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

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Today's Down Crossword NYT October 30, 2025 - Every Vertical Solution Explained

NYT Crossword Down October 30, 2025: All 39 Vertical Answers & Strategic Tips

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 39 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: April 02 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | November 13 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | September 18 2021 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for October 30, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Thursday, October 30, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date October 30, 2025
Day of Week Thursday
Total Down Clues 39 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Medium

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 39 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Soup stock in Japanese cuisine
2 Down 2. *The ones over there
3 Down 3. Washington, Jefferson or Madison
4 Down 4. Already heard, say
5 Down 5. *One selling commercial time, informally
6 Down 6. Takes in
7 Down 7. The Marlins, on scoreboards
8 Down 8. Lewis Carroll or George Orwell
9 Down 9. *It's used to scrub in the tub
10 Down 10. Jubilant postgame report
11 Down 11. Show up unannounced?
12 Down 12. *Some Scandinavian money
13 Down 13. Indicated
14 Down 21. Irritated
15 Down 23. Old enough
16 Down 26. Symbol for the ratio of a circle's circumference to its radius
17 Down 29. *Stand before a meeting
18 Down 32. *Genre for Aretha Franklin or Usher
19 Down 33. One might start "Your Social Security number has been compromised"
20 Down 34. Rate
21 Down 37. Chicago exchange, for short
22 Down 38. Certain attachments
23 Down 40. Flour used in Indian flatbreads
24 Down 41. Kiss in a telenovela
25 Down 44. Calls to court
26 Down 45. *Your home
27 Down 46. Voice command to an Android device
28 Down 51. Fool's gold
29 Down 52. Write, as music
30 Down 53. Symbol of authority
31 Down 54. Small dessert sandwiches
32 Down 55. Left of center?
33 Down 56. Get ready to have one's tonsils checked, perhaps
34 Down 59. Wanders
35 Down 60. World capital on the world's longest river
36 Down 61. Family name with an eponymous Row, Court, Place and Avenue in New York City
37 Down 62. Composer Jule
38 Down 67. Slangy refusal
39 Down 69. Fish also known as a batomorph

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

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

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. Soup stock in Japanese cuisine"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: D___I
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DASHI


2 Down: "2. *The ones over there"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E___S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ETHOS


3 Down: "3. Washington, Jefferson or Madison"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: S________R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: an American who lives in the South
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOUTHERNER


4 Down: "4. Already heard, say"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'K' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: K__W
  • Similar words: make out, acknowledge
  • Opposite of: ignore
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer KNEW


5 Down: "5. *One selling commercial time, informally"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P___E
  • Similar words: sky pilot, Holy Joe
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a chaplain in one of the military services
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PADRE


6 Down: "6. Takes in"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A_____S
  • Similar words: hitch, catch
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARRESTS


7 Down: "7. The Marlins, on scoreboards"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MIA


8 Down: "8. Lewis Carroll or George Orwell"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P_____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PENNAME


9 Down: "9. *It's used to scrub in the tub"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'F'
  • Word pattern: A___F
  • Similar words: upstage, distant
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: remote in manner
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ALOOF


10 Down: "10. Jubilant postgame report"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: I__N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IWON


11 Down: "11. Show up unannounced?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: M________O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MAKEACAMEO


12 Down: "12. *Some Scandinavian money"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: A___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer AKRON


13 Down: "13. Indicated"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: M___T
  • Similar words: think of, intend
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: mean or intend to express or convey
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MEANT


14 Down: "21. Irritated"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: I___D
  • Similar words: irk, gall
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: irritate or vex
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer IRKED


15 Down: "23. Old enough"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OFAGE


16 Down: "26. Symbol for the ratio of a circle's circumference to its radius"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'U'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TAU


17 Down: "29. *Stand before a meeting"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: L___E
  • Similar words: hire, take
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: property that is leased or rented out or let
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LEASE


18 Down: "32. *Genre for Aretha Franklin or Usher"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: B___D
  • Similar words: stigmatise, make
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a name given to a product or service
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BRAND


19 Down: "33. One might start "Your Social Security number has been compromised""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: S__M
  • Similar words: cozenage, goldbrick
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a fraudulent business scheme
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SCAM


20 Down: "34. Rate"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P__E
  • Similar words: tempo, stride
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PACE


21 Down: "37. Chicago exchange, for short"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'C'
  • Word pattern: M__C
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MERC


22 Down: "38. Certain attachments"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P__S
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PDFS


23 Down: "40. Flour used in Indian flatbreads"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A__A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ATTA


24 Down: "41. Kiss in a telenovela"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: B__O
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BESO


25 Down: "44. Calls to court"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A______S
  • Similar words: arraign
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: call before a court to answer an indictment
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARRAIGNS


26 Down: "45. *Your home"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: H___T
  • Similar words: nitty-gritty, center
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the locus of feelings and intuitions
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HEART


27 Down: "46. Voice command to an Android device"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OKGOOGLE


28 Down: "51. Fool's gold"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P____E
  • Similar words: fool's gold, iron pyrite
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PYRITE


29 Down: "52. Write, as music"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: N____E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: put into notation
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NOTATE


30 Down: "53. Symbol of authority"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: B___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer BADGE


31 Down: "54. Small dessert sandwiches"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O___S
  • Similar words: oreo, oreo cookie
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OREOS


32 Down: "55. Left of center?"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'C'
  • Word pattern: S___C
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SOFTC


33 Down: "56. Get ready to have one's tonsils checked, perhaps"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: S___H
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SAYAH


34 Down: "59. Wanders"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: R___S
  • Similar words: cast, range
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: move about aimlessly or without any destination
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ROVES


35 Down: "60. World capital on the world's longest river"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: C___O
  • Similar words: Al Qahira, El Qahira
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CAIRO


36 Down: "61. Family name with an eponymous Row, Court, Place and Avenue in New York City"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: A___R
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASTOR


37 Down: "62. Composer Jule"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: S___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer STYNE


38 Down: "67. Slangy refusal"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'W'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NAW


39 Down: "69. Fish also known as a batomorph"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'Y'
  • Similar words: electron beam, ray of light
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a column of light (as from a beacon)
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RAY

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 39 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: October 30, 2025 at 05:13 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, October 30 2025 down clues

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 30, 2025 | 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: Moderate

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. Place for a pencil sharpener 4
2A 5. Argentine plain 5
3A 10. Prayer leader 4
4A 14. Droves 4
5A 15. Disney princess who longs to be "part of that world" 5
6A 16. Come to 4
7A 17. Either acting sibling Andrew or Elisabeth 4
8A 18. What pulls out all the stops? 5
9A 19. Food generally known outside the U.S. as "lady's fingers" 4
10A 20. Start illegally, say 7
11A 22. What every baseball inning starts with 7
12A 24. "Kind of" suffix 3
13A 25. Shore up the ranks 7
14A 27. Little pest 3
15A 28. Animal with a white rump 3
16A 30. Highlands hat 3
17A 31. Epitome of simplicity 3
18A 33. Binge 5
19A 35. "I'll ___ you!" 3
20A 36. Pop-pop 5
21A 39. Country sharing the world's longest international border 6
22A 41. Showed great pride, in a way 6
23A 42. Desirable Vegas couple? 4
24A 43. Lake in the homeland of the Washoe people 5
25A 47. ___ Blaster (toy) 4
26A 48. Inconsequential 4
27A 49. Journeys by foot 5
28A 50. Ones eliciting knee-jerk reactions, informally? 4
29A 51. Exemplar 7
30A 53. Having a strong sense of direction? 5
31A 57. Likely oriented toward platonic relationships, in brief 3
32A 58. Members of the dolphin family that prey on dolphins 5
33A 63. Like a revving engine 5
34A 64. Skater Midori 3
35A 65. Words after "ding, ding, ding" 5
36A 66. With 68-Across, "Wicked" song suggested by the answers to the seven starred clues (and whose singer is spelled by the circled letters reading from left to right) 7
37A 68. See 66-Across 7
38A 70. Bronzed 7
39A 71. Not just yet 7
40A 72. Abjures 7
41A 73. Target of urban renewal, say 7

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Place for a pencil sharpener"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DESK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Argentine plain"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Prayer leader"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (islam) the man who leads prayers in a mosque; for shiites an imam is a recognized authority on islamic theology and law and a spiritual guide
  • Similar words include: imaum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Droves"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sun (or solar disc) which was the deity of a monotheistic cult under the pharaoh akhenaten
  • Similar words include: Aten
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Disney princess who longs to be "part of that world""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Come to"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
  • Similar words include: viewing, ignite, fire up
  • Opposite of: sleep, cause to sleep
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Either acting sibling Andrew or Elisabeth"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. What pulls out all the stops?"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Food generally known outside the U.S. as "lady's fingers""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long green edible beaked pods of the okra plant
  • Similar words include: gumbo, lady's-finger, okra plant
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OKRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Start illegally, say"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. What every baseball inning starts with"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. "Kind of" suffix"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Shore up the ranks"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Little pest"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
  • Similar words include: pismire, emmet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Animal with a white rump"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called `elk' in europe and `moose' in north america
  • Similar words include: moose, Cervus elaphus canadensis, Alces alces
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. Highlands hat"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woolen cap of scottish origin
  • Similar words include: tammy, tam-o'-shanter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Epitome of simplicity"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)
  • Similar words include: first principle, ABCs, rudiment
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Binge"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brief indulgence of your impulses
  • Similar words include: fling
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. "I'll ___ you!""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french writer whose novels described the sordid side of city life (1804-1857)
  • Similar words include: action, process, Eugene Sue
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "36. Pop-pop"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Country sharing the world's longest international border"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a nation in northern north america; the french were the first europeans to settle in mainland canada
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Showed great pride, in a way"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression
  • Similar words include: beam, radiate, broadcast
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEAMED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Desirable Vegas couple?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: adept, sensation, nail
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACES

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24A: "43. Lake in the homeland of the Washoe people"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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25A: "47. ___ Blaster (toy)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Inconsequential"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small pond of standing water
  • Similar words include: simple, bare
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. Journeys by foot"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a journey by ox wagon (especially an organized migration by a group of settlers)
  • Similar words include: trek
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Ones eliciting knee-jerk reactions, informally?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a licensed medical practitioner
  • Similar words include: Department of Commerce, medico, Commerce Department
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOCS

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29A: "51. Exemplar"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
  • Similar words include: perfection, nonsuch, nonpareil
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARAGON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "53. Having a strong sense of direction?"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
  • Similar words include: dominating, peremptory, high-and-mighty
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOSSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Likely oriented toward platonic relationships, in brief"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. Members of the dolphin family that prey on dolphins"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas
  • Similar words include: orca, sea wolf, killer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORCAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "63. Like a revving engine"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. Skater Midori"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. Words after "ding, ding, ding""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slices of bread that have been toasted
  • Similar words include: salute, crispen, goner
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. With 68-Across, "Wicked" song suggested by the answers to the seven starred clues (and whose singer is spelled by the circled letters reading from left to right)"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that resist or confront with resistance
  • Similar words include: withstand, refuse, dare
  • Opposite of: lend oneself
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEFYING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "68. See 66-Across"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface; ; ; --albert einstein
  • Similar words include: gravitational attraction, soberness, gravitational force
  • Opposite of: levity
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRAVITY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "70. Bronzed"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39A: "71. Not just yet"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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40A: "72. Abjures"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
  • Similar words include: shun, eschew
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESCHEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41A: "73. Target of urban renewal, say"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something very ugly and offensive
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYESORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Soup stock in Japanese cuisine 5
2D 2. *The ones over there 5
3D 3. Washington, Jefferson or Madison 10
4D 4. Already heard, say 4
5D 5. *One selling commercial time, informally 5
6D 6. Takes in 7
7D 7. The Marlins, on scoreboards 3
8D 8. Lewis Carroll or George Orwell 7
9D 9. *It's used to scrub in the tub 5
10D 10. Jubilant postgame report 4
11D 11. Show up unannounced? 10
12D 12. *Some Scandinavian money 5
13D 13. Indicated 5
14D 21. Irritated 5
15D 23. Old enough 5
16D 26. Symbol for the ratio of a circle's circumference to its radius 3
17D 29. *Stand before a meeting 5
18D 32. *Genre for Aretha Franklin or Usher 5
19D 33. One might start "Your Social Security number has been compromised" 4
20D 34. Rate 4
21D 37. Chicago exchange, for short 4
22D 38. Certain attachments 4
23D 40. Flour used in Indian flatbreads 4
24D 41. Kiss in a telenovela 4
25D 44. Calls to court 8
26D 45. *Your home 5
27D 46. Voice command to an Android device 8
28D 51. Fool's gold 6
29D 52. Write, as music 6
30D 53. Symbol of authority 5
31D 54. Small dessert sandwiches 5
32D 55. Left of center? 5
33D 56. Get ready to have one's tonsils checked, perhaps 5
34D 59. Wanders 5
35D 60. World capital on the world's longest river 5
36D 61. Family name with an eponymous Row, Court, Place and Avenue in New York City 5
37D 62. Composer Jule 5
38D 67. Slangy refusal 3
39D 69. Fish also known as a batomorph 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Soup stock in Japanese cuisine"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. *The ones over there"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETHOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Washington, Jefferson or Madison"

10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an american who lives in the south
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOUTHERNER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Already heard, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
  • Similar words include: recognize, have it away, roll in the hay
  • Opposite of: ignore
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. *One selling commercial time, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chaplain in one of the military services
  • Similar words include: Father, Holy Joe, military chaplain
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PADRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Takes in"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
  • Similar words include: nail, nab, apprehend
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARRESTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. The Marlins, on scoreboards"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Lewis Carroll or George Orwell"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. *It's used to scrub in the tub"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remote in manner
  • Similar words include: distant, upstage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOOF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Jubilant postgame report"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Show up unannounced?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. *Some Scandinavian money"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in northeastern ohio; the heart of the united states rubber industry
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AKRON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Indicated"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mean or intend to express or convey
  • Similar words include: signify, think of, think
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Irritated"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that irritate or vex
  • Similar words include: irk, gall
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRKED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Old enough"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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16D: "26. Symbol for the ratio of a circle's circumference to its radius"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 19th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "29. *Stand before a meeting"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that property that is leased or rented out or let
  • Similar words include: let, rental, engage
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "32. *Genre for Aretha Franklin or Usher"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a name given to a product or service
  • Similar words include: brandmark, post, blade
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "33. One might start "Your Social Security number has been compromised""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fraudulent business scheme
  • Similar words include: bunco, gyp, con
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "34. Rate"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
  • Similar words include: footstep, gait, rate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "37. Chicago exchange, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "38. Certain attachments"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "40. Flour used in Indian flatbreads"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "41. Kiss in a telenovela"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "44. Calls to court"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that call before a court to answer an indictment
  • Similar words include: arraign
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARRAIGNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "45. *Your home"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the locus of feelings and intuitions
  • Similar words include: affectionateness, heart and soul, spunk
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "46. Voice command to an Android device"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "51. Fool's gold"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a common mineral (iron disulfide) that has a pale yellow color
  • Similar words include: iron pyrite, fool's gold
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PYRITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "52. Write, as music"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that put into notation, as of music or choreography
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "53. Symbol of authority"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BADGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "54. Small dessert sandwiches"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Similar words include: oreo, oreo cookie
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OREOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "55. Left of center?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "56. Get ready to have one's tonsils checked, perhaps"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "59. Wanders"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
  • Similar words include: stray, tramp, roll
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROVES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "60. World capital on the world's longest river"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a town at the southern tip of illinois at the confluence of the ohio and mississippi rivers
  • Similar words include: Egyptian capital, capital of Egypt, Al Qahira
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAIRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "61. Family name with an eponymous Row, Court, Place and Avenue in New York City"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british politician (born in the united states) who was the first woman to sit in the british house of commons (1879-1964)
  • Similar words include: Viscountess Astor, John Jacob Astor, Nancy Witcher Astor
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "62. Composer Jule"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "67. Slangy refusal"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "69. Fish also known as a batomorph"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a column of light (as from a beacon)
  • Similar words include: beam, irradiate, shaft of light
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAY

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

41 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
80 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: October 30, 2025 at 03:55 AM