If you’re visiting this page, you’re likely in search of some guidance on how to tackle **[Strands](https://www.nytimes.com/games/strands)**, the **New York Times**’ elegant word-search challenge.

**Strands** introduces a fresh spin on the classic word search format. In this game, you can create words by linking letters in all possible directions — up, down, sideways, or diagonally. However, the twist is that words can change direction while being formed, leading to captivating shapes and designs. Every letter in the grid contributes to a solution, and all the answers relate to a shared theme. There’s also a unique word or phrase known as the “spangram,” which encompasses the day’s theme and stretches across the entire grid either horizontally or vertically.

**SEE ALSO:**
[Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable](https://games.mashable.com/)

In contrast to other NYT games like **[Wordle](https://mashable.com/category/wordle)** or **[Connections](https://mashable.com/category/connections)**, **Strands** doesn’t come with a list of words, rendering it more of a mental puzzle that may require additional time to resolve. If you find yourself at a standstill or pressed for time, we have all the clues you need to continue advancing at your convenience.

**SEE ALSO:**
[Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 19](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-november-19-2024)

**SEE ALSO:**
[NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 19](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-November-19)

### NYT Strands Hint for Today’s Theme: Pick-ups
These items are frequently found in the kitchen.

### Today’s NYT Strands Theme Explained
The words are all associated with eating.

### NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is it Vertical or Horizontal?
Today’s spangram runs horizontally.

### NYT Strands Spangram Answer for Today
Today’s spangram is **Utensils**.

**Featured Video For You:**
**Strands 101: How to conquer NYT’s latest word game**

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### NYT Strands Word List for November 19
– **Spoon**
– **Skewer**
– **Fork**
– **Spork**
– **Knife**
– **Tongs**
– **Chopsticks**
– **Utensils**

**Hunting for more daily online games?**
Browse **[Mashable’s Games page](https://mashable.com/category/games)** for additional hints, or visit our **[games hub](https://games.mashable.com/)** for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword puzzles, and more.

**Missed yesterday’s puzzle?**
[Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Strands.](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-november-18)