Executive Insights
- Today’s Wordle Answer (Feb 1, 2026) is SPINY.
- The word is an adjective meaning covered in thorns or prickly.
- Optimal starting words include CRANE, SLATE, and TRACE.
- Wordle resets daily at midnight local time.
- The game is owned by The New York Times and remains free to play.
Get the daily Wordle answer, customized hints, and advanced strategies to keep your win streak alive.
Wordle continues to dominate daily routines in 2026, challenging millions of players to guess a five-letter word in six attempts. Today’s puzzle, Wordle #1688, presents a unique challenge that tests your knowledge of adjectives and structure. Whether you are looking for a gentle nudge or the outright solution, this guide covers everything you need.
Hints for Today’s Wordle (Feb 1, 2026)
Before revealing the answer, try these progressively revealing clues to solve the puzzle yourself:
- Hint 1 (Category): The word describes a texture or physical characteristic.
- Hint 2 (Structure): It contains one vowel and one “sometimes” vowel (Y).
- Hint 3 (Starting Letter): The word begins with the letter S.
- Hint 4 (Meaning): Synonyms include “thorny,” “prickly,” or “pointed.”
What Is Today’s Wordle Answer?
The answer for Wordle #1688 is: SPINY
Definition: Spiny (adjective) means full of or covered with spines; thorny or prickly. It can also refer to something difficult or perplexing.
Wordle #1688 Analysis
Today’s word, SPINY, is moderately difficult due to the inclusion of the ‘Y’ at the end and the reliance on common consonants in the first half.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Adjective |
| Common Letters | S, N, P |
| Tricky Feature | Ending in ‘Y’ (often acts as a second vowel) |
| Difficulty Rating | 3.9/5 (Medium) |
Best Starting Words for 2026
To maximize your efficiency, use starting words that cover the most frequent letters (E, A, R, I, O, T, N, S, L, C). According to New York Times WordleBot data, these remain top-tier openers:
- CRANE: Covers frequent consonants and vowels.
- SLATE: Excellent for positioning ‘S’ and ‘E’.
- TRACE: High probability of hitting green or yellow squares.
- ADIEU: Good for vowel hunting (A, I, E, U).
Pro Tip: For today’s puzzle, starting with STARE or SPINE would have locked in the first letter immediately.
The Evolution of Wordle
Created by software engineer Josh Wardle for his partner Palak Shah, Wordle became a viral sensation in late 2021. The New York Times acquired the game in early 2022 for a low seven-figure sum. Since then, it has become the flagship of NYT Games, joining the Mini Crossword, Spelling Bee, and Connections.
How to Master Hard Mode
If the standard game feels too easy, enable Hard Mode in the settings. This rule forces you to use any revealed hints in subsequent guesses.
- Don’t waste guesses: Every word must be a potential solution.
- Watch out for traps: Words ending in -ATCH (MATCH, LATCH, PATCH) can be deadly in Hard Mode.
- Slow down: Visualize the word structure before typing.
In-Depth Q&A
Q: What is the Wordle answer for February 1, 2026?
The Wordle answer for Sunday, February 1, 2026, is SPINY.
Q: When does the Wordle reset?
Wordle resets daily at midnight local time. The new puzzle becomes available immediately as the clock strikes 12:00 AM.
Q: What is the best starting word for Wordle?
Statistically, words like CRANE, SLATE, and TRACE are considered the best starting words because they contain the most frequently used letters in the English language.
Q: Is Wordle free to play?
Yes, Wordle remains free to play on the New York Times Games website and app as of 2026.
Q: What does ‘Hard Mode’ do in Wordle?
Hard Mode compels you to use any revealed hints (green or yellow letters) in your subsequent guesses, preventing you from playing ‘burner’ words to eliminate other letters.
