The New York Times Spelling Bee is one of the most popular word games today, engaging thousands of players daily. However, its word list is frustratingly inconsistent—while obscure terms like teff make the cut, common words like turd are mysteriously absent. This lack of a comprehensive and well-curated vocabulary limits the game’s educational value and diminishes the experience for dedicated players.

Spelling Bee should be a tool for exploring language in all its richness, yet its restrictive word selection creates unnecessary roadblocks. Words that are widely recognized and frequently used should not be arbitrarily excluded. A more thorough, regularly updated vocabulary database would make the game both more engaging and more instructive, encouraging a deeper love for words among its players.

We urge The New York Times to improve Spelling Bee by expanding and refining its word list. A more inclusive and dynamic approach will benefit players of all levels and enhance the game’s reputation as a true test of vocabulary.

Sign this petition to call for a more complete, thoughtfully curated word database in Spelling Bee!