Wordle Hint for January 26, 2026: Puzzle #1682

Today's Wordle puzzle (#1682) presents a moderate challenge with a common five-letter word that might trip you up due to its vowel placement and a less frequent consonant combination. The answer is a familiar term often used in casual conversation, but its letter arrangement can make it tricky to guess if you're not considering all possibilities. Let's break it down with some hints to guide you without giving it away immediately.

Hints for Today's Wordle

If you're feeling stuck, here are three levels of hints, from vague to very specific, to help you narrow it down:

• Hint 1 (Vague): This word describes something unusual, unexpected, or a sudden change, often with a slightly negative or surprising connotation.
• Hint 2 (Specific): It contains two vowels, with one appearing in the second position and the other in the fourth position. The word starts with a consonant blend that's common in English.
• Hint 3 (Very Specific): The first two letters are "FR," and it ends with "AK." There are no repeated letters in this word.

The Answer to Wordle #1682

If you're ready to see the solution, today's Wordle answer for January 26, 2026, is:

FREAK

Strategy and Why It Was Tricky

Today's puzzle, "FREAK," might have been challenging for a few reasons. First, the vowel placement—with "E" in the second spot and "A" in the fourth—isn't the most common pattern, which could throw off guesses if you're relying on typical vowel-heavy starts. Second, the consonant blend "FR" at the beginning is straightforward, but the "K" at the end might not be immediately obvious, especially since many five-letter words end with more common letters like "E" or "S."

To solve it efficiently, a good strategy is to use your opening guesses to test common vowels and consonants. For example, starting with a word like "CRANE" or "SLATE" can help identify the "A" and "E" positions early. Once you have those vowels locked in, focus on consonant combinations; "FR" is a productive blend in English, so trying words like "FRAME" or "FRESH" could quickly lead you to "FREAK." Remember, there are no double letters here, so if you're seeing repeated letters in your guesses, you can eliminate that possibility. Overall, this word tests your ability to think beyond the most frequent patterns, making it a satisfying solve once you crack it!