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

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 13, 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. ___ classic ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show" or "Pulp Fiction," e.g.) 4
2A 5. Spongy wetlands 4
3A 9. Titleholder 5
4A 14. Engrave 4
5A 15. Dirt pie ingredient 4
6A 16. Greek goddesses of the seasons 5
7A 17. Optional mission in a video game 9
8A 19. Gradually eat away 5
9A 20. Selfless sort 8
10A 21. Shindig for someone to announce whether they're having a boy or a girl 6
11A 22. – 6
12A 23. Lie next to 4
13A 25. Show on which Tina Fey and Seth Meyers have worked as head writers, in brief 3
14A 26. Tropical cocktail with bananas, strawberries, rum and coconut cream 8
15A 31. Go downhill fast 3
16A 34. Feedbag contents 4
17A 36. Shindig for someone settling into a new home 5
18A 37. – 7
19A 40. Flips, say 7
20A 42. Skirt, as an issue 5
21A 43. Jennifer who wrote "A Visit From the Goon Squad" 4
22A 45. Auction unit 3
23A 46. Cowboy's kerchief 8
24A 48. Show stoppers? 3
25A 51. Goes bad 4
26A 52. Shindig for someone who's about to tie the knot 6
27A 56. – 6
28A 60. Like a dish of veal or chicken dipped in egg and breadcrumbs, then fried in butter 8
29A 62. Surfers ride them 5
30A 63. Lunchroom 9
31A 64. Wolf in "The Jungle Book" 5
32A 65. Initials on a map until 1991 4
33A 66. Shindig for the cast and crew after filming is done ... with a hint to entering this answer and three others in the grid 4
34A 67. – 5
35A 68. Boxing stats 4
36A 69. Jazz singer Sylvia 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. ___ classic ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show" or "Pulp Fiction," e.g.)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that followers of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices
  • Similar words include: fad, rage, cultus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CULT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Spongy wetlands"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wet spongy ground of decomposing vegetation; has poorer drainage than a swamp; soil is unfit for cultivation but can be cut and dried and used for fuel
  • Similar words include: bog, bog down, peat bog
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Titleholder"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who has won first place in a competition
  • Similar words include: chomp, title-holder, champion
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHAMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Engrave"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make an etching of
  • Similar words include: engrave
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Dirt pie ingredient"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Greek goddesses of the seasons"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Optional mission in a video game"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Gradually eat away"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that become ground down or deteriorate
  • Similar words include: gnaw, wear away, eat away
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Selfless sort"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being
  • Similar words include: philanthropist
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALTRUIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Shindig for someone to announce whether they're having a boy or a girl"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a grammatical category in inflected languages governing the agreement between nouns and pronouns and adjectives; in some languages it is quite arbitrary but in indo-european languages it is usually based on sex or animateness
  • Similar words include: sex, sexuality, grammatical gender
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENDER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. –"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make visible
  • Similar words include: discover, let out, unwrap
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REVEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Lie next to"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
  • Similar words include: butt, butt on, adjoin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Show on which Tina Fey and Seth Meyers have worked as head writers, in brief"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Tropical cocktail with bananas, strawberries, rum and coconut cream"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Go downhill fast"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Feedbag contents"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that annual grass of europe and north africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: `oats')
  • Similar words include: oat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Shindig for someone settling into a new home"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
  • Similar words include: theatre, firm, planetary house
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. –"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of becoming warmer; a rising temperature
  • Similar words include: heating, thaw, thawing
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WARMING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Flips, say"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sell (something) again after having bought it
  • Similar words include: resell
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESELLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Skirt, as an issue"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
  • Similar words include: deflect, stave off, head off
  • Opposite of: validate, confront
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVOID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Jennifer who wrote "A Visit From the Goon Squad""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Auction unit"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  • Similar words include: hatful, spate, batch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Cowboy's kerchief"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large and brightly colored handkerchief; often used as a neckerchief
  • Similar words include: bandana
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANDANNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Show stoppers?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public promotion of some product or service
  • Similar words include: advertizing, advertisement, advertizement
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Goes bad"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor
  • Similar words include: buncombe, decomposition, molder
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "52. Shindig for someone who's about to tie the knot"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast
  • Similar words include: espousal, spousal, nuptial
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIDAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. –"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
  • Similar words include: exhibitor, shower bath, rain shower
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOWER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "60. Like a dish of veal or chicken dipped in egg and breadcrumbs, then fried in butter"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of milan
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MILANESE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "62. Surfers ride them"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
  • Similar words include: Wave, flourish, waving
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAVES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "63. Lunchroom"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a restaurant where you serve yourself and pay a cashier
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAFETERIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. Wolf in "The Jungle Book""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "65. Initials on a map until 1991"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a former communist country in eastern europe and northern asia; established in 1922; included russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (ukraine and byelorussia and others); officially dissolved 31 december 1991
  • Similar words include: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Soviet Union, Russia
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: USSR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "66. Shindig for the cast and crew after filming is done ... with a hint to entering this answer and three others in the grid"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cloak that is folded or wrapped around a person
  • Similar words include: enwrap, twine, wrapping
  • Opposite of: unwind, unwrap
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WRAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "67. –"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an organization to gain political power
  • Similar words include: political party, company
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "68. Boxing stats"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a knockout declared by the referee who judges one boxer unable to continue
  • Similar words include: TKO, technical knockout
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TKOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "69. Jazz singer Sylvia"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. ___ Millan, celebrity dog trainer 5
2D 2. Handy 5
3D 3. High-def flat screen, for short 5
4D 4. "Ay, ___ the rub" 6
5D 5. Broth that might come from a dissolved cube 8
6D 6. Magnetite and bauxite 4
7D 7. Whole that's greater than the sum of its parts, from the German 7
8D 8. Barfly 3
9D 9. Spotted African sprinters 8
10D 10. Car's honker 4
11D 11. Longtime Yankee slugger, familiarly 4
12D 12. Earned 4
13D 13. Member of a jury 4
14D 18. Ke Huy ___, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" actor 4
15D 21. Boss, in Britain 3
16D 24. Major Iraqi port city 5
17D 27. Adversary 3
18D 28. Quiet period 4
19D 29. Scandinavian capital 4
20D 30. Toward sunset 4
21D 31. Mop, as the deck 4
22D 32. Polynesian brew 4
23D 33. Smooth out, as a wrinkled shirt 4
24D 35. Talent broker 5
25D 38. Mediocre, in modern slang 3
26D 39. "'Tis entirely likely" 8
27D 41. Those going along with others' unhealthy habits 8
28D 44. Item worn with a hazmat suit 7
29D 47. Negative connector 3
30D 49. "Curses!" 4
31D 50. Fibrous connecting tissues 6
32D 53. Second-largest city in Northern Ireland 5
33D 54. "Take me ___" 5
34D 55. Bounds 5
35D 56. Substitute 4
36D 57. Ceremonial Maori dance 4
37D 58. Done 4
38D 59. Mark left by a whip 4
39D 61. "Should that be true ..." 4
40D 63. Word before "one's losses" or "both ways" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. ___ Millan, celebrity dog trainer"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Handy"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being of use or service
  • Similar words include: useful
  • Opposite of: useless
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UTILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. High-def flat screen, for short"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "Ay, ___ the rub""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a location other than here; that place
  • Similar words include: there
  • Opposite of: here
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THERES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Broth that might come from a dissolved cube"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clear seasoned broth
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOUILLON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Magnetite and bauxite"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Similar words include: ore
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Whole that's greater than the sum of its parts, from the German"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that it cannot be described merely as a sum of its parts
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GESTALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Barfly"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chronic drinker
  • Similar words include: drunk, wino, rummy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Spotted African sprinters"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long-legged spotted cat of africa and southwestern asia having nonretractile claws; the swiftest mammal; can be trained to run down game
  • Similar words include: chetah, cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHEETAHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Car's honker"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
  • Similar words include: tusk, trump, car horn
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HORN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Longtime Yankee slugger, familiarly"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Earned"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give certain properties to something
  • Similar words include: progress to, create, cause
  • Opposite of: unmake, unmade
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MADE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Member of a jury"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
  • Similar words include: match, compeer, equal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Ke Huy ___, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" actor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Boss, in Britain"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Major Iraqi port city"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the second largest city in iraq; an oil port in southern iraq
  • Similar words include: Basia
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Adversary"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
  • Similar words include: foeman, opposition, enemy
  • Opposite of: friend
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Quiet period"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished
  • Similar words include: quiet, calm down, still
  • Opposite of: agitate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LULL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Scandinavian capital"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of norway; the country's main port; located at the head of a fjord on norway's southern coast
  • Similar words include: capital of Norway, Christiania
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Toward sunset"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the countries of (originally) europe and (now including) north america and south america
  • Similar words include: Occident, western United States, Rebecca West
  • Opposite of: east
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Mop, as the deck"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that implement consisting of a small piece of cotton that is used to apply medication or cleanse a wound or obtain a specimen of a secretion
  • Similar words include: mop, dab, swob
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Polynesian brew"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an alcoholic drink made from the aromatic roots of the kava shrub
  • Similar words include: kavakava
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KAVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Smooth out, as a wrinkled shirt"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
  • Similar words include: cast-iron, Fe, atomic number 26
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Talent broker"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
  • Similar words include: broker, federal agent, factor
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Mediocre, in modern slang"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that used in combination to denote the middle
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. "'Tis entirely likely""

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Those going along with others' unhealthy habits"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Item worn with a hazmat suit"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a protective mask with a filter; protects the face and lungs against poisonous gases
  • Similar words include: gas helmet, respirator
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GASMASK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Negative connector"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. "Curses!""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Fibrous connecting tissues"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
  • Similar words include: tendon, brawniness, muscularity
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SINEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "53. Second-largest city in Northern Ireland"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "54. "Take me ___""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "55. Bounds"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
  • Similar words include: jump, jump off, bound
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "56. Substitute"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an equal exchange
  • Similar words include: switch, barter, swop
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "57. Ceremonial Maori dance"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. Done"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
  • Similar words include: concluded, complete, ended
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Mark left by a whip"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
  • Similar words include: flog, weal, strap
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WELT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. "Should that be true ...""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "63. Word before "one's losses" or "both ways""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a share of the profits
  • Similar words include: mown, excision, cold shoulder
  • Opposite of: uncut, untrimmed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CUT

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

36 Across Clues
40 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: October 13, 2026 at 10:49 AM

Friday, October 2, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 02, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Important figure on staff? 4
2A 5. Photographer's inits. 3
3A 8. "For real" 5
4A 13. Funky-smelling 4
5A 14. Sugar substitute? 10
6A 16. Within 4
7A 17. Core-focused workout in a humid room 10
8A 18. Unit of sound intensity 3
9A 19. Like Mitt Romney and Ken Jennings 6
10A 20. Lead-in to "coin" for a major cryptocurrency 4
11A 21. "Whew!" 8
12A 23. Whose fault your mistake might be 6
13A 25. Hybrid cat 5
14A 26. Member of a noble family 5
15A 28. Request after eating a habanero, perhaps 4
16A 29. What comes from needing little, per Epictetus 6
17A 31. Small dosage amts. 3
18A 34. Question posed at the end of a successful job interview 15
19A 37. Waze ways: Abbr. 3
20A 38. Spends a long time in front of the mirror, maybe 6
21A 39. Inkling 4
22A 40. Word with cane or corn 5
23A 41. Villainous expression 5
24A 42. Home to the Basilica of St. Clare 6
25A 45. Highly controlling? 8
26A 48. Like a golf course, regularly 4
27A 49. Snap, crackle and pop 6
28A 51. ___ Cup, tournament established in the 2020s 3
29A 52. "Never been better!" 10
30A 54. Site of a 1956 international conflict 4
31A 55. Animal chased by Toto in "The Wizard of Oz" 10
32A 56. Key in a chain 4
33A 57. Figure with three faces, in Dante 5
34A 58. Brief bit 3
35A 59. They're stretched out before some workouts 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Important figure on staff?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a musical notation written on a staff indicating the pitch of the notes following it
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLEF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Photographer's inits."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. "For real""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in accordance with truth or fact or reality
  • Similar words include: unfeignedly, genuinely, rightfully
  • Opposite of: insincerely
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRULY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "13. Funky-smelling"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
  • Similar words include: good, right, mature
  • Opposite of: green
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Sugar substitute?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Within"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Core-focused workout in a humid room"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Unit of sound intensity"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a logarithmic unit of sound intensity equal to 10 decibels
  • Similar words include: B
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Like Mitt Romney and Ken Jennings"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the ancient prophet whose writings were revealed to joseph smith who founded the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints
  • Similar words include: Latter-Day Saint
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MORMON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Lead-in to "coin" for a major cryptocurrency"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that formerly the chief magistrate in the republics of venice and genoa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "21. "Whew!""

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Whose fault your mistake might be"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Hybrid cat"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that offspring of a male lion and a female tiger
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Member of a noble family"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a descendent or heir
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Request after eating a habanero, perhaps"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that largest known toad species; native to central america; valuable destroyer of insect pests
  • Similar words include: agua toad, Bufo marinus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGUA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "29. What comes from needing little, per Epictetus"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
  • Similar words include: riches, wealthiness
  • Opposite of: poverty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEALTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. Small dosage amts."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one thousandth (1/1,000) gram
  • Similar words include: magnesium, milligram, atomic number 12
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Question posed at the end of a successful job interview"

15 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHENCANYOUSTART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Waze ways: Abbr."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Spends a long time in front of the mirror, maybe"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that dress or groom with elaborate care
  • Similar words include: dress, plume, preen
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRIMPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. Inkling"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
  • Similar words include: mind, estimation, theme
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Word with cane or corn"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts
  • Similar words include: glaze, confect, sugarcoat
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CANDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. Villainous expression"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls
  • Similar words include: leer
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. Home to the Basilica of St. Clare"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "45. Highly controlling?"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place
  • Similar words include: aviate, pilotage, fly
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PILOTING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Like a golf course, regularly"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cut with a blade or mower
  • Similar words include: cut, cut down, mop
  • Opposite of: unmown
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOWN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. Snap, crackle and pop"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
  • Similar words include: make noise, resound, dissonance
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOISES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. ___ Cup, tournament established in the 2020s"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "52. "Never been better!""

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Site of a 1956 international conflict"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a city in northeastern egypt at the head of the gulf of suez and at the southern end of the suez canal
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUEZ

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "55. Animal chased by Toto in "The Wizard of Oz""

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "56. Key in a chain"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small island
  • Similar words include: islet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "57. Figure with three faces, in Dante"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (judeo-christian and islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of god; tempter of mankind; master of hell
  • Similar words include: Prince of Darkness, the Tempter, Old Nick
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SATAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "58. Brief bit"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the systeme international d'unites
  • Similar words include: second, Securities and Exchange Commission, unsweet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "59. They're stretched out before some workouts"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
  • Similar words include: gym mat, matte, flatness
  • Opposite of: unsnarl, disentangle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Hard-shelled delicacies 9
2D 2. Public eye 9
3D 3. Written posts? 9
4D 4. Stoked 3
5D 5. Like some enemies 5
6D 6. "I need to get a word in!" 15
7D 7. Possible result of a default 4
8D 8. Before 3
9D 9. Not stop at the end of a chapter, say 6
10D 10. Suffragist Harriet Taylor ___ 5
11D 11. One doing the lord's work? 5
12D 12. Words of affirmation 5
13D 14. "Skedaddle!" 4
14D 15. Condition that can be caused by excess earwax 8
15D 19. Debussy's "La ___" 3
16D 22. Jay ___, singer of the 2009 #1 hit "Down" 4
17D 24. Sounds from fans 4
18D 27. Clip follower 4
19D 29. Some weather service messages 8
20D 30. "Wheat Capital" of Oklahoma 4
21D 31. Label on some domestic products 9
22D 32. Eco-friendly area around a city 9
23D 33. Stares into space 9
24D 35. Ones doing balancing acts? 4
25D 36. Windows feature? 4
26D 40. Pictures 6
27D 41. Message that might be signaled with smoke 3
28D 42. Off 5
29D 43. European capital with layers of Thracian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history 5
30D 44. Beads for an athlete 5
31D 46. Director Lee ___ Chung 5
32D 47. Neighbor of an Estonian, historically 4
33D 50. They're sometimes picked for their rarity 4
34D 53. Wiseman who directed "Ballerina" and "Live Free or Die Hard" 3
35D 54. ___City 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Hard-shelled delicacies"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Public eye"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a focus of public attention
  • Similar words include: calcium light, glare, spotlight
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIMELIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Written posts?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short speech (often in verse) addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the end of a play
  • Similar words include: epilogue, epilog
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPILOGUES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Stoked"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any federal law-enforcement officer
  • Similar words include: eat, feast, Federal Reserve System
  • Opposite of: starve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Like some enemies"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that utter obscenities or profanities
  • Similar words include: depone, imprecate, affirm
  • Opposite of: mistrust, unsworn
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWORN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. "I need to get a word in!""

15 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LETMESAYMYPIECE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Possible result of a default"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Before"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Not stop at the end of a chapter, say"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Suffragist Harriet Taylor ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. One doing the lord's work?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
  • Similar words include: feudatory, Luik, vassal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIEGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Words of affirmation"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an affirmative
  • Similar words include: yes
  • Opposite of: no
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YESES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. "Skedaddle!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that drive away by crying `shoo!'
  • Similar words include: shoo away, shoo off
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SHOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Condition that can be caused by excess earwax"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ringing or booming sensation in one or both ears; a symptom of an ear infection or meniere's disease
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TINNITUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "19. Debussy's "La ___""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that denoting a quantity consisting of 1,000 items or units
  • Similar words include: one thousand, k, thousand
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Jay ___, singer of the 2009 #1 hit "Down""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Sounds from fans"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
  • Similar words include: aah, ooh
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OOHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Clip follower"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound of a horse's hoofs hitting on a hard surface
  • Similar words include: clump, clumping, clip-clop
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Some weather service messages"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a message informing of danger
  • Similar words include: word of advice, warning, monition
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WARNINGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. "Wheat Capital" of Oklahoma"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a town in north central oklahoma
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Label on some domestic products"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Eco-friendly area around a city"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a belt of parks or rural land surrounding a town or city
  • Similar words include: greenway
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GREENBELT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Stares into space"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that observe the stars
  • Similar words include: woolgather, daydream, dream
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STARGAZES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Ones doing balancing acts?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an accountant who has passed certain examinations and met all other statutory and licensing requirements of a united states state to be certified by that state
  • Similar words include: CPA, certified public accountant
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CPAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Windows feature?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color
  • Similar words include: tone, tinge, tincture
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Pictures"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a medium that disseminates moving pictures
  • Similar words include: film, picture palace, movie house
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CINEMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Message that might be signaled with smoke"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an internationally recognized distress signal in radio code
  • Similar words include: soh, sol, so
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Off"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not functioning properly
  • Similar words include: imperfectly, awry, haywire
  • Opposite of: perfectly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. European capital with layers of Thracian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital and largest city of bulgaria located in western bulgaria
  • Similar words include: Bulgarian capital, Serdica
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOFIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Beads for an athlete"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
  • Similar words include: travail, lather, sudate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SWEAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "46. Director Lee ___ Chung"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) the second patriarch; son of abraham and sarah who was offered by abraham as a sacrifice to god; father of jacob and esau
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISAAC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "47. Neighbor of an Estonian, historically"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. They're sometimes picked for their rarity"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • Similar words include: ore
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Wiseman who directed "Ballerina" and "Live Free or Die Hard""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. ___City"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: October 02, 2026 at 09:55 AM