You know that feeling when you're down to your fifth guess and the grid looks like a patchy lawn with only two green squares? That’s basically the collective experience of everyone hunting for the May 22 Wordle answer. Honestly, some days the New York Times editors just seem to wake up and choose chaos.
Today's word is one of those classic "I know this word, but do I really know it?" situations. It isn't a common piece of slang or a kitchen appliance. It’s a bit more academic, a bit more "library-smelling," if that makes sense. If you’re staring at a keyboard full of gray letters and wondering where it all went wrong, don't worry. You're definitely not the only one scratching your head.
The Big Reveal: What is the May 22 Wordle Answer?
Let's not bury the lead. If you are just here to save your streak before the clock strikes midnight, here it is.
The May 22 Wordle answer is FOLIO.
Yeah, it’s a bit of a curveball. Most people don't use the word "folio" unless they’re talking about Shakespeare’s first editions or maybe organizing a very fancy binder for a law firm. It’s a valid word, obviously, but it’s just rare enough to feel like a "gotcha" when you've already burned through common vowels like E and A.
Why Today’s Word Is Such a Streak-Killer
Wordle is mostly about patterns. We’re programmed to look for things like "CH" at the end or a "TR" at the start. When a word ends in "O," our brains usually jump to stuff like "PHOTO" or "RADIO."
FOLIO is weird because it has three vowels—O, I, and O—jammed into five letters. Specifically:
- It starts with F.
- It ends with O.
- The letter O actually repeats.
That double-O placement (the second and fifth spots) is what usually kills people's momentum. If you used a starting word like "AUDIO," you probably got some yellow or green hits, but connecting the dots to "FOLIO" requires a mental leap away from more common structures.
A Quick History Lesson (Because Why Not?)
In the world of publishing, a folio refers to a sheet of paper folded once to create four pages. It’s also used to describe those massive, oversized books you see in the restricted sections of old libraries. Think of the "First Folio" of William Shakespeare. Without that specific 1623 collection, we might have lost half of his plays. So, in a way, the May 22 Wordle answer is paying tribute to the history of the English language itself. Kind of cool, even if it ruined your morning coffee.
Strategies for Winning Tomorrow
If today's puzzle kicked your butt, it might be time to rethink the starting lineup. A lot of experts—and by experts, I mean people who spend way too much time on Reddit’s r/wordle—swear by words that test the "O" and "I" relationship.
- ADIEU is the classic vowel-burner, but it wouldn't have helped much with the "F" or the "L" today.
- STARE or TRACE are great for consonants, but they would have left you totally blank on the vowels for FOLIO.
- PILOT would have been a massive help today. It grabs the L, the I, and the O in one go.
Actually, the best way to approach these "ends in O" words is to keep a mental list of musical or technical terms. Words like "SOLO," "PIANO," and "FOLIO" all share that specific structural DNA that Wordle loves to use for its "Medium-Hard" days.
How the Archive Looks
Looking back at previous years, May 22 has a history of being a bit "extra." In 2024, the word was EXALT. In 2022, it was MONEY. Compared to "MONEY," "FOLIO" feels like a significant jump in difficulty. It’s part of the NYT's slow shift toward words that aren't necessarily obscure, but aren't exactly on the tip of your tongue either.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Game
Stop using the same starting word every single day if you’re getting bored. Seriously. Switch it up based on how you’re feeling. If you’re on a high streak, maybe play it safe with SLATE. If you’re feeling gutsy, try something weird like NYMPH just to clear the "Y" early.
For those who missed today’s mark:
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- Take a look at your "Gray" letters and see if you’re neglecting the "O" or "I" too often.
- Remember that "O" can be a bookend. If a word doesn't make sense ending in "E" or "Y," try "O."
- Don't forget that double letters are a favorite trick of the New York Times.
Keep that streak alive by diversifying your vowel guesses early on. If you see a green "O" at the end, immediately think of nouns related to paper, music, or Italian-derived terms.