If you’ve ever stared down a crossword and thought, “There has to be a faster way,” Keyword is your new best friend. It’s a sleek little word puzzle from The Washington Post that challenges you to find one six-letter word hiding in plain sight—literally connecting the missing links in six vertical words. But don’t let the clean grid and minimalist look fool you: this one packs a punch.
Each round of Keyword hands you six partially spelled vertical words, each missing just a single letter. The twist? All six of those missing letters, in order, form a brand-new word—the keyword. It’s up to you to figure out what that word is, based only on logic, word knowledge, and a bit of brain gymnastics.
Keyword Hints for May 9, 2025
Need a gentle nudge? Let’s narrow the field:
- The keyword starts with U
- It ends with D
- Word Meaning Clue: Still in perfect condition—just waiting for its moment.
Keyword Answer for May 9, 2025
🟨 Drumroll, please… The answer is: UNUSED
Whether you saw it coming from your first guess or zigzagged through every wrong letter in the alphabet, today’s puzzle was a classic. The kind of word that hides in plain sight—and yet makes you work for every green square.
How To play Keyword
In Keyword, you’re presented with six vertical words, each missing just one letter. Your objective is to guess the six-letter keyword that, when filled in, completes all six words simultaneously.
As you make your guesses, the puzzle provides visual feedback to guide you: green indicates the letter is correct and in the right spot, red means the letter is incorrect, and an uncolored tile shows you haven’t tried that letter yet.
Solve it in six tries or fewer, and you’ve effectively cracked a crossword in reverse.
Why Keyword Is Worth Playing Daily
Keyword is perfect for those in-between moments: your morning coffee, a lunch break recharge, or a late-night wind-down. It’s faster than a crossword, trickier than Wordle, and rewarding enough to keep you coming back.
So if today’s puzzle had you stumped—or if you didn’t get a chance to play—don’t sweat it. There’s a brand new grid waiting for you tomorrow. All you need is a keyboard, a curious mind, and a little time.