Ever had the exhilarating moment when a shoe fits perfectly—like it was made just for your foot? That’s the vibe of today’s NYT Strands puzzle. Titled “If the Shoe Fits…”, Puzzle #533 steps squarely into a world of stylish soles and fashion-forward footwear. Slip into this shoe-themed solve, and I promise—by the end, you’ll be strutting with confidence through the grid.
Today’s Theme: “If the Shoe Fits…”
Today’s puzzle dresses your board with footwear icons. Clues point directly at shoes of all shapes, sizes, and styles. Once you land on one, you’re walking the right path.
Spangram of the Day: FOOTWEAR
The spangram FOOTWEAR runs across the grid and anchors the theme with undeniable style.
Today’s Theme Words (6)
Here are today’s shoe-themed answers:
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SNEAKER
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FOOTWEAR (spangram)
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SLIPPER
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ESPADRILLE
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SANDAL
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LOAFER
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CLOG
Yesterday’s Recap – Puzzle #532 (August 17)
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Theme: Think Again!
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Spangram: RIGHTBRAIN
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Answers: CREATIVITY, FEELINGS, INTUITION, SPONTANEITY
Pro Tips for Solving Faster
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Start with the title hint — “If the Shoe Fits…” instantly points to footwear.
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Snag the spangram early — finding FOOTWEAR unlocks much of the grid.
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Fill in with familiar shoe styles — classics like SLIPPER, LOAFER, or SNEAKER are great starting points.
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Trigger helpful hints — use unrelated words such as COZY, WALK, or HEEL for early help.
Popular NYT Strands FAQs
| Q | A |
|---|---|
| What is NYT Strands? | A daily word-search puzzle featuring themed words in a 6×8 grid plus one edge-spanning spangram. |
| What’s a spangram? | It’s the key word or phrase that runs from one edge of the puzzle to another—today, it’s FOOTWEAR. |
| How do hints work? | Provide three valid non-theme words (4+ letters each) to unlock a hint in the grid. |
| Can I play past puzzles? | No, each one is unique and usually playable only on its release day. |
| Solving strategy for beginners? | Aim for the longest thematic word first, find the spangram quickly, and then fill in the rest using hints efficiently. |
Puzzle Breakdown Table
| Date | Puzzle # | Theme | Spangram | Theme Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 18, 2025 | 533 | If the Shoe Fits… | FOOTWEAR | Sneaker, Slipper, Espadrille, Sandal, Loafer, Clog |
| August 17, 2025 | 532 | Think Again! | RIGHTBRAIN | Creativity, Feelings, Intuition, Spontaneity |
Final Thoughts
Puzzle #533 is a snug fit—each answer is a popular shoe type, and FOOTWEAR ties them all together elegantly. With every style slotted perfectly in place, it’s a fun, fashion-forward solve that should satisfy your puzzle cravings—and keep your readers walking back for more.
