Daily Waffle #65 answers and hints

Need a nudge on the Monday, May 4, 2026 grid? Start with one clue. Nothing else shows until you tap it.

CHENOTKAYCUIRTSHTARSE

The starting grid for #65

6 words hide in this 5×5 grid. You get 15 swaps, and the best solve takes 10.

Want one more try first? Play #65.

Hints for each word in #65

Tap one hint at a time. The clue comes first. Then you get the first and last letters. The word shows only when you tap the last button.

Word 1: the top row (row 1)
Hint 1: the clue
verb: determine the number or amount of
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with C and ends with T.
Show the word
COUNT
Word 2: the middle row (row 3)
Hint 1: the clue
noun: the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with E and ends with C.
Show the word
ETHIC
Word 3: the bottom row (row 5)
Hint 1: the clue
verb: be about
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with T and ends with Y.
Show the word
TARRY
Word 4: the left column (column 1)
Hint 1: the clue
noun: the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with C and ends with T.
Show the word
CHEST
Word 5: the middle column (column 3)
Hint 1: the clue
verb: take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with U and ends with R.
Show the word
USHER
Word 6: the right column (column 5)
Hint 1: the clue
adjective: (of a glutinous liquid such as paint) not completely dried and slightly sticky to the touch
Hint 2: first and last letter
It starts with T and ends with Y.
Show the word
TACKY

What is the answer to Waffle #65?

The answer is 6 words that fit together in one grid. Tap below to see all of them. This puzzle has only one answer, so if your words differ, a letter is still in the wrong place.

Show the full answer grid

COUNTHSAETHICSEKTARRY

Across: COUNT, ETHIC, TARRY

Down: CHEST, USHER, TACKY

How do you solve #65 in 10 swaps?

Make the swaps that fix two tiles at once first. This grid has 4 of them. The list below is one shortest route from the start to the answer.

Show every swap

Swap row 3, column 1 with row 5, column 5. This puts E and Y in place.
Swap row 1, column 2 with row 1, column 5. This puts O in place.
Swap row 1, column 5 with row 2, column 1. This puts T and H in place.
Swap row 1, column 3 with row 3, column 3. This puts U in place.
Swap row 2, column 3 with row 4, column 3. This puts S in place.
Swap row 3, column 2 with row 3, column 5. This puts C in place.
Swap row 3, column 2 with row 4, column 1. This puts T in place.
Swap row 4, column 1 with row 5, column 4. This puts S and R in place.
Swap row 3, column 3 with row 4, column 3. This puts E in place.
Swap row 3, column 3 with row 4, column 5. This puts H and K in place.

What do the words in #65 mean?

COUNT: verb: determine the number or amount of
ETHIC: noun: the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group
TARRY: verb: be about
CHEST: noun: the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
USHER: verb: take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
TACKY: adjective: (of a glutinous liquid such as paint) not completely dried and slightly sticky to the touch

Word meanings come from WordNet 3.1, a free English dictionary from Princeton University. Puzzle published Monday, May 4, 2026.