KNAVE
Yes, KNAVE was the Wordle answer on August 30, 2024 (Wordle #1168).
Meaning and pronunciation
Pronunciation: /neɪv/
- Noun
-
A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or a soldier.
- Noun
-
A boy; especially, a boy servant.
Source: Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Corrections.
Etymology
From Middle English knave, knafe, from Old English cnafa (“child, boy, youth; servant”), from Proto-West Germanic *knabō. Cognate to Dutch knaap and German Knabe.
Source: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
How it sounds
One syllable Say it NAYV.
Rhymes with BRAVE GRAVE SLAVE SHAVE CRAVE
Related meanings by dictionary sense
noun
a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
Synonyms for this sense: rogue, rascal.
noun
one of four face cards in a deck bearing a picture of a young prince
Synonyms for this sense: jack.
Open English WordNet, 2025 edition, CC BY 4.0. Source dictionary. Senses are kept separate; no puzzle appearance is assigned to a meaning without evidence.
In a sentence
You've thwarted my plans for the last time, you miserable knave!
Use KNAVE in a puzzle
As an opener, it rules out about 91.8% of possible answers.
Wordle status
Answer chance: very unlikely. Roughly 0.21% within a year (about 1 in 476), under the model through 2026-11-05. This is an estimate, not a publisher forecast. How this is calculated.
Playable guess
YesIncluded in the Wordle guess list used by our tools.
Earlier benchmark pool
YesMembership in the preserved uniform benchmark; it is not a future eligibility rule.
Past Wordle answer
Used oncePast Wordle answer: August 30, 2024 (#1168).
See the full page for that puzzle: August 30, 2024 (#1168).
The possible-answer list is the solver's current list and may change when Wordle adds new answers.
Reported player results
Voluntary self-reported sample, not representative of all players. Solver scores do not measure human difficulty. Small or complementary cells stay private.
Wordle #1168 · August 30, 2024
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See what the public sample says →How KNAVE performs as a guess
KNAVE is a possible answer, so it would solve about one game in 2,392 when every answer is treated as equally likely.
Played as an opener, it lands at least one colored tile in 80.5% of games, misses completely in 19.5%, and leaves about 197 possible answers on average.
In the previous complete opener benchmark, it ranks #10,881 of 14,855 openers, averaging 3.78 guesses in games solved within six turns.
Try your feedback pattern
Tap the tiles to match your feedback, then see the ranked follow-up guesses.
Useful pattern pages
If you only know part of the word, start with one of these matching patterns.
First-turn measures
All four describe KNAVE used as an opening guess. Entropy is the same idea as “avg ruled out” on a log scale: a higher number means the guess splits the possible answers into more, smaller groups.
As an opening guess: previous benchmark
How KNAVE performed in the previous complete opener benchmark, against its captured answer snapshot. These research figures are separate from today's solver recommendations. See the data page for the method.
Composition
Feedback chances
When KNAVE is useful later
KNAVE tied for the smallest expected survivor count in 3 of 54 sampled positions where it was legal. This designed sample is not a measure of how often real players should use it.
After TARSE: 3 candidates, normal mode
TARSE: 00002 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
BUNDE: 00002 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
OXIME: 00002 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
LEEZE: 12002 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
Remaining answers: HELVE, PEPLE, WELKE.
With a budget of 2 more guesses, KNAVE is an information probe, outside this survivor list. It leaves 1.00 candidates on average under the model. Every feedback identifies a single candidate; another turn may be needed to submit it.
Try this position in the SolverAfter STARE: 5 candidates, normal mode
STARE: 00101 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
DEDAL: 11010 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
WAMED: 22022 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
WAGED: 22022 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
Remaining answers: WAKED, WANED, WAVED, WAXED, WAYED.
With a budget of 2 more guesses, KNAVE is an information probe, outside this survivor list. It leaves 1.25 candidates on average under the model.
Try this position in the SolverAfter SALET: 3 candidates, normal mode
SALET: 00110 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
RUBLE: 00011 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
HEXYL: 02002 (0 = grey, 1 = yellow, 2 = green).
Remaining answers: DEVIL, KEVIL, MENIL.
With a budget of 3 more guesses, KNAVE is an information probe, outside this survivor list. It leaves 1.00 candidates on average under the model. Every feedback identifies a single candidate; another turn may be needed to submit it.
Try this position in the SolverSample and method
Every saved board is reachable within a six-turn game. Remaining turns equal six minus the saved history length. The sampling policy is independent of the expected-survivor metric. Two states at each of three depths per opener were selected by a fixed hash from an independent candidate-only sampling policy. Every accepted guess was evaluated. Model answer-model-2026-11-05-9183a914c959, data through 2026-11-05. The score measures expected survivors, not proved solve length or human difficulty.
How the solver finds KNAVE
The strategy receives only earlier guesses and their feedback. It does not know the answer before choosing a move. Guessing the answer itself on turn one is a lucky one-turn result, not a recommended general strategy.
Normal mode
Our solver: bounded weighted policy. Current-pool replay over 14,855 accepted words. Model through 2026-11-05.
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The fixed opener tests its five letters.
14,855 before → 141 after. This feedback leaves 141 candidates.
All 141 surviving candidates
ABCEE, ABELE, ABIDE, ABODE, ABOVE, ABUNE, ACENE, ACKEE, ACONE, ADAGE, ADDLE, ADOBE, ADOZE, AGAPE, AGAVE, AGAZE, AGENE, AGGIE, AGILE, AGLEE, AGOGE, AGONE, AHOLE, AINEE, AIYEE, AIZLE, AKENE, ALANE, ALBEE, ALEYE, ALGAE, ALIKE, ALINE, ALIVE, ALKIE, ALLEE, ALONE, ALOWE, AMAZE, AMBLE, AMENE, AMICE, AMIDE, AMINE, AMOLE, AMOVE, AMPLE, ANCLE, ANELE, ANGLE, ANILE, ANIME, ANKLE, ANODE, ANOLE, APACE, APAGE, APODE, APPLE, AQUAE, AVALE, AVINE, AVIZE, AVYZE, AWAKE, AWAVE, AWOKE, AXILE, AXONE, AZIDE, AZINE, AZOLE, AZYME, BIGAE, BLADE, BLAME, BLAZE, BUAZE, CEAZE, CHACE, CHAFE, CHAPE, CHAVE, CLADE, CLAME, CLAVE, COMAE, COXAE, CYMAE, DEAVE, DIANE, DWALE, EVADE, FEAZE, FLAKE, FLAME, FLANE, GENAE, GLACE, GLADE, GLAZE, GOAVE, GYNAE, HEAME, HEAVE, IMAGE, INANE, KNAVE, KNAWE, LEAVE, LEAZE, LIANE, LOAVE, MEAKE, MEANE, MINAE, NEAFE, NOVAE, NUGAE, OLPAE, PEACE, PEAGE, PEAKE, PEAZE, PHAGE, PILAE, PLACE, PLAGE, PLANE, POAKE, PUPAE, QUAKE, QUALE, ULNAE, VEALE, VENAE, VOLAE, WEAVE, WHALE, ZOEAE, ZONAE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 414.45. Information: 5.74 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
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Test ALANE against the 141 candidates consistent with the earlier rows.
141 before → 3 after. This feedback leaves 3 candidates.
All 3 surviving candidates
KNAVE, KNAWE, NEAFE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 9.52. Information: 2.991 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
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Test KNAVE against the 3 candidates consistent with the earlier rows.
3 before → 1 after. The answer is submitted and solved.
All 1 surviving candidates
KNAVE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 1.0. Information: 1.204 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
Solved in 3 guesses. Uniquely identified on turn 3.
Continue this board in the SolverHard Mode
Our solver: bounded weighted policy. Current-pool replay over 14,855 accepted words. Model through 2026-11-05.
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The fixed opener tests its five letters.
14,855 before → 141 after. This feedback leaves 141 candidates.
All 141 surviving candidates
ABCEE, ABELE, ABIDE, ABODE, ABOVE, ABUNE, ACENE, ACKEE, ACONE, ADAGE, ADDLE, ADOBE, ADOZE, AGAPE, AGAVE, AGAZE, AGENE, AGGIE, AGILE, AGLEE, AGOGE, AGONE, AHOLE, AINEE, AIYEE, AIZLE, AKENE, ALANE, ALBEE, ALEYE, ALGAE, ALIKE, ALINE, ALIVE, ALKIE, ALLEE, ALONE, ALOWE, AMAZE, AMBLE, AMENE, AMICE, AMIDE, AMINE, AMOLE, AMOVE, AMPLE, ANCLE, ANELE, ANGLE, ANILE, ANIME, ANKLE, ANODE, ANOLE, APACE, APAGE, APODE, APPLE, AQUAE, AVALE, AVINE, AVIZE, AVYZE, AWAKE, AWAVE, AWOKE, AXILE, AXONE, AZIDE, AZINE, AZOLE, AZYME, BIGAE, BLADE, BLAME, BLAZE, BUAZE, CEAZE, CHACE, CHAFE, CHAPE, CHAVE, CLADE, CLAME, CLAVE, COMAE, COXAE, CYMAE, DEAVE, DIANE, DWALE, EVADE, FEAZE, FLAKE, FLAME, FLANE, GENAE, GLACE, GLADE, GLAZE, GOAVE, GYNAE, HEAME, HEAVE, IMAGE, INANE, KNAVE, KNAWE, LEAVE, LEAZE, LIANE, LOAVE, MEAKE, MEANE, MINAE, NEAFE, NOVAE, NUGAE, OLPAE, PEACE, PEAGE, PEAKE, PEAZE, PHAGE, PILAE, PLACE, PLAGE, PLANE, POAKE, PUPAE, QUAKE, QUALE, ULNAE, VEALE, VENAE, VOLAE, WEAVE, WHALE, ZOEAE, ZONAE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 414.45. Information: 5.74 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
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Test ALANE against the 141 candidates consistent with the earlier rows.
141 before → 3 after. This feedback leaves 3 candidates.
All 3 surviving candidates
KNAVE, KNAWE, NEAFE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 9.52. Information: 2.991 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
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Test KNAVE against the 3 candidates consistent with the earlier rows.
3 before → 1 after. The answer is submitted and solved.
All 1 surviving candidates
KNAVE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 1.0. Information: 1.204 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
Solved in 3 guesses. Uniquely identified on turn 3.
Continue this board in the SolverHistorical proven-optimal benchmark: July 2023
Alex Selby’s strategy minimises the mean over its complete 3,158-answer snapshot. A route for one answer is not proof of the shortest possible route for that answer, and is separate from the current weighted model.
Normal mode
Selby’s proven-optimal strategy. July 2023 snapshot: 3,158 equally likely answers; minimum mean guesses.
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The fixed opener tests its five letters.
3,158 before → 46 after. This feedback leaves 46 candidates.
All 46 surviving candidates
ABIDE, ABODE, ABOVE, ADAGE, ADDLE, ADOBE, AGAPE, AGAVE, AGILE, ALGAE, ALIKE, ALIVE, ALONE, AMAZE, AMBLE, AMPLE, ANGLE, ANIME, ANKLE, ANODE, APACE, APPLE, AWAKE, AWOKE, BLADE, BLAME, BLAZE, CHAFE, CLADE, EVADE, FLAKE, FLAME, GLADE, GLAZE, HEAVE, IMAGE, INANE, KNAVE, LEAVE, PEACE, PLACE, PLANE, PUPAE, QUAKE, WEAVE, WHALE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 100.074. Information: 5.888 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
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Test GLAND against the 46 candidates consistent with the earlier rows.
46 before → 1 after. This feedback leaves 1 candidate.
All 1 surviving candidates
KNAVE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 3.304. Information: 4.206 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
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Submit the only remaining candidate.
1 before → 1 after. The answer is submitted and solved.
All 1 surviving candidates
KNAVE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 1.0. Information: 0.0 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
Solved in 3 guesses. Uniquely identified on turn 2.
Continue this board in the SolverHard Mode
Selby’s proven-optimal strategy. July 2023 snapshot: 3,158 equally likely answers; minimum mean guesses.
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The fixed opener tests its five letters.
3,158 before → 46 after. This feedback leaves 46 candidates.
All 46 surviving candidates
ABIDE, ABODE, ABOVE, ADAGE, ADDLE, ADOBE, AGAPE, AGAVE, AGILE, ALGAE, ALIKE, ALIVE, ALONE, AMAZE, AMBLE, AMPLE, ANGLE, ANIME, ANKLE, ANODE, APACE, APPLE, AWAKE, AWOKE, BLADE, BLAME, BLAZE, CHAFE, CLADE, EVADE, FLAKE, FLAME, GLADE, GLAZE, HEAVE, IMAGE, INANE, KNAVE, LEAVE, PEACE, PLACE, PLANE, PUPAE, QUAKE, WEAVE, WHALE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 100.074. Information: 5.888 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
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Test AMPLE against the 46 candidates consistent with the earlier rows.
46 before → 7 after. This feedback leaves 7 candidates.
All 7 surviving candidates
CHAFE, EVADE, HEAVE, INANE, KNAVE, QUAKE, WEAVE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 5.043. Information: 3.571 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
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Test KNAVE against the 7 candidates consistent with the earlier rows.
7 before → 1 after. The answer is submitted and solved.
All 1 surviving candidates
KNAVE
Decision measures before feedback
Expected remaining candidates: 1.286. Information: 2.522 bits. These measures describe the decision before its realised feedback.
Solved in 3 guesses. Uniquely identified on turn 3.
Continue this board in the SolverSource: Alex Selby’s Wordle analysis, MIT. Licence and attribution.
How the fixed opener panel performs on this answer
| Opener | First feedback | Survivors | Normal | Hard Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TARSE | 01002 (0 grey, 1 yellow, 2 green) | 141 | 3 | 3 |
| CRANE | 00212 (0 grey, 1 yellow, 2 green) | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| SLATE | 00202 (0 grey, 1 yellow, 2 green) | 82 | 5 | 5 |
| ADIEU | 10010 (0 grey, 1 yellow, 2 green) | 775 | 4 | 4 |
| STARE | 00202 (0 grey, 1 yellow, 2 green) | 62 | 4 | 4 |
| AUDIO | 10000 (0 grey, 1 yellow, 2 green) | 2513 | 5 | 5 |
| RAISE | 01002 (0 grey, 1 yellow, 2 green) | 142 | 4 | 4 |
| ROATE | 00202 (0 grey, 1 yellow, 2 green) | 97 | 5 | 5 |
| SALET | 01010 (0 grey, 1 yellow, 2 green) | 350 | 5 | 5 |
- Normal mode
- 1 guess: 0 · 2 guesses: 1 · 3 guesses: 1 · 4 guesses: 3 · 5 guesses: 4 · 6 guesses: 0 · Failed in six: 0
- Hard Mode
- 1 guess: 0 · 2 guesses: 1 · 3 guesses: 1 · 4 guesses: 3 · 5 guesses: 4 · 6 guesses: 0 · Failed in six: 0
The nine openers use the same pool and continuation policy. Across both modes: 2–5 guesses among successes; 0 of 18 configurations failed. This is performance on this answer, not an overall opener ranking.
76 openers set up a two-turn opportunity; examples include KNIFE, SHAKE, SNAKE, NERVE, STAKE, SNACK, LEAKS, PEAKS, NAIVE, ENVOY. After their feedback, this answer is among the most likely survivors with at least half the model probability. This is an opportunity, not a guarantee. An opener that immediately solves is excluded.
Why this answer can be difficult
The worked board still allows 3 different answers at one later decision: KNAVE, KNAWE, NEAFE. These are mechanical alternatives, not a judgement of vocabulary difficulty.
Vocabulary evidence and voluntary player results are reported separately from these solver observations.
Closest competing answers in this board
These words all fit the earlier feedback, rather than merely sharing similar spelling: KNAVE, KNAWE, NEAFE.
A lesson from this route
Before KNAVE, 3 words still fit. Its feedback left 1; check the full survivor list before choosing the next answer.
Try another opener or a different move
How this is calculated
The current policy checks all remaining candidates and up to 128 fixed probes. At six or fewer candidates it uses bounded lookahead, preferring modelled six-turn success, then speed among successes. Larger states use expected survivors as a heuristic. These are recommendations, not proofs of optimal play. Hard Mode retains green positions and revealed letter counts; it allows grey letters and a yellow in the same position. Candidate-only play is stricter.
Feedback distribution
KNAVE can come back 85 different ways. These are the most likely, and how many of the possible answers give each one:
Letter-value totals
Base letter-value totals for KNAVE; these do not show whether either game accepts the word.
Scrabble
Words With Friends
Scores shown are base values without double/triple letter or word bonuses.
Try next
Strategy after playing KNAVE
What the solver recommends next for each way the board can respond to KNAVE.
Quick reference
Largest feedback groups after playing KNAVE:
Research on KNAVE
Game-tree analysis and word research for KNAVE, with an explanation for each figure.
Optimal play
Opening with KNAVE, a proven-optimal strategy averages 3.78 guesses and ranks #9,549 of 14,855 legal openers. The best proven opener, TARSE, averages 3.55.
No guaranteed hard-mode solve In hard mode, no strategy that opens with KNAVE can guarantee a solve within six guesses.
Our six-turn simulation says 3.78, at or below the proven-optimal 3.78, because the two figures score different answer lists.
These figures come from exhaustive game-tree search and are exact for the NYT lists of July 2023 (3,158 answers). They do not use the site's working answer pool.
Familiarity and learning
- Frequency
- KNAVE sits in the advanced band of the wordfreq scale, appearing less than once per million words in the source corpus. Corpus frequency does not measure every reader’s familiarity.
Sources: Optimal-play values: Alex Selby's exhaustive Wordle analysis (MIT); Pronunciation: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary (BSD); Word frequency: wordfreq (data CC BY-SA 4.0).