July 29, 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (43 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, July 29, 2019

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (35 Across, 43 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

NYT Monday Crossword Across Clues - July 29, 2019 Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Major uncertainty	5
2A	6. Canvas for a tattoo	4
3A	10. Mae who said "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted"	4
4A	14. "You ___ Beautiful" (Joe Cocker hit)	5
5A	15. Mexican entree in a shell	4
6A	16. Large fair, informally	4
7A	17. Athlete with a mitt	10
8A	19. Bridle strap	4
9A	20. Poker stake	4
10A	21. Bill Clinton's was in the 1990s	3
11A	22. ___ Haute, Ind.	5
12A	23. One going for a stroll among urban greenery	11
13A	26. "Quit wasting time!"	7
14A	30. Abba of Israel	4
15A	31. Even a little	5
16A	32. ___-haw	3
17A	33. Plumbing woe	4
18A	37. Official hearing a case	15
19A	41. Fish that wriggle	4
20A	42. What's dropped off a cigarette	3
21A	43. Words of empathy	5
22A	44. Weights that may be "short" or "long"	4
23A	46. Tevye's occupation in "Fiddler on the Roof"	7
24A	48. Herbie Hancock or Chick Corea	11
25A	52. "Later, amigo!"	5
26A	53. Employ	3
27A	54. Bleats	4
28A	58. William with a state named after him	4
29A	59. Place where 17-, 23-, 37- and 48-Across might be found	10
30A	62. Sheltered from the wind	4
31A	63. Parks in civil rights history	4
32A	64. Language family of Africa	5
33A	65. Loch ___ monster	4
34A	66. "That's enough!"	4
35A	67. Adventurous journey	5

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. Major uncertainty"

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: BIGIF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Canvas for a tattoo"

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 natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
• Words that mean the same thing: shin, cutis, sputter
• 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: SKIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Mae who said "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted""

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 the countries of (originally) europe and (now including) north america and south america
• Words that mean the same thing: due west, Dame Rebecca West, Rebecca West
• The opposite would be: east
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. "You ___ Beautiful" (Joe Cocker hit)"

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: ARESO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Mexican entree in a shell"

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 (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of mexican descent
• Words that mean the same thing: greaser, wetback
• 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: TACO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Large fair, informally"

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 collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display
• Words that mean the same thing: exposition, exhibition
• 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: EXPO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Athlete with a mitt"

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 an athlete who plays baseball
• Words that mean the same thing: baseball player
• 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: BALLPLAYER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Bridle strap"

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 one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
• Words that mean the same thing: rule, rein in, harness
• 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: REIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Poker stake"

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 (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
• 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: ANTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Bill Clinton's was in the 1990s"

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 period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Words that mean the same thing: epoch, earned run average, geological era
• 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: ERA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. ___ Haute, Ind."

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: TERRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. One going for a stroll among urban greenery"

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: PARKVISITOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. "Quit wasting time!""

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: GETBUSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Abba of Israel"

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: EBAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Even a little"

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: ATALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. ___-haw"

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: HEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Plumbing woe"

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 accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape
• Words that mean the same thing: wetting, escape, outflow
• 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: LEAK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Official hearing a case"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: TRIALCOURTJUDGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "41. Fish that wriggle"

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 fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
• Words that mean the same thing: eel
• 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: EELS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "42. What's dropped off a cigarette"

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 residue that remains when something is burned
• Words that mean the same thing: ash tree
• 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: ASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Words of empathy"

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: ICARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "44. Weights that may be "short" or "long""

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 large number or amount
• Words that mean the same thing: short ton, oodles, gross ton
• 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: TONS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Tevye's occupation in "Fiddler on the Roof""

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 delivers milk
• 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: MILKMAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Herbie Hancock or Chick Corea"

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: JAZZPIANIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "52. "Later, amigo!""

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 farewell remark
• Words that mean the same thing: goodbye, good-by, so long
• 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: ADIOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "53. Employ"

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 act of using
• Words that mean the same thing: exercise, use of goods and services, utilization
• 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: USE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "54. Bleats"

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 south african term for `boss'
• Words that mean the same thing: blat, blate, bleat
• 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: BAAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "58. William with a state named after him"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that englishman and quaker who founded the colony of pennsylvania (1644-1718)
• Words that mean the same thing: William Penn, Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania
• 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: PENN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "59. Place where 17-, 23-, 37- and 48-Across might be found"

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: ONTHEBENCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "62. Sheltered from the wind"

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 on or toward the lee
• 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: ALEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "63. Parks in civil rights history"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Rosa
• 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: ROSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "64. Language family of Africa"

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 member of any of a large number of linguistically related peoples of central and south africa
• Words that mean the same thing: Bantoid language
• 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: BANTU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "65. Loch ___ monster"

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 strip of land projecting into a body of water
• Words that mean the same thing: cape
• 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: NESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "66. "That's enough!""

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 event of something ending
• Words that mean the same thing: break, terminate, occlusive
• The opposite would be: continue, continuant consonant
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "67. Adventurous journey"

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 search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
• Words that mean the same thing: pursuance, seeking, pursuit
• 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: QUEST

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Monday Crossword Down Clues - July 29, 2019 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. "Ali ___ and the 40 Thieves"	4
2D	2. Land with an ayatollah	4
3D	3. Hanukkah "moolah"	4
4D	4. ___ of Capri	4
5D	5. Dandyish dresser	3
6D	6. Van Gogh's "The ___ Night"	6
7D	7. Boat you might shoot rapids in	5
8D	8. What a "neat" drink doesn't come with	3
9D	9. Word paired with "neither"	3
10D	10. "How fortunate for us!"	10
11D	11. Apply, as force	5
12D	12. Former vice president Agnew	5
13D	13. Printer cartridge contents	5
14D	18. Meadows	4
15D	22. Airport screening org.	3
16D	23. Tug on	4
17D	24. Turn sharply	4
18D	25. Skeptic's sarcastic comment	4
19D	26. Racehorse's starting point	4
20D	27. Raison d'___	4
21D	28. Pin the ___ on the donkey	4
22D	29. Bomb testing areas	10
23D	32. "Come again?"	3
24D	34. Semihard Dutch cheese	4
25D	35. City that's home to the Taj Mahal	4
26D	36. Sharp-witted	4
27D	38. "Is it O.K., mom?"	4
28D	39. Peak near Olympus	4
29D	40. Leave at the altar	4
30D	45. Special ___ (military missions)	3
31D	46. Event that's an "Oops!"	6
32D	47. "Ah, makes sense"	4
33D	48. Where Honda and Mazda are headquartered	5
34D	49. Grammy-winning singer of "Hello"	5
35D	50. Fan publications, informally	5
36D	51. Bonkers	5
37D	54. Lover boy	4
38D	55. Youngest of the Brontë sisters	4
39D	56. Things passed in Congress	4
40D	57. "___ your piehole!"	4
41D	59. Surgery sites, for short	3
42D	60. Word after waste and want	3
43D	61. Cookout, briefly	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. "Ali ___ and the 40 Thieves""

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 small cake leavened with yeast
• 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: BABA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Land with an ayatollah"

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 theocratic islamic republic in the middle east in western asia; iran was the core of the ancient empire that was known as persia until 1935; rich in oil
• Words that mean the same thing: Islamic Republic of Iran, Persia
• 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: IRAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Hanukkah "moolah""

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 informal terms for money
• Words that mean the same thing: wampum, cabbage, dough
• 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: GELT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. ___ of Capri"

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 small island
• Words that mean the same thing: islet
• 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: ISLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Dandyish dresser"

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 man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
• Words that mean the same thing: swell, dude, gallant
• 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: FOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Van Gogh's "The ___ Night""

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 abounding with or resembling stars
• The opposite would be: starless
• 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: STARRY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Boat you might shoot rapids in"

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 small canoe consisting of a light frame made watertight with animal skins; used by eskimos
• 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: KAYAK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. What a "neat" drink doesn't come with"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that water frozen in the solid state
• Words that mean the same thing: shabu, glass, frost
• 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: ICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Word paired with "neither""

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: NOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "How fortunate for us!""

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: WEREINLUCK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Apply, as force"

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 have and exercise
• Words that mean the same thing: wield, exercise, maintain
• 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: EXERT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Former vice president Agnew"

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: SPIRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Printer cartridge contents"

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 solution containing chemicals that can change the color of a photographic print
• 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: TONER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Meadows"

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 a unit of length of thread or yarn
• Words that mean the same thing: lea, grazing land, pastureland
• 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: LEAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Airport screening org."

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 an agency established in 2001 to safeguard united states transportation systems and insure safe air travel
• Words that mean the same thing: Transportation Security Administration
• 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: TSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Tug on"

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 act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
• Words that mean the same thing: perpetrate, rive, tear
• The opposite would be: push, repel
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PULL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Turn sharply"

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 turn sharply; change direction abruptly
• Words that mean the same thing: slue, cut, swerve
• The opposite would be: back
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Skeptic's sarcastic comment"

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: IBET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Racehorse's starting point"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a movable barrier in a fence or wall
• Words that mean the same thing: logic gate
• 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: GATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Raison d'___"

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: ETRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Pin the ___ on the donkey"

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 the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
• Words that mean the same thing: can, tag, bob
• The opposite would be: head
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "29. Bomb testing areas"

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: BLASTZONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. "Come again?""

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: HUH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Semihard Dutch cheese"

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 25 Down: "35. City that's home to the Taj Mahal"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a city in northern india; former capital of the mogul empire; site of the taj mahal
• 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: AGRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "36. Sharp-witted"

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 a funeral lament sung with loud wailing
• Words that mean the same thing: lancinate, penetrative, knifelike
• 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: KEEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "38. "Is it O.K., mom?""

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: CANI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "39. Peak near Olympus"

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 mouth or mouthlike opening
• Words that mean the same thing: os, osmium, atomic number 76
• 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: OSSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "40. Leave at the altar"

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 woman who jilts a lover
• 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: JILT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Special ___ (military missions)"

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 (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
• 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: OPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "46. Event that's an "Oops!""

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 an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
• Words that mean the same thing: bad luck, misadventure, mischance
• 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: MISHAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "47. "Ah, makes sense""

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: ISEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "48. Where Honda and Mazda are headquartered"

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 string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of asia extending 1,300 miles between the sea of japan and the western pacific ocean
• Words that mean the same thing: Nippon, Japanese Islands, Japanese Archipelago
• 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: JAPAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "49. Grammy-winning singer of "Hello""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

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: ADELE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "50. Fan publications, informally"

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: ZINES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "51. Bonkers"

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: NUTSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "54. Lover boy"

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 man who is the lover of a girl or young woman
• Words that mean the same thing: swell, dude, boyfriend
• 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: BEAU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "55. Youngest of the Brontë sisters"

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 queen of england and scotland and ireland; daughter if james ii and the last of the stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last english ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
• 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: ANNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "56. Things passed in Congress"

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 new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
• Words that mean the same thing: human action, Acts of the Apostles, enactment
• The opposite would be: refrain
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "57. "___ your piehole!""

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 so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
• Words that mean the same thing: closed, exclude, keep out
• The opposite would be: admit, open
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "59. Surgery sites, for short"

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

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: Beaver State, operating room, Oregon
• 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 42 Down: "60. Word after waste and want"

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 negation of a word or group of words
• Words that mean the same thing: non
• 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: NOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 43 Down: "61. Cookout, briefly"

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: BBQ

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	60	76.9%
Short Answer	10	12.8%
Geography	2	2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.6%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
History	1	1.3%
Food & Drink	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	43
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 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 Monday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 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:

• December 12 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 10 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 17 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• March 03 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 07 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 08 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 29 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 07 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 04 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 24 2024 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: October 01, 2025 at 09:42 AM

December 31, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (33 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 31, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (33 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.4 letters

Across Clues Explained - Friday NYT Crossword December 31, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Colorful custardy confection	9
2A	10. Sudden inspirations	5
3A	15. Waltz onomatopoeia	9
4A	16. Love	5
5A	17. Classic diner orders	9
6A	18. Apply, as ointment	5
7A	19. Kitchen brand whose name is an ambigram	3
8A	20. Pit-___	4
9A	21. More might come before it	6
10A	22. Its employees might get under your skin	7
11A	24. Thing with rings	4
12A	25. Legal action	6
13A	28. Some Disney-inspired Halloween costumes	5
14A	30. "___ me!" (request to a fridge-goer)	4
15A	31. Like blue and green ski trails, vis-à-vis black diamonds	6
16A	33. Pep	3
17A	36. Looks the other way	15
18A	39. Modern ___	3
19A	40. "A ___ place is in the House, and in the Senate" (bumper sticker)	6
20A	41. Actress Kendrick	4
21A	42. Sharon's predecessor as Israeli P.M.	5
22A	43. One of the Blues Brothers	6
23A	45. One of the Coen brothers	4
24A	48. Relative by marriage	7
25A	50. Where to do as others do, it's said	6
26A	52. Stain	4
27A	53. Sprinkling	3
28A	56. Canon competitor	5
29A	57. Street featured in Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (that's also 50-Across)	9
30A	59. Still sticky	5
31A	60. Make thin	9
32A	61. Crushes it	5
33A	62. Couple in the back of a car	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. Colorful custardy confection"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

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: FRUITTART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "10. Sudden inspirations"

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 short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
• Words that mean the same thing: pant, gasp, puff
• 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: GASPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. Waltz onomatopoeia"

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: OOMPAHPAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. Love"

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 love intensely
• 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: ADORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. Classic diner orders"

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: TUNAMELTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Apply, as ointment"

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: RUBON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Kitchen brand whose name is an ambigram"

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: OXO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Pit-___"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: APAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. More might come before it"

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: ORLESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Its employees might get under your skin"

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: XRAYLAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "24. Thing with rings"

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 tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
• Words that mean the same thing: shoetree, tree diagram, corner
• 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: TREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Legal action"

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 earnest or urgent request
• Words that mean the same thing: charm, solicitation, prayer
• The opposite would be: repel
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: APPEAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. Some Disney-inspired Halloween costumes"

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: ELSAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. "___ me!" (request to a fridge-goer)"

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 general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
• 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: BEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Like blue and green ski trails, vis-à-vis black diamonds"

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 posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
• Words that mean the same thing: light, sluttish, wanton
• The opposite would be: uneasy, difficult
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASIER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "33. Pep"

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 healthy capacity for vigorous activity
• Words that mean the same thing: vigour, vitality, muscularity
• 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: VIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Looks the other way"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: LETSTHINGSSLIDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "39. Modern ___"

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 period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Words that mean the same thing: earned run average, epoch, geological era
• 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: ERA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. "A ___ place is in the House, and in the Senate" (bumper sticker)"

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 an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
• Words that mean the same thing: charwoman, char, fair sex
• The opposite would be: man
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WOMANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. Actress Kendrick"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a former copper coin of pakistan and india
• 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: ANNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "42. Sharon's predecessor as Israeli P.M."

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: BARAK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "43. One of the Blues Brothers"

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: ELWOOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "45. One of the Coen brothers"

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 hebrew minor prophet
• Words that mean the same thing: Book of Joel
• 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: JOEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Relative by marriage"

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: STEPDAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "50. Where to do as others do, it's said"

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: INROME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "52. Stain"

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 a blemish made by dirt
• Words that mean the same thing: smirch, fleck, stain
• 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: BLOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "53. Sprinkling"

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 small elite group
• The opposite would be: many
• 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: FEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. Canon competitor"

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: LEICA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Street featured in Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (that's also 50-Across)"

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: VIAVENETO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Still sticky"

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 (of a glutinous liquid such as paint) not completely dried and slightly sticky to the touch
• Words that mean the same thing: gaudy, gimcrack, brassy
• 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: TACKY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "60. Make thin"

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 weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance)
• Words that mean the same thing: faded, weakened, rarefy
• 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: ATTENUATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "61. Crushes it"

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 kill intentionally and with premeditation
• Words that mean the same thing: remove, polish off, murder
• 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: SLAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "62. Couple in the back of a car"

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: REARTIRES

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Friday Puzzle December 31, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Snap	4
2D	2. Component of three of the five French "mother sauces"	4
3D	3. "That's ... never gonna happen"	4
4D	4. "Double" or "triple" drink	3
5D	5. Actress Taylor of TV's "Bones"	6
6D	6. Agatha Christie novel named after Death's mount in Revelation	12
7D	7. Make ___ for	5
8D	8. Danger for desert hikers	15
9D	9. Ending with four or six, but not five	3
10D	10. Teri of "Mr. Mom"	4
11D	11. Does laundry or pays bills, in modern lingo	6
12D	12. Clearheaded	5
13D	13. Novel content	5
14D	14. Tell	5
15D	21. Couldn't let go of	12
16D	22. Group portrayed in "Slacker" and "Reality Bites," familiarly	4
17D	23. Straighten	5
18D	25. Proficient	4
19D	26. ___ review	4
20D	27. One quadrillion: Prefix	4
21D	29. Trio of horrors?	3
22D	32. Target	5
23D	33. Rosso o bianco	4
24D	34. Driver's license fig.	4
25D	35. Ren Faire concession	4
26D	37. United competitor, once	3
27D	38. "Heavens!"	4
28D	42. Squarish	6
29D	44. Not yet manifest	6
30D	45. Spurns	5
31D	46. Longtime "Inside the N.B.A." commentator	5
32D	47. Writer Jong	5
33D	49. South America's Río de la ___	5
34D	51. Eponym of the World Series M.V.P. award	4
35D	53. "Have no ___ of perfection - you'll never reach it": Dalí	4
36D	54. Suffix with towel	4
37D	55. Melancholiac's list	4
38D	57. Dictionary abbr.	3
39D	58. Rapa ___ (Easter Island)	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. Snap"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: FOTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Component of three of the five French "mother sauces""

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 mixture of fat and flour heated and used as a basis for sauces
• 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: ROUX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. "That's ... never gonna happen""

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: UMNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. "Double" or "triple" drink"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium 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: IPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Actress Taylor of TV's "Bones""

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

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: TAMARA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Agatha Christie novel named after Death's mount in Revelation"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert 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: THEPALEHORSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Make ___ for"

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: APLAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Danger for desert hikers"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: RATTLESNAKEBITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Ending with four or six, but not five"

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 fifth day of the week; the fourth working day
• Words that mean the same thing: Th, thorium, atomic number 90
• 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: THS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Teri of "Mr. Mom""

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: GARR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Does laundry or pays bills, in modern lingo"

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 a fully developed person from maturity onward
• Words that mean the same thing: grownup, adult
• The opposite would be: juvenile
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADULTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Clearheaded"

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 cause to become sober
• Words that mean the same thing: grave, somber, serious
• The opposite would be: playful, intoxicated
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOBER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Novel content"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
• 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: PROSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Tell"

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 general conscious awareness
• Words that mean the same thing: sensation, sentience, sensory faculty
• 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: SENSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Couldn't let go of"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: OBSESSEDOVER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Group portrayed in "Slacker" and "Reality Bites," familiarly"

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: XERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. Straighten"

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 place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
• Words that mean the same thing: ordinate, aline, adjust
• The opposite would be: skew
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALIGN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Proficient"

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 (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
• Words that mean the same thing: able-bodied, capable
• The opposite would be: unable
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. ___ review"

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 person who is of equal standing with another in a group
• Words that mean the same thing: match, compeer, equal
• 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: PEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. One quadrillion: Prefix"

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: PETA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "29. Trio of horrors?"

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 colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth's atmosphere
• Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 18, Arkansas, ar
• 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: ARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Target"

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: AIMAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Rosso o bianco"

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 fermented juice (of grapes especially)
• Words that mean the same thing: wine
• 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: VINO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Driver's license fig."

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium 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: IDNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. Ren Faire concession"

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 united states anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in polynesian cultures (1901-1978)
• Words that mean the same thing: George Herbert Mead, Margaret Mead
• 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: MEAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. United competitor, once"

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: TWA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "38. "Heavens!""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: LAWD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Squarish"

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 resembling a block in shape
• Words that mean the same thing: blockish
• 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: BLOCKY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Not yet manifest"

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 potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
• 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: LATENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Spurns"

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 woman who jilts a lover
• Words that mean the same thing: jilt
• 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: JILTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "46. Longtime "Inside the N.B.A." commentator"

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: ONEAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "47. Writer Jong"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any plant of the genus erica
• Words that mean the same thing: true heath
• 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: ERICA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "49. South America's Río de la ___"

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: PLATA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "51. Eponym of the World Series M.V.P. award"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states baseball player (born in 1931)
• Words that mean the same thing: English hawthorn, Crataegus oxycantha, May
• 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: MAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "53. "Have no ___ of perfection - you'll never reach it": Dalí"

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 an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
• Words that mean the same thing: venerate, dread, reverence
• The opposite would be: fearlessness
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "54. Suffix with towel"

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: ETTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "55. Melancholiac's list"

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 misery resulting from affliction
• Words that mean the same thing: woe, woefulness, suffering
• 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: WOES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "57. Dictionary abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a unit of electrical power in an ac circuit equal to the power dissipated when 1 volt produces a current of 1 ampere
• Words that mean the same thing: volt-ampere
• 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: VAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "58. Rapa ___ (Easter Island)"

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: NUI

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	54	75.0%
Short Answer	8	11.1%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	4.2%
Literature	3	4.2%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%
Geography	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%
Abbreviation	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	33
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.4 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 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 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!

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 12, 2025 at 07:38 PM