Wordle Answer for April 17, 2023

Players who opened Wordle on April 17, 2023 were trying to land on WHIFF. We've kept the day's hints around so you can revisit them — or use the archive to settle a debate about a tricky past puzzle.

The answer

WHIFF

What whiff means

A slight or sudden smell, or to hit or swing at something and miss it completely.

Where the word comes from

From the imitative word "whiff," which emerged in the 17th century as onomatopoeia for a sudden puff of air or breath. It may derive from earlier words like "whuffe" or similar sound-mimicking terms in Middle English and Old English, though the exact origins are not entirely certain. The word caught on to describe both the sound and the sensation of a quick gust or breath.

Hints for April 17, 2023

Each row is the starting word our algorithm picks for that turn count, with the tiles Wordle would have shown in response.

Solve in 2 turnswhift
Solve in 3 turnswhift
Solve in 4 turnshowff
Solve in 5 turnsfifth
Solve in 6 turnsfifth

Synonyms of whiff

  • puff
  • sniff
  • puff of air

Used in a sentence

The batter took a mighty swing at the pitch but missed with a loud _____.

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