Honestly, staring at those five empty boxes every morning can feel like a personal attack. You’ve got your coffee, the sun is barely up, and the New York Times is basically asking you to prove you’re still literate. Today is January 14, 2026, and if you’re struggling with Wordle #1670, you aren't alone. The WordleBot is probably judging everyone’s efficiency right now, but let’s get real. Sometimes you just need a win without the over-analytical math.
Today’s answer is AVOID.
It’s a funny word to see on the grid. Most of the time, we’re trying to avoid the "X/6" disaster that snaps a three-month streak. But today, the word itself is the goal. If you started with something like "ADIEU" or "AUDIO," you probably had a very good morning.
Why AVOID is a Statistical Powerhouse
Most people obsess over the letter "S" or "T." Sure, they’re common. But AVOID is a masterclass in vowel management. It packs three vowels—A, O, and I—into five spaces. In the world of Wordle strategy, vowels are your anchors. If you know where the vowels sit, the consonants usually fall into line like well-behaved toddlers.
Vowel-heavy words are the secret weapon of high-level players. When you use a word like AVOID, you're effectively checking off 60% of the possible vowel slots in one go. Experts like Tyler Hinman, who has won the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament multiple times, often talk about the importance of "letter frequency" over "word familiarity." You aren't just looking for a word; you're looking for the most likely architecture of the English language.
Interestingly, AVOID starts with "A," which is the sixth most common starting letter in the game. It’s not as popular as "S" or "C," but it’s a heavy hitter. According to data analysis of the original Wordle dictionary, roughly 140 solutions start with "A." If you're the kind of person who uses "STARE" or "SLATE" every single day, today might have felt a bit "off" because those common consonants weren't as helpful as usual.
The Mechanics of Today’s Puzzle
Let’s break down the geometry of the word.
- It has zero repeated letters.
- It uses the "V," which is a "high-value" elimination letter.
- The "D" ending is surprisingly common—ranking 8th for final positions.
When you see a "V," it usually limits your options significantly. There aren't many five-letter words that can accommodate a "V" without it being "VERVE" or something equally annoying. If you got that yellow or green "V" early on, you probably narrowed your list of potential answers from hundreds down to maybe a dozen.
Breaking the "ADIEU" Habit
We have to talk about "ADIEU." It’s the most popular starting word in the world. People love it. They treat it like a security blanket. But is it actually good? Many top-tier players actually dislike it because it wastes the "U," which is one of the least common vowels.
Using AVOID or even "AUDIO" is often more efficient. Why? Because "O" and "I" appear in far more solutions than "U" does. If you used "AUDIO" this morning, you probably saw a sea of yellow and green almost immediately. That’s the kind of momentum that makes you feel like a genius before your first meeting of the day.
Common Missteps to Watch Out For
It’s easy to get trapped in a "rhyme well." That’s where you have something like _ _ I D and you start guessing "FLUID," "LURID," or "ACID." Actually, "ACID" would have been a decent guess today, but it would have left you frustrated with that "C."
The trick is to stop guessing the solution and start guessing "throwaway" words. If you have three letters but can't figure out the placement, use a word that contains none of those letters but tests the remaining high-probability consonants like "R," "N," or "L." It feels like a waste of a turn, but it's the only way to avoid a total collapse.
The Evolution of the Wordle Meta
By now, in early 2026, the way we play has changed. We’ve seen the "hard mode" purists get more intense, and we’ve seen the rise of "Wordle clones" that make the original look like child's play. But the NYT version remains the gold standard because of its curated word list. They don't just pick random words; they pick words that feel "fair."
AVOID is a fair word. It’s not some obscure botanical term or a weird British spelling of a common noun. It’s a verb we use every day. "Avoid the traffic." "Avoid the drama." "Avoid the spoiler."
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If you’re looking to improve your game for tomorrow, stop thinking about the word you want the answer to be. Think about the letters you need to kill. The game isn't about being right on turn one; it's about not being wrong on turn six.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Game
- Ditch the "S" Obsession: Everyone starts with "S" words. Try starting with an "A" or "O" word tomorrow to see how it reshapes the board.
- Vowel Placement Matters: Don't just find the vowels; look at where they aren't. If "A" isn't in the second spot, it's very likely in the first or third.
- Watch the "V": Whenever you suspect a "V," "X," or "Z," test it early. These letters are "gatekeepers" that instantly rule out 90% of the dictionary.
- Trust the Patterns: English loves certain clusters. If you have an "O" and an "I," they often sit next to each other or are separated by a single consonant.
Get your streak back on track. If you missed today’s word, don’t sweat it. There’s always another grid waiting at midnight. Just remember that the goal isn't just to find the word, but to understand the logic behind the letters.