Find the clue you need
Reveal one answer or the full solution.
- 1
Middle clue 1 — original clue text unavailable
GILL - 2
Middle clue 2 — original clue text unavailable
MILL - 3
Middle clue 3 — original clue text unavailable
MILD - 4
Middle clue 4 — original clue text unavailable
WILD - 5
Middle clue 5 — original clue text unavailable
WILY
Top + bottom clue
Reveal the solution to see the two endpoint words.
The complete word ladder
Read from top to bottom. Highlighted letters show what changes from the previous word.
- GILDTop endpoint
- GILLGILD → GILL changes position 4 from D to L.
- MILLGILL → MILL changes position 1 from G to M.
- MILDMILL → MILD changes position 4 from L to D.
- WILDMILD → WILD changes position 1 from M to W.
- WILYWILD → WILY changes position 4 from D to Y.
- LILYWILY → LILY changes position 1 from W to L.
How the endpoints answer the clue
GILD + LILY = GILD THE LILY
GILD means to cover something with a thin layer of gold.
Clue meanings and letter changes
| Clue | Answer & meaning | Change from previous word |
|---|---|---|
| Top endpoint | GILD GILD means to cover something with a thin layer of gold. | Start of ladder |
| Middle clue 1 | GILL GILL is the breathing organ a fish uses underwater. | GILD → GILL changes position 4 from D to L. |
| Middle clue 2 | MILL MILL is a place or machine for grinding grain. | GILL → MILL changes position 1 from G to M. |
| Middle clue 3 | MILD MILD means gentle, moderate, or not severe. | MILL → MILD changes position 4 from L to D. |
| Middle clue 4 | WILD WILD describes something untamed and also begins 'wild-goose chase.' | MILD → WILD changes position 1 from M to W. |
| Middle clue 5 | WILY WILY means crafty or skilled at gaining an advantage. | WILD → WILY changes position 4 from D to Y. |
| Bottom endpoint | LILY LILY is a flowering plant and completes the endpoint expression. | WILY → LILY changes position 1 from W to L. |
How to work out the order
GILL and MILL form an obvious pair, while MILD and WILD form another. MILL bridges those two segments, leaving WILY and LILY to carry the route to the flower.
- Join GILD → GILL → MILL using changes at the fourth and first positions.
- Continue MILL → MILD → WILD, preserving the central IL letters.
- Finish WILD → WILY → LILY and read the endpoints as the expression GILD THE LILY.
One takeaway
Look for overlapping pairs, then search for the bridge between them. Two short chains are not failure; they are the puzzle politely handing you most of the answer in installments.
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