

NYT Wordle today starts with D and has one vowel ‘U’ and ends with ‘Y’.
The word talks about something shadowy, dimly lit, or darkish in color.
The NYT Wordle answer for January 27, 2026, is DUSKY, an atmospheric word with no repeating letters.
Happy Tuesday! We are officially in the thick of the week, and today’s Wordle is here to test your vocabulary with a word that is as moody as a winter evening. After yesterday’s sharp and energetic FREAK, NYT Wordle today for Jan 27, 2026, ups the ante with a rare vowel and softer tones.
The puzzle is famously tricky because of its elusive ‘sometimes’ vowel at the end. If your grid is looking a bit dim and you need a spark of inspiration to keep your streak alive, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get you that win!
Here are clues to narrow down your guesses:
Hint Type
Clue
First and Last Letter
D and Y
Vowels
One (U)
Repeating Letters
No
Word Type
Adjective
Definition
Somewhat dark; having little light; dim or shadowy.
Context
It is used to describe the sky at twilight or a dimly lit room.
Difficulty Level
Hard
This word is a close cousin to ’Dusty,’ but refers to light rather than particles.
In literature, it's a favorite for describing the blurring edges of objects at sunset.
It rhymes with ‘Husky’ and ‘Musky.’
Here is how to navigate the shadowy terrain of today's puzzle.
First Guess (SLATE): A classic opener to eliminate common consonants and vowels. It will give you a yellow ‘S’. It means ‘S’ is s in the word but not at the start.
Second Guess (ROUST): We check more vowels and reposition the ‘S’. This is helpful as it rules out the fourth position for ‘S’, bringing you closer to finding the correct one! ‘U’ turns yellow, and we've ruled out ‘O’ and ‘T’. We now know the word has ‘S’ and ‘U’, but their positions are still a mystery.
Third Guess (MUSHY): Testing the -Y ending and looking for more consonants. This guess is a breakthrough! It locks U, S, and Y into the second, third, and fifth spots (Green).
Final Logic: By now, you have found the word structure U S _ Y. Common possibilities include DUSKY, HUSKY, and MUSKY. Given the hint about ‘darkish color’ and ‘dim light,’ the letter D is the strongest candidate to complete the word.
The answer to Wordle #1683 is DUSKY.
Also Read: Today’s Quordle Hints and Answers for January 27, 2026
Today’s Wordle leaned on mood rather than mechanics. While the structure _ U S _ Y can lead players into a ‘trap’ (with Husky and Musky being valid options), the meaning-based hints help narrow it down.
Compared to recent puzzles like CLINK or BARON, today's NYT solution felt more descriptive and poetic. It's a reminder that sometimes the hardest part of Wordle isn't the letters themselves, but the specific ‘vibe’ the New York Times editors are going for! If you cracked it without hints, that’s a strong win for your streak. Come back tomorrow for more Wordle hints, tips, and tricks!
Also Read: NYT Wordle Answer Today for January 26, 2026: Hints, Strategy & Expert Walkthrough