Spelling Bee hints & answers: Dec 1, 2025 (Puzzle #20769)

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints and full answers for the NYT Spelling Bee hive published on Dec 1, 2025 (2025-12-01 · Puzzle #20769).

Hive overview

This hive centers on I with six outer letters. It has 33 stored words, 1 pangram, and about 107 available points before rank thresholds.

D
K
L
I
N
O
W
Show structure hint

This hive has 33 playable words worth about 107 points in total. Aim to unlock the pangram and a few long words early to get ahead of the ranking curve.

There is 1 pangram hidden in this hive.

Show word-count hints

Word count matrix (starting letter × length):

I
4 letters1
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total1
D
4 letters3
5 letters1
6 letters
7+ letters2
Total6
K
4 letters6
5 letters1
6 letters
7+ letters
Total7
L
4 letters3
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total3
N
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters1
Total1
O
4 letters2
5 letters1
6 letters
7+ letters
Total3
W
4 letters6
5 letters1
6 letters3
7+ letters2
Total12
Σ
4 letters21
5 letters4
6 letters3
7+ letters5
Total33

Approximate rank thresholds for this hive:

  • Good Start: 0 pts
  • Moving Up: 2 pts
  • Good: 5 pts
  • Solid: 9 pts
  • Nice: 16 pts
  • Great: 27 pts
  • Amazing: 43 pts
  • Genius: 75 pts
  • Queen Bee: 107 pts

Check your current score in the NYT game to see how close you are to each rank.

Reveal full answer list (spoiler)

Full answer list for today's hive (alphabetical):

  • DILDO
    5
    5
    No
  • DILL
    4
    1
    No
  • DINK
    4
    1
    No
  • DINO
    4
    1
    No
  • DOWNLINK
    8
    15
    Yes
  • DOWNWIND
    8
    8
    No
  • IDOL
    4
    1
    No
  • KIDDO
    5
    5
    No
  • KILL
    4
    1
    No
  • KILN
    4
    1
    No
  • KILO
    4
    1
    No
  • KIND
    4
    1
    No
  • KINK
    4
    1
    No
  • KIWI
    4
    1
    No
  • LINK
    4
    1
    No
  • LION
    4
    1
    No
  • LOIN
    4
    1
    No
  • NONILLION
    9
    9
    No
  • OINK
    4
    1
    No
  • OLIO
    4
    1
    No
  • ONION
    5
    5
    No
  • WIDOW
    5
    5
    No
  • WIKI
    4
    1
    No
  • WILD
    4
    1
    No
  • WILDWOOD
    8
    8
    No
  • WILL
    4
    1
    No
  • WILLOW
    6
    6
    No
  • WIND
    4
    1
    No
  • WINDOW
    6
    6
    No
  • WINK
    4
    1
    No
  • WINNOW
    6
    6
    No
  • WINO
    4
    1
    No
  • WOODWIND
    8
    8
    No

Looking for today's puzzle instead? Head back to Today's Spelling Bee hints, browse the Spelling Bee archive, or use the word finder and pangram helper.

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