Today’s Wordle answer is a tough one, with an unusual repeated letter. Read on for hints and the answer.

Today’s Wordle hints

Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.

Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats

Today’s Wordle answer has one repeated letter.

Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels

Today’s Wordle answer has two vowels.

Wordle hint No. 3: First letter

Today’s Wordle answer begins with V.

Wordle hint No. 4: Last letter

Today’s Wordle answer ends with E.

Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning

Today’s Wordle answer refers to a mechanical device that controls fluid flow.

TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER

Today’s Wordle answer is VALVE.

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s Wordle answer, July 28, No. 1,865, was SONAR.

Recent Wordle answers

July 24, No. 1,861: PUTTY

July 25, No. 1,862: ALOHA

July 26, No. 1,863: GRAPE

July 27, No. 1,864: POSER

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

Don’t be afraid to use our tip sheet ranking all the letters in the alphabet by frequency of uses. In short, you want starter words that lean heavy on E, A and R, and don’t contain Z, J and Q. 

Some solid starter words​ to try:

ADIEU

TRAIN

CLOSE

STARE

NOISE

CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line. See full bio