'Wordle' today: Here's the answer, hints for August 2

We're two whole days into August already, Wordle fans! If the weather's got you feeling a bit sluggish and you're stuck on today's puzzle, we're here to help with some subtle clues that will make you remember that you do, in fact, know at least three more five-letter words.

The answer to the August 2 Wordle, puzzle #409, can be found at the end of this article, or you can simply read on for a few tips, gentle hints, and strategies to help you every day.

Where did Wordle come from?

Former Reddit engineer Josh Wardle came up with the game in 2021 as a private exercise for him and his word game-loving partner. It eventually became a staple of their family WhatsApp messaging, and that's when Wardle started to suspect he might have something special enough to merit a wider release.

Thousands of people around the globe now play this game each day, and fans have even created alternatives to Wordle inspired by the original format. This includes music identification game Heardle, Hollywood nerd faves Actorle and Framed, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.

Not the day you're after? You'll find the Wordle answer for August 1 here.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

We have some ideas to help you pick the perfect first move. Such tips include choosing a word with at least two different vowels to rule those building blocks in or out, plus a few common consonants such as S, T, R, or N.

Also, even if you're attached to your mathematically sound starter, once it's been the answer on any given day it won't be the answer again for a few years — so if you happen to get the elusive 1/6 result, celebrate by swapping out your starting five.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

While you could once play the entire archive of past puzzles, the archive was taken down at the request of the New York Times, according to the site's creator.

Is Wordle getting harder?

If you've been finding Wordle too easy, there is a Hard Mode you can enable to give yourself more of a challenge. But unless you activate this mode, we can assure you that Wordle isn't getting harder. 

Why are there two different Wordle answers some days?

The whole point of Wordle is that everyone's solving the same puzzle, with the same answer, no matter where you are in the world. However, occasionally the puzzle game will accept two different correct solutions on the same day. This aberration is due to changes the New York Times began making after it acquired Wordle earlier this year, excising words form Wardle's original list that the team considers obscure or potentially offensive.

To make sure you're always getting the same puzzle as everyone else, refresh your browser before you play — don't worry, the site will keep your streak.

A subtle hint for the Wordle answer on August 2

Why, we could give you a hint, but that wouldn't be as much fun, wouldn't it? *flutters eyelashes from behind a silk fan*

Wordle today is a 5-letter word that begins with...

...the letter C!

Does today's Wordle word have a double letter?

It does! But it's non-consecutive — there's a letter in between the twins today.

Wordle today: What's the answer?

Ready?

It's time to reveal the solution.

It's...

COYLY.

Don't know the meaning of COYLY? It's not just a different spelling of COILY (which isn't in the word list, as it happens). If you're being coy, you're pretending to be shy, usually in a flirtatious manner, or avoiding disclosing or discussing something — either because you actually don't want to discuss it, or because you're trying to get someone to get you to discuss it.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.