If you’ve ever tackled the New York Times Spelling Bee, you know the thrill of uncovering that elusive word right before your eyes. Today’s puzzle adds an extra layer of enjoyment, presenting both straightforward and slightly challenging combinations. In this article, you’ll discover the complete list of words you can form, some effective strategies to speed up your solving skills, and an opportunity to share any words you found that we haven’t included.
Overview of Today’s Puzzle
With “Y” as the center letter, today’s hive feels simultaneously welcoming and tricky. The combination of A, L, O, P, R, and T encourages repetition and word extensions, creating a sense of openness rather than restriction. Once you spot a few anchor words, you’ll likely notice many related words emerging, especially those ending in -LY and -ALLY.
NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: January 17, 2026
Here’s a comprehensive list of words that adhere to today’s rules. Keep in mind that some may be rare or uncommon, so the official NYT list could differ.
- APPLY
- APTLY
- ARRAY
- ARROYO
- ARTY
- LOOPY
- LORRY
- LOYAL
- LOYALL
- ORALLY
- ORATORY
- PARRY
- PARTLY
- PARTY
- PATLY
- PATTY
- PAYOLA
- PAYROLL
- PRAY
- PYRO
- RALLY
- RAPTLY
- RATTLY
- RATTY
- TALLY
- TARRY
- TARTLY
- TATTY
- YAPPY
Pangram of the Day
PORTRAYAL stands out today as it seamlessly incorporates every letter from the hive while still sounding like a familiar, everyday term. It derives beautifully from shorter words like PORTRAY and PLAY, making its discovery particularly rewarding. Finding long, coherent pangrams like this is a delight, as they encourage both exploration and pattern recognition.
Quick Strategies for Any Puzzle
- Start with the center letter.
Because every word must include it, begin by forming short “roots” that use the central letter before expanding further. - Experiment with prefixes and suffixes.
Look for common beginnings (like re-, pre-, tri-) and endings (like -er, -ry, -ing). These patterns often lead to discovering multiple words. - Rearrange your findings.
Once you’ve identified a word, mix up its letters — you might stumble upon two or three additional words. - Utilize repeated letters.
Remember, letters can repeat. Doubling letters can reveal words that might otherwise go unnoticed. - Pursue pangrams.
Try to incorporate all seven letters at least once. Finding a pangram can be challenging, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
Habits to Enhance Your Skills
- Start with easier 4-letter words to warm up your brain.
- Mix vowels and consonants in different combinations to discover what clicks.
- Take breaks and return later — a fresh perspective often catches words you overlooked.
- Use pen and paper. Writing out the letters or drawing patterns can reveal hidden words.
- Word-finding apps. These can help with study or practice, but use them sparingly if you wish to maintain the challenge.
- Keep a personal word journal. Record words you frequently miss — this will help you recognize them quickly over time.
Conclusion
The puzzle from January 17 serves as an excellent reminder of the importance of momentum. Once you get into the rhythm, the hive opens up significantly. How many words did you manage to uncover today, and did the word PORTRAYAL stand out early or late for you?
