYT Strands puzzle for July 31, 2026, revolves around a clever animal-inspired theme that becomes easier to recognize as more words are uncovered. Today’s challenge focuses on traits commonly associated with the lion, encouraging players to connect descriptive words before identifying the spangram.
If you need a helping hand, this guide includes spoiler-free hints, the complete answer list, and today’s spangram to help you solve the puzzle.
Theme Explanation
Today’s NYT Strands theme is “Summer sign”. It sounds like it’s about weather or nature, but that’s not the case. This puzzle is all about a specific animal from a jungle kingdom — the lion, considered the king of the jungle. All non-spangram words relate to features a lion generally has. Most words are easy to identify, though a few may be trickier depending on familiarity with lion characteristics. The solution offers complete satisfaction since the theme remains consistent from start to finish.
Hints for July 31
Here are the clues for each word in today’s puzzle:
- First word: a four-letter word starting with BO
- Second word: a five-letter word starting with BO
- Third word: a five-letter word starting with LO
- Fourth word: an eight-letter word starting with CH
- Fifth word: an eight-letter word starting with DR
- Sixth word: an eight-letter word starting with GE
Answers for July 31
The non-spangram answers for the July 31 NYT Strands puzzle are:
- BOLD
- BOSSY
- LOYAL
- CHARMING
- DRAMATIC
- GENEROUS
Each answer perfectly fits a lion’s behavior and appearance.
Spangram Explained
Today’s spangram is LEOTHELION. It stretches across the grid, connecting two opposite sides, and can change direction as it winds through adjacent letters.
Check out the image below to learn how to make the sets of today’s puzzle:
(Image placeholder: puzzle grid layout)
Today’s puzzle provides a simple yet enjoyable challenge featuring terms that describe one of the most royal animals in the world. The NYT Strands puzzle combines entertaining wordplay with established categories to produce daily puzzles that provide satisfying gameplay to all players.
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