Spelling Bee Summary February 2026
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In the month of February 2026, 23 words were added to the Bee lexicon, and 1 word was discontinued, for a net gain of 22 words.
Here's a summary of what came and went, along with a few notes about the month’s pangrams (numbers, types, and more), the lengths of the daily word lists, the rates at which the dreaded/adored -ED and -ING suffixes appeared, how often the BINGO characteristic appeared, center letter distribution, the complete list of pangrams and “Ins and Outs” in the month, and more.
Here's a summary of what came and went, along with a few notes about the month’s pangrams (numbers, types, and more), the lengths of the daily word lists, the rates at which the dreaded/adored -ED and -ING suffixes appeared, how often the BINGO characteristic appeared, center letter distribution, the complete list of pangrams and “Ins and Outs” in the month, and more.
Commentary and Analysis
LexiConnexxions continues to observe and document the general decrease in the rate at which new words added to the Spelling Bee lexicon.
As noted in our January summary, we observe that increasingly, the introduction of new pangrams yields smaller numbers of new words. For context: Of the 366 Bee puzzles in 2024, 73 (19.95%) were based on pangrams and letter sets that had never been used before. Those 73 puzzles added new words to the Bee lexicon at a rate of 5.35 new words per puzzle.
By contrast, in February, the seven Bee puzzles that used new pangrams produced an average of only 3.00 new words per puzzle, which is lower than the rates for January (3.67) and December (3.40). November was even lower (2.71). Of the seven Bee puzzles in February that used new pangrams, these are especially notable: 2026-02-01: Despite a very high word count (80), two new pangrams (BALLOONING and BILLABONG) yielded only one other new word (albino).2026-02-15: One new pangram (TRIGRAPH) yielded no other new words2026-02-17: Two new pangrams (PILLOWING, PLOWING) yielded only one other new word (polliwog).2026-02-18: One new pangram (CORDOVAN) yielded only one other new word (convo).2026-02-21: Despite a high word count (66), six new pangrams yielded no other new words at all.
Five of the 14 new pangrams this month (35.71%) were -ING words, and all five were -ING gerunds of root verbs that were already in the Bee lexicon, so these "new" pangrams are not really "new."
Also of interest, in this context: 2026-02-07: The pangram PROPITIATORY, which had been disallowed from the two previous Bees in which it was possible, was selected for the Bee of 2026-02-07. The selection of previously-disallowed pangrams has accelerated in recent months, as explained HERE.
2026-02-12: FOOTMAN was restored to the active lexicon on 2026-02-12 after having been in one Bee (2018-08-26), then disallowed from another (2024-07-10). Was the 2024 omission an error, or a choice that was later reversed? If the latter, it may be part of a pattern we have previously noted of restorations of previously-disallowed words or admission of words (particularly pangrams) that were previously disallowed, either to correct errors or to liven the lexicon.
The rate at which new words are added to the Spelling Bee lexicon has dropped precipitously in recent months; the Bee editorial staff may be looking for new ways of infusing words while heeding their self-imposed rules of (almost) never using S, and of never using E and R together, factors that place a significant limit on possible new words.
As noted in our January summary, we observe that increasingly, the introduction of new pangrams yields smaller numbers of new words. For context: Of the 366 Bee puzzles in 2024, 73 (19.95%) were based on pangrams and letter sets that had never been used before. Those 73 puzzles added new words to the Bee lexicon at a rate of 5.35 new words per puzzle.
By contrast, in February, the seven Bee puzzles that used new pangrams produced an average of only 3.00 new words per puzzle, which is lower than the rates for January (3.67) and December (3.40). November was even lower (2.71). Of the seven Bee puzzles in February that used new pangrams, these are especially notable: 2026-02-01: Despite a very high word count (80), two new pangrams (BALLOONING and BILLABONG) yielded only one other new word (albino).2026-02-15: One new pangram (TRIGRAPH) yielded no other new words2026-02-17: Two new pangrams (PILLOWING, PLOWING) yielded only one other new word (polliwog).2026-02-18: One new pangram (CORDOVAN) yielded only one other new word (convo).2026-02-21: Despite a high word count (66), six new pangrams yielded no other new words at all.
Five of the 14 new pangrams this month (35.71%) were -ING words, and all five were -ING gerunds of root verbs that were already in the Bee lexicon, so these "new" pangrams are not really "new."
Also of interest, in this context: 2026-02-07: The pangram PROPITIATORY, which had been disallowed from the two previous Bees in which it was possible, was selected for the Bee of 2026-02-07. The selection of previously-disallowed pangrams has accelerated in recent months, as explained HERE.
2026-02-12: FOOTMAN was restored to the active lexicon on 2026-02-12 after having been in one Bee (2018-08-26), then disallowed from another (2024-07-10). Was the 2024 omission an error, or a choice that was later reversed? If the latter, it may be part of a pattern we have previously noted of restorations of previously-disallowed words or admission of words (particularly pangrams) that were previously disallowed, either to correct errors or to liven the lexicon.
The rate at which new words are added to the Spelling Bee lexicon has dropped precipitously in recent months; the Bee editorial staff may be looking for new ways of infusing words while heeding their self-imposed rules of (almost) never using S, and of never using E and R together, factors that place a significant limit on possible new words.
Summary of Ins and Outs
In the month of February 2026, 23 words were added to the Bee lexicon, and 1 words was discontinued, for a net gain of 22 words.
20 new words were added that had never been used before, nor previously disallowed (IN)02 words were added that had been previously disallowed (OUT-IN)01 words that had been earlier allowed, then disallowed, were allowed again (IN-OUT-IN)00 words that had been disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed, then allowed again (OUT-IN-OUT-IN)-----23 total words added
- 1 words that had been previously allowed, now disallowed (IN-OUT)- 0 words that had been disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed again (OUT-IN-OUT)- 0 words that had been allowed, then disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed again (IN-OUT-IN-OUT)- 0 words that had been disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed (OUT-IN-OUT-IN-OUT)------ 1 total words removed
Net gain: 22 words
Words were added (or restored) on 09 days this month.Words were removed on 01 day this month.No words were added or removed on 19 days this month.
20 new words were added that had never been used before, nor previously disallowed (IN)02 words were added that had been previously disallowed (OUT-IN)01 words that had been earlier allowed, then disallowed, were allowed again (IN-OUT-IN)00 words that had been disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed, then allowed again (OUT-IN-OUT-IN)-----23 total words added
- 1 words that had been previously allowed, now disallowed (IN-OUT)- 0 words that had been disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed again (OUT-IN-OUT)- 0 words that had been allowed, then disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed again (IN-OUT-IN-OUT)- 0 words that had been disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed (OUT-IN-OUT-IN-OUT)------ 1 total words removed
Net gain: 22 words
Words were added (or restored) on 09 days this month.Words were removed on 01 day this month.No words were added or removed on 19 days this month.
WORD COUNTS, BINGO, -ING, -ED
CENTER LETTERS
PER-PUZZLE WORD COUNTSHighest: 80Lowest: 23Average (Mean): 47.71Median: 49.50Mode(s): 38, 48, 57, 61, 39, 27, 55
FUN FACT: The Spelling Bee of 2026-02-01 included 80 words, the second-highest word count in Bee history.
The BINGO characteristic was present in 15 of 28 puzzles (53.57%)
The E+D combination was present in 3 of 28 puzzles (10.71%)The I+N+G combination was present in 5 of 28 puzzles (17.86%)I+N+G and E+D did not appear together in any Bee this month. That occurs only rarely, as reported HERE. FUN FACT: The Bee of 2025-02-06 was a rarity: I+N+G plus center letter E. About 15% of all Spelling Bees include the letters I+N+G. Bee solvers are familiar with the pleasure (or torment) of an I+N+G Bee that does not include the letter E, as described HERE. What about when the Bee includes I+N+G and also E? That’s rare: Only 83 Bees have had this letter combo, which can allow inclusion of both roots and gerunds in the solution set. But only 16 of those 83 Bees with ING plus E have had E as the center letter, as did the Bee of 2025-02-06, which makes this puzzle a real rarity. Having E in the center utterly transforms the BEE+ING experience, in that the solution set will include far fewer gerunds than we have come to expect from -ING Bees. Only 8 of that day's 61 words used the -ING suffix, a small proportion compared to most ING Bees.
The BINGO characteristic was present in 15 of 28 puzzles (53.57%)
The E+D combination was present in 3 of 28 puzzles (10.71%)The I+N+G combination was present in 5 of 28 puzzles (17.86%)I+N+G and E+D did not appear together in any Bee this month. That occurs only rarely, as reported HERE. FUN FACT: The Bee of 2025-02-06 was a rarity: I+N+G plus center letter E. About 15% of all Spelling Bees include the letters I+N+G. Bee solvers are familiar with the pleasure (or torment) of an I+N+G Bee that does not include the letter E, as described HERE. What about when the Bee includes I+N+G and also E? That’s rare: Only 83 Bees have had this letter combo, which can allow inclusion of both roots and gerunds in the solution set. But only 16 of those 83 Bees with ING plus E have had E as the center letter, as did the Bee of 2025-02-06, which makes this puzzle a real rarity. Having E in the center utterly transforms the BEE+ING experience, in that the solution set will include far fewer gerunds than we have come to expect from -ING Bees. Only 8 of that day's 61 words used the -ING suffix, a small proportion compared to most ING Bees.
16 different center letters were used during the month.
A report of all center letters in Spelling Bee history may be seen HERE.
Frequency order:
4 M [M was center letter in 4 Bees]3 I3 P2 A2 H2 L2 N2 O1 B1 E1 R1 T1 U1 V1 W1 Y
Alphabetical order:2 A1 B1 E2 H3 I2 L4 M2 N2 O3 P1 R1 T1 U1 V1 W1 Y
PANGRAMS AND LETTER SETS
PANGRAMS
Monthly total: 44Daily average: 1.57 per puzzle
Daily pangram numbers:6 in 1 puzzle (03.57%)5 in 0 puzzles (00.00%)4 in 1 puzzles (03.57%)3 in 0 puzzles (00.00%)2 in 8 puzzles (28.57%)1 in 18 puzzles (64.29%) FUN FACT: The Bee of 2026-02-21 is one of only nine puzzles in Bee history to have included six pangrams. Only four Bees have had more pangrams: three have had seven pangrams, and one had eight.
Of the 28 Bee puzzles this month:
7 (25.00%) were based on pangrams and letter sets that had never been used before. These 7 puzzles introduced 14 new pangrams and added a total of 21 new words to the Bee lexicon, an average of 3.00 new words per puzzle.
21 (75.00%) were based on pangrams and letter sets that had been used before.* These 21 puzzles used 30 recycled pangrams, and added a total of 2 new words to the Bee lexicon, an average of 0.09 new words per puzzle. * NOTE re: New Pangram Previously Disallowed: The Bee of 2026-02-07 introduced a pangram (PROPITIATORY) that had been disallowed each of the three times that the letter set had been previously used. The inclusion of a previously-disallowed pangram is very rare, as explained and demonstrated in the LexiConnexxions report "Pangrams Previously Disallowed," which can be read HERE.
Of the 21 puzzles with repeat letter sets and repeat pangrams:4 letter sets were used for the second time6 letter sets were used for the third time8 letter sets were used for the fourth time3 letter sets were used for the fifth time
Average “age” of all pangrams and letter sets this month: 2.86Average “age” of recycled pangrams and letter sets this month: 3.48
Daily pangram numbers:6 in 1 puzzle (03.57%)5 in 0 puzzles (00.00%)4 in 1 puzzles (03.57%)3 in 0 puzzles (00.00%)2 in 8 puzzles (28.57%)1 in 18 puzzles (64.29%) FUN FACT: The Bee of 2026-02-21 is one of only nine puzzles in Bee history to have included six pangrams. Only four Bees have had more pangrams: three have had seven pangrams, and one had eight.
Of the 28 Bee puzzles this month:
7 (25.00%) were based on pangrams and letter sets that had never been used before. These 7 puzzles introduced 14 new pangrams and added a total of 21 new words to the Bee lexicon, an average of 3.00 new words per puzzle.
21 (75.00%) were based on pangrams and letter sets that had been used before.* These 21 puzzles used 30 recycled pangrams, and added a total of 2 new words to the Bee lexicon, an average of 0.09 new words per puzzle. * NOTE re: New Pangram Previously Disallowed: The Bee of 2026-02-07 introduced a pangram (PROPITIATORY) that had been disallowed each of the three times that the letter set had been previously used. The inclusion of a previously-disallowed pangram is very rare, as explained and demonstrated in the LexiConnexxions report "Pangrams Previously Disallowed," which can be read HERE.
Of the 21 puzzles with repeat letter sets and repeat pangrams:4 letter sets were used for the second time6 letter sets were used for the third time8 letter sets were used for the fourth time3 letter sets were used for the fifth time
Average “age” of all pangrams and letter sets this month: 2.86Average “age” of recycled pangrams and letter sets this month: 3.48
ALL THE PANGRAMS USED THIS MONTH
Brand-new pangrams are designated by the + sign; all the others are recycled pangrams.
AMNIOTIC+ANATOMIC+APPLICABLEBACKROOMBALLOONING+BEAMING+BILLABONG+BULLETINCLIPPABLECOCKTAILCONFLICTCONTAMINANT+CONTAMINATION+CORDOVAN+DAYWORKDIVINELYDRAMATICEBULLIENTEPIPHANYFEMININITYFRONTMANGRAPHIC
INFLICTIONINHIBITORINTIMACYLADYBUGLIKELIHOODLURKING+MANICOTTI+MATHEMATICMENACINGMIDMONTHMONATOMIC+PILLOWING+PLOWING+PROPITIATORY+ [previously disallowed]THEMATICTOPIARYTRIGRAPH+UNEVOLVEDUNLOVEDWORKADAYWORKDAYYARDWORK
WORDS ADDED TO AND REMOVED FROM THE SPELLING BEE LEXICON THIS MONTH
Pangrams are shown in UPPER CASE.
WORDS ADDED TO THE LEXICON
WORDS REMOVED FROM THE LEXICON
Words added, not previously disallowed (BRAND-NEW WORDS) (IN)
albinoBALLOONINGBILLABONGBEAMINGbegemmingTRIGRAPHpillowingPLOWINGPOLLIWOGCORDOVANAMNIOTICANATOMICCONTAMINANTCONTAMINATIONMANICOTTIMONATOMICknurlLURKINGunlikingunlinking
Words added, previously disallowed
(OUT-IN)
See the list of all OUT-IN words HERE.
PROPITIATORYconvo
Words allowed, then disallowed, then allowed again (IN-OUT-IN)
See the list of all IN-OUT-IN words HERE.
footman
Words disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed, then allowed (OUT-IN-OUT-IN)
See the list of all OUT-IN-OUT-IN words HERE.
[none this month]
Words previously allowed now disallowed (IN-OUT)
See the list of all IN-OUT words HERE.
kilning
Words allowed, then disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed (IN-OUT-IN-OUT)
See the list of all IN-OUT-IN-OUT words HERE.
[none this month]
Words disallowed, then allowed, then disallowed (OUT-IN-OUT)
See the list of all OUT-IN-OUT words HERE.
Words disallowed, allowed, disallowed, allowed, disallowed (OUT-IN-OUT-IN-OUT)
See the list of all O-I-O-I-O words HERE.
[none this month
[none this month]