NYT Strands Hints and Answers for August 31, 2024 (#181)
Spoiler-safe hints for the NYT Strands puzzle of August 31, 2024: the theme clue first, then first letters, word lengths, the spangram, and the full grid.
Stuck on the Strands puzzle of August 31, 2024? Start with the theme, take one rung at a time, and stop as soon as the grid opens up. Nothing below is revealed until you tap it.
Hints for August 31, 2024, one rung at a time
ThemeToday’s theme
Makeshift music
Today’s theme is “Makeshift music”. All 6 theme words fit that idea — and the spangram names it outright.
Hint 2First letters
The theme words begin with B, B, C, S, S, W. Several share a starting letter (B, S).
Hint 3Word lengths
By length, the answers run 5, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 9. The shortest is 5 letters, the longest 9.
SpangramThe spangram
JUGBAND
7 letters, a single word, running from one edge of the grid to the opposite edge.
Starts with J, ends with D.
AnswersAll theme words
- BONES5 letters
- BROOM5 letters
- SPOONS6 letters
- COWBELL7 letters
- STOVEPIPE9 letters
- WASHBOARD9 letters
BoardThe completed grid
Theme wordSpangramEach line follows one word; the small number is that letter’s place in it.