NYT Strands puzzle #703, for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, has the theme “For the enthusiast” and the clue “In your spare time.” Use the graduated hints below before opening the full answer list.
Today’s Strands theme and clue
The theme is “For the enthusiast”. The player-facing clue is “In your spare time.” The answers point toward activities and items you might find in a hobby shop.
Progressive hints
Opening letters
Parade reports these opening letters in order: DI, GA, MO, PU, MI, CO, HO. The final pair belongs to the spangram.
Spangram location
The spangram contains nine letters. TechRadar says its path starts at the top, third column and ends at the bottom, fifth column; Parade describes the route as mostly horizontal.
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How hints work in Strands
- Theme words turn blue when you find them.
- The spangram describes the theme, touches two opposite sides, and turns yellow when found.
- Finding three non-theme words earns an in-game hint. A hint reveals letters of a theme word, or its letter order when another hint is already active.
Spoiler: February 4 Strands answers
Stop here if you want to finish the board without seeing the solutions.
- COLLECTIBLE
- DICE
- GAME
- MINIATURE
- PUZZLE
- MODEL
- HOBBYSHOP — the spangram
What connects the answers?
Together, the words describe a broad hobby-shop theme: collectibles, dice, games, miniatures, puzzles and models. TechRadar additionally observed a Dungeons & Dragons connection, but that is the guide’s interpretation rather than an official New York Times explanation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Quick puzzle facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Puzzle | #703 |
| Date | Wednesday, February 4, 2026 |
| Theme | For the enthusiast |
| Clue | In your spare time |
| Spangram | HOBBYSHOP |
| Theme words | COLLECTIBLE, DICE, GAME, MINIATURE, PUZZLE, MODEL |
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