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Wednesday, July 29, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 29, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Marx with a manifesto 4
2A 5. ___ Romeo 4
3A 9. Tracker in a speed trap 5
4A 14. Offshore 4
5A 15. Into oneself 4
6A 16. Optics, so to speak 5
7A 17. Part of a story line 9
8A 19. Some golf shirts 5
9A 20. I came uninvited 12
10A 22. "Black Panther" actress Bassett 6
11A 23. French city on the Rhone 4
12A 24. Deg. for a writer 3
13A 27. Pop in the Midwest? 4
14A 29. Some postpartum exercises 6
15A 31. Not yet decided, for short 3
16A 34. I saw the future 11
17A 37. ___ 51, highly classified Nevada facility 4
18A 39. Wrath 3
19A 40. Fishy Hawaiian dish 4
20A 41. I conquered "Jeopardy!" for 74 days straight 11
21A 46. Action between a bump and a spike 3
22A 47. "We're on!" 6
23A 48. "Roll the ___!" 4
24A 50. Abbr. before some hotel numbers 3
25A 51. Feature of a slasher film 4
26A 54. Haphazard 6
27A 58. Classic quotation that might be said by 20-, 34- and 41-Across? 12
28A 60. Direction in a challah recipe 5
29A 63. After 11:30 p.m., say 9
30A 64. Longtime Stallone role 5
31A 65. 2025 Ron Howard survival thriller 4
32A 66. Home of County Donegal 4
33A 67. Colorado resort town 5
34A 68. Blue side, informally 4
35A 69. Platform for Street Fighter II and Mario Paint, informally 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Marx with a manifesto"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. ___ Romeo"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Tracker in a speed trap"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that measuring instrument in which the echo of a pulse of microwave radiation is used to detect and locate distant objects
  • Similar words include: radiolocation, radio detection and ranging, microwave radar
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RADAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Offshore"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in the direction of the sea
  • Similar words include: seaward, seawards
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Into oneself"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
  • Similar words include: swollen-headed, egotistical, egotistic
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Optics, so to speak"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an iconic mental representation
  • Similar words include: range of a function, fancy, envision
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Part of a story line"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Some golf shirts"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that venetian traveler who explored asia in the 13th century and served kublai khan (1254-1324)
  • Similar words include: Marco Polo, Polo, polo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POLOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. I came uninvited"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARTYCRASHER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. "Black Panther" actress Bassett"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. French city on the Rhone"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in east-central france on the rhone river; a principal producer of silk and rayon
  • Similar words include: Lyons
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Deg. for a writer"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a master's degree in fine arts
  • Similar words include: Master of Fine Arts
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MFA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Pop in the Midwest?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Some postpartum exercises"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Not yet decided, for short"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. I saw the future"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french astrologer who wrote cryptic predictions whose interpretations are still being debated (1503-1566)
  • Similar words include: Michel de Notredame
  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOSTRADAMUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "37. ___ 51, highly classified Nevada facility"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Wrath"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
  • Similar words include: anger, choler, ira
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Fishy Hawaiian dish"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. I conquered "Jeopardy!" for 74 days straight"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "46. Action between a bump and a spike"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: jell, Seth, solidification
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. "We're on!""

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. "Roll the ___!""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening
  • Similar words include: tape recording, magnetic tape, tape measure
  • Opposite of: erase
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Abbr. before some hotel numbers"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Feature of a slasher film"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that vice president of the united states under bill clinton (born in 1948)
  • Similar words include: Albert Gore Jr., panel, Al Gore
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Haphazard"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
  • Opposite of: nonrandom
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANDOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "58. Classic quotation that might be said by 20-, 34- and 41-Across?"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VENIVIDIVICI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "60. Direction in a challah recipe"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
  • Similar words include: lace, braiding, gold braid
  • Opposite of: unbraid
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "63. After 11:30 p.m., say"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "64. Longtime Stallone role"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "65. 2025 Ron Howard survival thriller"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
  • Similar words include: Shangri-la, promised land, Garden of Eden
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. Home of County Donegal"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of ireland; achieved independence from the united kingdom in 1921
  • Similar words include: Irish Republic, Ireland, Republic of Ireland
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Colorado resort town"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of several trees of the genus populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASPEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Blue side, informally"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Platform for Street Fighter II and Mario Paint, informally"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Head of Kronos? 5
2D 2. Narnia lion 5
3D 3. Corp. shake-up 5
4D 4. Drinks that may be prepared with a steam wand 6
5D 5. Green toast spread 7
6D 6. Hideout 4
7D 7. Championship game 5
8D 8. Raring to go, say 5
9D 9. Now blue, as a blueberry 7
10D 10. Mi ___ (Spanish term of endearment) 4
11D 11. Lentil dish 3
12D 12. In the past 3
13D 13. Lo-___ 3
14D 18. Traffic marker 5
15D 21. Trendy sneaker brand 4
16D 24. Workplace notes 5
17D 25. It's unlikely to happen again 5
18D 26. It's of use 5
19D 28. "Like ..." 4
20D 30. Word after age or before year 3
21D 31. Chips with a "Blue Heat" flavor 5
22D 32. Name inside of a libretto? 5
23D 33. Packed in 5
24D 35. Prefix with state or county 3
25D 36. "Seasons of Love" musical 4
26D 38. ___ Wilson, four-time W.N.B.A. M.V.P. 3
27D 42. Encouraged, as a troublemaker 7
28D 43. 12, say 4
29D 44. Sites of large beds 7
30D 45. Source of Manchego cheese 5
31D 49. Exhibits one of the seven deadly sins 6
32D 52. Irritated 5
33D 53. Dodge 5
34D 55. "Soup's on!" 5
35D 56. Earthy tone 5
36D 57. Some skin irritants 5
37D 58. Get on (with) 4
38D 59. Pair in the press 4
39D 60. Supportive garment 3
40D 61. Dorm V.I.P.s 3
41D 62. Bit of gig gear 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Head of Kronos?"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 10th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAPPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Narnia lion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Corp. shake-up"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Drinks that may be prepared with a steam wand"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Green toast spread"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pear-shaped tropical fruit with green or blackish skin and rich yellowish pulp enclosing a single large seed
  • Similar words include: aguacate, alligator pear, avocado tree
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVOCADO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Hideout"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: den
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Championship game"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the final match between the winners of all previous matches in an elimination tournament
  • Similar words include: final exam, net, concluding
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FINAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Raring to go, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that nervous and unable to relax
  • Similar words include: itchy, fretful, fidgety
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Now blue, as a blueberry"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to ripen or develop fully
  • Similar words include: aged, mature, ripen
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIPENED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Mi ___ (Spanish term of endearment)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (roman mythology) god of love; counterpart of greek eros
  • Similar words include: Cupid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Lentil dish"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 10 liters
  • Similar words include: dkl, dekalitre, decaliter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. In the past"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gone by; or in the past
  • Similar words include: agone
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Lo-___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells
  • Similar words include: reticuloendothelial system, Re, re
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Traffic marker"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tower for guiding pilots or marking the turning point in a race
  • Similar words include: power pylon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PYLON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Trendy sneaker brand"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a north american indian people speaking one of the hokan languages
  • Similar words include: Hokan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOKA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Workplace notes"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a written proposal or reminder
  • Similar words include: memo, memorandum, memoranda
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEMOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. It's unlikely to happen again"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a stroke of luck
  • Similar words include: good luck, trematode, good fortune
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLUKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. It's of use"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a useful or valuable quality
  • Similar words include: plus
  • Opposite of: liability
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. "Like ...""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seventh month of the hindu calendar
  • Similar words include: Asvina
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Word after age or before year"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
  • Similar words include: break, opening, breach
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Chips with a "Blue Heat" flavor"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Name inside of a libretto?"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Packed in"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
  • Similar words include: dull, impenetrable, slow
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Prefix with state or county"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. "Seasons of Love" musical"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. ___ Wilson, four-time W.N.B.A. M.V.P."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Encouraged, as a troublemaker"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. 12, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the middle of the day
  • Similar words include: high noon, noonday, twelve noon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Sites of large beds"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
  • Similar words include: garden
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GARDENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Source of Manchego cheese"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern europe on the iberian peninsula; a former colonial power
  • Similar words include: Kingdom of Spain, Espana
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Exhibits one of the seven deadly sins"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another
  • Similar words include: envy, begrudge, invidia
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENVIES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. Irritated"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
  • Similar words include: annoy, vex, get at
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RILED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. Dodge"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
  • Similar words include: hedge, dodge, put off
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. "Soup's on!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Earthy tone"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various earths containing silica and alumina and ferric oxide; used as a pigment
  • Similar words include: ocher
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OCHRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Some skin irritants"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slight but appreciable amount
  • Similar words include: tinge, mite, speck
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. Get on (with)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinctive emotional aura experienced instinctively
  • Similar words include: vibration
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VIBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Pair in the press"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
  • Similar words include: token, point, detail
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. Supportive garment"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an undergarment worn by women to support their breasts
  • Similar words include: bandeau, brassiere
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "61. Dorm V.I.P.s"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function
  • Similar words include: right ascension, Re, radium
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "62. Bit of gig gear"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of electric current adopted under the systeme international d'unites
  • Similar words include: adenylic acid, ampere, adenosine monophosphate
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

Last updated: July 29, 2026 at 06:11 AM

Saturday, February 28, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 28, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Set unambitious goals 6
2A 7. One playing beerball, perhaps 7
3A 14. Tolkien ring bearer 7
4A 16. Precious person 7
5A 17. Phrase you might say while pointing at a photograph 7
6A 18. Goes against the rule? 7
7A 19. Musical set in Alphabet City 4
8A 20. Term of endearment appropriated from 9-Down 3
9A 22. Part of a Blues Brothers outfit 6
10A 23. Animated friend of Sebastian the crab 5
11A 25. Some arm muscles, informally 4
12A 27. Cassiterite is a source of it 3
13A 28. Robert Frost's middle name 3
14A 29. ___ Allen Express, Amtrak train from New York City to Burlington, Vt. 5
15A 31. Innermost moon of Neptune 5
16A 33. Pressure gauge? 11
17A 35. Past, colloquially 11
18A 36. Symbols used to group blocks of computer code 11
19A 37. Was on the sidelines 5
20A 38. Breathlessness 5
21A 39. Polynesian staple 3
22A 42. Not mainstream, as some music genres 3
23A 43. Fuss 4
24A 44. Weakens, as an overly strong character, in video game lingo 5
25A 46. Angora fabric 6
26A 49. Utmost 3
27A 51. ___ Tung, star of cable TV's "The Summer I Turned Pretty" 4
28A 52. Did a bedtime task 7
29A 54. Modern banking convenience 7
30A 56. Musical sample added for excitement 7
31A 57. Animals in an early-2000s virtual fad 7
32A 58. Entered again 7
33A 59. One might play at home 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Set unambitious goals"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Tolkien ring bearer"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Precious person"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Innermost moon of Neptune"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Pressure gauge?"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Past, colloquially"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Was on the sidelines"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Breathlessness"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Polynesian staple"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Fuss"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Angora fabric"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Utmost"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "52. Did a bedtime task"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Modern banking convenience"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Entered again"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

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

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Kind of projection"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Big jerk"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Drink often sipped"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Rap pioneers, slangily"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. School houses?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Like defendants at court"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Principle of improv comedy"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Error correction tool"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Body bronzer"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Scientific classification for birds"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Tesla, for one"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. ___ counter"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. South Indian lentil stew"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Following etiquette"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Recently"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. French relative"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Like some unmoisturized skin"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Blue-roofed restaurant"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

33 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
68 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: February 28, 2026 at 04:39 AM