Search Clues

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

All NYT Down Clues September 16, 2025 - 41 Vertical Answers with Hints

Down Clues NYT September 16, 2025 - Today's Complete Vertical Solutions

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 41 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

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About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for September 16, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date September 16, 2025
Day of Week Tuesday
Total Down Clues 41 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Easy

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 41 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Story with a moral
2 Down 2. Bold poker bet
3 Down 3. Substantial
4 Down 4. Long, green veggie
5 Down 5. Curved path
6 Down 6. Wall St. credential
7 Down 7. Premature
8 Down 8. Next to bat
9 Down 9. Aromas
10 Down 10. Elf's foe
11 Down 11. A shopper, not a buyer, informally
12 Down 12. Fashion house named for its founder, Signor Garavani
13 Down 13. Scraping (by)
14 Down 18. Sidewalk writing medium
15 Down 22. Non's opposite
16 Down 25. Soul and Sorento
17 Down 26. Sunrise direction
18 Down 27. Cable inits. for cinephiles
19 Down 29. Farm mother
20 Down 31. Mooch, as a cigarette
21 Down 32. Licorice-flavored spice
22 Down 33. Rejected
23 Down 34. "___ Just Not That Into You" (2009 film)
24 Down 36. ___ favor
25 Down 39. Levi's alternative
26 Down 40. Behind
27 Down 41. Rear, in the boat
28 Down 44. Chicago airport code
29 Down 46. Rodeo rope
30 Down 48. Southern drawl, for example
31 Down 49. Owl's question?
32 Down 50. Waste that's been flushed
33 Down 52. "Se ___ español"
34 Down 53. Actress Pompeo of "Grey's Anatomy"
35 Down 55. Chicago airport
36 Down 56. Sealy competitor
37 Down 57. Big Mac meal with a Coke, e.g.
38 Down 60. Ride from an airport, maybe
39 Down 62. Republicans, for short
40 Down 64. Place to park
41 Down 65. Citrus drink suffix

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. Story with a moral"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: F___E
  • Similar words: fiction, parable
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a deliberately false or improbable account
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer FABLE


2 Down: "2. Bold poker bet"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: A___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALLIN


3 Down: "3. Substantial"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: M___Y
  • Similar words: substantive
  • Opposite of: meatless
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: like or containing meat
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MEATY


4 Down: "4. Long, green veggie"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C__E
  • Similar words: cucumber
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CUKE


5 Down: "5. Curved path"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'C'
  • Similar words: discharge, electric arc
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARC


6 Down: "6. Wall St. credential"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a master's degree in business
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MBA


7 Down: "7. Premature"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: E___Y
  • Similar words: too soon, former
  • Opposite of: late
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EARLY


8 Down: "8. Next to bat"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: O____K
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ONDECK


9 Down: "9. Aromas"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S____S
  • Similar words: scent, perfume
  • Opposite of: deodourise
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a distinctive odor that is pleasant
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCENTS


10 Down: "10. Elf's foe"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'C'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ORC


11 Down: "11. A shopper, not a buyer, informally"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: L_______O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LOOKIELOO


12 Down: "12. Fashion house named for its founder, Signor Garavani"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: V_______O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer VALENTINO


13 Down: "13. Scraping (by)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: E___G
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EKING


14 Down: "18. Sidewalk writing medium"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: C___K
  • Similar words: meth, ice
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a soft whitish calcite
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CHALK


15 Down: "22. Non's opposite"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'I'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OUI


16 Down: "25. Soul and Sorento"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: K__S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KIAS


17 Down: "26. Sunrise direction"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: E__T
  • Similar words: Orient, E
  • Opposite of: west
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EAST


18 Down: "27. Cable inits. for cinephiles"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'C'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TMC


19 Down: "29. Farm mother"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EWE


20 Down: "31. Mooch, as a cigarette"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'M'
  • Similar words: tail end, fuck off
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BUM


21 Down: "32. Licorice-flavored spice"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: A_______D
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ANISESEED


22 Down: "33. Rejected"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C_______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CASTASIDE


23 Down: "34. "___ Just Not That Into You" (2009 film)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'S'
  • Similar words: He, he
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HES


24 Down: "36. ___ favor"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'R'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer POR


25 Down: "39. Levi's alternative"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: L__S
  • Similar words: Robert E. Lee, Lee
  • Opposite of: windward
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the sediment from fermentation of an alcoholic beverage
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LEES


26 Down: "40. Behind"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: L__E
  • Similar words: recent, belated
  • Opposite of: early
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LATE


27 Down: "41. Rear, in the boat"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
  • Similar words: astern, abaft
  • Opposite of: fore
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (nautical
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AFT


28 Down: "44. Chicago airport code"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'D'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ORD


29 Down: "46. Rodeo rope"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: L___O
  • Similar words: reata, lariat
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: Belgian composer (1532-1594)
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LASSO


30 Down: "48. Southern drawl, for example"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: A____T
  • Similar words: accentuate, speech pattern
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: distinctive manner of oral expression
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ACCENT


31 Down: "49. Owl's question?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'W' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer WHO


32 Down: "50. Waste that's been flushed"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S____E
  • Similar words: sewerage
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: waste matter carried away in sewers or drains
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SEWAGE


33 Down: "52. "Se ___ español""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: H___A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HABLA


34 Down: "53. Actress Pompeo of "Grey's Anatomy""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: E___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELLEN


35 Down: "55. Chicago airport"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OHARE


36 Down: "56. Sealy competitor"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: S___A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SERTA


37 Down: "57. Big Mac meal with a Coke, e.g."

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: O___R
  • Similar words: regularize, club
  • Opposite of: disorderliness
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g.
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ORDER


38 Down: "60. Ride from an airport, maybe"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: U__R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer UBER


39 Down: "62. Republicans, for short"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'P'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GOP


40 Down: "64. Place to park"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'T'
  • Similar words: mountain, quite a little
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  • This is Down clue number 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LOT


41 Down: "65. Citrus drink suffix"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: fruit drink
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice
  • This is Down clue number 41

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ADE

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 41 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: September 16, 2025 at 05:12 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, September 16 2025 down clues

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