Today's NYT Strands puzzle (#309, January 6, 2025) challenges players to decipher a theme from the clue "In Neutral" and locate seven related words within a letter grid. This guide offers varying levels of assistance, from general hints to the complete solution.

Need a hand? Here are some clues:

General Hints:

Hint 1: Consider items that come in neutral shades.

Hint 2: Think about colors.

Hint 3: Focus on subtle, nearly-white colors often considered neutral.

Partial Spoilers (One Word Each):

Spoiler 1: One of the words is "Cream".

Spoiler 2: Another word is "Eggshell".

The Complete Solution:

The theme is Off-White. The seven words are: Eggshell, Vanilla, Cream, Linen, Ivory, Champagne, and the pangram.

Theme Explanation:

Off-whites are colors very close to white but with a subtle tint of another color. These are considered neutral tones. Each themed word represents a different off-white shade.

Ready to test your skills? Play Strands on the New York Times Games website!