If you are perusing this, you are in search of help with Strands, the New York Times’ innovative word-search challenge.

Strands features a distinctive variation on the classic word search. Words can be created from adjacent letters in any orientation, including diagonally, and can alter direction, forming unique shapes. Each letter in the grid contributes to a solution. A theme always links each answer, along with the “spangram,” a particular word or phrase that sums up the day’s theme and stretches across the grid either horizontally or vertically.

By providing an ambiguous clue and leaving out the word list, Strands offers a demanding game that requires more time to complete than other games such as Wordle and Connections.

If you find yourself at an impasse or lack 10 minutes to tackle today’s puzzle, we have all the NYT Strands hints you require to continue at your own pace.

NYT Strands hint for the theme of the day: Chips in

The words pertain to food.

Today’s NYT Strands theme clearly summarized

These words represent items you offer as appetizers.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today’s NYT Strands spangram runs horizontally.

NYT Strands spangram answer for today

Today’s spangram is Party Dips.

NYT Strands word list for July 23

– Salsa
– Queso
– Guacamole
– Party Dips
– Tzatziki
– Hummus
– Fondue

Searching for other daily online games? Mashable’s Games page has additional hints, and if you’re interested in more puzzles, Mashable has games available now!

Visit our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and much more.

Not the date you seek? Here’s the answer to yesterday’s Strands.