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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People who start their Wordle with a vowely word like audio or alien are wrong

111 replies

AngelaBeverage · 23/06/2025 09:07

Okay, so you've found out that your word has vowels. Well done. That narrows it down to just about every word.

I think a much better strategy is to start with lots of consonants, and especially consonants that can be used in consonant blends (like R or L) or digraphs (like C or H).

Vowels are less useful than consonants.

OP posts:
RareGoalsVerge · 23/06/2025 10:51

(Example from today:)

People who start their Wordle with a vowely word like audio or alien are wrong
Poynsettia · 23/06/2025 10:50

I e been using STONE after doing codewords and thinking they cropped up most

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 23/06/2025 10:49

Just got it in 4 as ever - Its more fun not getting it straight away to be fair! Gave me a good 8 minutes of entertainment.

GinToBegin · 23/06/2025 10:49

I start with CHAOS, it’s been the word once and yes, I took a screen shot. PRINT is usually my second choice.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a solution that’s a plural or present verb of a tense, so if the S is right, I work on the assumption the word will end SS.

RareGoalsVerge · 23/06/2025 10:47

Having just one "starter" word is unwise. I start with either a pair or a triplet of words which between them have all the vowels and the most-common consonants. If I start with a triplet I get the word correct on my first actual guess (which is word 4) about 80% of the time and get it by word 5 close to 100% of the time. If I start with just two and am guessing by word 3, I only get it on word 3 about 25% of the time so my overall statistics are better with a starting triplet.

Zippedydodah · 23/06/2025 10:47

🤷🏼‍♀️
I use adieu or chaos and generally get it in 4, occasionally 3 and twice in one!

Pickingmyselfup · 23/06/2025 10:47

I just start with something relevant to my day so today because I had a bacon sandwich I used bacon.

Today's word was tough, I gave up after 5 guesses and looked up the answer.

SuburbanSprawl · 23/06/2025 10:46

Unbeleevable · 23/06/2025 09:10

My friend always starts Wordle with yesterday’s word to make it more challenging! Try it, makes it really tricky some days!

Ah, I thought that was only me…

zoemum2006 · 23/06/2025 10:44

I do DAILY and then HOUSE. That covers all 5 vowels and some useful consonants. I usually get it in 3/4 goes.

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 23/06/2025 10:41

I use whatever random word pops into my head. Usually try words with common letters in, Bread, great, heart, etc but sometimes when I’m feeling silly I use penis.

DP is much more strategic. We both usually get it in 4. He’s a superbrain so I’m always chuffed if I get it in 3 and he doesn’t.

Getting it in 1 is just a lucky guess so 2 is the goal for me!

BruisedNeckMeat · 23/06/2025 10:35

I always use the same starting word on the basis that one day that word will be the one. This has worked twice with audio and stare!

I now use tears.

5foot5 · 23/06/2025 10:31

I looked up the 10 most used letters in the English language and I have my two opening words using those. I use:

  • COAST
  • LINER
I know this excludes U but I figure that if my first two don't show up any vowels then I can assume a U is in there. Or Y.

Actually if the first two are very unhelpful I follow on with BUMPY.

I usually get it in 4, sometimes 3 or 5. Unfortunately today was 5.

Now Nerdle I almost always get in 3.

Bluevelvetsofa · 23/06/2025 10:24

I got it in one once too!

I always use the same starting word and it doesn’t start with a vowel.

Noseylittlemoo · 23/06/2025 10:22

@MorrisonsPlatter those are the same words I usually start with ! Sometimes I mix it up changing ARISE to AROSE although then I don't have an obvious back up word if that's completely unsuccessful. I usually solve it in 3 or 4 guesses .

Strengths · 23/06/2025 10:18

That’s one of the reasons I prefer Xordle: it gives you a starting word, so each day is different. The starter word also has a vague link to the answer which makes it interesting. Quite a bit more challenging than wordle though as you’re solving for two words at once!

Edited: problem with link

Karatema · 23/06/2025 10:15

MeetTheGrahams · 23/06/2025 09:42

Having voted with the opinion of OP, agreeing those vowel laden openers do nothing, I decided to start with ADIEU this morning and oddly enough I solved it in two tries. Only ever had that happen twice before. Made my day!

Edited

Very clever 🤣🤣

BogRollBOGOF · 23/06/2025 10:13

I tend to start with STALE and might move on to MOUND if that's not informative.

I retired CLOUD after I got it first try.

Knowing you've picked up only a vowel or two in the wrong place can still leave things very open so I favour getting some high frequency consonants in too.

MorrisonsPlatter · 23/06/2025 10:11

kitchenplans · 23/06/2025 09:53

I start with YEARS
Then go to POINT
And after that MULCH

Obviously I only follow down the list if I don't have enough to sensibly work with.

I generally solve in 2-4, with 3 being the most likely.

YEARS doesn't seem a great choice because the S is in position five and as far as I am aware Wordle never does plurals.

bridgetreilly · 23/06/2025 10:04

If you get a consonant it is more useful, but you are much less likely to find one, and then that’s a lot less useful.

bridgetreilly · 23/06/2025 10:02

ALIEN
TOURS

All the vowels plus five really good consonants gives a strong start almost every day.

Bringinguptherear · 23/06/2025 09:58

ChimneyPot · 23/06/2025 09:46

The bot has 6 equally ranked opening words.
It has been using crane recently but used slate and trace in the past.
The other highest ranked openers are crate, caret and carte

Obviously the other element is luck

Show quote history

Those are all in line with OP’s argument that a mix of the most common consonants (with common vowels) is the strongest opener.

Mathematically, there’s no doubt that’s the best way to solve fastest. Hence it’s what the Bot does with its encyclopaedic knowledge.

But human brains work in different ways so some people may find it easier to get an idea of vowel placement first.

guinnessguzzler · 23/06/2025 09:54

I always start with earth. Mainly because having done it a few times, if the answer ever is earth and I miss my chance to get it first time I will be devastated 😂

kitchenplans · 23/06/2025 09:53

I start with YEARS
Then go to POINT
And after that MULCH

Obviously I only follow down the list if I don't have enough to sensibly work with.

I generally solve in 2-4, with 3 being the most likely.

Sdpbody · 23/06/2025 09:52

The Wordle Bot starts with PLATE. If it is good enough for AI, it is good enough for me.

EmiliaRuusuvuori · 23/06/2025 09:49

Rutterkin · 23/06/2025 09:27

YABU.
my opening word is adieu

edited to add, just done today’s and got it in two so definitely BU.

Edited

I always use Adieu too.
I've not played today as I play against my DH. It's very competitive, sadly he has a better record than me.