Spelling Bee hints & answers: Feb 20, 2026 (Puzzle #25549)

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints and full answers for the NYT Spelling Bee hive published on Feb 20, 2026 (2026-02-20 · Puzzle #25549).

Hive overview

This hive centers on U with six outer letters. It has 28 stored words, 1 pangram, and about 100 available points before rank thresholds.

A
B
D
U
G
L
Y
Show structure hint

This hive has 28 playable words worth about 100 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):

U
4 letters1
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total1
A
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total0
B
4 letters3
5 letters5
6 letters1
7+ letters
Total9
D
4 letters4
5 letters1
6 letters1
7+ letters
Total6
G
4 letters2
5 letters3
6 letters
7+ letters
Total5
L
4 letters4
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters3
Total7
Y
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total0
Σ
4 letters14
5 letters9
6 letters2
7+ letters3
Total28

Approximate rank thresholds for this hive:

  • Good Start: 0 pts
  • Moving Up: 2 pts
  • Good: 5 pts
  • Solid: 8 pts
  • Nice: 15 pts
  • Great: 25 pts
  • Amazing: 40 pts
  • Genius: 70 pts
  • Queen Bee: 100 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):

  • BAUD
    4
    1
    No
  • BUBBA
    5
    5
    No
  • BUBBLY
    6
    6
    No
  • BUDDY
    5
    5
    No
  • BUGGY
    5
    5
    No
  • BULB
    4
    1
    No
  • BULGY
    5
    5
    No
  • BULL
    4
    1
    No
  • BULLY
    5
    5
    No
  • DAUB
    4
    1
    No
  • DUAL
    4
    1
    No
  • DUALLY
    6
    6
    No
  • DULL
    4
    1
    No
  • DULLY
    5
    5
    No
  • DULY
    4
    1
    No
  • GAUDY
    5
    5
    No
  • GLUG
    4
    1
    No
  • GULAG
    5
    5
    No
  • GULL
    4
    1
    No
  • GULLY
    5
    5
    No
  • LADYBUG
    7
    14
    Yes
  • LAUD
    4
    1
    No
  • LAUDABLY
    8
    8
    No
  • LUAU
    4
    1
    No
  • LULL
    4
    1
    No
  • LULLABY
    7
    7
    No
  • LULU
    4
    1
    No
  • UGLY
    4
    1
    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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