Wordle Hints Today #1674: Clues and Answers for January 18, 2026

Jan 18, 2026, 06:22 EDT

Wordle January 18 challenges players with a rare culinary term in puzzle #1674. If you are struggling to maintain your weekend streak, we provide the ultimate guide to today's difficulty, strategic starting words, and the final Wordle answer today. 

Today's NYT Wordle hints and answer, January 18, 2026
Today's NYT Wordle hints and answer, January 18, 2026

If your usual starting words left you with a sea of gray tiles this morning, you aren’t alone. Wordle January 18 features a word that leans heavily into the culinary and botanical world, making it a medium-hard challenge for the average player. 

According to early data from WordleBot, the average solve takes about 4.0 attempts. Because the word utilizes a less common vowel-consonant structure, specifically ending in a C, it’s easy to get stuck in a loop of more common E or S endings. 

If you are a fan of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisine, you might have a slight advantage today; otherwise, you will need to use your guesses wisely to narrow down the unique consonants.

Wordle Hints Today #1674: Clues for January 18

Before you burn through your final attempts, use these curated hints to guide your next move. You’ve worked hard for your streak, don't let a tricky spice ruin it!

Hint 1 (Vowels): Today’s word contains two vowels, but they aren't the most common pair.

Hint 2 (Repeating Letters): There are no repeated letters in today's puzzle.

Hint 3 (Starting Letter): The word begins with the letter S.

Hint 4 (Ending Letter): The word ends with the letter C.

Hint 5 (Category): This word is a noun referring to both a flowering plant and a tangy spice.

What is the Best Starting Word for Today?

For puzzle #1674, players who started with words like SCALP, SCARE, or SQUAD found much faster success. 

Because today’s Wordle answer uses a U and a C, the standard ADIEU or STARE start may have left you hunting for the rare consonant placement.

What is the Wordle Answer Today, January 18, 2026? 

If you have reached your final guess and still can’t visualize the solution, we have the reveal ready for you.

The Wordle answer today for Sunday, January 18 (Puzzle #1674) is: SUMAC.

Today Wordle answer January 18 2026

Sumac Meaning and Definition

If SUMAC wasn't in your daily vocabulary, here is why it’s a word worth knowing. Sumac (pronounced soo-mak) refers to any of the various shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Rhus. 

In a culinary context, the dried and ground berries of the plant are used as a popular spice in Middle Eastern cuisine, known for their deep red color and bright, lemony, and tangy flavor profile.

Previous Answers from Wordle Archive

Wordle Hint for 17 January, 2026 #1673: FIERY

Wordle Hint for 16 January, 2026 #1672: RACER

Wordle Hint for 15 January, 2026 #1671: CHASM

Wordle Hint for 14 January, 2026 #1670: AVOID

Wordle Hint for 13 January, 2026 #1669: GUMBO

Wordle Hint for 12 January, 2026 #1668: TRIAL

Wordle Hint for 11 January, 2026 #1667: QUARK

Wordle Hint for 10 January, 2026 #1666: MANIC

Congratulations on tackling another NYT puzzle! Wordle January 18 was certainly a tangy challenge, but your streak remains intact for another day. Check back tomorrow for more hints to keep your momentum going!

Harshita Singh
Harshita Singh

Senior Content Writer

Harshita Singh specializes in US affairs and general knowledge, simplifying intricate geopolitical and historical subjects into clear, digestible insights for learners. Holding a BA (Hons) in English from the University of Delhi and with over three years of experience in educational writing, she produces authoritative, thoroughly researched content that empowers readers to engage confidently with global current affairs. For inquiries, you can reach out to her at harshita.singh@jagrannewmedia.com.

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