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**Hello! Are you prepared for today’s Wordle challenge?**
If you’ve arrived here, it signifies it’s time to face the newest Wordle puzzle. As always, we are delighted to offer valuable tips and hints to steer you toward today’s solution.
If your only goal is the answer, scroll down to the end of this page for the Wordle reveal. However, if you prefer to solve it independently, stay with us for some clues, strategies, and insights to help you decode it.
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### **What is Wordle, and where did it originate?**
Wordle was initially designed by engineer Josh Wardle as a meaningful gift for his partner. It rapidly transformed into a worldwide phenomenon, engaging thousands of players every day. Enthusiasts even created their own variations, including the battle royale-style **Squabble**, the music-guessing game **Heardle**, and multi-word challenges like **Dordle** and **Quordle**.
The game’s success skyrocketed to the extent that it was acquired by *The New York Times*. It even found popularity on TikTok, where creators stream their Wordle-solving experiences.
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### **What’s the ideal Wordle starting word?**
The best initial word is ultimately your choice, but if you’re seeking a strategic advantage, we’ve compiled some tips. Select a word that includes at least two different vowels and a combination of popular consonants such as S, T, R, or N. If you’re uncertain where to kick off, [here are some suggestions to inspire you](https://mashable.com/article/best-wordle-starting-word).
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### **What happened to the Wordle archive?**
In the beginning, players had access to an archive of previous Wordle puzzles to enjoy whenever they wished. Unfortunately, this archive was removed at the request of *The New York Times*. The Times subsequently launched its own Wordle Archive, but access is limited to NYT Games subscribers.
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### **Is Wordle becoming more difficult?**
It may seem like Wordle is getting tougher, but don’t worry—the difficulty level hasn’t altered since it started. However, if you are up for an additional challenge, you can enable Wordle’s [Hard Mode](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-hard-mode).
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### **Hints for today’s Wordle**
Need a bit of help? Here are some clues to assist you in solving today’s puzzle:
– **Subtle hint:** It’s something you require courage for.
– **Double letters:** Yes, one letter appears twice.
– **Starting letter:** Today’s word commences with the letter **N**.
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### **And the moment of truth… Today’s Wordle answer is:**
**NERVE**
If you didn’t figure it out this time, don’t fret—tomorrow’s challenge awaits! We’ll return with more hints and advice for your assistance.
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### **More games to dive into**
If you enjoy puzzles, visit [Mashable’s games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, crosswords, and much more. Additionally, if word games captivate you, [here are some amazing choices to try in real life](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-word-games-for-wordle-fans).
Missed out on yesterday’s Wordle? [Find the solution here](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-december-31-2024).
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*Contributions by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg assisted in crafting this article.*