Wordle is a popular online word game owned by The New York Times. Players guess a secret five-letter word each day, aiming to figure it out in six tries or less. Given today’s date of October 15, 2023, the Wordle released on April 6, 2022 would have been the answer “SHINE”.
Wordle went viral in late 2021 and early 2022. By April 2022, it had become a daily routine for millions of people around the world. The game only offers one puzzle per day, so there is just one Wordle released each day. On April 6, 2022, the Wordle answer was “SHINE”.
This article will provide more details about Wordle, examine the April 6 puzzle, and analyze the answer “SHINE”. Keep reading to learn more about this popular online word game and the specific puzzle from April 6, 2022.
What is Wordle?
Wordle is a web-based word game created by software engineer Josh Wardle. Players have six attempts to guess a random five-letter word each day. After each guess, colored tiles indicate how close the guess was to the word.
- Green tiles – the letter is correct and in the right spot.
- Yellow tiles – the letter is in the word but in the wrong spot.
- Gray tiles – the letter is not in the word at all.
Using these clues, players can strategically narrow down the possibilities until guessing the daily word. If the word is not guessed in six tries, the player loses and must wait until the next day for a new word.
Wordle went viral after Wardle released it in October 2021. By January 2022, over 2 million people were playing per day. The New York Times eventually purchased Wordle for a price rumored to be in the low seven figures.
Part of Wordle’s appeal is its simplicity. There are no ads, no sign-ups required, and players only get one puzzle per day. The limited nature makes each daily Wordle feel special and eventful.
The April 6 Wordle – “SHINE”
On April 6, 2022, the Wordle solution was “SHINE”. This is a fairly common five-letter word, but could still stump some players if they started down the wrong path.
Here are some key facts about the April 6 Wordle:
- 5 letters long
- Contains one vowel (I)
- Repeats the letter S
- A very positive, happy word
- Could relate to light, illumination, sparkling, etc.
- Has several common starting words like SHIP, SHADE, SHARE
- Needed at least 4 guesses for most players
“SHINE” is not the most obscure Wordle solution, but does have some trickiness. The double letter and single vowel left a lot of room for wrong guesses. Most players likely got thrown off by tempting starters like “SHADE” and “SHARE” before realizing the answer must use I instead of A or E.
Guessing Strategies for “SHINE”
What were some good strategies for arriving at “SHINE” on April 6?
- Start with a high-value starter like “SOARE” to test a lot of common letters
- Try words with I instead of A or E after getting the S and H placed
- Think positive, light-related words once you have “SHI_”
- Avoid repeat guesses that won’t give new information
Guessing a word like “GLINT” could also provide value by testing common letters in different positions. Overall, keeping an open mind and trying different vowel options was key to solving this puzzle.
Example Guess Sequence
Here is one possible guess sequence that could lead to solving “SHINE” in 5 tries:
- SOARE (yellow S, gray OA)
- SWIFT (yellow S, gray WIF)
- SPICE (gray SPI)
- SHINE (green)
This path shows how initial guesses like “SOARE” and “SWIFT” can eliminate a lot of letters. Pivoting to words with I pays off, leading to the solution. Of course, there are many other possible paths to the right answer.
Analysis of “SHINE” as the April 6 Wordle
Overall, “SHINE” made for a moderately challenging but very fun Wordle puzzle. Let’s analyze a few key aspects of this choice:
Word Frequency
“SHINE” is a relatively common word, ranking around the 3,000th most popular word in English. This makes it familiar but not super obvious as a solution. More obscure words can frustrate players, so the moderate frequency of “SHINE” hits a nice sweet spot.
Multiple Meanings
“SHINE” has several meanings including:
- Emit/reflect light
- Be very bright and radiant
- Be distinguished or excellent at something
- Take great care or effort doing something
These diverse meanings allow for many creative associations while guessing. The various definitions likely helped more players arrive at the solution.
Overlap With Common Starting Words
While not an extremely high overlap, “SHINE” does have some common starting guesses like “SHADE”, “SHARE”, “SHAPE”, and “SHIRT”. This helps nudge players towards the right path early on.
Vowel Placement
Having the I right in the middle provides just enough information to aid guesses, but still requires some strategizing to fit it in correctly. If it was the first or last letter, “SHINE” might have been too easy.
Overall, the April 6 Wordle struck a great balance between challenge and fun for most players. It utilized common letters in an uncommon arrangement requiring creative thinking. A well-designed Wordle should make you think hard while still being solvable, which “SHINE” accomplished quite nicely.
Why Was “SHINE” Chosen as the April 6 Wordle?
There are a few key reasons why “SHINE” made sense as the Wordle for April 6, 2022:
Springtime Connotations
April is the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. “SHINE” has very spring-like connotations, evoking sunny weather and brighter days after winter. The word is cheerful and aligned with this seasonal mood.
Balanced Difficulty Level
As discussed earlier, “SHINE” hits a nice difficulty sweet spot. It also doesn’t closely resemble recent solutions, which is an important factor in choosing daily Wordles.
Multiple Meanings
Good Wordles allow for versatile thinking. With definitions related to light, excelling, and taking great care, “SHINE” provided this multi-association benefit.
S and H Starter Letters
While not extremely rare, S and H aren’t extremely common starters. This gave “SHINE” a fresh feel distinct from many previous puzzles.
Considering these factors together, “SHINE” was very aptly chosen as the Wordle for April 6. It matched the seasonality, balanced difficulty, encouraged creative thinking, and used an uncommon starting sequence of letters.
Conclusion
In summary, the Wordle for April 6, 2022 was “SHINE”. This moderately difficult solution encouraged players to take thoughtful risks while guessing. It featured common letters in an uncommon arrangement and had springtime connotations fitting the early April date.
Solving a Wordle requires patience and skill. With good strategies, creative thinking, and a bit of luck, most players were likely able to add “SHINE” to their streak on April 6. This puzzle exemplified the engaging, fun gameplay that has made Wordle such a hit.
Wordle enjoys immense popularity as a daily online game. The April 6 solution fit right in with the game’s spirit of intelligent fun. Millions eagerly await each day’s challenge, striving to keep their streak alive. Through careful word selection and elegant gameplay design, Wordle has become a standout example of how simple ideas can catch fire and bring joy to many.