Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
NYT Strands puzzle #425, dated Friday, May 2, 2025, has the theme clue “What a trill!” The spangram is SONGBIRDS, and the six theme words are CARDINAL, CHICKADEE, LARK, SPARROW, WARBLER and WREN. Hints are below in order from least revealing to the full solution.
Hints for the May 2 Strands puzzle
Stop at whichever hint gives you enough to continue solving.
- Light hint: The clue is a pun about a sound birds make.
- Stronger hint: Think of a group of birds known for their songs.
- Spangram: SONGBIRDS.
- Full answer list: CARDINAL, CHICKADEE, LARK, SPARROW, WARBLER and WREN.
Spangram and board clue
The spangram is SONGBIRDS. TechRadar’s May 1, 2025 guide describes it as a nine-letter answer running from the left edge to the right edge of the board, crossing the third row on both sides. The spangram names the theme and touches two opposite board edges; Parade’s May 2 guide attributes that rule to The New York Times.
All Strands answers for May 2, 2025
- CARDINAL
- CHICKADEE
- LARK
- SPARROW
- WARBLER
- WREN
Together, these six theme words and the spangram fit the clue “What a trill!”: the puzzle is about songbirds.
How Strands hints work
In Strands, you trace theme words through a letter grid. Theme words are highlighted blue and do not overlap; the spangram is highlighted yellow. Finding three non-theme words earns an in-game hint that reveals letters from a theme word. Those rules can help if you want to solve the grid yourself rather than read the complete answer list.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
