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Showing posts sorted by date for query BAE. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query BAE. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Monday, August 3, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 03, 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

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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. What's paid 4
2A 5. Slowpoke in a "mobile home" 5
3A 10. Figure that might be measured in acres 4
4A 14. What a diaper pail helps minimize 4
5A 15. ___ bear (cuddly toy) 5
6A 16. Device used in a lactation room 4
7A 17. Size between mini and maxi 4
8A 18. Humiliate 5
9A 19. Ancient Peruvian society 4
10A 20. Idler along the seashore 8
11A 22. "Pumpkin eater" in a nursery rhyme 5
12A 23. Speak at the top of one's lungs 4
13A 24. Needle-working craft 7
14A 26. Kitchen appliance for desserts 13
15A 30. Division in a supermarket 5
16A 31. Travel like slime 4
17A 32. One lacking refinement 3
18A 35. Chess game's end 4
19A 36. Children's author A.A. ___ 5
20A 38. Throw with force 4
21A 39. ___ constrictor 3
22A 40. Phase in which users help catch bugs 4
23A 41. Instrument on which reveille is played 5
24A 42. Series that may feature forensics experts 13
25A 46. Ninja's quality 7
26A 48. ___ whiskey 4
27A 49. Surgery that leaves the patient looking better? 5
28A 50. Adjective describing 20-, 26- and 42-Across 8
29A 54. Guesstimates for when planes are due, for short 4
30A 55. Donation at some Red Cross events 5
31A 57. "Best Dad ___" (message on a mug) 4
32A 58. "The King" in soccer 4
33A 59. Competitive thing to "bring" 5
34A 60. Still red, as steak 4
35A 61. Uno + dos 4
36A 62. All gone from the dinner plate 5
37A 63. Winter forecast 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. What's paid"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
  • Similar words include: price, monetary value, be
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Slowpoke in a "mobile home""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freshwater or marine or terrestrial gastropod mollusk usually having an external enclosing spiral shell
  • Similar words include: escargot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Figure that might be measured in acres"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
  • Similar words include: domain, field, surface area
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. What a diaper pail helps minimize"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any property detected by the olfactory system
  • Similar words include: olfactory perception, olfactory property, scent
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. ___ bear (cuddly toy)"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)
  • Similar words include: chemise, shift, slip
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEDDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Device used in a lactation room"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mechanical device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction
  • Similar words include: heart, ticker
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Size between mini and maxi"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the southern part of france
  • Similar words include: musical instrument digital interface
  • Opposite of: maxi
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIDI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Humiliate"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
  • Similar words include: chagrin, mortify, humiliate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Ancient Peruvian society"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
  • Similar words include: Inka, Incan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Idler along the seashore"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. "Pumpkin eater" in a nursery rhyme"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that disciple of jesus and leader of the apostles; regarded by catholics as the vicar of christ on earth and first pope
  • Similar words include: shaft, dick, prick
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PETER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Speak at the top of one's lungs"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
  • Similar words include: vociferation, squall, holler
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. Needle-working craft"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that needlework done by interlocking looped stitches with a hooked needle
  • Similar words include: hook, crocheting
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CROCHET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Kitchen appliance for desserts"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Division in a supermarket"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
  • Similar words include: gangway
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AISLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Travel like slime"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any thick, viscous matter
  • Similar words include: transude, exudate, gunk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OOZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. One lacking refinement"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward stupid person
  • Similar words include: lubber, clod, lump
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Chess game's end"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the officer below the master on a commercial ship
  • Similar words include: partner, married person, twin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Children's author A.A. ___"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english writer of stories for children (1882-1956)
  • Similar words include: Alan Alexander Milne, A. A. Milne
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MILNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Throw with force"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a violent throw
  • Similar words include: hurtle, lunge, cast
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HURL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. ___ constrictor"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur
  • Similar words include: feather boa
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Phase in which users help catch bugs"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 2nd letter of the greek alphabet
  • Similar words include: genus Beta
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. Instrument on which reveille is played"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brass instrument without valves; used for military calls and fanfares
  • Similar words include: bugleweed
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUGLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. Series that may feature forensics experts"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Ninja's quality"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that avoiding detection by moving carefully
  • Similar words include: stealing
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEALTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. ___ whiskey"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a milkshake made with malt powder
  • Similar words include: malt liquor, malted milk, malted
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. Surgery that leaves the patient looking better?"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a refractive surgery procedure that reshapes the cornea
  • Similar words include: laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASIK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Adjective describing 20-, 26- and 42-Across"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature
  • Similar words include: scarey, temperature reduction, scary
  • Opposite of: heat
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHILLING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Guesstimates for when planes are due, for short"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Similar words include: ETA, Basque Fatherland and Liberty, eta
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Donation at some Red Cross events"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fluid (red in vertebrates) that is pumped through the body by the heart and contains plasma, blood cells, and platelets
  • Similar words include: parentage, lineage, blood line
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. "Best Dad ___" (message on a mug)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. "The King" in soccer"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. Competitive thing to "bring""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "60. Still red, as steak"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
  • Similar words include: rarified, rarefied, uncommon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "61. Uno + dos"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "62. All gone from the dinner plate"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take in solid food
  • Similar words include: exhaust, feed, run through
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EATEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "63. Winter forecast"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
  • Similar words include: pull the wool over someone's eyes, Baron Snow of Leicester, bamboozle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Head-scratcher? 4
2D 2. Garfield's perky-eared canine buddy 4
3D 3. Coke or Pepsi 4
4D 4. Toddler's wheels 8
5D 5. Horses' hangout 6
6D 6. Cosmic cloud 6
7D 7. Eve's man 4
8D 8. Passports and driver's licenses, for short 3
9D 9. Aid in making soap 3
10D 10. Per individual 6
11D 11. Rehearsal 10
12D 12. Host with a mic 5
13D 13. A world ___ 5
14D 21. "Present!" 4
15D 22. Hawaiian seafood dish 4
16D 24. "Let's go, man!" 4
17D 25. Demolish 4
18D 26. First two syllables of "I am what I am," aptly 4
19D 27. Farewell in Florence 4
20D 28. Opportunity to buy some antiques 10
21D 29. Back tooth 5
22D 33. Guthrie who sang "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant" 4
23D 34. Went by plane 4
24D 36. Convene 4
25D 37. What a mosquito bite causes 4
26D 38. Swindling sorts 8
27D 40. Swoleness 4
28D 41. Taco ___ 4
29D 43. Rewards for excellent employees 6
30D 44. Stereotypical cry after "Honey ..." 6
31D 45. ___ voyage (first trip) 6
32D 46. Caught some Z's 5
33D 47. Product of Maine or Idaho, informally 5
34D 50. Jacket 4
35D 51. Pavlov known for canine experiments 4
36D 52. Roman emperor who competed in the Olympics (and "won" every event he was in) 4
37D 53. Got bigger 4
38D 55. Snookums 3
39D 56. Alternative to JFK and EWR 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Head-scratcher?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair
  • Similar words include: disentangle, cockscomb, ransack
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Garfield's perky-eared canine buddy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Coke or Pepsi"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sodium salt of carbonic acid; used in making soap powders and glass and paper
  • Similar words include: soda ash, sal soda, sodium carbonate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SODA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Toddler's wheels"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vehicle with three wheels that is moved by foot pedals
  • Similar words include: trike, velocipede
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRICYCLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Horses' hangout"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
  • Similar words include: static, horse barn, unchanging
  • Opposite of: unstable
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STABLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Cosmic cloud"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a medicinal liquid preparation intended for use in an atomizer
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEBULA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Eve's man"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) in judeo-christian mythology; the first man and the husband of eve and the progenitor of the human race
  • Similar words include: disco biscuit, cristal, X
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Passports and driver's licenses, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in the rocky mountains
  • Similar words include: Idaho, id, I.D.
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Aid in making soap"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Per individual"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)
  • Similar words include: for each one, each, to each one
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APIECE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Rehearsal"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUNTHROUGH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Host with a mic"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers)
  • Similar words include: master of ceremonies, host, compere
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMCEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. A world ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remote and separate physically or socially; ; - w.h.hudson
  • Similar words include: obscure, asunder, isolated
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. "Present!""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the present location; this place
  • Similar words include: Hera, hither
  • Opposite of: there
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Hawaiian seafood dish"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tall coarse perennial american herb having small white flowers followed by blackish-red berries on long drooping racemes; young fleshy stems are edible; berries and root are poisonous
  • Similar words include: lagger, slug, poking
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. "Let's go, man!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Demolish"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tear down so as to make flat with the ground
  • Similar words include: tear down, rase, level
  • Opposite of: raise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. First two syllables of "I am what I am," aptly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables
  • Similar words include: iambus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IAMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Farewell in Florence"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is hawaiian and ciao is italian)
  • Similar words include: aloha
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "28. Opportunity to buy some antiques"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTATESALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. Back tooth"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grinding tooth with a broad crown; located behind the premolars
  • Similar words include: grinder
  • Opposite of: molecular
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOLAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Guthrie who sang "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Went by plane"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that travel through the air; be airborne
  • Similar words include: vanish, vaporize, aviate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Convene"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
  • Similar words include: play, foregather, cope with
  • Opposite of: diverge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. What a mosquito bite causes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
  • Similar words include: itchiness, spoil, rub
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Swindling sorts"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prostitute who attracts customers by walking the streets
  • Similar words include: hooker, floozie, wheeler dealer
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUSTLERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Swoleness"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
  • Similar words include: mass, majority, bulge
  • Opposite of: minority
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BULK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Taco ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
  • Similar words include: Vanessa Stephen, campana, ship's bell
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Rewards for excellent employees"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the amount a salary is increased
  • Similar words include: climb, ascent, salary increase
  • Opposite of: lower, descent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAISES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Stereotypical cry after "Honey ...""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. ___ voyage (first trip)"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
  • Similar words include: initiatory, maid, inaugural
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. Caught some Z's"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be able to accommodate for sleeping
  • Similar words include: slumber, log Z's, kip
  • Opposite of: wake
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "47. Product of Maine or Idaho, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edible tuber native to south america; a staple food of ireland
  • Similar words include: Irish potato, white potato, murphy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Jacket"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
  • Similar words include: coating, cake, pelage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Pavlov known for canine experiments"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. Roman emperor who competed in the Olympics (and "won" every event he was in)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that roman emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of rome in 64) but the roman empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)
  • Similar words include: Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "53. Got bigger"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
  • Similar words include: grow, spring up, maturate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GREW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "55. Snookums"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "56. Alternative to JFK and EWR"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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

37 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
76 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: August 03, 2026 at 06:41 AM

Saturday, February 28, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 28, 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

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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. Set unambitious goals 6
2A 7. One playing beerball, perhaps 7
3A 14. Tolkien ring bearer 7
4A 16. Precious person 7
5A 17. Phrase you might say while pointing at a photograph 7
6A 18. Goes against the rule? 7
7A 19. Musical set in Alphabet City 4
8A 20. Term of endearment appropriated from 9-Down 3
9A 22. Part of a Blues Brothers outfit 6
10A 23. Animated friend of Sebastian the crab 5
11A 25. Some arm muscles, informally 4
12A 27. Cassiterite is a source of it 3
13A 28. Robert Frost's middle name 3
14A 29. ___ Allen Express, Amtrak train from New York City to Burlington, Vt. 5
15A 31. Innermost moon of Neptune 5
16A 33. Pressure gauge? 11
17A 35. Past, colloquially 11
18A 36. Symbols used to group blocks of computer code 11
19A 37. Was on the sidelines 5
20A 38. Breathlessness 5
21A 39. Polynesian staple 3
22A 42. Not mainstream, as some music genres 3
23A 43. Fuss 4
24A 44. Weakens, as an overly strong character, in video game lingo 5
25A 46. Angora fabric 6
26A 49. Utmost 3
27A 51. ___ Tung, star of cable TV's "The Summer I Turned Pretty" 4
28A 52. Did a bedtime task 7
29A 54. Modern banking convenience 7
30A 56. Musical sample added for excitement 7
31A 57. Animals in an early-2000s virtual fad 7
32A 58. Entered again 7
33A 59. One might play at home 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Set unambitious goals"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. One playing beerball, perhaps"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Tolkien ring bearer"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Precious person"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Phrase you might say while pointing at a photograph"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Goes against the rule?"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
  • Similar words include: gross out, uprising, insurrection
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REVOLTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Musical set in Alphabet City"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
  • Similar words include: let, lease, snag
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Term of endearment appropriated from 9-Down"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Part of a Blues Brothers outfit"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hat made of felt with a creased crown
  • Similar words include: felt hat, homburg, Stetson
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEDORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. Animated friend of Sebastian the crab"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. Some arm muscles, informally"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "27. Cassiterite is a source of it"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
  • Similar words include: can, Sn, put up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Robert Frost's middle name"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
  • Similar words include: Bruce Lee, Tsung Dao Lee, leeward
  • Opposite of: windward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. ___ Allen Express, Amtrak train from New York City to Burlington, Vt."

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Innermost moon of Neptune"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that submerged aquatic plant having narrow leaves and small flowers; of fresh or brackish water
  • Similar words include: water nymph
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAIAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Pressure gauge?"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Past, colloquially"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Symbols used to group blocks of computer code"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Was on the sidelines"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Breathlessness"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that transient cessation of respiration
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APNEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Polynesian staple"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hawaiian dish of taro root pounded to a paste and often allowed to ferment
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Not mainstream, as some music genres"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
  • Similar words include: elevation, altitude, EL
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Fuss"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that agitation resulting from active worry
  • Similar words include: sweat, gall, swither
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Weakens, as an overly strong character, in video game lingo"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Angora fabric"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fabric made with yarn made from the silky hair of the angora goat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOHAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Utmost"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
  • Similar words include: n-th
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. ___ Tung, star of cable TV's "The Summer I Turned Pretty""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Did a bedtime task"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
  • Similar words include: napped, fleecy, sweep
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRUSHED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Modern banking convenience"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Musical sample added for excitement"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Animals in an early-2000s virtual fad"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Entered again"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. One might play at home"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that reproducer in which two microphones feed two or more loudspeakers to give a three-dimensional effect to the sound
  • Similar words include: two-channel, stereophonic, stereo system
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEREO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Kind of projection 6
2D 2. Call at a roll call 6
3D 3. Big jerk 6
4D 4. Drink often sipped 5
5D 5. Rap pioneers, slangily 3
6D 6. Space to develop as a person? 4
7D 7. In brief, to whom Grover Cleveland once said "I am making a strange wish for you ... that you may never be president of the United States" 3
8D 8. School houses? 5
9D 9. Dialect that is responsible for a large majority of Gen Z slang 4
10D 10. Put one's foot down 4
11D 11. Decorative items worn at Western galas 8
12D 12. Like defendants at court 7
13D 13. Principle of improv comedy 6
14D 15. Gay nightlife spot with a dress requirement 10
15D 21. Error correction tool 9
16D 24. Uncork, so to speak 6
17D 26. Body bronzer 10
18D 30. ___ Story (punny nickname for the "Iliad") 4
19D 31. Like the lion killed by Hercules 6
20D 32. Scientific classification for birds 4
21D 33. Tesla, for one 4
22D 34. Affliction treated with a nit comb 4
23D 35. Acting like a sore loser, informally 8
24D 36. ___ counter 7
25D 37. South Indian lentil stew 6
26D 39. Following etiquette 6
27D 40. Recently 6
28D 41. Declaration after "because" 6
29D 43. French relative 5
30D 45. Skip the ceremony, say 5
31D 47. Like some unmoisturized skin 4
32D 48. Blue-roofed restaurant 4
33D 50. Coral and sand, for two 4
34D 53. Popular role-playing game since 1974, informally 3
35D 55. One whose eyes are "all aglow" in "The Christmas Song" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Kind of projection"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
  • Similar words include: stellar
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTRAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Call at a roll call"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Big jerk"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person of mean disposition
  • Similar words include: unkind person, meany
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEANIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Drink often sipped"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that strong espresso coffee with a topping of frothed steamed milk
  • Similar words include: caffe latte
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LATTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Rap pioneers, slangily"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Space to develop as a person?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hollow muscular organ in the pelvic cavity of females; contains the developing fetus
  • Similar words include: uterus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. In brief, to whom Grover Cleveland once said "I am making a strange wish for you ... that you may never be president of the United States""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that 32nd president of the united states; elected four times; instituted new deal to counter the great depression and led country during world war ii (1882-1945)
  • Similar words include: F. D. Roosevelt, Roosevelt, President Roosevelt
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FDR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. School houses?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
  • Similar words include: Witwatersrand, reef, Reef
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REEFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Dialect that is responsible for a large majority of Gen Z slang"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a nonstandard form of american english characteristically spoken by african americans in the united states
  • Similar words include: Black English Vernacular, African American English, Ebonics
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AAVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Put one's foot down"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that put down or press the foot, place the foot
  • Similar words include: step, trample, tread
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Decorative items worn at Western galas"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Like defendants at court"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Principle of improv comedy"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Gay nightlife spot with a dress requirement"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEATHERBAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Error correction tool"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERASERPEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Uncork, so to speak"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Body bronzer"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INSTANTTAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "30. ___ Story (punny nickname for the "Iliad")"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a system of weights used for precious metals and gemstones; based on a 12-ounce pound and an ounce of 480 grains
  • Similar words include: Ilium, troy weight, Ilion
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. Like the lion killed by Hercules"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Scientific classification for birds"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (ornithology) the class of birds
  • Similar words include: class Aves
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Tesla, for one"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a slavic people who settled in serbia and neighboring areas in the 6th and 7th centuries
  • Similar words include: Serbian
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Affliction treated with a nit comb"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wingless usually flattened bloodsucking insect parasitic on warm-blooded animals
  • Similar words include: insect, biting louse, bird louse
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. Acting like a sore loser, informally"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. ___ counter"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree at one atmosphere pressure; used by nutritionists to characterize the energy-producing potential in food
  • Similar words include: large calorie, small calorie, kilogram calorie
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CALORIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. South Indian lentil stew"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deer of southern asia with antlers that have three tines
  • Similar words include: Cervus unicolor, sambur
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAMBAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Following etiquette"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
  • Similar words include: right
  • Opposite of: improper
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROPER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Recently"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Declaration after "because""

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. French relative"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Skip the ceremony, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that run away secretly with one's beloved
  • Similar words include: run off
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Like some unmoisturized skin"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of a light grey
  • Similar words include: ash-grey, ash-gray
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Blue-roofed restaurant"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Coral and sand, for two"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
  • Similar words include: imbue, hue, chromaticity
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Popular role-playing game since 1974, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "55. One whose eyes are "all aglow" in "The Christmas Song""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small amount (especially of a drink)
  • Similar words include: yearling, summate, tote up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOT

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

33 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
68 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: February 28, 2026 at 04:39 AM