NYT Strands #967 answer & hints: Monday, October 26, 2026

Updated: Monday, October 26, 2026 · Hints reviewed by Omer Liban · New puzzle daily at midnight US Eastern Time (5am UK). · Puzzle editor: Tracy Bennett.

This page has every level of help for the NYT Strands puzzle #967 of Monday, October 26, 2026: 2 spoiler-free hint tiers that narrow things down step by step, followed by the complete answers with explanations — each behind its own tap-to-reveal card.

Today's Strands theme got you stuck? Start with the theme explainer, then reveal first letters, the spangram, and finally the full solution.

Strands is a themed word search: find the theme words hidden in the letter grid, plus the spangram — a special answer that touches two opposite sides of the board and names the theme. Every letter gets used exactly once.

Strands hints (October 26, 2026)

1Understanding the theme

The official clue is “Please, be my guest!”. There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.

2First letters of the theme words

E, H, I, M, R, W

Strands answers — October 26, 2026 (#967)

★The spangram

HOSPITALITY (11 letters).

★All of today's Strands answers

Spangram: HOSPITALITY
Theme words: ENTERTAIN, HOST, INVITE, MEET, RECEIVE, WELCOME

The puzzle, explained

"Hospitality" perfectly nails that warm, inclusive vibe of the clue "Please, be my guest!"—it's literally the art of making people feel at home when they come to visit. All the theme words flow naturally from that idea: you HOST people, WELCOME them, INVITE them over, ENTERTAIN them, RECEIVE them with open arms, and MEET them at the door. The least obvious one is probably RECEIVE—it's easy to think of it in a more formal, transactional way (like receiving a package), but here it captures that gracious acceptance of guests that's at the heart of hospitality.

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Strands — common questions

What is a spangram in Strands?

The spangram is the special theme word or phrase that touches two opposite sides of the board. It describes the puzzle's theme and always exists in every Strands puzzle.

How do I earn hints in Strands itself?

Finding three non-theme words in the grid earns one in-game hint, which highlights the letters of a theme word.

Can theme words overlap in Strands?

No — every letter in the grid is used exactly once across the theme words and spangram, which is a powerful deduction tool late in the puzzle.

Previous Strands puzzles

Full Strands archive (185 puzzles) → · How to play Strands (spangram tactics) →