As players around the world gear up for another round of Wordle, the popular word puzzle game is presenting a new challenge today, April 18, 2025, with puzzle #1,399. For those new to the game, Wordle is a daily word challenge that invites players to guess a five-letter word within six attempts, using a combination of logic and vocabulary skills.
Created by software engineer Josh Wardle in 2021, Wordle quickly gained traction due to its simple yet addictive format. The game allows players to share their progress using an emoji-based grid, which became a viral sensation in late 2021. The New York Times acquired Wordle in early 2022 for an undisclosed sum, and since then, it has continued to captivate millions of players, with reports indicating that players collectively played Wordle 5.3 billion times in 2024.
To play Wordle, participants begin by entering a five-letter word. The game provides immediate feedback: letters highlighted in green are in the correct position, while yellow indicates the letter is in the word but in the wrong spot. Letters that don’t appear at all are grayed out. This feedback mechanism is crucial for narrowing down guesses and ultimately solving the puzzle.
For today’s challenge, players are given a hint: "A mournful song for the dead, perhaps heard at a funeral." This clue points towards a specific type of song, and players can use it to guide their guesses. Additionally, today’s Wordle answer begins with the letter 'D', contains two vowels, and features no repeating letters.
As players ponder their guesses, it's worth noting some recent answers to help avoid repetition: yesterday's Wordle answer was "STOOD" on April 17, while previous answers included "MORAL" on April 16, "ASHEN" on April 15, "CREST" on April 14, and "LAUGH" on April 13. These past answers can provide insight into the types of words that Wordle tends to use.
For those still stumped, the answer to today’s Wordle is "DIRGE". This word not only fits the clues provided but also evokes a somber and reflective mood, aligning perfectly with the hint given. A dirge is traditionally a lament for the deceased, often performed at funerals, making it a fitting choice for today's puzzle.
Wordle’s charm lies in its ability to challenge players daily while fostering a sense of community through shared experiences and strategies. Many players have developed their own tactics, such as starting with words that contain common letters or vowels to maximize their chances of success. For instance, words like "trace" have been recommended as effective starting points based on analysis of millions of games.
The game's accessibility is another factor contributing to its popularity. Wordle can be played for free on the New York Times website, and while a subscription is required to track statistics or access additional features like the Wordle Bot, the core gameplay remains free of ads, allowing players to focus solely on the puzzle.
As the weekend approaches, players can look forward to continuing their Wordle streaks, whether they’re seasoned veterans or newcomers. The game refreshes at midnight local time, ensuring that everyone has the same word to solve each day, adding an element of shared challenge.
In summary, today's Wordle puzzle presents a unique opportunity to engage with language and logic. With the hints provided and the answer now revealed, players can reflect on their strategies and prepare for tomorrow's challenge. Whether you nailed today's word or found it tricky, there’s always another chance to play and improve your skills.
So, gather your friends, share your results, and get ready for another round of Wordle tomorrow!
