If you've been playing Squaredle for a while, you may enter a word the game accepts. But your completion percentage didn't change. This usually leaves players curious if they just face a bug or missed something.
The answer is simple: you just find a bonus word. One of the unique features of Squaredle is the Bonus words. Squaredle rewards players for having a strong vocabulary.
They also motivate players to know the letter grid beyond the necessary puzzle words. However, these words don't contribute to puzzle completion.
We are now going to explain everything you need to know about Squaredle bonus words. It also includes how they work, why they exist and whether they're worth finding.
What Are Bonus Words?
Bonus words are valid dictionary words. They are created from the letters on the Squaredle board. These are in the official solution list of the puzzle.
These words are legitimate English words. Squaredle accepts them and doesn’t mark them as incorrect. As they are not part of the curated list of target words. Squaredle records these bonus words as separate words.
You can think of these as extra discoveries that are not the exact answer.
Why Does Squaredle Have Bonus Words?
The absence of bonus words frustrates the players. If they enter a real English word and it turns out that the word is not part of the main puzzle. The players eventually become bored with the puzzle.
So instead of giving a “Word Not Found” pop-up, Squaredle rewards your observation. It recognizes that word as a bonus word. This improves the experience of the gameplay as it:
Rewards a broad vocabulary.
Motivates players to explore more paths.
Makes puzzles feel less restrictive.
Recognizes creative thinking.
Keeps players engaged even after finding the required words.
Bonus words offer an optional challenge. It doesn't change the main goal of the game.
Do Bonus Words Count?
No. Bonus words do not count toward the puzzle’s completion percentage. You progress only when you discover words from the official word list.
This word list is selected for that day’s puzzle. For example, if you enter a word and it is the official puzzle word. The game will accept this word and count toward completion.
When the game accepts a valid word which is not in the official word list, it is classified as a bonus word. The game accepts this word and adds it to the “Bonus Word” section. This word doesn’t count toward completion.
If you enter a word which is not an English word, it is an invalid word. The game doesn’t accept this word and doesn’t add it anywhere. This word also doesn’t count toward completion.
Moreover, you could discover as much as you can depending on the puzzle. It still has the same completion percentage if you haven't found additional official words.
How to know if the word I find is a Bonus Word?
Most players notice bonus words because of one simple clue. However, their progress doesn't change. A bonus word will usually be accepted instantly and appear in the bonus word section.
Always keep in mind that a bonus word will not increase your completion percentage or increase the total number of discovered puzzle words. If your word meets all these conditions, you will certainly find a bonus word.
Why Doesn't Every Valid Word Count?
Many Squaredle players have asked this question as they are really curious to know the answer. So, the answer is that a single-letter grid can generate hundreds and thousands of valid English words.
Suppose the puzzle starts counting every single word toward completion. Counting every possible word would significantly increase the puzzle's size and completion time.
Moreover, there are very difficult words in the English dictionary. The presence of these words will increase the difficulty level.
So Squaredle uses a carefully selected list of target words. It rewards the players for finding additional valid words as well. This keeps the game challenging without becoming overwhelming.
Can Bonus Words Be Longer Than Puzzle Words?
Yes. Many players assume bonus words are only short words. But that's not always true. Bonus words can be three-letter or four-letter words, long compound words and rare dictionary words.
The deciding factor isn't the word length. It's whether the developers included that word in the official answer list of the puzzle.
Do Bonus Words Increase Your Score?
No. Bonus words are tracked separately. It means they do not contribute to puzzle completion. In the Squaredle puzzle, there is a separate section where all these words are added.
Our game, besides adding the bonus words in a separate section, also displays the total number. It allows you to challenge yourself or compare results with friends.
Should You Spend Time Looking for Bonus Words?
That depends on your goal. If your objective is simply to complete the daily puzzle, you can safely ignore bonus words and focus on finding the official answers.
However, if you enjoy word games and vocabulary challenges, searching for bonus words can be highly rewarding.
Many experienced players continue exploring the board long after reaching 100% completion just to see how many bonus words they can uncover.
Some Tips for Finding More Bonus Words:
Here are some tips to find more bonus words. These are as follows:
Experiment With Different Paths
After you find the obvious words, try connecting letters in new ways. Small changes in your path reveal completely different words.
Search for Word Families
If you find the word "play," try to look for related forms. These words can be player, played and playing. The game will only accept words that you create using adjacent letters.
Look for Prefixes and Suffixes
Search for words beginning with prefixes like un-, re- and pre- or ending with -ed, -er, -ing and -ly. Such words help to generate bonus words which are not part of the main puzzle.
Revisit the Board
Sometimes the easiest bonus words are the ones you missed earlier. This is because you focus on completing the puzzle; hence, you ignore these words.
Why Players Enjoy Bonus Words?
Bonus words make Squaredle more rewarding. It encourages exploration instead of limiting players to an answer list.
They also improve pattern recognition and build vocabulary. Moreover, they spark curiosity, increase replay value, and make every puzzle feel larger than it first appears.
For many players, discovering bonus words becomes just as satisfying as completing the puzzle itself.
Conclusion
Bonus words are an optional but enjoyable side of Squaredle. They recognize valid English words. But they can’t complete the puzzle. It gives players extra opportunities to test their vocabulary and explore the letter grid.
This game cannot increase your completion percentage or official solution count. It can add depth to the game by rewarding curiosity and careful observation.
No matter whether you aim for 100% completion or you are trying to discover every possible word on the board. Bonus words provide an extra layer of challenge. It keeps Squaredle engaging even after you solve the main puzzle.
FAQs
What is a bonus word in Squaredle?
A bonus word is a valid English word. You can form these letters on the board easily. However, this letter is not included in the puzzle's official answer list. The game accepts it and records it separately.
Do bonus words count toward puzzle completion?
No. Bonus words do not increase your completion percentage. Only words from the official daily solution list count toward completing the puzzle.
Why does Squaredle include bonus words?
Bonus words reward players for discovering valid words. They encourage exploration and improve vocabulary. It also makes the game more enjoyable.
How can I tell if I find a bonus word?
Suppose you find that the completion percentage of the game is not increasing. It means you just found a bonus word. This word will appear in the bonus words section.
Can bonus words be longer than official puzzle words?
Yes. Bonus words can be short or long. Their length doesn't matter. What matters is whether the word is in the official answer list.
Can the same word be a bonus word in one puzzle and an official word in another?
Yes. No matter whether a word is official or a bonus word. It depends on the curated answer list for that specific day's puzzle.
Is there a limit to how many bonus words I can find?
The number varies by puzzle. Some boards contain only a few bonus words. While others may have dozens of valid extra words. So it depends on the type of Squaredle puzzle you are playing.