Wordle #1641: Hints, Clues, and Answer for December 16

Another Tuesday brings another Wordle puzzle. Despite the unseasonably warm December weather, it's time to solve today's Wordle! If you missed yesterday's Wordle, a guide is available.

**Bonus Wordle**

Now you can try a bonus custom Wordle, included with each daily guide. Today's custom Wordle contains five letters, with the hint: Royalty. As an additional clue, the word ends with a vowel.

Yesterday's bonus Wordle answer was FALCON.

**How to Play Wordle**

Wordle involves guessing a five-letter word in six tries or fewer. After each guess, the game provides feedback:

• Green indicates the letter is correct and in the right position.
• Yellow means the letter is in the word but in the wrong spot.
• Gray signifies the letter isn't in the word.

Use these clues to deduce the answer. A new word appears daily, challenging players worldwide. Some Wordlers enjoy Competitive Wordle against others, including the Wordle Bot.

**Today's Wordle Hints and Answer**

The Wordle Bot's starting word was SLATE. My choice was CRANE, leaving 128 possible words.

• Hint: A transition between topics.
• Clue: This Wordle contains a double letter.

Spoiler alert! The answer is below!

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**The Answer:** SEGUE

**Wordle Bot Analysis**

I consult the Wordle Bot daily to analyze my performance. Check your Wordle score with the Wordle Bot.

While CRANE (a favorite of the Wordle Bot) wasn't a terrible opening, it left 128 words. HOIST narrowed it to four. I considered SEGUE and SUEDE, remembering SUEDE as a recent Wordle, and guessed SEGUE. Fortunately, I chose correctly, as two other possibilities existed!

**Competitive Wordle Score**

I earned one point for guessing in three tries and another for defeating the Bot. The Bot scored zero for guessing in four and lost a point for being beaten. Our December scores are:

• Erik: 14 points
• Wordle Bot: 8 points

**How to Play Competitive Wordle**

Scoring is as follows:

• guess: 3 points
• guesses: 2 points
• guesses: 1 point
• guesses: 0 points
• guesses: -1 point
• guesses: -2 points
• Missing the Wordle: -3 points

Additionally, gain 1 point for winning, 0 for a tie, and -1 for losing. Accumulate your score daily or play each day independently. Fridays offer double points.

**Today's Wordle Etymology**

"Segue" originates from the Italian word *segue*, meaning "it follows," derived from the verb *seguire* ("to follow"). Entering English in the early 20th century, it initially appeared in musical notation, signifying a seamless transition between passages. Its meaning broadened to represent a smooth transition between topics.