Want a nudge without giving it away? Here are the key clues for today’s five-letter word:

  • It starts with the letter G.
  • It uses one vowel.
  • There’s a repeated letter: S appears twice.
  • Definition clue: can describe something unpleasant or revolting.
  • Alternate meaning: also a term for 144 (12 dozen).

Typical solves land in about four guesses, with the double letter doing most of the misdirection.

Today’s Wordle answer (spoiler)

The answer for Wordle #1581 on October 17 is: GROSS.

It fits the pattern cleanly — a single vowel (O), a double S, and two common meanings: “disgusting” and “a total of 144.” If you narrowed to possibilities like DROSS or GROSS, a safe way to break the tie is to play a probe word that tests G vs. D without disturbing confirmed placements.

Yesterday’s answer (Oct 16, #1580)

Yesterday’s solution was CATTY.

Recent answers this week

Date Puzzle # Answer
Oct 12 1576 WOUND
Oct 13 1577 BEARD
Oct 14 1578 FORUM
Oct 16 1580 CATTY
Oct 17 1581 GROSS

How to play (quick refresher)

  • You have six tries to guess a five-letter word.
  • Green tiles are correct letters in the correct spot.
  • Yellow tiles are correct letters in the wrong spot.
  • Gray tiles aren’t in the word.

You can play it on the New York Times Wordle page at nytimes.com/games/wordle.

If you’re still chasing a clean solve, use those letter-placement rules to test G vs. D and watch for that double S. See you tomorrow.