NYT Down Clues Answers December 08, 2025 - All 39 Vertical Solutions & Expert Hints
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 39 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: December 10 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | February 16 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | September 02 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | December 08, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Monday |
| Total Down Clues | 39 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 39 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Magic charms |
| 2 Down | 2. Not together |
| 3 Down | 3. Interior design |
| 4 Down | 4. Genesis boat |
| 5 Down | 5. The eyes may have it |
| 6 Down | 6. Scuba gear |
| 7 Down | 7. Remnants of a volcanic spew |
| 8 Down | 8. Corp. exec overseeing engineers, say |
| 9 Down | 9. Stuff on an artist's palette |
| 10 Down | 10. Eleventh-hour |
| 11 Down | 11. Potatoes, in Indian cooking |
| 12 Down | 12. From ___ to dusk |
| 13 Down | 15. Actor Sam of "Jurassic Park" |
| 14 Down | 18. Acorn droppers |
| 15 Down | 23. Salt, in Paris |
| 16 Down | 25. Money across the Atlantic |
| 17 Down | 27. Messages on which you might be cc'd |
| 18 Down | 29. Iraqis and Iranians |
| 19 Down | 31. Biblical brother of Jacob |
| 20 Down | 32. Psychedelic tab |
| 21 Down | 33. Toy on a string that's not a kite |
| 22 Down | 34. Center of a stone fruit |
| 23 Down | 36. Film special effects, for short |
| 24 Down | 38. After-hours source of $$$ |
| 25 Down | 40. Lost moisture |
| 26 Down | 41. Nonspecific amount |
| 27 Down | 44. Pet that stores food in cheek pouches |
| 28 Down | 46. Author Fleming |
| 29 Down | 47. What empty stomachs do |
| 30 Down | 49. In ___ of |
| 31 Down | 51. No longer available |
| 32 Down | 53. "There ___ enough hours in the day" |
| 33 Down | 54. "That's the truth!" |
| 34 Down | 55. Mosaic pieces |
| 35 Down | 56. Covering over a wound |
| 36 Down | 57. Pause in the action |
| 37 Down | 59. "It's gonna ___ you!" |
| 38 Down | 63. Hwy. |
| 39 Down | 64. Early Chinese dynasty |
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:
- August 09 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- April 28 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- February 10 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- October 06 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Magic charms"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: M___S
- Similar words: mojo
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a magic power or magic spell
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MOJOS
2 Down: "2. Not together"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: A___T
- Similar words: obscure, aside
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: remote and separate physically or socially; ; - W.H.Hudson
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
APART
3 Down: "3. Interior design"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: D___R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DECOR
4 Down: "4. Genesis boat"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'K'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARK
5 Down: "5. The eyes may have it"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: M_____A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: makeup that is used to darken and thicken the eye lashes
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MASCARA
6 Down: "6. Scuba gear"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: T__K
- Similar words: storage tank, cooler
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TANK
7 Down: "7. Remnants of a volcanic spew"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A___S
- Similar words: ash tree, ash
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the residue that remains when something is burned
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ASHES
8 Down: "8. Corp. exec overseeing engineers, say"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'O'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CTO
9 Down: "9. Stuff on an artist's palette"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: O______T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OILPAINT
10 Down: "10. Eleventh-hour"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: L_______H
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LASTDITCH
11 Down: "11. Potatoes, in Indian cooking"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: A__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ALOO
12 Down: "12. From ___ to dusk"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: D__N
- Similar words: cockcrow, sunup
- Opposite of: sunset
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the first light of day
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DAWN
13 Down: "15. Actor Sam of "Jurassic Park""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: N___L
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NEILL
14 Down: "18. Acorn droppers"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: O__S
- Similar words: oak, oak tree
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OAKS
15 Down: "23. Salt, in Paris"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'L'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SEL
16 Down: "25. Money across the Atlantic"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: E__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EURO
17 Down: "27. Messages on which you might be cc'd"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: E____S
- Similar words: e-mail, email
- Opposite of: snail mail
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EMAILS
18 Down: "29. Iraqis and Iranians"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A____S
- Similar words: Asiatic, Asian
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a native or inhabitant of Asia
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ASIANS
19 Down: "31. Biblical brother of Jacob"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'U'
- Word pattern: E__U
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ESAU
20 Down: "32. Psychedelic tab"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'D'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LSD
21 Down: "33. Toy on a string that's not a kite"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: Y__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
YOYO
22 Down: "34. Center of a stone fruit"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: C_______T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CHERRYPIT
23 Down: "36. Film special effects, for short"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'I'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CGI
24 Down: "38. After-hours source of $$$"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'M'
- Similar words: cash machine, cash dispenser
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ATM
25 Down: "40. Lost moisture"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: D______T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DRIEDOUT
26 Down: "41. Nonspecific amount"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S__E
- Similar words: more or less, around
- Opposite of: no
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SOME
27 Down: "44. Pet that stores food in cheek pouches"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: H_____R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HAMSTER
28 Down: "46. Author Fleming"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IAN
29 Down: "47. What empty stomachs do"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: G___L
- Similar words: grumble, rumble
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the sound of growling (as made by animals)
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
GROWL
30 Down: "49. In ___ of"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'U'
- Word pattern: L__U
- Similar words: position, stead
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LIEU
31 Down: "51. No longer available"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: T___N
- Similar words: take, have
- Opposite of: give
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: carry out
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TAKEN
32 Down: "53. "There ___ enough hours in the day""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: A___T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARENT
33 Down: "54. "That's the truth!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: N___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NOLIE
34 Down: "55. Mosaic pieces"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: T___S
- Similar words: roofing tile, tile
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TILES
35 Down: "56. Covering over a wound"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'B'
- Word pattern: S__B
- Similar words: blackleg, fink
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SCAB
36 Down: "57. Pause in the action"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: L__L
- Similar words: calm down, tranquillise
- Opposite of: agitate
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LULL
37 Down: "59. "It's gonna ___ you!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: C__T
- Similar words: toll, be
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 37
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
COST
38 Down: "63. Hwy."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'E'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 38
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RTE
39 Down: "64. Early Chinese dynasty"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'W' and ends with 'I'
- Similar words: Wei dynasty
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 39
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
WEI
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
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
- Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
- 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 39 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.
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