- Average remaining
- 1.0
- Worst branch
- 1
- Information
- 2.0 bits
It is a deliberate probe rather than a possible answer here: the point is to separate the remaining answers cleanly.
Five-letter words starting with SP and ending in Y (SP__Y)
Showing
9
matching words
Shortlist
What the remaining words have in common
9 matching words1 not previously used3 past answersTight family: SPI_Y (3)
Position 3I 44%A 11%E 11%L 11%
Position 4A 22%C 22%K 11%M 11%
used already been a Wordle answer · possible on the possible-answer list · guess accepted, but not a possible answer
Primary objective: finish in the turns you have left
Can you finish SP__Y?
Set your guesses left, add the feedback you already have, and explore what each next guess could reveal. This planner starts with SP__Y as your green-letter clues.
Plans use our working Wordle answer pool, including previously used answers. A guarantee applies to that pool and the clues you enter.
Two-turn example: ABACK
In normal mode, this play can cover 4 of 4 possible answers within two guesses, using the pattern alone.
See how the feedback separates the answers
- Gray, Gray, Gray, Gray, Gray SPINY — play this answer next
- Gray, Gray, Gray, Gray, Yellow SPIKY — play this answer next
- Gray, Gray, Gray, Green, Gray SPICY — play this answer next
- Yellow, Gray, Gray, Gray, Gray SPRAY — play this answer next
Adapt this example to your board below. Extra clues and Hard Mode can change the best play.
Add an earlier guess
Enter a guess you have already played. This adds clues without reducing “Guesses left now”. Add earlier guesses in the order you played them.
Your recorded feedback
What feedback could you get?
Select a row to see what survives. After playing the guess, choose the feedback you received and continue below.
Continuing records this guess and uses one remaining turn.
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Advanced: one-turn information and shortlist comparisons
These alternatives optimize how evenly one guess splits the answers. The planner above prioritizes finishing within your remaining turns.
Refine this pattern
The top-ranked splitter is shown in the shortlist note below. Add a gray or yellow clue here to recalculate after the position changes.
Shortlist note
How to play this shortlist
This pattern has 9 words in the Wordle guess list; 4 are possible answers. The calculator compared 14,786 Wordle guesses against those 4 answers. The possible-answer label is a guide, not a promise about what Wordle's editors will choose.
Previously used by Wordle: SPICY (September 30, 2021); SPINY (February 1, 2026); SPRAY (October 1, 2021).
ABACK does not fit this page's clues. SPICY keeps every clue shown here and leaves an average remainder of 1.5 (2 in its worst branch). Check any additional yellow-position clues in the full Solver.
Tight family:
SPI_Y
SPICY, SPIKY, SPINY differ only in the fourth position. Trying them one at a time can use several turns; ABACK tests the family more efficiently.
Compare two plays
Choose any two plays. The figures use the same 4 possible answers.
Open a word for details. Use Copy for a quick pick, or Show to narrow the answer pool.
Pattern guide
What fits SP__Y?
All 9 matching words are shown above. 4 are possible answers.
Letters that fit the blanks
- 3rd letter A, E, I, L, R, U
- 4th letter A, C, K, M, N, R, W
Meanings and answer history
Definitions do not affect whether Wordle accepts a word. Report a correction.
SPICY
Of, pertaining to, or containing spice.
“He prepared a spicy casserole.”
Source: Wiktionary contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected and lightly formatted from Wiktionary; long entries may be shortened.
Past Wordle answer: September 30, 2021.
SPIKY
Of a plant: producing spikes (“ears (as of corn); inflorescences in which sessile flowers are arranged on unbranched elongated axes”).
Source: Wiktionary contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected and lightly formatted from Wiktionary; long entries may be shortened.
Not listed among past Wordle answers.
SPINY
Covered in spines or thorns.
Source: Wiktionary contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected and lightly formatted from Wiktionary; long entries may be shortened.
Past Wordle answer: February 1, 2026.
SPRAY
A fine, gentle, dispersed mist of liquid.
“The sailor could feel the spray from the waves.”
Source: Wiktionary contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected and lightly formatted from Wiktionary; long entries may be shortened.
Past Wordle answer: October 1, 2021.
SPACY
spaced-out
Source: Wiktionary contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected and lightly formatted from Wiktionary; long entries may be shortened.
Not listed among past Wordle answers.
SPEWY
Feeling like vomiting; nauseous.
Source: Wiktionary contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected and lightly formatted from Wiktionary; long entries may be shortened.
Not listed among past Wordle answers.
SPIRY
Like or resembling a spire.
Source: Wiktionary contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected and lightly formatted from Wiktionary; long entries may be shortened.
Not listed among past Wordle answers.
SPLAY
To spread, spread apart, or spread out (something); to expand.
Source: Wiktionary contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected and lightly formatted from Wiktionary; long entries may be shortened.
Not listed among past Wordle answers.
SPUMY
frothy, emitting froth or spume
Source: Wiktionary contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected and lightly formatted from Wiktionary; long entries may be shortened.
Not listed among past Wordle answers.
Common questions
- How many five-letter words match SP__Y?
- 9 five-letter words match SP__Y in this site's Wordle guess list. Of these, 4 are possible answers.