Ducklark Games / Stepword ladders / Ladder #9
Stepword #9: Bring FOOD HOME
On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Stepword players were given this story line: “Bring FOOD HOME”. It was ladder #9, a climb from FOOD to HOME.
Ladder #9 at a glance
- Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- Start word: FOOD
- Goal word: HOME
- Par: 4 steps
- Word length: 4 letters
Why ladder #9 takes 4 steps
FOOD and HOME differ in 3 of their 4 places, yet par is 4, one more than that count. A perfect climb has to include one step that does not fix a letter straight away: a side step that opens up a word that was out of reach.
Both words have O in the second place, which gives you something to hold on to. O appears in both words, though not in the same place. Vowels: 2 in the start word, 2 in the goal. The game’s list has 2 different ways to climb in par.
- Letter 1: F to H
- Letter 2: O to O (already there)
- Letter 3: O to M
- Letter 4: D to E
How #9 compares
6 of the 18 ladders so far have had a par of 4. As a Wednesday ladder it used 4-letter words.
Can I still play #9?
This day is closed for replay for now. The calendar on the title screen shows what is open.
The climb itself is left for you.
Next to #9
- Stepword #8: Feel FALL turn COOL (Oct 13), FALL to COOL, par 4
- Stepword #10: Hear HAIL on the ROOF (Oct 15), HAIL to ROOF, par 6
The full list of ladders has every finished day, and this guide explains par. Quizzes and crosswords live on the topics hub.