You've probably been there. It's 7:00 AM, the coffee hasn't quite kicked in yet, and you're staring at a grid of gray boxes that seem to be mocking your very existence. We all have that one friend who posts their "2/6" score on the group chat before the sun is even up, but for the rest of us, today's puzzle is a bit of a nightmare. Honestly, if you're looking for the mashable wordle answer today, you aren't alone. Today is one of those days where the logic makes sense only after you see the word.
Wordle #1673 for Saturday, January 17, 2026, is a spicy one. Literally. It’s a word we use to describe a bad temper, a really good salsa, or a sunset that looks like the sky is actually on fire. But in the context of a five-letter guessing game? It’s a trap.
Hints to Save Your Streak
Before we just give it away, maybe you want to try one last time? I get the pride involved in protecting a 100-day streak. It’s basically the only thing keeping some of us together.
- Hint 1: The word is an adjective.
- Hint 2: It describes something intense, hot, or full of passion.
- Hint 3: There are no repeating letters. Not a single one.
- Hint 4: It starts with the letter F.
- Hint 5: It ends with a Y, which is a classic Wordle curveball that eats up your vowels.
Think about it. If you’re a fan of fantasy novels, you might describe a dragon’s breath this way. If you’re a sports commentator, you might describe a pitcher’s fastball this way. It’s got a certain "kick" to it.
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The Mashable Wordle Answer Today Is...
Ready? Don't scroll any further if you want to keep guessing. This is your final warning. The solution to Wordle #1673 is:
FIERY
Yeah. FIERY.
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The reason this one is so difficult is that "IE" combination. We’re so used to "EI" or just using an "A" or "O" in the middle of a word that "FIERY" feels almost misspelled when you’re typing it out. It’s a word that lives in the back of your brain but rarely makes it to the front when you're under pressure.
Why Today's Word Is a Total Trap
Most of us start with words like ARISE, ADIEU, or STARE. If you used ARISE, you probably got a yellow I, R, and E. That feels like a win, right? But then you start shuffling them. REIFY? No, that’s too obscure. FRIED? Good guess, but it doesn't fit if you have a yellow R in the second spot.
The Y at the end is the real killer. According to data from the New York Times’ own WordleBot, players often struggle when a word ends in Y because we tend to prioritize checking for the other four vowels first. By the time you realize you need a Y, you might be on your fifth guess with your heart rate hitting 110.
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The Science of "Hard" Wordles
Researchers have actually looked into why certain words trip us up. It’s usually a combination of:
- Vowel clusters: Having an I and an E right next to each other is statistically less common in five-letter words than having them separated by a consonant.
- Frequency of use: We say "fiery" often enough, but we don't write it that often. Our brains are better at recognizing words we see in print daily.
- Letter placement: Ending in Y is common, but starting with F and having that R in the fourth spot is a specific pattern that narrows your options in a way that feels restrictive rather than helpful.
The Best Strategy for Wordle #1673
If you haven't played yet and you're just reading this to prep (cheating? maybe, but I won't tell), your best bet is to use a second guess that clears out the "F" and "Y" early. Words like FOLLY or FERRY would have been great "burner" words to see where you stand.
Honestly, the "best" starting word is a myth. Sure, MIT researchers swear by SALET or CRANE, but if the word of the day is FIERY, even the best algorithm is going to take three or four turns to get there. It’s about the follow-up. Don't get married to your first three yellows. Move them around. Try the weird combinations.
Actionable Tips for Tomorrow's Puzzle
- Don't forget the 'Y': It’s technically a consonant in Wordle, but it acts like a vowel. If you're stuck on guess four, try a word ending in Y.
- Check for double letters: Today didn't have any, but the NYT loves to throw in a MAMMA or PIZZA just to watch the world burn.
- Use the 'Cloud' method: If you have three yellow letters, write them in a circle on a piece of paper. Seeing them outside the grid helps break the mental block of where they "should" go.
- Step away: If you're on guess 5/6, close the tab. Go do the dishes. Come back in twenty minutes. Your subconscious is better at crosswords and Wordle than your conscious mind is.
To get ahead for the next game, try starting with a word that uses completely different consonants than you used today. Avoid F, R, and Y in your opener tomorrow to maximize your "letter coverage." It’s all a game of elimination.