Spelling Bee hints & answers: Apr 21, 2026 (Puzzle #14540)

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints and full answers for the NYT Spelling Bee hive published on Apr 21, 2026 (2026-04-21 · Puzzle #14540).

Hive overview

This hive centers on B with six outer letters. It has 18 stored words, 1 pangram, and about 85 available points before rank thresholds.

C
I
K
B
O
R
W
Show structure hint

This hive has 18 playable words worth about 85 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):

B
4 letters6
5 letters4
6 letters3
7+ letters2
Total15
C
4 letters1
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters1
Total2
I
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total0
K
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total0
O
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total0
R
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total0
W
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters1
Total1
Σ
4 letters7
5 letters4
6 letters3
7+ letters4
Total18

Approximate rank thresholds for this hive:

  • Good Start: 0 pts
  • Moving Up: 2 pts
  • Good: 4 pts
  • Solid: 7 pts
  • Nice: 13 pts
  • Great: 21 pts
  • Amazing: 34 pts
  • Genius: 59 pts
  • Queen Bee: 85 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):

  • BOCCI
    5
    5
    No
  • BOCK
    4
    1
    No
  • BOOB
    4
    1
    No
  • BOOBOO
    6
    6
    No
  • BOOK
    4
    1
    No
  • BOOKWORK
    8
    8
    No
  • BOOR
    4
    1
    No
  • BORIC
    5
    5
    No
  • BORROW
    6
    6
    No
  • BOWWOW
    6
    6
    No
  • BRICK
    5
    5
    No
  • BRICKWORK
    9
    16
    Yes
  • BRIO
    4
    1
    No
  • BROOK
    5
    5
    No
  • BROW
    4
    1
    No
  • COOKBOOK
    8
    8
    No
  • CRIB
    4
    1
    No
  • WORKBOOK
    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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