Contexto ranks every guess by how close it is in meaning to the secret word. These hints give you real words from today's ranking, from far away to very close.
Hint 1: A word ranked 300
Try WEAKNESS. It is number 300 on today's list, where the answer is number 1.
Hint 2: A word ranked 100
Try SUFFICIENT. It is number 100 on today's list, where the answer is number 1.
Hint 3: A word ranked 30
Try POTENTIAL. It is number 30 on today's list, where the answer is number 1.
Hint 4: A word ranked 10 (very close)
Try QUALITY. It is number 10 on today's list, where the answer is number 1.
Hint 5: A word ranked 3 (very close)
Try CAPABILITY. It is number 3 on today's list, where the answer is number 1.
Show the answer
ABILITY
The answer to Contexto #1493 is ability.
Contexto deep dive
More about today's puzzle. Everything in this section can include the answer.
The closest words to the answer
The words ranked nearest to today's answer.
- 1. skill
- 2. able
- 3. capability
- 4. talent
- 5. knowledge
- 6. expertise
- 7. possess
- 8. certain
- 9. develop
- 10. quality
- 11. improve
- 12. prowess
What the answer means
ability: (uncountable) The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.
Play today's Contexto at The New York Times
More hints for October 20, 2026
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