Every day, millions of players around the world dive into Wordle, the addictive five-letter word puzzle that has become a staple of daily routines since its creation in 2021. On July 22, 2025, puzzle #1494 challenged solvers with a word that was deceptively simple yet tricky enough to keep many guessing: BURNT.
Wordle, originally crafted by software engineer Josh Wardle as a personal gift for his partner, quickly exploded into a global sensation. Its charm lies in its simplicity—a single five-letter word to guess within six tries, with color-coded feedback guiding players along the way. The New York Times acquired Wordle in 2022, integrating it into their suite of daily games and adding analytical tools such as Wordlebot to help players sharpen their skills.
For those unfamiliar, the game’s mechanics are straightforward. When a letter is guessed correctly in the right position, it lights up green. Letters that exist in the word but are misplaced show yellow, while gray indicates letters not present at all. This elegant design keeps the game accessible and engaging, whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated puzzle aficionado.
July 22’s puzzle, #1494, was rated about 2.5 out of 5 in difficulty by players, reflecting a moderate challenge that hinged largely on its vowel structure and letter placement. The word contained just one vowel, the letter “U,” and had no repeating letters, which narrowed down possibilities but also made it tougher to guess.
Hints circulated widely to help players tackle the puzzle without outright spoiling the answer. The clues emphasized that the word began with the letter “B,” was an adjective, and described something that had been overheated or overcooked—essentially, something scorched or damaged by heat. Some subtle hints described the word as “charred,” while others suggested it was connected to fire and destruction.
Players who started with vowel-heavy words like “AISLE” or “DINER” found themselves uncovering some letters but still faced the puzzle’s tricky nature. Guesses like “TURNS” helped confirm the presence and placement of key consonants “R” and “N,” along with the vowel “U.” From there, the leap to “BURNT” was a satisfying payoff for many.
“Burnt” is an adjective commonly used to describe something that has been singed, scorched, or otherwise damaged by heat. As an irregular past tense and past participle form of the verb “burn,” it carries both literal and figurative meanings. Interestingly, the usage of “burnt” versus “burned” varies by region: “burnt” is more prevalent in British English, while “burned” is preferred in American English, though both are correct.
The word’s structure—starting with a “B,” containing only one vowel “U,” and no repeated letters—made it a neat encapsulation of Wordle’s balance between challenge and accessibility. It reminded players that sometimes the simplest words can be the most elusive.
Wordle’s enduring popularity, more than four years after its debut, stems from its ability to blend quick mental exercise with social engagement. Many players treat it as a morning ritual, a quick brain jog before diving into the day. Some even compete to be the first to crack the puzzle at midnight, sharing their streaks and strategies on social media.
The New York Times continues to support the game with features like Wordlebot, which analyzes player guesses and compares them to AI-generated solutions, helping solvers refine their tactics. While anyone can play Wordle for free, subscribers gain access to detailed statistics and an archive of past puzzles, though the full archive is now exclusive to subscribers after the original public archive was taken down at the Times’ request.
Experts encourage players to vary their starting words, strategically isolate vowels early, and pay close attention to color feedback to improve their odds. The game’s design, with just six attempts and no clues beyond color hints, ensures that every guess counts and every success feels earned.
Looking back at recent Wordle answers leading up to July 22, 2025, players encountered words like “FLAME,” “CHIME,” “CRISP,” and “SKATE,” each offering its own flavor of challenge and fun. The sequence culminating in “BURNT” on #1494 subtly echoed a theme of heat and transformation.
For those who missed the mark on July 22, there’s always tomorrow’s puzzle to look forward to. Wordle’s blend of simplicity, strategy, and social camaraderie keeps players coming back day after day, a testament to the timeless appeal of a well-crafted word game.
