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Today's Wordle Hints And Answer — Solution #1,037, Sunday, April 21
Today's Wordle answer is back to being straightforward after yesterday's nightmare puzzle. According to the New York Times' WordleBot, the average player completes Wordle #1,038 in 3.4 moves in easy mode, or 3.3 if playing by hard rules.
Each day, we will update this article with Wordle hints and tips to help you find today's answer. And if the hints aren't enough, we'll even give you the answer, in case you're really stuck or just haven't had time to complete today's puzzle. Plus, we are also including an analysis of yesterday's puzzle, #1,037, in case you're reading this in a different time zone.
So be warned: spoilers lie ahead for game #1,038. Only read on if you want to know today's Wordle answer!
Today's Wordle answer — hints to help you solve itOur first tip is that you should use one of the best Wordle start words for every game you play. But if you want some more specific clues to today's Wordle answer, then here you go:
* By vowel, we mean A, E, I, O, U. There are other letters that are sometimes considered to be vowels, depending on how they are used.
Those hints should get you at least some of the way towards finding today's Wordle answer. If not, then you can read on for bigger clues; or, if you just want to know the answer, then skip down further for that.
Alright then, here's a larger hint: Today's Wordle answer can light up the room.
What does today's Wordle start with?The answer to Wordle #1,038 starts with L, so combined with the hints above you should now have all the clues you need to get the answer and not break a Wordle streak.
OK, it's now time to scroll down for the answer…
Today's Wordle answer
So, what is today's Wordle answer for game #1,038?
Drumroll, please — it's LASER.
Hello Wordlers. A return to easy puzzles after yesterday's horror show. LASER is a well-known word, and all five characters feature among the eight most common Wordle letters.
ORATE set me on the way nicely, as three letters turned yellow immediately: 'R', 'A' and 'E'. Though, as these are the top three Wordle letters, it still left 78 possible answers in play.
Some of WordleBot's best Wordle start words were stronger, especially those that managed to include 'L'. TABLE, for example, leaves 19 possible answers, while LEAPT drops that to 14. If you played SLICE, only seven possibilities would remain.
On my second turn, I like to play a combination of 'I', 'N', 'S', 'C' and 'L' around my confirmed letters.
CLEAR seemed like a good one today, and it was, turning 'R' green, providing a yellow 'L' and ruling out 'R' and 'E' in two more positions. Only six possible answers were left, according to WordleBot*.
I opted for PALER next, which turned 'A' and 'E' green, while proving 'L' had to start the word. In other words, the answer had to be LA?ER.
I could think of two options immediately: LAGER and LASER. I opted for the latter, as 'S' is a letter from my hit list. I was rewarded with a four-turn win.
Hopefully you managed today's puzzle easily enough. See you tomorrow.
* These were: LASER, LAYER, LAGER, LAMER, PALER and BALER.
Yesterday's Wordle answerReading this in a later time zone? The Wordle answer for game #1,037 was JOLLY.
Hello Wordlers. I hope you did better than me today, because I failed. A bit annoyed about this, given I had four green letters by my third turn, but that's the way the Wordle cookie crumbles.
The omens were bad from the start, as ORATE gave me just a single yellow 'O' despite containing all five of the most common Wordle letters. That meant a massive 195 options were still in play.
It should come as no surprise that WordleBot's best Wordle start words were better, though few were brilliant. STALE leaves 49 possible answers while DEALT drops that to 43. If you tried STOLE, you'd have 21 answers to choose from.
I aim to play a mix of 'I', 'N', 'S', 'C' and 'L' on my second turn, and SCOLD was quite effective at that. 'O' was ruled out in a second position, while 'L' went green, leaving me with just nine options according to WordleBot*.
Of these, seven contain a double 'L', so my instincts were correct with my next move where I tried HOLLY. Every letter bar 'H' went green, but this, unfortunately, left more options than there were remaining goes. Oh dear.
I've already revealed that I failed today, so let's get my failed attempts out of the way quickly:
POLLY? Nope.
GOLLY? Nope.
LOLLY? Nope.
After failing (still with FOLLY and MOLLY untested!), the answer was revealed: JOLLY.
The only consolation is that JOLLY would have been last on my list to try: 'J' is the rarest letter in the game, featuring in just 27 puzzles.
Oh well, we go again tomorrow. See you then.
* These were: FOLLY, JOLLY, GOLLY, MOLLY, LOLLY, NOBLY, JOWLY, LOWLY and HOLLY.
Previous Wordle answersIf you're looking for a list of older Wordle answers, we can also help. Here's a list going back 20 games.
The best tip I can give is to use one of the best Wordle start words. I can't stress this enough — it makes a massive difference.
Without one, you'll be scrabbling around in the dark trying (and possibly failing) to find the right five letters (or possibly fewer) out of the 26 possibles. But clever people (not me) have done the math and identified the best start words based on both frequency in English and frequency among Wordle answers. So use them!
Secondly, think about combinations, especially at the start and end. Some options are far more common than others — for instance, SH, ST, CR and CH all feature frequently.
Vowels obviously need consideration too: not all Wordle answers will contain more than one, but plenty do, and some even have three. A good Wordle start word should have used a couple, but if they don't feature you might well want to try another one or two on your next go. Plus, remember the Y — this sometimes acts as a surrogate vowel, and is easy to forget. It also appears at the end of plenty of words.
Finally, try out possibilities. So long as you don't press 'Enter' you can try possible answers to see how they look on screen. Put in likely letters plus any you know are definitely in the word, then mentally change one to the other available options. This technique has worked for me multiple times, and it's particularly helpful when the word in question is not an obvious one (like FJORD or ISLET).
But if you're still struggling with Wordle, check out how Tom's Guide's Wordle experts have honed their strategy after playing a lot of Wordle after it first launched.
We also have plenty of Wordle tips and tricks to share, like how we've analyzed every Wordle answer used to look for trends and have some further advice for you there. And if you're new to the game you should also take a look at our What is Wordle? Guide.
What else should I know about Wordle?Wordle officially launched in October 2021, but actually started in June of that year and celebrated its first birthday on June 19, 2022. (You can read my thoughts on the 5 things Wordle needs to improve if it's to keep us playing for its third year.)
However, it only grew in popularity towards the end of the year, then went viral in January as the world woke up to its charms. In fact, it proved so successful that The New York Times bought Wordle for a seven-figure sum in early February and the game is now part of NYT Games.
It's played via the NYT Games website here, and is entirely free. Both the NYT and the game's creator, Josh Wardle, have stated that it will remain free. Some people think that Wordle has got harder since the NYT takeover, but it really hasn't.
Wordle is a simple game in which your challenge is to guess a five-letter word in six attempts. Each time you guess, you're told which of your chosen letters are in the target word, and whether they are in the right place.
If a letter is in the correct place, it turns green. If it's in the word but in the wrong place, it turns yellow. And if it's not in the word at all, it turns gray.
There's just one puzzle a day, and everyone completes the same one. It resets at midnight each day. You'll find more information about the game in our What is Wordle? Article.
NYT Strands answerIf you've solved Wordle and need help with other games from the New York Times, we suggest you check out our guide on today's NYT Strands answer, which will give you an overview of how the game works and how to solve the puzzle.
Wordle AlternativesIf you're eager for another game to pass the time while you wait, we've put together a list of the best Wordle alternatives.
Other Wordle alternatives to try are the ultra-stressful (but very good) Squabble and the soccer-themed, Who Are Ya?. We also like the geography-based Wordle clone Worldle, the Star Wars-themed SWordle and the math-based Mathler.
There are certainly plenty of options once you've finished Wordle for the day!
Wordle Today: Wordle Answer And Hints For April 21
We have the solution to Wordle on April 22, as well as some helpful hints to help you figure out the answer yourself, right here. We've placed the answer at the bottom of the page, so we don't ruin the surprise before you've had a chance to work through the clues. So let's dive in, starting with a reminder of yesterday's answer.
Yesterday's Wordle answerLet's start by first reminding ourselves of yesterday's Wordle answer for those new to the game or who don't play it daily, which was "JOLLY." So we can say that the Wordle answer today definitely isn't that. Now, with that in mind, perhaps take another stab at it using one of these Wordle starting words and circle back if you have no luck.
Hints for today's WordleStill can't figure it out? We have today's Wordle answer right here, below. But first, one more thing: Let's take a look at three hints that could help you find the solution, without giving it away, so there's no need to feel guilty about keeping your streak alive — you put in some work, after all! Or just keep scrolling for the answer.
No luck? Don't sweat it — you can't get them all! If you just want to see today's Wordle answer to continue your streak, you can find it below.
The answer to today's Wordle is …
LASER Today's Wordle definitionAnd here's what it means, according to our good friend ChatGPT:
A laser (which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. Lasers produce a coherent and focused beam of light by stimulating the emission of photons from atoms or molecules to release energy in the form of light. This emitted light is typically monochromatic (having a single wavelength or color), directional, and has a high intensity. Lasers find applications in various fields including communications, manufacturing, medicine, research, entertainment, and more due to their unique properties and precision.
Tips for tomorrow's WordleIt might seem like Wordle is all luck, but there are a few good practices you can use to help get as many clues as possible in just a few guesses, making it that much more likely you can figure out the final word before you run out of tries. The most important guess is your first, and the trick is to load up on vowels (A, E, I, O, and U).
Some popular starting words people have had good luck with are "adieu," "media," "arise," and "radio." Just make sure not to pick a word with double letters, or you're wasting precious guesses. The aim here is to try to figure out which vowels the mystery word contains, then layer in common consonants and close in from there.
Your second word, assuming that the first one gave you a good jumping-off point, should begin to lean more heavily on common consonants like R, S, and T. More good ones here we've seen are "stern," "irate," and "atone." You never want to reuse any letters from a prior round that showed up as gray — you know they aren't in the word.
Now that's all solved and the definition is taken care of, and you're armed with some tips to crush tomorrow's Wordle, here are some games like Wordle you can try today.
Editors' RecommendationsUnderstanding Varicose Veins: The Basics
Varicose veins are bulging, sometimes bluish veins that look like cords running just beneath the surface of your skin. They usually affect the legs, ankles, and feet.
Varicose veins that are visibly swollen, twisted, and sometimes surrounded by patches of flooded capillaries (or small blood vessels) known as spider veins, are considered superficial varicose veins. They may cause swollen ankles, itchy skin, and aching in the affected area. Superficial varicose veins can be painful but are usually harmless.
Along with veins that run along the surface of your skin, your legs have interior, or deep, veins. Sometimes, an interior leg vein becomes varicose (abnormally swollen or enlarged). Such deep varicose veins are usually not visible, but they can cause swelling or aching throughout the leg and may serve as sites where blood clots can form.
Varicose veins are a relatively common condition. For many people, they are a family trait. Women are at least twice as likely as men to develop them. In the U.S. Alone, they affect up to 35% of people.
Spider veins vs. Varicose veins
Spider veins are smaller than varicose veins and don't bulge out. They look like spider webs or tree branches, and they are red, blue, or purple. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins may also appear on your face.
Both varicose and spider veins are damaged blood vessels, but spider veins are not actually veins — they are capillaries, venules, and arterioles, which are smaller blood vessels. Spider veins rarely cause pain or other symptoms beyond their appearance.
Varicose veins are bulging, sometimes bluish veins that look like cords running just beneath the surface of your skin. They're a relatively common condition and usually affect the legs, ankles, and feet. Women are at least twice as likely as men to develop them. (Photo credit: iStock/Getty Images)
To help move oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to all parts of the body, your arteries have thick layers of muscle or elastic tissue. To push blood back to your heart, your veins rely mainly on surrounding muscles and a network of one-way valves. As blood flows through a vein, the cup-like valves open to allow blood through, then close to prevent backflow.
In varicose veins, the valves do not work properly, allowing blood to pool in the vein and making it difficult for the muscles to push the blood "uphill." Instead of flowing from one valve to the next, the blood continues to pool in the vein, increasing pressure in the veins and the odds of buildup, causing the vein to bulge and twist. Because superficial veins have less muscle support than deep veins, they are more likely to become varicose.
Any condition that puts too much pressure on the legs or abdomen can lead to varicose veins. The most common things that bring about pressure are pregnancy, obesity, and standing for long periods of time. Chronic constipation and -- in rare cases, tumors -- also can cause varicose veins. Not being active also may lead to varicosity because muscles that are out of condition offer poor blood-pumping action.
The odds of getting varicose veins also increase with age, as veins weaken when you get older. A previous leg injury may damage the valves in a vein, resulting in becoming varicose. Your family history also plays a role, so if other family members have varicose veins, there is a greater chance you will, too. Contrary to popular belief, sitting with crossed legs will not cause varicose veins, although it can impact an existing condition.
Varicose veins in pregnancy
During pregnancy, the volume of blood in your body increases to support the growing baby. This can enlarge the veins in the legs.
The uterus puts pressure on your veins during pregnancy, which can also lead to varicose veins, sometimes around the vagina and buttocks. After childbirth, varicose veins may or may not go away.
The changes in hormones during pregnancy also may relax the vein walls, contributing to varicose veins.
Certain things -- some of which you can control and some of which you can't -- increase the chances that you'll get varicose veins. They include:
Varicose veins may not be cause for concern if they're only cosmetic. But if they are serious and go untreated, they may get worse. Without treatment, they may cause ulcers, bleeding, and skin discoloration.
Sometimes, varicose veins can develop into more serious conditions, such as chronic venous insufficiency, which means the veins in your legs are damaged and don't work properly.
Venous diseases are classified by a CEAP (Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological) clinical score, which is a range of categories that note the level of certain vein problems. The categories are:
C0: No visible signs of venous disease
C1: Telangiectasia (also known as spider veins) or reticular veins (similar to spider veins but larger)
C2: Varicose veins
C3: Edema, which is swelling due to fluid trapped in the tissues of your body
C4a: Pigmentation or eczema
C4b: Lipodermatosclerosis (inflammation of fat under the skin) or atrophie blanche (scarring on the skin that happens with delayed healing and poor blood supply)
C5: Healed venous ulcer (wound from issues with vein and blood flow that's healed)
C6: Active venous ulcer (wound from issues with vein function and blood flow that's still present)
Some symptoms of varicose veins are just cosmetic, but others involve pain or discomfort.
Early-stage varicose veins symptoms
Symptoms may include:
Other varicose vein symptoms
Other symptoms include:
Do varicose veins hurt?
Varicose veins may or may not hurt. Sometimes, the only symptoms are the way the veins look.
Varicose veins and bruising
If you have varicose veins, your legs may bruise easily because of the enlarged veins near the surface of your skin.
To determine whether you have varicose veins, your healthcare provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. They may use ultrasound to see how the blood is flowing through the valves in your veins.
The treatment for varicose veins can range from simple home remedies to surgery.
Varicose veins socks
Wearing compression stockings, or compression socks, can help because they squeeze your legs and help your veins and leg muscles circulate blood.
These can help by squeezing the veins to prevent blood from pooling. They work best if you wear them every day. You can try a low-tech version by wearing support pantyhose, which offer a similar compression effect.
You can buy compression stockings over the counter at drugstores. Or your doctor may give you a prescription for compression stockings that you can get at a medical supply store or pharmacy. A trained worker will fit the stockings specifically for you. This type gives you the most support.
Elevating your legs
Raising your feet above the level of your heart a few times a day can reduce swelling and help relieve symptoms.
Varicose veins cream
Some creams and lotions claim to help treat varicose veins, but their effectiveness has not been proven.
Varicose veins surgery
A surgery called vein ligation or vein stripping involves tying off and removing varicose veins. This treatment may be used when less invasive procedures don't work.
For more serious varicose veins, your doctor may recommend endoscopic vein surgery. This procedure uses a small camera on a tiny tube. Your doctor threads it into your vein through a cut in your skin. They use a surgical device at the end of the tube to close your vein.
You probably won't need this procedure unless your varicose veins cause severe skin ulcers. If you have endoscopic vein surgery, you can go back to your normal routine within 2 weeks.
Varicose veins laser treatment
With laser treatment, strong bursts of light are directed onto the varicose vein, which makes it fade until you can't see it. They don't need to make any cuts or use any needles in this procedure. It's used mostly for smaller varicose veins.
Another procedure called endovenous ablation uses laser or radiofrequency energy to heat the inside of the varicose vein and close it off.
You'll be awake during the procedure. First, they'll numb the area around the vein. Then, they'll make a small cut in your skin and insert a thin tube. The tube has a device that uses a laser or radio wave to create heat. That closes the vein. Most people feel only the injection of the numbing agent.
You may go home later in the day. Your leg will be wrapped in a compression bandage after the procedure.
Other treatments for varicose veins
You can make lifestyle changes that may keep your varicose veins from getting worse, stop new ones from forming, and reduce your pain. However, there are other things you can try, and they can usually be done in a doctor's office.
There are ways to close off a varicose vein. When your doctor does this through a procedure, your blood flow simply shifts to other veins. After the vein is closed, it fades away. There are also procedures to remove varicose veins. The procedures that can close off or remove varicose veins include:
Sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for varicose veins. You can have this procedure done in a doctor's office. Your doctor injects a solution into the vein that causes it to scar. This forces blood to change routes, going through healthier veins instead. Your collapsed vein is reabsorbed into the surrounding tissue.
You may need several treatments -- usually 4-6 weeks apart -- to completely close off a vein. You won't need anything to numb you, and the only discomfort you'll feel will be the sensation of small needle pricks from the injections. You'll need to wear compression stockings for a few weeks after each procedure.
Microsclerotherapy. It's similar to sclerotherapy but uses a smaller needle to treat smaller varicose veins.
Ambulatory phlebectomy. This is a less complicated procedure, and it is used to remove varicose veins close to the surface of your skin. Your doctor will numb the area and remove veins through small cuts. You remain awake and generally can go home the same day.
Vein stripping and ligation. This is the solution for the most serious cases. You will be given general anesthesia so that you will not be awake during the procedure.
Your doctor will make cuts in your skin, tie off the veins, and remove them. If possible, the doctor will try to leave what's called the saphenous vein, just in case you need it later for a heart bypass surgery. You might go home the same day you have the surgery. Recovery time ranges from 1 to 4 weeks.
After your procedure
You might feel side effects after your treatment. The most common ones are swelling, bruising, changes in skin color, and pain.
You're more likely to have serious side effects if you've had vein stripping and ligation. Although they're rare, complications can include blood clots, severe pain, infection, and scarring.
The doctor may wrap your legs in elastic bandages after your procedure and have you wear compression stockings for a certain amount of time.
When you get home, follow instructions about exercising even though you're sore. Inactivity raises the chance that you'll develop a dangerous blood clot.
No matter what procedure you choose, it can only treat existing varicose veins. New ones may develop, but you can take the following steps to limit them:
Varicose veins treatment cost
The cost of varicose vein treatments varies widely, from $10 to $100 for compression stockings to thousands of dollars for surgery. Your health insurance may or may not cover the cost of treatment. Some insurers cover treatment if it's considered medically necessary but not if it's considered cosmetic.
If your symptoms are mild, remedies such as compression socks may be all you need. But if your symptoms are severe or the appearance of your varicose veins is distressing to you, you should see a health care provider. You should also contact your doctor if:
You have injured a varicose vein. Control the resulting burst of blood with direct compression and leg elevation. Have your veins evaluated by a vein specialist, as this can be a potentially serious complication.
If the symptoms of your varicose veins worsen suddenly or you notice bleeding or a sore, you should call your doctor right away.
Are varicose veins dangerous?
Varicose veins typically are not dangerous. Your only symptoms may be what the veins look like. But in some cases, varicose veins can be harmful because they can lead to more serious health problems.
Complications of varicose veins are rare, but they can be serious. They include:
Ulcers. On the skin near varicose veins, ulcers (open sores) can form, and they can be painful.
Bleeding. Varicose veins that are close to the skin can burst and cause bleeding.
Blood clots. If you have varicose veins, you may be more likely to develop blood clots, including a type called DVT, which is a blood clot deep inside the body.
Chronic venous insufficiency. Severe varicose veins may be a sign of this condition, which means your veins are unable to pump blood to your heart the way they should.
Even though your genetics play a part in your risk for varicose veins, there are things you can do to prevent them:
Exercise regularly. Staying fit is the best way to keep your leg muscles toned, your blood flowing, and your weight under control.
Maintain a healthy weight.If you aren't at a healthy weight or have obesity, losing weight can improve blood flow and ease the pressure on the veins in your legs and feet.
Avoid tight clothing. Tight clothes can cause poor blood flow in the waste, groin, or legs.
Avoid high-heeled shoes. Wearing high heels for long periods can slow down circulation. Flat or low-heeled shoes are better for circulation, as they can improve calf muscle tone.
Move around. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods to boost blood flow. If your daily routine requires you to be on your feet constantly, consider wearing daily support hose or compression stockings. Take breaks to walk around, and stretch and exercise your legs as often as possible to increase circulation and reduce pressure buildup. When you are sitting, try elevating your feet and changing your position often to improve blood flow.
Quit smoking. Studies show that smoking may play a role in forming varicose veins.
If you're pregnant, sleep on your left side rather than your back. This will minimize pressure from the uterus on the veins in your pelvic area. This position will also improve blood flow to the fetus. If you are prone to developing varicose veins, ask your doctor for a prescription for compression stockings.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making some changes to your daily routine, as listed above, can help you manage discomfort from varicose veins as well as improve the appearance of varicose veins.
If the appearance of your varicose veins bothers you, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
Varicose veins exercise
Exercises, such as walking and swimming, help improve blood flow. It works your leg muscles, which can help pump the blood back up toward your heart and prevent it from pooling in your veins.
Other changes you might try include:
Varicose veins are common, and they may not be bothersome beyond what they look like. But if they cause discomfort, there are things you can do in your daily life to improve blood flow and manage your symptoms. If your varicose veins are painful or severe, it's a good idea to see your health care provider because varicose veins can lead to more serious problems.
Can you fix varicose veins on your own? You can't get rid of varicose veins on your own, but if they are not severe, you may be able to manage your symptoms on your own.
How can I stop varicose veins from getting worse? By taking preventive measures such as exercising and wearing compression stockings, you may be able to keep varicose veins from getting worse.
What should you not do with varicose veins? If you have varicose veins, you should avoid being still or seated for long periods of time. It's important to move around and exercise.
Can you get rid of varicose veins without surgery? In some cases, your health care provider can get rid of varicose veins with treatment other than surgery.
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