NYT Strands puzzle #431, dated Thursday, May 8, 2025, has the theme “Well, fancy that!” Its six theme answers are GAUDY, SNAZZY, EXTRAVAGANT, DELUXE, ORNATE, and LAVISH. The spangram is OOH SHINY.
Hints for Strands #431
The theme points toward luxurious or showy style. If you want to solve the board yourself, try these clues before opening the answer list:
- The theme words describe things that look fancy, elaborate, or expensive.
- The spangram has eight letters, runs mostly vertically, and reaches from the top edge to the bottom edge at column four, according to TechRadar’s May 7, 2025 guide.
- Parade’s May 8 guide gives the opening letters as GA, SN, EX, DE, OR, LA, and OO for the spangram.
Words that unlock in-game hints
TechRadar lists SAINT, LOON, HINTS, SALE, SHAVE, and DUES as playable non-theme words that can help trigger Strands’ hint system. In the game, every three non-theme words found earn a hint that reveals letters of a theme answer, as explained by Parade.
Strands #431 answers
Spoilers below: these are the six theme words and the spangram.
- GAUDY
- SNAZZY
- EXTRAVAGANT
- DELUXE
- ORNATE
- LAVISH
Spangram: OOH SHINY (also written as OOHSHINY).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the Strands board works
Strands is a word-search-style game: find theme words that fill the board, then locate the spangram that describes the theme and touches two opposite sides. Players tap or drag across letters to form words. Finding three non-theme words earns an in-game hint that reveals letters of a theme answer, according to Parade’s explanation of the mechanics.
Quick Recap
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