NYT Spelling Bee Answers for May 19, 2020
Game Summary
| Center Letter | A |
|---|---|
| Outer Letters | d, g, l, n, r, u |
| # of Pangrams | 1 (Perfect: none) |
| Total Words | 61 words |
| Total Points | 231 points |
| Genius Level | 162 points |
| Bingo? | Yes |
Table of Contents
As you scroll down this page, the clues get progressively more revealing. So scroll slowly!
- Spelling Bee Grid
- Two-Letter List (2LL) Hints
- Three-Letter List (3LL) Hints
- Extra Letter Hints (Incrementally Revealing) 🤯
- Today's Complete Solution
- Answer Definitions
If you're just here for a list of NYT Spelling Bee answers, Jump down to the answers ↓ (Spoiler Alert!).
Spelling Bee Grid
The following table shows the standard Spelling Bee summary grid, which lists word lengths across the top and letters down the left-hand side. The cell where the word lengths and letters intersect displays the number of words in today's puzzle with the corresponding first letter and word length.
| 4</th><th>5</th><th>6</th><th>7</th><th>8</th><th>9 | Σ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4 | 5 | 1 | 4 | - | - | 14 |
| D | 5 | - | - | 1 | - | - | 6 |
| G | 8 | 5 | - | 3 | 3 | 1 | 20 |
| L | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | - | - | 9 |
| N | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 |
| R | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | 6 |
| U | 1 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 3 | Σ | 29 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 61 |
Two-Letter List (2LL) Hints
The following list shows the number of solution words that begin with the corresponding two letters.
| A | AG×1 AL×2 AN×6 AR×1 AU×4 |
|---|---|
| D | DA×2 DR×1 DU×3 |
| G | GA×6 GL×3 GN×1 GR×7 GU×3 |
| L | LA×5 LU×4 |
| N | NA×3 |
| R | RA×5 RU×1 |
| U | UL×2 UN×1 |
Three-Letter List (3LL) Hints
The following list shows the number of solution words that begin with the corresponding three letters.
| A | AGA×1 ALG×2 ANA×1 ANG×1 ANN×4 ARU×1 AUG×2 AUR×2 |
|---|---|
| D | DAN×1 DAR×1 DRA×1 DUA×2 DUL×1 |
| G | GAG×1 GAL×2 GAN×2 GAR×1 GLA×3 GNA×1 GRA×7 GUA×2 GUL×1 |
| L | LAG×1 LAN×2 LAR×1 LAU×1 LUA×1 LUN×3 |
| N | NAA×1 NAD×1 NAN×1 |
| R | RAD×1 RAG×2 RAN×2 RUR×1 |
| U | ULN×2 UNG×1 |
Extra Letter Hints (Incrementally Revealing)
The table below lists all of the solutions to today's puzzle, but they're concealed. You can click the plus button (+) to reveal additional letters, one-by-one.
Concealed definitions are provided as additional clues. You can toggle concealment of the definitions by clicking on the concealer bar or the text that appears when the definition is visible.
Pangrams are marked with a dagger symbol (†).
| Word | 2L Ref | Definition (click to reveal) |
|---|---|---|
| ag.. | AG4 | A gelatinous material obtained from red algae, especially Gracilaria species, used as a bacterial culture medium, in electrophoresis and as a food additive. |
| al.. | AL4 | Any of many aquatic photosynthetic organisms, including the seaweeds, whose size ranges from a single cell to giant kelps and whose biochemistry and forms are very diverse, some being eukaryotic. |
| al... | AL5 | Pertaining to, or like, algae. |
| an.. | AN4 | of, related to, intended for or involving the anus. |
| an..... | AN7 | Relating or pertaining to an angle or angles. |
| an... | AN5 | The record of a single event or item. |
| an.... | AN6 | Happening once every year. |
| an... | AN5 | To formally revoke the validity of. |
| an..... | AN7 | Pertaining to, or having the form of, a ring; ring-shaped; in the shape of an annulus. |
| ar..... | AR7 | One of three yellowish-flowered Mediterranean herbs of the mustard family with flavoured leaves, often eaten in salads. Has a distinct, peppery flavor: Eruca sativa, sometimes Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa Eruca vesicaria Diplotaxis tenuifolia |
| au... | AU5 | A diviner who foretells events by the behaviour of birds or other animals, or by signs derived from celestial phenomena, or unusual occurrences. |
| au..... | AU7 | prophetic |
| au.. | AU4 | Distinctive atmosphere or quality associated with something. |
| au... | AU5 | Of or pertaining to the ear. |
| da.. | DA4 | Damn. |
| da.. | DA4 | Damn. |
| dr.. | DR4 | Resistance of a fluid to something moving through it. |
| du.. | DU4 | A pair or couple. |
| du.. | DU4 | Characterized by having two (usually equivalent) components. |
| du..... | DU7 | A stupid person; a fool. |
| ga.. | GA4 | Mentally senile. |
| ga.. | GA4 | Celebratory; festive. |
| ga.. | GA4 | Bile, especially that of an animal; the greenish, profoundly bitter-tasting fluid found in bile ducts and gall bladders, structures associated with the liver. |
| ga.. | GA4 | To go; walk; proceed. |
| ga...... | GA8 | The underworld of organized crime. |
| ga..... | GA7 | A wreath, especially one of plaited flowers or leaves, worn on the body or draped as a decoration. |
| gl.. | GL4 | Pleased, happy, gratified. |
| gl... | GL5 | A specialized cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin in the human or animal body that synthesizes a chemical substance, such as hormones or breast milk, and releases it, often into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland). |
| gl....... † | GL9 | Pertaining to a gland or glands. |
| gn... | GN5 | A knot in wood; a large or hard knot, or a protuberance with twisted grain, on a tree. |
| gr.. | GR4 | Abbreviation of graduate. |
| gr..... | GR7 | Proceeding or advancing by small, slow, regular steps or degrees |
| gr.. | GR4 | A grandmother. |
| gr... | GR5 | Large, senior (high-ranking), intense, extreme, or exceptional Of a large size or extent; great. |
| gr..... | GR7 | Alternative spelling of granddad |
| gr...... | GR8 | grandfather |
| gr...... | GR8 | Consisting of, or resembling, granules or grains |
| gu.. | GU4 | An annual legume (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), used as a food for cattle and humans. |
| gu... | GU5 | A person who, or thing that, protects or watches over something. |
| gu... | GU5 | Also GULAG: the system of all Soviet labour camps and prisons in use, especially during the Stalinist period (1930s–1950s). |
| la..... | LA7 | Lagging behind; taking more time than the others in a group. |
| la.. | LA4 | The part of Earth which is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water. |
| la.... | LA6 | A type of lightweight, four-wheeled carriage in which the front and back passenger seats face each other. |
| la.. | LA4 | Fat from the abdomen of a pig, especially as prepared for use in cooking or pharmacy. |
| la.. | LA4 | Praise or glorification. |
| lu.. | LU4 | An elaborate Hawaiian feast featuring traditional foods and entertainment. |
| lu.. | LU4 | A luna moth: a member of species Actias luna. |
| lu... | LU5 | Of, pertaining to, or resembling the Moon (that is, Luna, the Earth's moon). |
| lu.... | LU6 | Something shaped like a crescent or half-moon; especially the pale area at the base of the fingernail. |
| na.. | NA4 | A type of round, flat bread baked in a tandoor popular in South and Central Asian cuisine. |
| na.. | NA4 | Nothing. |
| na.. | NA4 | A banana. |
| ra... | RA5 | A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of sent radio waves (usually microwaves) reflected from their surfaces |
| ra.. | RA4 | Any of various melodic forms used in Indian classical music, or a piece of music composed in such a form. |
| ra.... | RA6 | Being or having a kind of sleeve that continues in one piece up to the neck of a garment, without a shoulder seam. |
| ra.. | RA4 | The border of an area of land, especially marshland. |
| ra.. | RA4 | simple past tense of ring |
| ru... | RU5 | Relating to the countryside or to agriculture. |
| ul.. | UL4 | The bone of the forearm that extends from the elbow to the wrist on the side opposite to the thumb, corresponding to the fibula of the hind limb. Also, the corresponding bone in the forelimb of any vertebrate. |
| ul... | UL5 | Of or pertaining to the ulna, or the elbow |
| un... | UN5 | To release from a gag. |
Today's Complete Solution
The words that follow are a complete listing of all acceptable words in today's New York Time Spelling Bee puzzle.
Next to the answer word you'll see the two-letter reference (2L Ref) in parentheses. We added that 2L Ref for easier translation of the spoiler-avoidant language you see on the Spelling Bee Forum and Twitter. The 2L Ref signifies a word's two start letters followed by the total number of letters in the word.
- agar (AG4)
- alga (AL4)
- algal (AL5)
- anal (AN4)
- angular (AN7)
- annal (AN5)
- annual (AN6)
- annul (AN5)
- annular (AN7)
- arugula (AR7)
- augur (AU5)
- augural (AU7)
- aura (AU4)
- aural (AU5)
- dang (DA4)
- darn (DA4)
- drag (DR4)
- duad (DU4)
- dual (DU4)
- dullard (DU7)
- gaga (GA4)
- gala (GA4)
- gall (GA4)
- gang (GA4)
- gangland (GA8)
- garland (GA7)
- glad (GL4)
- gland (GL5)
- glandular† (GL9)
- gnarl (GN5)
- grad (GR4)
- gradual (GR7)
- gran (GR4)
- grand (GR5)
- grandad (GR7)
- granddad (GR8)
- granular (GR8)
- guar (GU4)
- guard (GU5)
- gulag (GU5)
- laggard (LA7)
- land (LA4)
- landau (LA6)
- lard (LA4)
- laud (LA4)
- luau (LU4)
- luna (LU4)
- lunar (LU5)
- lunula (LU6)
- naan (NA4)
- nada (NA4)
- nana (NA4)
- radar (RA5)
- raga (RA4)
- raglan (RA6)
- rand (RA4)
- rang (RA4)
- rural (RU5)
- ulna (UL4)
- ulnar (UL5)
- ungag (UN5)
Answer Definitions
- agar (noun): A gelatinous material obtained from red algae, especially Gracilaria species, used as a bacterial culture medium, in electrophoresis and as a food additive.
- alga (noun): Any of many aquatic photosynthetic organisms, including the seaweeds, whose size ranges from a single cell to giant kelps and whose biochemistry and forms are very diverse, some being eukaryotic.
- algal (adjective): Pertaining to, or like, algae.
- anal (adjective): of, related to, intended for or involving the anus.
- angular (adjective): Relating or pertaining to an angle or angles.
- annal (noun): The record of a single event or item.
- annual (adjective): Happening once every year.
- annul (verb): To formally revoke the validity of.
- annular (adjective): Pertaining to, or having the form of, a ring; ring-shaped; in the shape of an annulus.
- arugula (noun): One of three yellowish-flowered Mediterranean herbs of the mustard family with flavoured leaves, often eaten in salads. Has a distinct, peppery flavor: Eruca sativa, sometimes Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa Eruca vesicaria Diplotaxis tenuifolia
- augur (noun): A diviner who foretells events by the behaviour of birds or other animals, or by signs derived from celestial phenomena, or unusual occurrences.
- augural (adjective): prophetic
- aura (noun): Distinctive atmosphere or quality associated with something.
- aural (adjective): Of or pertaining to the ear.
- dang (verb): Damn.
- darn (adjective): Damn.
- drag (noun): Resistance of a fluid to something moving through it.
- duad (noun): A pair or couple.
- dual (adjective): Characterized by having two (usually equivalent) components.
- dullard (noun): A stupid person; a fool.
- gaga (adjective): Mentally senile.
- gala (adjective): Celebratory; festive.
- gall (noun): Bile, especially that of an animal; the greenish, profoundly bitter-tasting fluid found in bile ducts and gall bladders, structures associated with the liver.
- gang (verb): To go; walk; proceed.
- gangland (noun): The underworld of organized crime.
- garland (noun): A wreath, especially one of plaited flowers or leaves, worn on the body or draped as a decoration.
- glad (adjective): Pleased, happy, gratified.
- gland (noun): A specialized cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin in the human or animal body that synthesizes a chemical substance, such as hormones or breast milk, and releases it, often into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland).
- glandular† (adjective): Pertaining to a gland or glands.
- gnarl (noun): A knot in wood; a large or hard knot, or a protuberance with twisted grain, on a tree.
- grad (noun): Abbreviation of graduate.
- gradual (adjective): Proceeding or advancing by small, slow, regular steps or degrees
- gran (noun): A grandmother.
- grand (adjective): Large, senior (high-ranking), intense, extreme, or exceptional Of a large size or extent; great.
- grandad (noun): Alternative spelling of granddad
- granddad (noun): grandfather
- granular (adjective): Consisting of, or resembling, granules or grains
- guar (noun): An annual legume (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), used as a food for cattle and humans.
- guard (noun): A person who, or thing that, protects or watches over something.
- gulag (noun): Also GULAG: the system of all Soviet labour camps and prisons in use, especially during the Stalinist period (1930s–1950s).
- laggard (adjective): Lagging behind; taking more time than the others in a group.
- land (noun): The part of Earth which is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water.
- landau (noun): A type of lightweight, four-wheeled carriage in which the front and back passenger seats face each other.
- lard (noun): Fat from the abdomen of a pig, especially as prepared for use in cooking or pharmacy.
- laud (noun): Praise or glorification.
- luau (noun): An elaborate Hawaiian feast featuring traditional foods and entertainment.
- luna (noun): A luna moth: a member of species Actias luna.
- lunar (adjective): Of, pertaining to, or resembling the Moon (that is, Luna, the Earth's moon).
- lunula (noun): Something shaped like a crescent or half-moon; especially the pale area at the base of the fingernail.
- naan (noun): A type of round, flat bread baked in a tandoor popular in South and Central Asian cuisine.
- nada (pronoun): Nothing.
- nana (noun): A banana.
- radar (noun): A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of sent radio waves (usually microwaves) reflected from their surfaces
- raga (noun): Any of various melodic forms used in Indian classical music, or a piece of music composed in such a form.
- raglan (adjective): Being or having a kind of sleeve that continues in one piece up to the neck of a garment, without a shoulder seam.
- rand (noun): The border of an area of land, especially marshland.
- rang (verb): simple past tense of ring
- rural (adjective): Relating to the countryside or to agriculture.
- ulna (noun): The bone of the forearm that extends from the elbow to the wrist on the side opposite to the thumb, corresponding to the fibula of the hind limb. Also, the corresponding bone in the forelimb of any vertebrate.
- ulnar (adjective): Of or pertaining to the ulna, or the elbow
- ungag (verb): To release from a gag.