Wordle Puzzle Reveals ‘Indie’ as Tuesday’s Challenge

London, U.K. — Wordle enthusiasts faced off against Tuesday’s puzzle featuring the word ‘indie’, a term commonly used to describe independent creators and companies. The latest challenge was released on February 18, 2025, as part of the popular word game.

Created by software engineer Josh Wardle during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wordle has transformed into a social media phenomenon since its release to the public in October 2021. The New York Times acquired the game in early 2022 following its rise in popularity.

Each day, players must guess a five-letter word within six attempts. Feedback on each guess is provided through color-coded boxes: green for correct letters in the correct position, yellow for correct letters in the wrong position, and gray for incorrect letters. Wardle noted that his partner often outperforms him in the game, achieving a correct guess in three attempts, while he generally requires four or five tries.

For today’s challenge, the clues included that the word starts with ‘I’, has a repeated letter, and rhymes with ‘windy.’ The correct solution, ‘indie,’ not only refers to independent studios and labels but also captures a broader cultural movement of creators working outside major corporate structures.

Megan Cartwright, Newsweek’s Deputy Entertainment Editor, emphasized that understanding these terms is key as independent creators gain recognition in various industries. “’Indie’ has grown to encompass a variety of independent movements across film, music, and gaming,” Cartwright said.

Erhan Aslan, an applied linguistics professor at the University of Reading, shared insights on the modern appeal of word-puzzle games like Wordle. He explained that traditional word games offered a different social experience, often played in print media rather than digitally. “The virality of Wordle, particularly on social media, significantly contributes to its popularity,” he added.

The game retains its charm by providing a fresh solution each day at midnight in the player’s local timezone, allowing fans to return regularly. Although some may find it daunting, the social aspect and daily engagement keep players returning.

Wardle’s innovative format invites casual players and serious word enthusiasts alike, creating a shared experience through communal guessing and results sharing on platforms like Twitter. Wordle continues its trend of bridging digital play with real-life interaction, fostering conversations around each day’s puzzle.

As players gear up for each new puzzle, understanding terms like ‘indie’ enriches the gaming experience. Those eager for the next round can expect another word challenge early Wednesday morning.