Thursday, August 28, 2025

December 27, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (39 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.0 letters

December 27, 2023 Wednesday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Travel requirement, at times 4
2A 5. Where the 10 countries with the lowest median age are all located 6
3A 11. Sounds of surprise 3
4A 14. Book before Romans 4
5A 15. "King James" 6
6A 16. Word before nail or after steel 3
7A 17. Cluster, as of grass 4
8A 18. Product of volcanic activity 6
9A 19. Certain grueling race, informally 3
10A 20. Factory ___ 5
11A 22. Moccasins, but not oxfords 7
12A 24. Voice of doom 8
13A 27. It's a me problem 6
14A 28. End up OK 6
15A 29. Boring bit 5
16A 31. Not forbidden 5
17A 32. "A Doll's House" playwright 5
18A 33. Quattro preceder 3
19A 36. "Joking!" 4
20A 37. Secret traders 5
21A 38. Father on "Modern Family" 4
22A 39. Prof's helpers 3
23A 40. Mary, Queen of ___ 5
24A 41. Roman fountain name 5
25A 42. Digital money 5
26A 43. Van Gogh masterpiece 6
27A 44. One dying for a cause 6
28A 47. Leave a mark on? 8
29A 49. Put up 7
30A 51. Japanese exporter of diesel engines 5
31A 52. Coastal inlet 3
32A 53. "___ Fideles" 6
33A 55. Letters that go in both blanks of ___ ___tofferson 4
34A 58. Jug unit: Abbr. 3
35A 59. Comfy shoe 6
36A 60. Bank note made of pure cotton fiber 4
37A 61. Bow-making timber 3
38A 62. "Enthusiasm is the mother of ___": Ralph Waldo Emerson 6
39A 63. One may ask for a dinner preference 4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Travel requirement, at times"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an endorsement made in a passport that allows the bearer to enter the country issuing it
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: VISA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Where the 10 countries with the lowest median age are all located"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the second largest continent; located to the south of europe and bordered to the west by the south atlantic and to the east by the indian ocean
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AFRICA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Sounds of surprise"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
  • Words that mean the same thing: Ohio, Buckeye State, OH
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OHS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Book before Romans"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about literature.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
  • Words that mean the same thing: deed, roleplay, number
  • The opposite would be: refrain
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ACTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. "King James""

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LEBRON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Word before nail or after steel"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that one of the digits of the foot
  • Words that mean the same thing: toenail
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TOE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Cluster, as of grass"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass
  • Words that mean the same thing: tussock
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TUFT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Product of volcanic activity"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the commonest type of solidified lava; a dense dark grey fine-grained igneous rock that is composed chiefly of plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BASALT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Certain grueling race, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TRI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Factory ___"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that device for resetting instruments or controls
  • Words that mean the same thing: readjust
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RESET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Moccasins, but not oxfords"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SLIPONS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Voice of doom"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a person who alarms others needlessly
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALARMIST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. It's a me problem"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (ethics) the theory that the pursuit of your own welfare in the basis of morality
  • Words that mean the same thing: self-centeredness, egocentrism, self-concern
  • The opposite would be: altruism
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EGOISM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "28. End up OK"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PANOUT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "29. Boring bit"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a long flexible steel coil for dislodging stoppages in curved pipes
  • Words that mean the same thing: gimlet, wimble, plumber's snake
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AUGER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "31. Not forbidden"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that sanctioned by custom or morality especially sexual morality
  • Words that mean the same thing: lawful, legitimate
  • The opposite would be: illicit
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LICIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. "A Doll's House" playwright"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that realistic norwegian author who wrote plays on social and political themes (1828-1906)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Henrik Johan Ibsen, Henrik Ibsen
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IBSEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "33. Quattro preceder"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TRE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "36. "Joking!""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IKID

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "37. Secret traders"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
  • Words that mean the same thing: undercover agent, snoop, sleuth
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SPIES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "38. Father on "Modern Family""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PHIL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "39. Prof's helpers"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a hard grey lustrous metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion; occurs in niobite and fergusonite and tantalite
  • Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 73, tantalum, Ta
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TAS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "40. Mary, Queen of ___"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the dialect of english used in scotland
  • Words that mean the same thing: Scot, Scottish, Scots English
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SCOTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "41. Roman fountain name"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TREVI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "42. Digital money"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ECASH

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "43. Van Gogh masterpiece"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals
  • Words that mean the same thing: iris, iris diaphragm, fleur-de-lis
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IRISES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "44. One dying for a cause"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that one who suffers for the sake of principle
  • Words that mean the same thing: martyrise, martyrize, sufferer
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MARTYR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "47. Leave a mark on?"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
  • Words that mean the same thing: comment, gloss, footnote
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANNOTATE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "49. Put up"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that construct, build, or erect
  • Words that mean the same thing: rear, set up, erect
  • The opposite would be: level
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ERECTED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "51. Japanese exporter of diesel engines"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ISUZU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "52. Coastal inlet"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RIA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "53. "___ Fideles""

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ADESTE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "55. Letters that go in both blanks of ___ ___tofferson"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a malayan dagger with a wavy blade
  • Words that mean the same thing: creese, crease
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KRIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "58. Jug unit: Abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that united states liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters
  • Words that mean the same thing: gallon
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GAL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "59. Comfy shoe"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that person who does no work
  • Words that mean the same thing: layabout, bum, idler
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LOAFER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "60. Bank note made of pure cotton fiber"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the basic monetary unit of most members of the european union (introduced in 1999); in 2002 twelve european nations (germany, france, belgium, luxembourg, the netherlands, italy, spain, portugal, ireland, greece, austria, finland) adopted the euro as their basic unit of money and abandoned their traditional currencies
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EURO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "61. Bow-making timber"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that any of various trees of the genus ulmus: important timber or shade trees
  • Words that mean the same thing: elmwood, elm tree
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ELM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "62. "Enthusiasm is the mother of ___": Ralph Waldo Emerson"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
  • Words that mean the same thing: attempt, sweat, drive
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EFFORT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "63. One may ask for a dinner preference"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RSVP

    Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Wednesday NYT Crossword December 27, 2023

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Acid container, maybe 3
2D 2. Hosp. area 3
3D 3. Friar known for his patronage of animals 9
4D 4. What had a major impact on this puzzle's theme? 8
5D 5. Notwithstanding 6
6D 6. Guinness records, typically 5
7D 7. Some handoff recipients in football, for short 3
8D 8. Some investments, in brief 4
9D 9. Boston, Amherst and others 8
10D 10. Immune response trigger 7
11D 11. "Great" 10th-century emperor 5
12D 12. Features of many ceratopsians 5
13D 13. Something possibly triggered during a mass extinction event 5
14D 21. Blue material 4
15D 23. "___ favor" 3
16D 24. Accelerated H.S. English course 5
17D 25. First dog on an orbital spaceflight 5
18D 26. Novelist King who wrote "Caretakers" and "One on One" 7
19D 30. Applications 4
20D 32. Some W.S.J. topics 4
21D 33. Writer's reference … or what each row of shaded letters is missing? 9
22D 34. It helps keep a tight ship tight 5
23D 35. Beethoven's "Für ___" 5
24D 37. Spooked by 8
25D 38. Annual architecture award 8
26D 40. Ancient method of encipherment with a message wrapped around a cylinder 7
27D 41. Pants, but half off? 4
28D 42. List follower 3
29D 43. Newspaper supplement 6
30D 44. Come together 5
31D 45. Common typeface 5
32D 46. Ruler's dimensions? 5
33D 48. Crystalline mineral deposits in some caves 5
34D 50. Like Beethoven, by his mid-40s 4
35D 54. West Coast airport code 3
36D 56. Music producer Gotti who worked with Ja Rule and J.Lo 3
37D 57. Soak (up) 3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Acid container, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a tax levied on the difference between a commodity's price before taxes and its cost of production
  • Words that mean the same thing: value-added tax, ad valorem tax, tub
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: VAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Hosp. area"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care
  • Words that mean the same thing: intensive care unit
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ICU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Friar known for his patronage of animals"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: STFRANCIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. What had a major impact on this puzzle's theme?"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of mars and jupiter)
  • Words that mean the same thing: star-shaped
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ASTEROID

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Notwithstanding"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALBEIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Guinness records, typically"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a notable achievement
  • Words that mean the same thing: effort, exploit, feat
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FEATS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Some handoff recipients in football, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali metal group; burns in air and reacts violently in water; occurs in carnallite and lepidolite and pollucite
  • Words that mean the same thing: Rb, rubidium, atomic number 37
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RBS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Some investments, in brief"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a militant organization of irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive british forces from northern ireland and achieve a united independent ireland
  • Words that mean the same thing: Provisional Irish Republican Army, wrath, IRA
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IRAS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Boston, Amherst and others"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the body of faculty and students of a college
  • Words that mean the same thing: college
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: COLLEGES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Immune response trigger"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that any substance (as a toxin or enzyme) that stimulates an immune response in the body (especially the production of antibodies)
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ANTIGEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. "Great" 10th-century emperor"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OTTOI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Features of many ceratopsians"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
  • Words that mean the same thing: trump, hooter, saddle horn
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HORNS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Something possibly triggered during a mass extinction event"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane of from volcanic activity
  • Words that mean the same thing: temblor, earthquake, quake
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SEISM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "21. Blue material"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
  • Words that mean the same thing: lampblack, crock, smut fungus
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SMUT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "23. "___ favor""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: POR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Accelerated H.S. English course"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: APLIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. First dog on an orbital spaceflight"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LAIKA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. Novelist King who wrote "Caretakers" and "One on One""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about literature.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TABITHA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. Applications"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the act of using
  • Words that mean the same thing: practice, utilize, economic consumption
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: USES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "32. Some W.S.J. topics"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a corporation's first offer to sell stock to the public
  • Words that mean the same thing: initial offering, IPO, initial public offering
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IPOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. Writer's reference … or what each row of shaded letters is missing?"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about literature.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a book containing a classified list of synonyms
  • Words that mean the same thing: synonym finder
  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: THESAURUS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "34. It helps keep a tight ship tight"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that ornament consisting of a circular rounded protuberance (as on a vault or shield or belt)
  • Words that mean the same thing: concentrate, centre, stud
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RIVET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Beethoven's "Für ___""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ELISE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. Spooked by"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SCAREDOF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Annual architecture award"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PRITZKER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "40. Ancient method of encipherment with a message wrapped around a cylinder"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SCYTALE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Pants, but half off?"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TROU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. List follower"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ETC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "43. Newspaper supplement"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a folded section placed between the leaves of another publication
  • Words that mean the same thing: cut-in, enclose, inclose
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: INSERT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "44. Come together"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that mix together different elements
  • Words that mean the same thing: unite, combine, mix
  • The opposite would be: disunify
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MERGE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "45. Common typeface"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ARIAL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "46. Ruler's dimensions?"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a domain in which something is dominant
  • Words that mean the same thing: land, region, kingdom
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REALM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "48. Crystalline mineral deposits in some caves"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (kno3) used especially as a fertilizer and explosive
  • Words that mean the same thing: saltpeter, potassium nitrate, saltpetre
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NITER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "50. Like Beethoven, by his mid-40s"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that people who have severe hearing impairments
  • Words that mean the same thing: deafen, indifferent
  • The opposite would be: hearing
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEAF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "54. West Coast airport code"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SFO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "56. Music producer Gotti who worked with Ja Rule and J.Lo"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about music.

Here's how to solve it:

  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IRV

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "57. Soak (up)"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that piece of solid food for dipping in a liquid
  • Words that mean the same thing: souse, drench, soak through
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SOP

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 50 65.8%
Short Answer 13 17.1%
History 6 7.9%
Literature 3 3.9%
Abbreviation 2 2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment 1 1.3%
Music 1 1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 39
Down Clues 37
Total Clues 76
Average Answer Length 5.0 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 9 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

  • Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
  • Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
  • When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
  • Today is Wednesday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
  • Most clues today are about general knowledge
  • The average word today has about 5 letters
  • Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
  • Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: August 28, 2025 at 04:47 PM

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