December 26, 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (39 clues)
• Down Clues (40 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

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• May 26 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 13 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 15 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 21 2023 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 26, 2019

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 79 (39 Across, 40 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

December 26, 2019 Thursday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Bind	3
2A	4. It's not much work	3
3A	7. Short	3
4A	10. Average name	3
5A	13. Talk show medium	7
6A	15. Quite an accomplishment	4
7A	17. Señora Perón	3
8A	18. Secret headquarters for Bruce Wayne	7
9A	19. Not be oneself?	8
10A	21. "I've heard everything I need to hear"	17
11A	23. Relative of a haddock	3
12A	25. Moon of Saturn named for a Titaness	4
13A	26. Instant	3
14A	27. Black-and-white predators	5
15A	29. Martin ___, "London Fields" novelist	4
16A	32. Comic strip title character who is Beetle Bailey's sister	4
17A	35. Winter D.C. setting	3
18A	36. Quite an accomplishment	4
19A	38. Do some underground exploring	7
20A	40. Find an ideal compromise	21
21A	43. Transitional zone between two biomes	7
22A	44. Early Cuzco resident	4
23A	45. Pull	3
24A	46. End notes	4
25A	47. Highland tongue	4
26A	49. Aunt ___ of "Oklahoma!"	5
27A	51. Estadio exclamation	3
28A	53. Pie hole	4
29A	55. Places where people may have the knives out for you, in brief	3
30A	56. Classic tune often played by ice cream trucks	16
31A	61. Adjust	8
32A	62. Sport that is the key to interpreting the answers to 21-, 40- and 56-Across	7
33A	66. Consist of	3
34A	67. Get to	4
35A	68. Temporarily inactive	7
36A	69. "That really hurt!"	3
37A	70. Waitress at Mel's Diner	3
38A	71. Magic 8 Ball response	3
39A	72. Prefix with -phyte	3

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. Bind"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that preserve of crushed fruit
• Words that mean the same thing: wad, mess, muddle
• The opposite would be: free
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. It's not much work"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a cgs unit of work or energy; the work done by a force of one dyne acting over a distance of one centimeter
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "7. Short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a quick throw
• Words that mean the same thing: diffident, unsure, timid
• The opposite would be: confident
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "10. Average name"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "13. Talk show medium"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AMRADIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "15. Quite an accomplishment"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
• Words that mean the same thing: coup d'etat, takeover, putsch
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Señora Perón"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EVA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Secret headquarters for Bruce Wayne"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BATCAVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Not be oneself?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that perform on a stage or theater
• Words that mean the same thing: act, playact, play
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROLEPLAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. "I've heard everything I need to hear""

Quick Info: This answer has 17 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SPAREMETHEDETAILS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Relative of a haddock"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the vessel that contains the seeds of a plant (not the seeds themselves)
• Words that mean the same thing: befool, ride, collect
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Moon of Saturn named for a Titaness"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
• Words that mean the same thing: nandu, Rhea americana, Pterocnemia pennata
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RHEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Instant"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the systeme international d'unites
• Words that mean the same thing: s, second, Securities and Exchange Commission
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Black-and-white predators"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas
• Words that mean the same thing: killer, orca, grampus
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORCAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "29. Martin ___, "London Fields" novelist"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AMIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Comic strip title character who is Beetle Bailey's sister"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LOIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Winter D.C. setting"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
• Words that mean the same thing: Eastern Time, Eastern Standard Time
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. Quite an accomplishment"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. Do some underground exploring"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that explore natural caves
• Words that mean the same thing: cave
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPELUNK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. Find an ideal compromise"

Quick Info: This answer has 21 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: STRIKETHERIGHTBALANCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Transitional zone between two biomes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ECOTONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "44. Early Cuzco resident"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
• Words that mean the same thing: Inka, Incan
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INCA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "45. Pull"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a sudden abrupt pull
• Words that mean the same thing: tower, jerk, labor
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TUG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "46. End notes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the closing section of a musical composition
• Words that mean the same thing: finale
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CODA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "47. Highland tongue"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of several related languages of the celts in ireland and scotland
• Words that mean the same thing: Gaelic, Goidelic
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "49. Aunt ___ of "Oklahoma!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ELLER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "51. Estadio exclamation"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Pie hole"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
• Words that mean the same thing: pin down, lying in wait, sand trap
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TRAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "55. Places where people may have the knives out for you, in brief"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
• Words that mean the same thing: surgery, operating room, operating theatre
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Classic tune often played by ice cream trucks"

Quick Info: This answer has 16 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TURKEYINTHESTRAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "61. Adjust"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: REJIGGER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "62. Sport that is the key to interpreting the answers to 21-, 40- and 56-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a game in which balls are rolled at an object or group of objects with the aim of knocking them over or moving them
• Words that mean the same thing: bowl
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOWLING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "66. Consist of"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
• Words that mean the same thing: make up, embody, cost
• The opposite would be: differ
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "67. Get to"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
• Words that mean the same thing: get to, rag, nettle
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RILE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "68. Temporarily inactive"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that inactive but capable of becoming active
• Words that mean the same thing: dormant
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ABEYANT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "69. "That really hurt!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: YOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "70. Waitress at Mel's Diner"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FLO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "71. Magic 8 Ball response"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an affirmative
• The opposite would be: no
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "72. Prefix with -phyte"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (used as a combining form) recent or new
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEO

  Great job if you got it right!

December 26, 2019 Thursday NYT - All Down Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Snarky remark	3
2D	2. Residents' org.	3
3D	3. Muscleman with a mohawk	3
4D	4. Eponymous Dutch town	4
5D	5. Subject of several Georges Seurat paintings	10
6D	6. Doth proceed	5
7D	7. Horror movie staple	6
8D	8. Part of a parka	4
9D	9. Winter season	4
10D	10. Place for cold cuts	11
11D	11. Like skating rinks, typically	4
12D	12. Manners	4
13D	14. Rock group from Sydney	5
14D	16. Vets' charges	4
15D	20. Dish seasoned with saffron	6
16D	22. Uncultivated tract	5
17D	23. Bulk-purchase retailer	6
18D	24. One who closely adheres to the Torah	11
19D	28. Picked locks?	4
20D	30. Some library catalog info, for short	4
21D	31. Magellan, e.g.	10
22D	33. Runs up, as expenses	6
23D	34. Surfboard stabilizer	4
24D	35. Higher-up	4
25D	37. Golden ___	4
26D	39. Carrier that offers only kosher meals	4
27D	41. Bibliographer's phrase of inclusion	6
28D	42. Levels	5
29D	48. Something no single speaker provides	6
30D	50. Menial	5
31D	52. Certain B.S. holder: Abbr.	4
32D	54. Cornered	5
33D	56. Letter in the NATO alphabet	4
34D	57. Prefix with -phyte	4
35D	58. "What a long week!"	4
36D	59. "___ is other people": Sartre	4
37D	60. Commands respect from	4
38D	63. Swimming gold medalist Thorpe	3
39D	64. Columbus-to-Cleveland dir.	3
40D	65. Old Pontiac with a V8 engine	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

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

Clue 1 Down: "1. Snarky remark"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
• Words that mean the same thing: poke, prod, jabbing
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Residents' org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Muscleman with a mohawk"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MRT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Eponymous Dutch town"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that mild yellow dutch cheese made in balls encased in a red covering
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EDAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Subject of several Georges Seurat paintings"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RIVERSEINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Doth proceed"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GOETH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Horror movie staple"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that sharp piercing cry
• Words that mean the same thing: yell, wow, belly laugh
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCREAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Part of a parka"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an aggressive and violent young criminal
• Words that mean the same thing: goon, lens hood, strong-armer
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HOOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Winter season"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that period extending from dec. 24 to jan. 6
• Words that mean the same thing: Noel, Yuletide, Christmastide
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YULE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Place for cold cuts"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DELICOUNTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Like skating rinks, typically"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
• Words that mean the same thing: egg-shaped, elliptic, elliptical
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OVAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Manners"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
• Words that mean the same thing: way of life, mode, agency
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. Rock group from Sydney"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AC/DC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "16. Vets' charges"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
• Words that mean the same thing: ducky, PET, dearie
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "20. Dish seasoned with saffron"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about food & drink.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that saffron-flavored dish made of rice with shellfish and chicken
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAELLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Uncultivated tract"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a low evergreen shrub of the family ericaceae; has small bell-shaped pink or purple flowers
• Words that mean the same thing: heathland
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEATH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. Bulk-purchase retailer"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: COSTCO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "24. One who closely adheres to the Torah"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ORTHODOXJEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Picked locks?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a rounded thickly curled hairdo
• Words that mean the same thing: Afro hairdo
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AFRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Some library catalog info, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ISBN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. Magellan, e.g."

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SPACEPROBE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Runs up, as expenses"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
• Words that mean the same thing: find, get, incur
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INCURS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "34. Surfboard stabilizer"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a brace that extends from the rear of the keel to support the rudderpost
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SKEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Higher-up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the chief executive department of the united states government
• Words that mean the same thing: White House
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "37. Golden ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AGER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Carrier that offers only kosher meals"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about food & drink.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ELAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Bibliographer's phrase of inclusion"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ETALII

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Levels"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
• Words that mean the same thing: tier up, tier, grade
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "48. Something no single speaker provides"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that reproducer in which two microphones feed two or more loudspeakers to give a three-dimensional effect to the sound
• Words that mean the same thing: stereoscopic photograph, stereophony, stereoscopic picture
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STEREO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "50. Menial"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that low or inferior in station or quality
• Words that mean the same thing: petty, junior-grade, modest
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOWLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "52. Certain B.S. holder: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ENGR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "54. Cornered"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATBAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "56. Letter in the NATO alphabet"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: XRAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "57. Prefix with -phyte"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: XERO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "58. "What a long week!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TGIF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "59. "___ is other people": Sartre"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any place of pain and turmoil
• Words that mean the same thing: Scheol, hellhole, sin
• The opposite would be: Heaven
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HELL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "60. Commands respect from"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
• Words that mean the same thing: reverence, veneration, awe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AWES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "63. Swimming gold medalist Thorpe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "64. Columbus-to-Cleveland dir."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the compass point that is midway between north and northeast
• Words that mean the same thing: nor'-nor'-east, north northeast
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "65. Old Pontiac with a V8 engine"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	49	62.0%
Short Answer	21	26.6%
History	2	2.5%
Food & Drink	2	2.5%
Abbreviation	2	2.5%
Literature	1	1.3%
Sports	1	1.3%
Movies/Film	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	39
Down Clues	40
Total Clues	79
Average Answer Length	5.2 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	21 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

More Crossword Resources

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

• July 13 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 08 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 27 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 17 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 11 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 21 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 15 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 26 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 16 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 29 2020 NYT Clues Solutions

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

Last Updated: September 28, 2025 at 04:24 AM

August 20, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (31 clues)
• Down Clues (35 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

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• Xwordhint Crossword Answers June 30
• March 15 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 29 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 06 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 22 2023 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, August 20, 2021

Difficulty Level: Challenging Thursday Puzzle

Total Clues: 66 (31 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 6.0 letters

August 20, 2021 Across Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Everyone's talking about them	9
2A	10. Kind of infection	5
3A	15. Water color	9
4A	16. See 22-Across	5
5A	17. Routine part of a routine	9
6A	18. Joe Louis in Detroit, for one	5
7A	19. Controls	5
8A	20. Executive check	9
9A	22. 16-Across squared	4
10A	24. Cowboys' headgear	7
11A	25. Who said "The greatest victory is that which requires no battle"	6
12A	28. Short accompanying article	7
13A	29. Near	9
14A	31. Surname of father-and-son N.B.A. coaches Paul and Stephen	5
15A	33. Passing stat: Abbr.	3
16A	34. Border county of New York or Pennsylvania	5
17A	36. Ear-related prefix	3
18A	37. More widespread	5
19A	40. Provider of inside info?	9
20A	43. Natalie of "Today"	7
21A	45. Like best friends	6
22A	46. "Saving Private Ryan" or "Apocalypse Now"	7
23A	47. Martin who directed "Norma Rae"	4
24A	48. Superhero misidentification	9
25A	50. Sickens with sweetness	5
26A	54. Apt surname for a librarian	5
27A	55. Kowtowed (to)	9
28A	57. Aunt in "Oklahoma!"	5
29A	58. Patronizing types	9
30A	59. Certain textile workers	5
31A	60. Took control of	9

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. Everyone's talking about them"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HOTTOPICS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "10. Kind of infection"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that spherical gram-positive parasitic bacteria that tend to form irregular colonies; some cause boils or septicemia or infections
• Words that mean the same thing: staphylococci, staphylococcus
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STAPH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. Water color"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OCEANBLUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. See 22-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
• Words that mean the same thing: threesome, deuce-ace, trio
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. Routine part of a routine"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: STALEJOKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Joe Louis in Detroit, for one"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a particular environment or walk of life
• Words that mean the same thing: bowl, area, stadium
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARENA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Controls"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that correct by punishment or discipline
• Words that mean the same thing: tone down, moderate, domesticise
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAMES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Executive check"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: VETOPOWER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "22. 16-Across squared"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
• Words that mean the same thing: baseball club, IX, club
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "24. Cowboys' headgear"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that armor plate that protects the head
• Words that mean the same thing: helmet
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HELMETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "25. Who said "The greatest victory is that which requires no battle""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SUNTZU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "28. Short accompanying article"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (law) a courtroom conference between the lawyers and the judge that is held out of the jury's hearing
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SIDEBAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. Near"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CLOSEINON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Surname of father-and-son N.B.A. coaches Paul and Stephen"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SILAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "33. Passing stat: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. Border county of New York or Pennsylvania"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TIOGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Ear-related prefix"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of the siouan people inhabiting the valleys of the platte and missouri rivers in nebraska
• Words that mean the same thing: Otoe
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. More widespread"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that most frequent or common
• Words that mean the same thing: overabundant, dominant, predominant
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RIFER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. Provider of inside info?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CTSCANNER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "43. Natalie of "Today""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a state of individual psychological well-being based upon a sense of confidence and usefulness and purpose
• Words that mean the same thing: esprit de corps, team spirit, morale
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MORALES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "45. Like best friends"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that consistent with fact or reality; not false; ; - b. russell
• Words that mean the same thing: dependable, reliable, lawful
• The opposite would be: untruthful, false
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TRUEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "46. "Saving Private Ryan" or "Apocalypse Now""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WAREPIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "47. Martin who directed "Norma Rae""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RITT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Superhero misidentification"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ITSAPLANE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "50. Sickens with sweetness"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that supply or feed to surfeit
• Words that mean the same thing: cloy, surfeit, pall
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLOYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "54. Apt surname for a librarian"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: READE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "55. Kowtowed (to)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TOADIEDUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "57. Aunt in "Oklahoma!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ELLER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "58. Patronizing types"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that customers collectively
• Words that mean the same thing: business, patronage
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLIENTELE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Certain textile workers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone whose job is to dye cloth
• Words that mean the same thing: dyer
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DYERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "60. Took control of"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that put a harness
• Words that mean the same thing: rule, rein in, rein
• The opposite would be: unharness
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HARNESSED

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Friday Crossword Down Clues - August 20, 2021 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Hope at the Oscars, e.g.	4
2D	2. Half of hexadeca-	4
3D	3. A's, but not B's or C's	4
4D	4. Singing and dancing, say	7
5D	5. Descriptor for most scarves, but not gloves	7
6D	6. Sticky sandwich, for short	3
7D	7. Words before "New York" and "Paris," in song titles	5
8D	8. Salad veggie	4
9D	9. Hallucinate	9
10D	10. Big box store that sells boxes	7
11D	11. Blood clots	7
12D	12. Question of humanity that has never been answered	10
13D	13. Gets through	10
14D	14. Gets word	5
15D	21. Ref. work that took more than 70 years to complete	3
16D	23. Ravel's "Gaspard de la ___"	4
17D	25. ___ for life	4
18D	26. In the end	10
19D	27. Off the market	10
20D	28. Covers with chimney grime	5
21D	30. Compliment to an outfielder	9
22D	32. Excel command	4
23D	35. Dramatic beginning	4
24D	38. Travel item for bookworms	7
25D	39. Rick Ross, Roddy Ricch and Rakim	7
26D	41. French film festival fare	7
27D	42. Snacks for squirrels	7
28D	44. Short, for short	3
29D	46. Maybe too alert	5
30D	47. Syndicate, in a way	5
31D	49. City at one end of Lake Pontchartrain, for short	4
32D	51. They can be Sapphic	4
33D	52. Log time	4
34D	53. Catalyzed, with "up"	4
35D	56. Cubby hole?	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

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

Clue 1 Down: "1. Hope at the Oscars, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
• Words that mean the same thing: master of ceremonies, legion, emcee
• The opposite would be: parasite
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HOST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Half of hexadeca-"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OCTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. A's, but not B's or C's"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
• Words that mean the same thing: squad, team up
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Singing and dancing, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that natural abilities or qualities
• Words that mean the same thing: endowment, gift, talent
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TALENTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Descriptor for most scarves, but not gloves"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONESIZE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Sticky sandwich, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PBJ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Words before "New York" and "Paris," in song titles"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ILOVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Salad veggie"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that cylindrical green fruit with thin green rind and white flesh eaten as a vegetable; related to melons
• Words that mean the same thing: cucumber
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CUKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Hallucinate"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SEETHINGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Big box store that sells boxes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (usually plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant
• Words that mean the same thing: basic, raw material, staple fiber
• The opposite would be: unstaple
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STAPLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Blood clots"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a blood clot formed within a blood vessel and remaining attached to its place of origin
• Words that mean the same thing: thrombus
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THROMBI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Question of humanity that has never been answered"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AREWEALONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Gets through"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
• Words that mean the same thing: come home, pervade, get across
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PENETRATES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Gets word"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
• Words that mean the same thing: get wind, try, learn
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Ref. work that took more than 70 years to complete"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an unabridged dictionary constructed on historical principles
• Words that mean the same thing: Oxford English Dictionary, O.E.D.
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Ravel's "Gaspard de la ___""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NUIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. ___ for life"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a mark left (usually on the skin) by the healing of injured tissue
• Words that mean the same thing: pit, pock, scratch
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. In the end"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that as the end result of a succession or process
• Words that mean the same thing: in the end, at long last, at last
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ULTIMATELY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Off the market"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOTFORSALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "28. Covers with chimney grime"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SOOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Compliment to an outfielder"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NICECATCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Excel command"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
• Words that mean the same thing: class, sieve, classify
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SORT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Dramatic beginning"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ACTI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "38. Travel item for bookworms"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EREADER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. Rick Ross, Roddy Ricch and Rakim"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone who performs rap music
• Words that mean the same thing: doorknocker, knocker, rapper
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAPPERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "41. French film festival fare"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ARTCINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Snacks for squirrels"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small nut
• Words that mean the same thing: nutlet
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NUTLETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Short, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "46. Maybe too alert"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that provide with electrical circuits
• Words that mean the same thing: cable, pumped, electrify
• The opposite would be: wireless, unwire
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WIRED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "47. Syndicate, in a way"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: REAIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. City at one end of Lake Pontchartrain, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. They can be Sapphic"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
• Words that mean the same thing: ode
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Log time"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that period extending from dec. 24 to jan. 6
• Words that mean the same thing: Noel, Christmastime, Yuletide
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YULE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Catalyzed, with "up""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that move faster
• Words that mean the same thing: travel rapidly, hotfoot, step on it
• The opposite would be: linger, decelerate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "56. Cubby hole?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the habitation of wild animals
• Words that mean the same thing: hideout, lair, hideaway
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	55	83.3%
Abbreviation	3	4.5%
Short Answer	3	4.5%
Movies/Film	2	3.0%
Music	1	1.5%
Literature	1	1.5%
Geography	1	1.5%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	31
Down Clues	35
Total Clues	66
Average Answer Length	6.0 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	10 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Friday, and these puzzles are usually challenging level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 6 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

More Crossword Resources

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

• January 06 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers June 30
• October 13 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 07 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• March 15 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• October 18 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers September_5
• May 26 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 22 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• NYT Crossword January 05 1990 Xwordhint

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

Last Updated: September 15, 2025 at 01:28 PM