Considering the global sensation it has become, Wordle has remarkably humble origins. It was invented during coronavirus lockdown by New York-based software developer Josh Wardle, who simply wanted a game “for me and my partner to enjoy.”
In October 2021, Wardle released Wordle to the general public, and it developed a dedicated fan base around the world, with some players taking to social media each day to share hints as well as their results. This popularity allowed Wardle to sell Wordle to The New York Times in January 2022 for an undisclosed low seven-figure sum, though it remains free to play.
Speaking to Newsweek, Erhan Aslan, an expert in linguistics who teaches at the University of Reading in the U.K., provided some advice for Wordle players.
Aslan said: “One thing that I think is important in this game is the starting word chosen. Starting off with words that include commonly used vowels, for example, e and a, consonants such as r and t, and sound sequences might be helpful. Choosing a word that starts with q, z, j, or x, for instance, may not be the best choice.
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“As you get more feedback after a few guesses, users need to draw on some knowledge of phonics to narrow down or eliminate some words that they might be thinking,” Aslan added. “For example, if the second letter of the target word is l (indicated by green) and the player feels that the word starts with a consonant, they will need to know that there are only a few consonant cluster possibilities (such as bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl).”
The answer to Sunday’s puzzle will be revealed at the end of this article, so scroll down with caution if you want to work it out for yourself.
‘Wordle’ #1,093, Clues for Sunday, June 16
Hint #1: There is only one vowel.
Hint #2: None of the letters is repeated.
Hint #3: Synonyms for the answer include “grate” and “pulverize.”
Hint #4: One of the first four letters in the alphabet features.
Hint #5: There is no ‘i’ in team. There is, however, in today’s Wordle puzzle.
‘Wordle’ #1,093, Answer for Sunday, June 16
The answer to today’s Wordle puzzle is “grind.”
Well, that was a fun one! Did you get it? Congratulations if so, but please don’t be put off if not. One of the best things about Wordle is seeing if you can improve your score over time, and the next puzzle will be released on Monday. As ever, Newsweek will be back to give you another round of hints and tips.
What Does ‘Grind’ Mean?
The Merriam-Webster defines “grind” as “to reduce to powder or small fragments by friction” or “to wear down, polish, or sharpen by friction.”
For example: “If you want a caffeinated drink, you can grind down those coffee beans.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.