Daily Waffle #131 answers and hints

Need a nudge on the Thursday, July 9, 2026 grid? Start with one clue. Nothing else shows until you tap it.

EYORSCLWLITEEORGWDNSE

The starting grid for #131

6 words hide in this 5×5 grid. You get 15 swaps, and the best solve takes 10.

Want one more try first? Play #131.

Hints for each word in #131

Tap one hint at a time. The clue comes first. Then you get the first and last letters. The word shows only when you tap the last button.

Word 1: the top row (row 1)
Hint 1: the clue
noun: a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with S and ends with E.
Show the word
STOLE
Word 2: the middle row (row 3)
Hint 1: the clue
verb: wash off soap or remaining dirt
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with R and ends with E.
Show the word
RINSE
Word 3: the bottom row (row 5)
Hint 1: the clue
adjective: using or containing too many words
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with W and ends with Y.
Show the word
WORDY
Word 4: the left column (column 1)
Hint 1: the clue
noun: someone who guards prisoners
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with S and ends with W.
Show the word
SCREW
Word 5: the middle column (column 3)
Hint 1: the clue
noun: (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with O and ends with R.
Show the word
OWNER
Word 6: the right column (column 5)
Hint 1: the clue
noun: a mournful poem
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with E and ends with Y.
Show the word
ELEGY

What is the answer to Waffle #131?

The answer is 6 words that fit together in one grid. Tap below to see all of them. This puzzle has only one answer, so if your words differ, a letter is still in the wrong place.

Show the full answer grid

STOLECWLRINSEEEGWORDY

Across: STOLE, RINSE, WORDY

Down: SCREW, OWNER, ELEGY

How do you solve #131 in 10 swaps?

Make the swaps that fix two tiles at once first. This grid has 5 of them. The list below is one shortest route from the start to the answer.

Show every swap

Swap row 1, column 1 with row 1, column 5. This puts S and E in place.
Swap row 1, column 4 with row 3, column 1. This puts L and R in place.
Swap row 2, column 3 with row 2, column 5. This puts W and L in place.
Swap row 1, column 2 with row 3, column 3. This puts T in place.
Swap row 3, column 3 with row 5, column 3. This puts N in place.
Swap row 3, column 4 with row 4, column 1. This puts E in place.
Swap row 3, column 4 with row 5, column 2. This puts O in place.
Swap row 3, column 4 with row 5, column 4. This puts S and D in place.
Swap row 4, column 3 with row 5, column 3. This puts R in place.
Swap row 4, column 3 with row 5, column 5. This puts E and Y in place.

What do the words in #131 mean?

STOLE: noun: a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
RINSE: verb: wash off soap or remaining dirt
WORDY: adjective: using or containing too many words
SCREW: noun: someone who guards prisoners
OWNER: noun: (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
ELEGY: noun: a mournful poem

Word meanings come from WordNet 3.1, a free English dictionary from Princeton University. Puzzle published Thursday, July 9, 2026.