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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Today’s NYT Strands puzzle for Thursday, November 21, 2024, is about a FIREPLACE. The official hint is “You’re getting warm,” and the puzzle’s spangram is FIREPLACE. Below, you’ll find the clues first and the complete answer list after a spoiler warning.
This is NYT Strands puzzle #263. The date matters: November 21, 2024, was a Thursday, while November 21, 2025, was a Friday. That distinction identifies the puzzle covered here. Forbes also identifies this as puzzle #263.
Thursday’s Strands theme hint
The official theme hint is:
“You’re getting warm.”
That phrase points toward heat, fire, and something found at the center of many traditional living spaces.
Additional hint
If the main clue does not quite get you there, try this second hint:
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Taken together, the two clues suggest a household feature associated with warmth and a cozy gathering place.
First-two-letter hints
Here are the first two letters of the highlighted entries, in the order they appear on the grid:
Rank #2
- CH
- FL
- BR
- FI
- HE
- MA
- SC
- PO
These prompts are intended to narrow the search without immediately giving away the words. In Strands, players trace connected letters to find theme entries; the spangram identifies the broader category. Finding enough unrelated words can also unlock an in-game hint. Forbes explains the basic Strands format here.
Spoiler warning: the November 21 Strands answers
The full solution is below. Stop here if you still want to solve the puzzle without seeing the answers.
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The spangram is FIREPLACE. It connects all of the other entries: the ordinary theme words describe parts of a fireplace or objects used around it.
Theme words
- CHIMNEY
- FLUE
- BROOM
- HEARTH
- MANTEL
- SCREEN
- POKER
There are seven ordinary theme answers plus one spangram, for eight highlighted entries in total. Some solution pages use “theme words” to mean only the seven ordinary entries, while others count the spangram as a theme word as well. Both counts refer to the same completed puzzle.
Rank #4
How the answers fit the theme
The answer set divides naturally into two informal groups, although this is an explanatory grouping rather than an official NYT classification.
Fireplace structure
- CHIMNEY: the vertical structure that carries smoke and combustion gases away from a fireplace.
- FLUE: the passage through which smoke and gases travel. A flue may run through a chimney, so the two words are related but not interchangeable.
- HEARTH: the floor or area directly in front of, or surrounding, a fireplace.
- MANTEL: the shelf or surrounding framework above and around a fireplace.
Fireplace tools and accessories
- BROOM: a small hearth brush or broom can be used to sweep up cooled ash and debris.
- SCREEN: a protective barrier placed in front of a fire to help contain sparks and embers.
- POKER: a metal tool used to move logs or adjust burning material.
That combination explains why “You’re getting warm” works as the main clue: it evokes the fire itself, while “the heart of a home” points more specifically to the fireplace as a traditional focal point.
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Optional real-world connection: fireplace tools
The words POKER and BROOM also describe tools commonly sold together for hearth care. If you are curious about the objects represented in the puzzle, a fireplace tool set is the most direct category to look at: manufacturer descriptions commonly bundle a poker, shovel, brush, and stand, while comparable retailer sets may include a poker, shovel, tongs, and brush. This is simply a real-world explanation of the vocabulary—not something needed to solve Strands, and not a product test or endorsement. Check current listings, prices, availability, and suitability before buying.
Answer summary
| Type | Answer |
|---|---|
| Spangram | FIREPLACE |
| Theme word | CHIMNEY |
| Theme word | FLUE |
| Theme word | BROOM |
| Theme word | HEARTH |
| Theme word | MANTEL |
| Theme word | SCREEN |
| Theme word | POKER |
No exact letter paths are included here because the available research confirms the hint sequence and answer list but does not independently verify every path on the playable grid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NYT Strands puzzle is this?
This is NYT Strands puzzle #263, published for Thursday, November 21, 2024. November 21, 2025, was a Friday, so references to a Thursday, November 21 puzzle point to 2024.
What is the spangram for NYT Strands on November 21?
The spangram is FIREPLACE.
How many answers are in this Strands puzzle?
There are seven ordinary theme words—CHIMNEY, FLUE, BROOM, HEARTH, MANTEL, SCREEN, and POKER—plus the FIREPLACE spangram, making eight highlighted entries altogether.
What is the theme of the November 21 Strands puzzle?
The theme is fireplace-related objects and features. The answers include structural terms such as CHIMNEY, FLUE, HEARTH, and MANTEL, along with tools or accessories such as BROOM, SCREEN, and POKER.
The Bottom Line
The Thursday, November 21, 2024, NYT Strands answers all point to a FIREPLACE: CHIMNEY, FLUE, BROOM, HEARTH, MANTEL, SCREEN, and POKER.
Quick Recap
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