Search Clues
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query ATEIN. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query ATEIN. Sort by date Show all posts

Sunday, April 12, 2026

NYT Mini Trivia Week 2 April 12, 2026 - Hints & Answers

NYT Mini Puzzle Trivia Week 2 April 12, 2026 - Solved

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: NYT Across Today December 21 2025 | February 01 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | November 05 2021 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for April 12, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Sunday, April 12, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date April 12, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

  1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
  2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
  3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
  4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
  5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

  • Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
  • Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
  • Best time to play: During a coffee break
  • Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 14. Reduce to a pulp
2 Across 96. Vegetables rarely cut with a knife
3 Across 93. Alternative to a Les Paul, for short
4 Across 79. Affect emotionally
5 Across 112. Winning country at the 2022 World Cup
6 Across 89. SOAP film?
7 Across 121. Fall perennial
8 Across 76. How an urgent text may be written
9 Across 117. "Baywatch" actress Eleniak
10 Across 21. Soothing succulent

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

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

1 Across: "14. Reduce to a pulp"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: M__H

Answer:

Click to reveal MASH

2 Across: "96. Vegetables rarely cut with a knife"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P__S

Answer:

Click to reveal PEAS

3 Across: "93. Alternative to a Les Paul, for short"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: S___T

Answer:

Click to reveal STRAT

4 Across: "79. Affect emotionally"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: T___H

Answer:

Click to reveal TOUCH

5 Across: "112. Winning country at the 2022 World Cup"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 9 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A_______A

Answer:

Click to reveal ARGENTINA

6 Across: "89. SOAP film?"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 14 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S____________E

Answer:

Click to reveal SNAKESONAPLANE

7 Across: "121. Fall perennial"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: A___R

Answer:

Click to reveal ASTER

8 Across: "76. How an urgent text may be written"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 9 letters
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: I_______S

Answer:

Click to reveal INALLCAPS

9 Across: "117. "Baywatch" actress Eleniak"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: E___A

Answer:

Click to reveal ERIKA

10 Across: "21. Soothing succulent"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A__E

Answer:

Click to reveal ALOE

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 102. What a Bohr!
2 Down 14. Dazzling displays of skill
3 Down 46. Prickly patch
4 Down 65. Big inits. in 1990s internet
5 Down 88. Used DoorDash, say
6 Down 43. Crunchy sandwiches, for short
7 Down 114. Portuguese greeting
8 Down 12. Idiot mistakes
9 Down 17. Roll call response
10 Down 70. Turkic language

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:

1 Down: "102. What a Bohr!"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: N___S

Answer:

Click to reveal NIELS

2 Down: "14. Dazzling displays of skill"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 13 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: M___________S

Answer:

Click to reveal MASTERCLASSES

3 Down: "46. Prickly patch"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: B___R

Answer:

Click to reveal BRIER

4 Down: "65. Big inits. in 1990s internet"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal AOL

5 Down: "88. Used DoorDash, say"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: A___N

Answer:

Click to reveal ATEIN

6 Down: "43. Crunchy sandwiches, for short"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: B__S

Answer:

Click to reveal BLTS

7 Down: "114. Portuguese greeting"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
  • Another word like this: olla

Answer:

Click to reveal OLA

8 Down: "12. Idiot mistakes"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: B____S

Answer:

Click to reveal BONERS

9 Down: "17. Roll call response"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: H__E

Answer:

Click to reveal HERE

10 Down: "70. Turkic language"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: T___R

Answer:

Click to reveal TATAR

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
  2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
  3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
  4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
  5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • The letter E is the most common in English
  • Words ending in S are often plurals
  • If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
  • Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds Advanced Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes Good You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes Learning You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20 clues to solve
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25 squares to fill
Average Time: Most people solve in 1 minute 10 seconds
Difficulty: Normal

More Puzzle Help

If you like the NYT Mini, you might enjoy these other puzzles too:

Recent Crossword Solutions:

Common Questions About Trivia Week 2

When can I play the Trivia Week 2 Mini?

The Trivia Week 2 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 2?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 2 Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play Trivia Week 2?

No! The Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 2 solver?

Good Trivia Week 2 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 2?

Trivia Week 2 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.

About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: April 12, 2026 at 05:34 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, April 12 2026 mini crossword

on No comments:

Thursday, December 26, 2024

27439 Thu Dec 26, 2024 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints

Break down the NYT Crosswords: December 26, 2024

Let's go into the puzzle, starting with the across clues and answers, followed by the down clues and answers.

Thu Dec 26, 2024 NY Times
Thu Dec 26, 2024 NY Times


Across Clues with Answers:

  • The clue is 1. Targets of crunches, informally. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ABS

    Possible Answer : type_AB, Artium_Baccalaurens, BA, AB, Ab, group_AB, abdominal, Av, ABS, abdominal_muscle, Bachelor_of_Arts, ab, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene


  • The clue is 4. "Smart" guy. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ALEC


  • The clue is 8. Vibes. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: AURAS

    Possible Answer : gloriole, halo, air, glory, aura, atmosphere, nimbus, aureole


  • The clue is 13. Hawaiian dish with cubed fish. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: POKEBOWL


  • The clue is 15. Perceptive. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: ASTUTE

    Possible Answer : astute, shrewd, sharp


  • The clue is 16. End-of-year hope. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: PAYRAISE


  • The clue is 17. Lawyers, collectively. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: THEBAR


  • The clue is 18. Astronauts' outpost, for short. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ISS


  • The clue is 19. Like the last name of swimming legend Diana Nyad. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: APT

    Possible Answer : minded, given, liable, disposed, tending, apposite, pertinent, clever, apt


  • The clue is 21. Original N.Y.C. subway line. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: IRT


  • The clue is 22. Vampire hunter's weapon. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: STAKE

    Possible Answer : bet, impale, hazard, back, adventure, jeopardize, stakes, game, punt, venture, gage, post, bet_on, stake, interest, wager


  • The clue is 25. "Well, that's just perfect". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: GREAT

    Possible Answer : heavy, swell, expectant, bang-up, cracking, with_child, large, dandy, capital, corking, neat, peachy, slap-up, smashing, nifty, great, enceinte, keen, majuscule, bully, gravid, outstanding, not_bad, big, groovy


  • The clue is 27. Telluride maker (that's 6,000+ miles away from Telluride). Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: KIA


  • The clue is 28. Faith Hill hit with the lyric "It's perpetual bliss". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: THISKISS


  • The clue is 29. Slim-fitting bottom. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

    The answer: PENCILSKIRT


  • The clue is 31. Humorist Bombeck. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ERMA


  • The clue is 32. Spoiled. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: BAD

    Possible Answer : badness, tough, spoilt, unsound, defective, badly, unfit, forged, sorry, regretful, high-risk, uncollectible, speculative, risky, bad, big, spoiled

    Possible Opposite Answer : good, goodness, unregretful


  • The clue is 33. Forgo a ring, maybe. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: KNOCK

    Possible Answer : bang, criticize, knock, pick_apart, whang, tap, criticise, roast, knocking, strike_hard, bump, rap, smash, whack, ping, belt, bash, pink

    Possible Opposite Answer : praise


  • The clue is 35. Fills in the gaps of, in a way. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: PUTTIES

    Possible Answer : putty


  • The clue is 37. Futuristic zappers. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: RAYGUNS


  • The clue is 39. Samira Wiley's role on "The Handmaid's Tale". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: MOIRA


  • The clue is 40. Pops. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: DAD

    Possible Answer : dada, pop, daddy, papa, dad, pappa, pa


  • The clue is 41. A thing of the passed?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: OBIT

    Possible Answer : necrology, obituary, obit


  • The clue is 42. Wetland fuel source. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: PEATBOG


  • The clue is 44. Breaking the fourth wall, say. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: META


  • The clue is 45. Cartoon frame. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: CEL


  • The clue is 47. Snarkily disparaging. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: SNIDE

    Possible Answer : sneering, snide, supercilious


  • The clue is 48. Like a baby in need of burping. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: GASSY

    Possible Answer : flatulent, colicky, gassy


  • The clue is 49. Dismiss abruptly. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: AXE

    Possible Answer : axe, ax


  • The clue is 50. Dutch banking giant. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ING


  • The clue is 51. Get to 21 first in cornhole, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: WIN

    Possible Answer : come_through, pull_ahead, get_ahead, gain_ground, gain, profits, winnings, advance, win, make_headway, deliver_the_goods, succeed, bring_home_the_bacon, acquire

    Possible Opposite Answer : fail, fall_back, lose, losings


  • The clue is 52. Oscar nominee for "Carrie". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: SPACEK


  • The clue is 55. Peak picker-uppers, as depicted three times in this puzzle's grid. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: SKILIFTS


  • The clue is 60. "Money talks". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

    The answer: CASHISKING


  • The clue is 61. Unapproved, pharmaceutically. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: OFFLABEL


  • The clue is 62. Remained home for supper. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: ATEIN


  • The clue is 63. CBS drama with five spinoffs. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: NCIS


  • The clue is 64. In need of salt, say. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ICY

    Possible Answer : wintry, arctic, gelid, frozen, icy, frosty, frigid, polar, glacial


Down Clues and Answers:

  • The clue is 1. Home screen selection. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: APP

  • The clue is 2. Stole onstage. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: BOA

    Possible Answer: feather_boa, boa

  • The clue is 3. Difficult area of a jigsaw puzzle, maybe. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: SKY

    Possible Answer: flip, toss, sky, pitch

  • The clue is 4. Humble. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: ABASE

    Possible Answer: humiliate, humble, chagrin, mortify, abase

  • The clue is 5. Lane in DC?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: LOIS

  • The clue is 6. Grossed-out cries. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: EWS

    Possible Answer: electronic_warfare, EW

  • The clue is 7. Given the go-ahead. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: CLEARED

    Possible Answer: authorize, realize, crystallise, exonerate, pull_in, pass, light_up, crystalise, net, make, sack, illuminate, clear, elucidate, take_in, crystalize, sort_out, crystallize, exonerated, shed_light_on, solve, sack_up, authorise, straighten_out, clear_up, top, exculpate, exculpated, bring_in, vindicated, enlighten, unclutter, brighten, discharge, acquit, absolved, gain, cleared, earn, assoil, realise

    Possible Opposite Answer : bounce, convict, uncleared, clutter, overcast

  • The clue is 8. Pizza oven residue. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ASH

    Possible Answer: ash, ash_tree

  • The clue is 9. Beehive State native. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: UTE

    Possible Answer: Ute

  • The clue is 10. Toys once marketed as having "Over three billion combinations, but only one solution". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

    The answer: RUBIKSCUBES

  • The clue is 11. Chess : check :: go : ___. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: ATARI

  • The clue is 12. Tempur-Pedic competitor. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: SERTA

  • The clue is 14. Early 20th-century composer who introduced the typewriter as a percussion instrument. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: ERIKSATIE

  • The clue is 15. Negative campaign tactic. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: ATTACKAD

  • The clue is 20. Signature item. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: PEN

    Possible Answer: indite, playpen, pen, penitentiary, write, compose

  • The clue is 22. Prefix with any family member. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: STEP

    Possible Answer: stair, pace, footstep, measure, tone, footfall, ill-use, mistreat, whole_tone, dance_step, ill-treat, stride, step, whole_step, tread, maltreat, gradation, footmark, stone's_throw, abuse, footprint

  • The clue is 23. Steady engine sound. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: THRUM

    Possible Answer: hum, beat, drum, strum, thrum

  • The clue is 24. Focus on making others happy. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

    The answer: AIMTOPLEASE

  • The clue is 25. They might accompany SAT scores. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: GPAS

    Possible Answer: grade_point_average, GPA

  • The clue is 26. Minute. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: TINY

    Possible Answer: petite, flyspeck, lilliputian, midget, bantam, tiny, diminutive

  • The clue is 30. Slangy term for an obsession with branded fashion items. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

    The answer: LOGOMANIA

    Possible Answer: logorrhea, logomania

  • The clue is 32. Coffeehouse poets. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: BEATNIKS

    Possible Answer: beatnik, beat, beats, beat_generation, beatniks

  • The clue is 34. Sweaters and such. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: KNITS

    Possible Answer: knitting, plain, rumple, knit_stitch, plain_stitch, knitwork, pucker, cockle, knit, crumple, entwine

  • The clue is 36. 401(k) alternatives. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: IRAS

    Possible Answer: ire, Irish_Republican_Army, individual_retirement_account, ira, Provos, anger, IRA, Provisional_Irish_Republican_Army, wrath, Provisional_IRA

  • The clue is 37. Short-lived fashion. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: RAGE

    Possible Answer: furore, craze, storm, fury, ramp, passion, furor, madness, rage, fad, cult

  • The clue is 38. Court-ordered delay. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: STAY

    Possible Answer: ride_out, continue, arrest, bide, rest, hitch, halt, stop, last_out, abide, appease, outride, persist, detain, stoppage, check, stick, stay, stay_on, quell, delay, stay_put, stick_around, remain

    Possible Opposite Answer : change, move, depart

  • The clue is 40. Lewis Carroll's real last name, hence Lewis's last name in "Jurassic Park". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: DODGSON

    Possible Answer: Lewis_Carroll, Charles_Dodgson, Reverend_Dodgson, Carroll, Charles_Lutwidge_Dodgson, Dodgson

  • The clue is 43. Hamper, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: BIN

    Possible Answer: bin, binful, bank_identification_number, BIN, ABA_transit_number

  • The clue is 45. Caesar's first stabber. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: CASCA

  • The clue is 46. One living abroad. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: EXPAT

    Possible Answer: expatriate, exile, expat

  • The clue is 48. Bass organs. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: GILLS

    Possible Answer: gill, branchia, lamella

  • The clue is 51. Something that's often free in airports but expensive on airplanes. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: WIFI

    Possible Answer: wireless_local_area_network, WLAN, WiFi, wireless_fidelity

  • The clue is 53. Life force. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: CHI

    Possible Answer: ch'i, qi, chi, ki, khi

  • The clue is 54. Köln one. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: EIN

  • The clue is 56. Fast-food chain with 30,000+ locations. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: KFC

  • The clue is 57. "Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity" org.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: FBI

    Possible Answer: Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation, FBI

  • The clue is 58. Gumshoe. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: TEC

    Possible Answer: police_detective, investigator, detective, tec

  • The clue is 59. Roguish. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: SLY

    Possible Answer: crafty, guileful, foxy, knavish, slick, tricky, cunning, sly, dodgy, tricksy, wily

on No comments:
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 21, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

October 21, 2026 NYT Crossword Solutions

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Teacher's pet, say, in slang 6
2A 7. Cumming who won a Tony for "Cabaret" 4
3A 11. White lie 3
4A 14. Not well known 6
5A 15. Driving range? 4
6A 16. N.H.L.'s Mammoth, on scoreboards 3
7A 17. Driver's Ed: B 11
8A 19. Alt tab? 3
9A 20. Sporty vehicles, in brief 4
10A 21. Reunion attendee, for short 4
11A 22. Blunts 5
12A 24. Crop whose trade contributed to the Opium Wars 3
13A 25. Parisian permission 3
14A 26. Tender bend-er 7
15A 28. Gym: B+ 13
16A 31. ___ faire (festival with jousting) 3
17A 32. Life phase, informally 3
18A 33. In the thick of 4
19A 34. Had dinner at home 5
20A 37. Great sorrow 3
21A 38. Nutrition sources 5
22A 39. ___ saltado (Peruvian stir-fry dish) 4
23A 40. Tavern 3
24A 41. Baby boy 3
25A 42. Wood shop: A 13
26A 46. Have the same opinion about 7
27A 47. Chemical suffix that indicates a double bond 3
28A 48. "A Nightmare on ___ Street" 3
29A 51. Scene that may begin "Follow that car!" 5
30A 52. Like a tennis player who didn't even swing, maybe 4
31A 54. Sneaker brand 4
32A 55. Province with Niagara Falls: Abbr. 3
33A 56. History: A+ 11
34A 59. Look back on with regret 3
35A 60. At any point 4
36A 61. Stephen King's telekinetic teen of horror 6
37A 62. Figures in some rumored landings, for short 3
38A 63. Short Instagram posting 4
39A 64. Difficult, as a problem 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Teacher's pet, say, in slang"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KISSUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. Cumming who won a Tony for "Cabaret""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. White lie"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a trivial lie
  • Similar words include: taradiddle, tale, story
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Not well known"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARCANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Driving range?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrow way or road
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. N.H.L.'s Mammoth, on scoreboards"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reptile genus of iguanidae
  • Similar words include: genus Uta
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Driver's Ed: B"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARKINGFINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Alt tab?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a powerful hallucinogenic drug manufactured from lysergic acid
  • Similar words include: lysergic acid diethylamide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LSD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Sporty vehicles, in brief"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the shoshonean people of utah and colorado and new mexico
  • Similar words include: Ute
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Reunion attendee, for short"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one-hundredth of a right angle
  • Similar words include: alum, graduate, alumna
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Blunts"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make dull in appearance
  • Similar words include: dampen, benumb, pall
  • Opposite of: sharpen
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DULLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Crop whose trade contributed to the Opium Wars"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
  • Similar words include: Camellia sinensis, tea leaf, afternoon tea
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Parisian permission"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Tender bend-er"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUMKNEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Gym: B+"

13 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOVINGAVERAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. ___ faire (festival with jousting)"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Life phase, informally"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: geological era, earned run average, epoch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. In the thick of"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Had dinner at home"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATEIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "37. Great sorrow"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that misery resulting from affliction
  • Similar words include: woefulness, suffering
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "38. Nutrition sources"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prescribed selection of foods
  • Similar words include: diet, dieting
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "39. ___ saltado (Peruvian stir-fry dish)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "40. Tavern"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
  • Similar words include: stripe, streak, blockade
  • Opposite of: unbar
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Baby boy"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male human offspring
  • Similar words include: Logos, Word, boy
  • Opposite of: daughter, girl
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "42. Wood shop: A"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUILDINGSUPER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "46. Have the same opinion about"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGREEON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Chemical suffix that indicates a double bond"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the compass point midway between northeast and east
  • Similar words include: east northeast
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. "A Nightmare on ___ Street""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various trees of the genus ulmus: important timber or shade trees
  • Similar words include: elm tree, elmwood
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Scene that may begin "Follow that car!""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
  • Similar words include: chase after, trail, Salmon P. Chase
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "52. Like a tennis player who didn't even swing, maybe"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that succeed at easily
  • Similar words include: pass with flying colors, breeze through, ace
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "54. Sneaker brand"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "55. Province with Niagara Falls: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "56. History: A+"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PASTPERFECT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "59. Look back on with regret"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that european strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
  • Similar words include: herb of grace, Ruta graveolens, regret
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "60. At any point"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at any time
  • Similar words include: ever so, always, of all time
  • Opposite of: never
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "61. Stephen King's telekinetic teen of horror"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CARRIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "62. Figures in some rumored landings, for short"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "63. Short Instagram posting"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
  • Similar words include: swag, lurch, Scottish reel
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "64. Difficult, as a problem"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe
  • Similar words include: elusive, tough, baffling
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNOTTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Wrecked 5
2D 2. Like a passionate solver discovering a filled-in airline magazine crossword, say 5
3D 3. Edvard Munch painting, with "The" 6
4D 4. Fifth Avenue retailer 4
5D 5. Mono- 3
6D 6. Bird that gives pebbles as a courtship gesture 7
7D 7. Bravo preceder 4
8D 8. Made public 8
9D 9. Actress Dowd of "The Handmaid's Tale" 3
10D 10. "Can I help?" 6
11D 11. First and last, say 8
12D 12. "That checks out" 8
13D 13. Rotten apples 8
14D 18. Sly look, say 4
15D 23. Kyiv's country 7
16D 25. Bake-off need 4
17D 27. Sch. that's home to Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village 3
18D 29. Birds with a Baltimore species 7
19D 30. Physicist Ohm 5
20D 34. White tuna 8
21D 35. One that's hard to crack 8
22D 36. Airline headquartered in Dubai 8
23D 37. "Are you ready for this?" 8
24D 38. Fabulous, in slang 4
25D 40. Info that might include "Originally from ..." 3
26D 41. Open-air part of a cruise ship 7
27D 43. More profound 6
28D 44. Soak slowly 4
29D 45. Backslide 6
30D 49. Allowed 5
31D 50. Fellow crew member 5
32D 53. Shortcut key 4
33D 54. Musical lead-in to beat 4
34D 57. Blvd. crosser 3
35D 58. Tried for office 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Wrecked"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that destroyed or killed
  • Similar words include: gone, done for
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAPUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Like a passionate solver discovering a filled-in airline magazine crossword, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling or showing extreme anger
  • Similar words include: ireful
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Edvard Munch painting, with "The""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sharp piercing cry
  • Similar words include: cry, screeching, shriek
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCREAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Fifth Avenue retailer"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Mono-"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Bird that gives pebbles as a courtship gesture"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that short-legged flightless birds of cold southern especially antarctic regions having webbed feet and wings modified as flippers
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PENGUIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Bravo preceder"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALFA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Made public"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAIDBARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Actress Dowd of "The Handmaid's Tale""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. "Can I help?""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEEDME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. First and last, say"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FULLNAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "That checks out""

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITSLEGIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Rotten apples"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADSEEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Sly look, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
  • Similar words include: smiling, smile, grinning
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Kyiv's country"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic in southeastern europe; formerly a european soviet; the center of the original russian state which came into existence in the ninth century
  • Similar words include: Ukrayina
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UKRAINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Bake-off need"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Sch. that's home to Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Birds with a Baltimore species"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mostly tropical songbird; the male is usually bright orange and black
  • Similar words include: American oriole, oriole, Old World oriole
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORIOLES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Physicist Ohm"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEORG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "34. White tuna"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that relatively small tuna with choice white flesh; major source of canned tuna
  • Similar words include: Thunnus alalunga, long-fin tunny
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALBACORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "35. One that's hard to crack"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOUGHNUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "36. Airline headquartered in Dubai"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the domain controlled by an emir
  • Similar words include: emirate
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMIRATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. "Are you ready for this?""

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WANNASEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Fabulous, in slang"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that street names for marijuana
  • Similar words include: pot, dope up, green goddess
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Info that might include "Originally from ...""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Open-air part of a cruise ship"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUNDECK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. More profound"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
  • Similar words include: rich, abstruse, recondite
  • Opposite of: shallow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEEPER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Soak slowly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
  • Similar words include: ooze
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Backslide"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that go back to a previous state
  • Similar words include: regress, turn back, return
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REVERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Allowed"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sanctioned by custom or morality especially sexual morality
  • Similar words include: legitimate, lawful
  • Opposite of: illicit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LICIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Fellow crew member"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (used colloquially) having the relationship of friends or pals
  • Similar words include: palsy-walsy, chummy, pally
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Shortcut key"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CTRL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. Musical lead-in to beat"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rounded thickly curled hairdo
  • Similar words include: Afro hairdo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "57. Blvd. crosser"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. Tried for office"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
  • Similar words include: fly the coop, pass, campaign
  • Opposite of: malfunction, idle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

39 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 08:44 AM

on No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)