Quick Read
- Today’s Wordle answer (puzzle #1641) for December 16, 2025, is ‘segue’.
- The word contains three vowels (E, U, E) and starts with S; it’s both a noun and a verb.
- Expert-recommended starter words include ‘trace’, ‘crane’, and ‘adieu’.
- Wordle remains a daily ritual, now hosted by the New York Times.
Today’s Wordle: The Puzzle That Keeps Us Guessing
Every morning, thousands of players across the globe wake up, grab their coffee, and launch the New York Times Wordle puzzle. For December 16, 2025, puzzle #1641 delivers another dose of wordplay, mental acrobatics, and that familiar surge of anticipation. What is the word today? How can you edge closer to the answer before your six attempts run out?
Wordle’s charm is rooted in its simplicity. Invented by Josh Wardle in 2021 and acquired by The New York Times in 2022, the game challenges you to guess a five-letter word within six tries. Each guess offers feedback: green tiles for correct letters in the right spot, yellow for correct letters in the wrong place, and gray for those not present at all. But the real magic lies in the subtle clues, the strategic selection of starter words, and the daily community discussions around possible answers.
Today’s Clues: December 16, 2025 Wordle Hints
Let’s break down the hints for puzzle #1641, drawing from insights shared by TODAY.com and USA Today:
- This word is both a noun and a verb.
- It carries the idea of being ‘shifty’ or associated with change.
- There are three vowels in the word.
- Two of those vowels are the same.
- The word starts with the letter ‘S’.
- Its definition as a noun refers to ‘an immediate transition from one part to another, as in music.’
- Yes, there are repeating letters in the answer.
As you let these clues percolate, imagine the word sitting on the tip of your tongue, teasing you with its familiar cadence and subtle utility in everyday language.
Answer Revealed: Today’s Solution and Its Meaning
If you’re ready to see the answer, here it is—spoiler warning included. The answer to Wordle puzzle #1641 for December 16, 2025, is SEGUE.
Let’s dig into what makes ‘segue’ a fascinating choice. According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, as cited by TODAY.com, ‘segue’ is a noun meaning ‘an immediate transition from one part to another, as in music.’ It’s also a verb, describing the act of moving smoothly and without interruption from one state, topic, or section to another.
The word contains three vowels: E, U, and another E. It starts with S, ends with E, and repeats the vowel E. Its structure and sound make it memorable, and its meaning ties directly to the concept of change and flow—qualities that resonate with both language and life.
Strategy: How Experts Approach Wordle
How do seasoned players tackle Wordle? The first move is crucial. The Times’ Wordle editor, Tracy Bennett, has suggested that any word can be a valid starter, but analysis by the NYT’s Wordlebot—based on millions of games—shows some clear favorites. For instance, ‘trace’ is considered a solid starting word, with others like ‘crane’, ‘adieu’, ‘stare’, and ‘roast’ also commonly used (USA Today). These words have a balanced spread of vowels and common consonants, maximizing the information gained from your first guess.
Once you get feedback from the initial word, the art is in interpreting the clues. Players look for vowel placement, letter repetition, and possible word families. For today’s puzzle, spotting the triple vowel and repeated ‘E’ could quickly narrow the field.
The Social Side: Why Wordle Endures
Wordle isn’t just a solitary pursuit. It’s become a social ritual—friends texting their grids, families competing for streaks, and communities sharing strategies. The game’s minimalist design and once-a-day format make it accessible but addictive. The sense of achievement from solving the puzzle, or the urge to try again tomorrow after a miss, fuels the game’s longevity.
Some players subscribe to the New York Times Games for enhanced statistics and analysis, while others stick to the free version, savoring the pure challenge. In both cases, Wordle remains a daily mental workout and a source of light-hearted competition.
Beyond Wordle: Expanding Your Word Game Repertoire
If you’re a Wordle enthusiast, you might also enjoy other NYT games or alternatives like Mahjong, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles. Each offers a distinct cognitive challenge and a new way to engage with language, logic, and pattern recognition (Mashable).
For those who crave something even more novel, ‘Pips’—another NYT game released in August 2025—puts a twist on dominoes, combining color-coded conditions and number logic for a fresh puzzle experience. While Wordle tests your vocabulary, Pips stretches your spatial and numerical reasoning.
In the end, whether you’re drawn to five-letter words or domino tiles, these games reflect the enduring appeal of puzzles: they invite us to think, adapt, and connect, even in fleeting moments of leisure.
The selection of ‘segue’ as today’s Wordle answer is a subtle nod to transitions—both in music and in life. Its layered meaning, clever construction, and the clues provided show the puzzle’s ongoing ability to challenge and delight. As Wordle continues to evolve, its daily ritual reminds us that language is not just about words—it’s about movement, connection, and the joy of discovery.