The New York Times Wordle for Sunday, February 1, 2026, turned into one of those puzzles that looks finished before it actually is. Puzzle No. 1688 tightened quickly, then forced many players into a few extra guesses before everything finally lined up.
If you’re still working through today’s grid — or just want to see how it played out — here are the official hints and the final reveal.
Wordle hints for February 1, 2026
- The solution is an adjective.
- It contains five letters.
- The word can be used literally or figuratively.
- It often describes something that is not smooth or easy to deal with.
Many players reported feeling close early, only to circle through several near-misses before landing the final word.
Community solve pattern
⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ASTER
🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜ SLINK
🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜ SWING
🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩 SHINY
The solve had the feel of a game heading into extra innings — especially frustrating for players grinding it out in freezing February weather.
Wordle answer for Puzzle No. 1688
Tap to reveal today’s Wordle answer
SPINY
Spiny is an adjective that literally means “covered with spines, thorns, or prickles.” Figuratively, it’s often used to describe situations that are awkward, delicate, or full of difficulty — which explains why today’s puzzle felt more troublesome than it first appeared.
The puzzle is published daily by the New York Times Wordle.
