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**Hello! Are you prepared for today’s Wordle?**
As usual, we’re here to provide daily hints and suggestions to lead you towards solving today’s mystery. If you’re simply after the answer, feel free to scroll down to the end of this article to discover today’s Wordle solution. But if you prefer figuring it out on your own, hang around for some useful tips and tricks.
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**SEE ALSO:**
[Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable](https://games.mashable.com/)
**SEE ALSO:**
[NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for January 21](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-january-21-2025)
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### **What is the origin of Wordle?**
Wordle was first developed by engineer Josh Wardle as a present for his partner. It swiftly turned into a worldwide phenomenon, with countless players engaging in the daily word challenge. Enthusiasts even designed alternative adaptations of the game, including the competitive-style **Squabble**, the music-focused **Heardle**, and multi-word endeavors like **Dordle** and **Quordle**, which demand guessing multiple words simultaneously.
The game’s fame escalated to such an extent that it was ultimately acquired by **The New York Times**. It also motivated TikTok creators to stream their Wordle-solving experiences live!
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### **What’s the optimal starting word for Wordle?**
The “optimal” Wordle starting word is a matter of opinion—it’s whatever suits you best! Nevertheless, if you’re seeking a tactical advantage, consider selecting a word that contains at least two distinct vowels and frequently used consonants such as S, T, R, or N. Need some ideas? [We have a few recommendations for you](https://mashable.com/article/best-wordle-starting-word).
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### **What occurred with the Wordle archive?**
Previously, players had the ability to access a collection of all past Wordle puzzles. However, this archive was removed at the insistence of **The New York Times**. The Times subsequently launched its own Wordle Archive, but it’s exclusively available to NYT Games subscribers.
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### **Is Wordle becoming more challenging?**
It may seem as though Wordle is getting more difficult, but fear not—it’s no tougher than it was at its initial launch. If you’re in search of an additional challenge, you can always activate [Wordle’s Hard Mode](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-hard-mode).
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**SEE ALSO:**
[NYT’s The Mini crossword answers for January 21, 2025](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-mini-crossword-clues-answers-january-21-2025)
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### **Clue for today’s Wordle:**
Consider a penalty in hockey.
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### **Does today’s Wordle feature a double letter?**
Yes, the letter “I” appears two times.
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### **Today’s Wordle begins with…**
The letter **I**.
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**SEE ALSO:**
[Wordle fanatic? Discover these entertaining word games to enjoy offline.](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-word-games-for-wordle-fans)
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### **And the Wordle solution is…**
It’s time to finalize your guess! Are you ready?
Drumroll, please…
The answer to today’s Wordle is **ICING**.
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Don’t be disheartened if you didn’t solve it this time—there’s always tomorrow! We’ll return with more hints and tips to aid you in conquering the next puzzle.
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**Are you also engaging with NYT Strands?**
[Discover hints and answers for today’s Strands puzzle.](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-january-21-2025)
**SEE ALSO:**
[NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 21](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-sports-edition-hint-answer-today-january-21-2025)
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**Searching for additional puzzles?**
Mashable has got everything you need! Check out our [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and much more.
**Missed yesterday’s Wordle?**
[Here’s the answer to January 20’s puzzle.](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-january-20-2025)
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*Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg.*