Word ladder answers for September 24, 2026
The daily ladder for Thursday, September 24, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was SLAG to FRAP, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was BAUD to WETTED, which needs at least 6. Players found PAT to ELAN the trickiest: they averaged 6.0 steps against a shortest path of 3.
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: SLAG to FRAP
Show the solution
- G becomes P
- S becomes F
- L becomes R
Words in this ladder
- SLAG noun
- the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals
- SLAP noun
- a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
- FLAP noun
- any broad thin and limber covering attached at one edge; hangs loose or projects freely
- FRAP verb
- make secure by lashing
Puzzle 2: PAT to ELAN
Show the solution
- T becomes N
- add L
- P becomes E
Words in this ladder
- PAT noun
- the sound made by a gentle blow
- PAN noun
- cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
- PLAN noun
- a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
- ELAN noun
- a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
Puzzle 3: BARKY to LISTS
Show the solution
- Y becomes S
- R becomes S
- K becomes T
- B becomes L
- A becomes I
Words in this ladder
- BARKY adjective
- resembling the rough bark of a tree
- BARKS noun
- tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
- BASKS verb
- derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
- BASTS noun
- strong woody fibers obtained especially from the phloem of from various plants
- LASTS noun
- the temporal end; the concluding time
- LISTS noun
- a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
Puzzle 4: CABS to TRIKES
Show the solution
- add R
- A becomes I
- B becomes E
- C becomes T
- add K
Words in this ladder
- CABS noun
- a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
- CRABS noun
- infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice
- CRIBS noun
- baby bed with high sides made of slats
- CRIES noun
- a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
- TRIES noun
- earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
- TRIKES noun
- a vehicle with three wheels that is moved by foot pedals
Puzzle 5: BAUD to WETTED
Show the solution
- U becomes L
- add E
- L becomes T
- add T
- A becomes E
- B becomes W
Words in this ladder
- BAUD noun
- (computer science) a data transmission rate (bits/second) for modems
- BALD verb
- grow bald; lose hair on one's head
- BALED verb
- make into a bale
- BATED verb
- moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
- BATTED verb
- strike with, or as if with a baseball bat
- BETTED verb
- maintain with or as if with a bet
- WETTED verb
- cause to become wet
Today's puzzles are waiting
A new set of word ladders is released every day, free to play.
Play today's ladder