Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for February 27, 2026

The daily ladder for Friday, February 27, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was HAND to BUNS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was XIAN to SNOOTS, which needs at least 7.

Each solution below is hidden until you open it, so you can try the puzzle first. A shortest solution is shown for every puzzle; many ladders have more than one path of the same length, so yours may differ and still be optimal.

Puzzle 1: HAND to BUNS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. H becomes B
  3. D becomes S
  4. A becomes U

Words in this ladder

HAND noun
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
BAND noun
an unofficial association of people or groups
BANS noun
a decree that prohibits something
BUNS noun
the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on

Puzzle 2: LOB to BAA

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. L becomes B
  3. B becomes A
  4. O becomes A

Words in this ladder

LOB noun
an easy return of a tennis ball in a high arc
BOB noun
a former monetary unit in Great Britain
BOA noun
a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur
BAA noun
the cry made by sheep

Puzzle 3: GIBBET to LIMBER

Medium Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. T becomes R
  3. G becomes L
  4. B becomes M

Words in this ladder

GIBBET noun
alternative terms for gallows
GIBBER noun
unintelligible talking
LIBBER noun
a supporter of feminism
LIMBER noun
a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle used to pull a field gun or caisson

Puzzle 4: MOO to EAST

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. O becomes T
  3. add S
  4. O becomes A
  5. M becomes E

Words in this ladder

MOO noun
the sound made by a cow or bull
MOT noun
a clever remark
MOST adjective
(superlative of `many' used with count nouns and often preceded by `the') quantifier meaning the greatest in number
MAST noun
a vertical spar for supporting sails
EAST noun
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

Puzzle 5: XIAN to SNOOTS

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  2. X becomes S
  3. I becomes P
  4. N becomes S
  5. add T
  6. A becomes O
  7. P becomes N
  8. add O

Words in this ladder

XIAN noun
a city of central China; capital of ancient Chinese empire 221-206 BC
SIAN noun
a city of central China; capital of ancient Chinese empire 221-206 BC
SPAN noun
the complete duration of something
SPAS noun
a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
SPATS noun
a quarrel about petty points
SPOTS noun
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
SNOTS noun
a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
SNOOTS noun
a person regarded as arrogant and annoying

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