December 12, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (39 clues)
• Down Clues (37 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, December 12, 2022

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (39 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.9 letters

December 12, 2022 Across Hints: NYT Monday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Cozy home in the woods	5
2A	6. Cooking vessels for omelets	4
3A	10. Ask for, as a cigarette, informally	3
4A	13. Putting to work	5
5A	14. Box office dud	4
6A	15. Lasso material	4
7A	16. *High-energy person, metaphorically	10
8A	18. Means justifiers, it's said	4
9A	19. Nothing doing?	4
10A	20. "Who's there?" response	5
11A	21. Corp. honchos	4
12A	22. Melon with a yellow rind	6
13A	24. Strategic maneuver	6
14A	26. Ending with Oktober or gab	4
15A	28. Rap culture	6
16A	31. Obsolescent music purchases, in brief	3
17A	34. Low-pH liquids	5
18A	37. Liberty Mutual alternative	5
19A	38. Single, double or triple, in baseball	3
20A	39. Dog command … or a hint to the starts of the answers to the four starred clues	7
21A	41. Org. for Penguins and Ducks	3
22A	42. Popular sans-serif typeface	5
23A	44. Geological rift	5
24A	45. "You've got mail!" I.S.P.	3
25A	46. Official order	6
26A	48. Christmas song	4
27A	50. Fate	6
28A	53. Major blunders	6
29A	57. Fliers that may consume thousands of insects in an hour	4
30A	59. Pimiento-stuffed treat	5
31A	61. ___ fide	4
32A	62. Soothing succulent	4
33A	63. *Documentation leading to proof	10
34A	65. Hieroglyphic bird	4
35A	66. R&B great Redding	4
36A	67. Tries to deice, as winter roads	5
37A	68. Bit of skin ink, informally	3
38A	69. Cooped (up)	4
39A	70. Totally lost	5

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. Cozy home in the woods"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CABIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Cooking vessels for omelets"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
• Words that mean the same thing: pan off, trash, Pan
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Ask for, as a cigarette, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
• Words that mean the same thing: skunk, keister, cheap
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Putting to work"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
• Words that mean the same thing: exploitation, utilise, victimization
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Box office dud"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an arithmetic operation performed on floating-point numbers
• Words that mean the same thing: fizzle, fall flat, right
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FLOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "15. Lasso material"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a strong line
• Words that mean the same thing: forget me drug, circle, R-2
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "16. *High-energy person, metaphorically"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BALLOFFIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Means justifiers, it's said"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that either extremity of something that has length
• Words that mean the same thing: finish, remainder, oddment
• The opposite would be: begin, beginning
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Nothing doing?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the state of an engine or other mechanism that is idling
• Words that mean the same thing: baseless, groundless, unfounded
• The opposite would be: busy, work
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IDLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. "Who's there?" response"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ITSME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "21. Corp. honchos"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the corporate executive responsible for the operations of the firm; reports to a board of directors; may appoint other managers (including a president)
• Words that mean the same thing: chief operating officer, chief executive officer, CEO
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CEOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "22. Melon with a yellow rind"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that melon having yellowish rind and whitish flesh
• Words that mean the same thing: casaba melon
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CASABA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "24. Strategic maneuver"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a plan for attaining a particular goal
• Words that mean the same thing: manoeuvre, tactics, maneuver
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TACTIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "26. Ending with Oktober or gab"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "28. Rap culture"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HIPHOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "31. Obsolescent music purchases, in brief"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a soft bluish-white ductile malleable toxic bivalent metallic element; occurs in association with zinc ores
• Words that mean the same thing: standard candle, atomic number 48, cd
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "34. Low-pH liquids"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt
• Words that mean the same thing: dot, superman, window pane
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACIDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Liberty Mutual alternative"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GEICO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. Single, double or triple, in baseball"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
• Words that mean the same thing: smash, murder, arrive at
• The opposite would be: miss
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. Dog command … or a hint to the starts of the answers to the four starred clues"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GOFETCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. Org. for Penguins and Ducks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NHL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. Popular sans-serif typeface"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ARIAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. Geological rift"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
• Words that mean the same thing: defect, blame, break
• The opposite would be: merit, absolve
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FAULT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. "You've got mail!" I.S.P."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AOL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "46. Official order"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
• Words that mean the same thing: rule, rescript, order
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DECREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. Christmas song"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. Fate"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (islam) the will of allah
• Words that mean the same thing: kismat
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KISMET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Major blunders"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an acronym often used by soldiers in world war ii: situation normal all fucked up
• Words that mean the same thing: snafu
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNAFUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Fliers that may consume thousands of insects in an hour"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
• Words that mean the same thing: thrash, cream, nutty
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Pimiento-stuffed treat"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that small ovoid fruit of the european olive tree; important food and source of oil
• Words that mean the same thing: Olea europaea, European olive tree
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OLIVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "61. ___ fide"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BONA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "62. Soothing succulent"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "63. *Documentation leading to proof"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PAPERTRAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "65. Hieroglyphic bird"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that wading birds of warm regions having long slender down-curved bills
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IBIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "66. R&B great Redding"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states inventor who manufactured the first elevator with a safety device (1811-1861)
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Otis, Elisha Graves Otis
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OTIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "67. Tries to deice, as winter roads"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
• Words that mean the same thing: salinity, salt, common salt
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "68. Bit of skin ink, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
• Words that mean the same thing: intertwine, Thematic Apperception Test, sleaze
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "69. Cooped (up)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that produce a literary work
• Words that mean the same thing: write, pen, shut up
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "70. Totally lost"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATSEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Monday NYT Crossword December 12, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Shaped like dice	5
2D	2. Carne ___ (taco filling)	5
3D	3. Football team in Buffalo	5
4D	4. Blooming with foliage	6
5D	5. Oxfam or Mercy Corps, e.g., in brief	3
6D	6. [Gone … just like that!]	4
7D	7. Like red-carpet celebrities	5
8D	8. ___ Rae (Sally Field title role)	5
9D	9. Oration	6
10D	10. *Some fine porcelain	9
11D	11. Beehive or French twist	4
12D	12. Kitchen description after Spaghetti Sunday	4
13D	15. A cook might have a secret one	6
14D	17. Ludicrous failure	6
15D	23. Snoopy and Gromit, for two	7
16D	25. Turn clockwise, as a screw	7
17D	27. Petty kerfuffle	4
18D	29. Eight: Sp.	4
19D	30. Opinion survey	4
20D	31. Country east of Niger	4
21D	32. In ___ straits	4
22D	33. *"Don't quit now!"	9
23D	35. Narc's org.	3
24D	36. Leave astounded	4
25D	40. Pitcher sent in to seal a win	6
26D	43. Crops up	6
27D	47. Panic! at the Disco genre	6
28D	49. One navigating a maze, maybe	6
29D	51. Give joy	5
30D	52. Basketball rebound play	5
31D	54. Newborn horses	5
32D	55. Join forces	5
33D	56. It can be verde or roja	5
34D	57. Worm on a hook, e.g.	4
35D	58. "Sin City" co-star Jessica	4
36D	60. Waistcoat	4
37D	64. Airport grp.	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

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

Clue 1 Down: "1. Shaped like dice"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that having three dimensions
• Words that mean the same thing: three-dimensional
• The opposite would be: linear
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CUBIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Carne ___ (taco filling)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ASADA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Football team in Buffalo"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a statute in draft before it becomes law
• Words that mean the same thing: billhook, circular, bank note
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BILLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Blooming with foliage"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: INLEAF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Oxfam or Mercy Corps, e.g., in brief"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an organization that is not part of the local or state or federal government
• Words that mean the same thing: nongovernmental organization
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. [Gone … just like that!]"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PFFT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Like red-carpet celebrities"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. ___ Rae (Sally Field title role)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small constellation in the southern hemisphere near lupus and ara in the milky way
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NORMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Oration"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
• Words that mean the same thing: oral communication, delivery, talking to
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPEECH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. *Some fine porcelain"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BONECHINA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Beehive or French twist"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: UPDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Kitchen description after Spaghetti Sunday"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a state of confusion and disorderliness
• Words that mean the same thing: mint, passel, jam
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "15. A cook might have a secret one"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that directions for making something
• Words that mean the same thing: formula
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RECIPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "17. Ludicrous failure"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a sudden and violent collapse
• Words that mean the same thing: debacle
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FIASCO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "23. Snoopy and Gromit, for two"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small short-legged smooth-coated breed of hound
• Words that mean the same thing: beagle
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAGLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. Turn clockwise, as a screw"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that make tight or tighter
• Words that mean the same thing: fasten, constrain, reduce
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIGHTEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "27. Petty kerfuffle"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a quarrel about petty points
• Words that mean the same thing: bickering, squabble, fuss
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIFF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Eight: Sp."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OCHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. Opinion survey"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
• Words that mean the same thing: opinion poll, crown, canvas
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POLL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Country east of Niger"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small piece of paper that is supposed to be removed when a hole is punched in a card or paper tape
• Words that mean the same thing: Chadic language, Republic of Chad, Tchad
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "32. In ___ straits"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; ; - g.c.marshall
• Words that mean the same thing: frightening, horrendous, awful
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. *"Don't quit now!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: STICKTOIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Narc's org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that federal agency responsible for enforcing laws and regulations governing narcotics and controlled substances; goal is to immobilize drug trafficking organizations
• Words that mean the same thing: Drug Enforcement Administration, Drug Enforcement Agency
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "36. Leave astounded"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow
• Words that mean the same thing: daze, stupefy, bedaze
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STUN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "40. Pitcher sent in to seal a win"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who closes something
• Words that mean the same thing: skinny, cheeseparing, faithful
• The opposite would be: distant, far
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLOSER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "43. Crops up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that come into existence; take on form or shape
• Words that mean the same thing: rise up, grow, turn out
• The opposite would be: turn in, sit down
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARISES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "47. Panic! at the Disco genre"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EMOPOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "49. One navigating a maze, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LABRAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "51. Give joy"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
• Words that mean the same thing: uplift, intoxicate, pick up
• The opposite would be: depress
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "52. Basketball rebound play"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TIPIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "54. Newborn horses"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FOALS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "55. Join forces"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that act in concert or unite in a common purpose or belief
• Words that mean the same thing: join, connect, unify
• The opposite would be: disunify, divide
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UNITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "56. It can be verde or roja"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that spicy sauce of tomatoes and onions and chili peppers to accompany mexican foods
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "57. Worm on a hook, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that anything that serves as an enticement
• Words that mean the same thing: tantalise, ride, decoy
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "58. "Sin City" co-star Jessica"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALBA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "60. Waistcoat"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
• Words that mean the same thing: enthrone, waistcoat, singlet
• The opposite would be: divest
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "64. Airport grp."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an agency established in 2001 to safeguard united states transportation systems and insure safe air travel
• Words that mean the same thing: Transportation Security Administration
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	62	81.6%
Short Answer	8	10.5%
Music	2	2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.6%
Sports	1	1.3%
Geography	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	39
Down Clues	37
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	4.9 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	10 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Monday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: September 05, 2025 at 03:39 PM

January 02, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, January 02, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (35 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

Across Clues Explained - Monday NYT Crossword January 02, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. ___ for apples (have some fall fun)	3
2A	4. Start of the day, in poetry	4
3A	8. Emmy or Grammy	5
4A	13. Prefix with center	3
5A	14. Off-limits	5
6A	15. Jazz great Count ___	5
7A	16. Chicken piece that's not a breast or a wing	3
8A	17. Come up	5
9A	18. Director Welles	5
10A	19. The 2005 compilation "Killer Queen" is one for Queen	12
11A	22. Guided adventure in the Serengeti	6
12A	23. Drill sergeant's "Relax!"	6
13A	27. Chemistry lab device	12
14A	31. Doesn't have	5
15A	34. Attempts	5
16A	35. "___ Te Ching" (philosophical text)	3
17A	36. Jazz great Fitzgerald	4
18A	37. Sounds from new instant messages	5
19A	38. Basic origami step	4
20A	39. U.S. spy org.	3
21A	40. Who might grant you three wishes	5
22A	41. Present, past or future perfect	5
23A	42. Topper for a Whopper	12
24A	45. Liveliness, from the French	6
25A	46. Flower that vanilla comes from	6
26A	50. Classic song about a soulmate … or a phonetic hint for repeated pairs of letters in 19-, 27- and 42-Across	12
27A	54. Fashion label from Milan	5
28A	57. ___ donna	5
29A	58. "Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 ___ 9!"	3
30A	59. Sun-related	5
31A	60. No longer available, as a seat	5
32A	61. Bit of body ink, for short	3
33A	62. Rats (on)	5
34A	63. Kerfuffle	4
35A	64. General on a Chinese menu	3

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

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

Clue 1 Across: "1. ___ for apples (have some fall fun)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a former monetary unit in great britain
• Words that mean the same thing: British shilling, curtsy, cork
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. Start of the day, in poetry"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the time period between dawn and noon
• Words that mean the same thing: forenoon, morning, morning time
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MORN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "8. Emmy or Grammy"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a grant made by a law court
• Words that mean the same thing: grant, honour, laurels
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AWARD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Prefix with center"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a self-report personality inventory based on hans eysenck's factor analysis of personality which assumes three basic factors (the two most important being extraversion to introversion and neuroticism)
• Words that mean the same thing: Eysenck Personality Inventory
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EPI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Off-limits"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a prejudice (especially in polynesia and other south pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature
• Words that mean the same thing: out, proscribed, tabu
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TABOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "15. Jazz great Count ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BASIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "16. Chicken piece that's not a breast or a wing"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
• Words that mean the same thing: branch, peg, stage
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "17. Come up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that come into existence; take on form or shape
• Words that mean the same thing: rise up, get up, turn out
• The opposite would be: go to bed, turn in
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "18. Director Welles"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ORSON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "19. The 2005 compilation "Killer Queen" is one for Queen"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TRIBUTEALBUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Guided adventure in the Serengeti"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an overland journey by hunters (especially in africa)
• Words that mean the same thing: hunting expedition, campaign
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAFARI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. Drill sergeant's "Relax!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATEASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. Chemistry lab device"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BUNSENBURNER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Doesn't have"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
• Words that mean the same thing: miss, deficiency, want
• The opposite would be: have
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LACKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "34. Attempts"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
• Words that mean the same thing: effort, try out, judge
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TRIES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. "___ Te Ching" (philosophical text)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an adherent of any branch of taoism
• Words that mean the same thing: Taoist
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Jazz great Fitzgerald"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ELLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Sounds from new instant messages"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a river in western thailand; a major tributary of the chao phraya
• Words that mean the same thing: ping, Ping, Ping River
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PINGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. Basic origami step"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an angular or rounded shape made by folding
• Words that mean the same thing: sheep pen, plica, faithful
• The opposite would be: unfold, open
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FOLD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. U.S. spy org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an independent agency of the united states government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest; headed by the director of central intelligence under the supervision of the president and national security council
• Words that mean the same thing: Central Intelligence Agency
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Who might grant you three wishes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (islam) an invisible spirit mentioned in the koran and believed by muslims to inhabit the earth and influence mankind by appearing in the form of humans or animals
• Words that mean the same thing: djinni, djinny, jinnee
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GENIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. Present, past or future perfect"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
• Words that mean the same thing: strain, tense up
• The opposite would be: lax, relax
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TENSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "42. Topper for a Whopper"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HAMBURGERBUN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. Liveliness, from the French"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that liveliness of mind or spirit
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ESPRIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "46. Flower that vanilla comes from"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors
• Words that mean the same thing: orchidaceous plant
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORCHID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Classic song about a soulmate … or a phonetic hint for repeated pairs of letters in 19-, 27- and 42-Across"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert clue about music.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ITHADTOBEYOU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "54. Fashion label from Milan"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PRADA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "57. ___ donna"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that used primarily as eating apples
• Words that mean the same thing: star, stellar, starring
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PRIMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "58. "Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 ___ 9!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
• Words that mean the same thing: deplete, consume, eat
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Sun-related"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that relating to or derived from the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOLAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "60. No longer available, as a seat"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that require (time or space)
• Words that mean the same thing: hire, remove, need
• The opposite would be: give, obviate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAKEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "61. Bit of body ink, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
• Words that mean the same thing: sleaze, tackiness, Thematic Apperception Test
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "62. Rats (on)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
• Words that mean the same thing: say, separate, order
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TELLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "63. Kerfuffle"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event
• Words that mean the same thing: conjure up, evoke, raise
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "64. General on a Chinese menu"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Monday NYT Crossword January 02, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Straps that go around the waist	5
2D	2. "La Bohème" or "La Traviata"	5
3D	3. It's very unlikely to happen	5
4D	4. Actor/comedian Steve	6
5D	5. 8-Across for some New York plays	4
6D	6. Civil rights icon ___ Parks	4
7D	7. Christmas carol	4
8D	8. Information header on a business's website	7
9D	9. Higher in temperature	6
10D	10. ___-backwards (utterly wrong, in slang)	3
11D	11. ___ de Janeiro	3
12D	12. Thieves' hangout	3
13D	14. Ford model that's also a zodiac sign	6
14D	20. Loaf-shaped cake	5
15D	21. Innocent sorts "in the woods"	5
16D	24. Playwright Chekhov	5
17D	25. Makes watertight, say	5
18D	26. Wear away	5
19D	28. Attack, as a bee might	5
20D	29. Muppet who loves his rubber duckie	5
21D	30. Neighbor of Mali	5
22D	31. Milk, in Spanish	5
23D	32. Buffalo Bill, for William Cody	5
24D	33. Gripping tool	5
25D	37. Capital of Western Australia	5
26D	38. Engage in épée, e.g.	5
27D	40. Things with necks and frets	7
28D	41. Head covering that's wrapped	6
29D	43. ___ shower (pre-wedding event)	6
30D	44. One born shortly after W.W. II, informally	6
31D	47. Hotel chain whose name rhymes with "quiet"	5
32D	48. Scintillas	5
33D	49. Because of	5
34D	51. Many N.Y.C. dwellings: Abbr.	4
35D	52. "Oh, nerts!"	4
36D	53. Kind of bar with island-themed drinks	4
37D	54. Winter hrs. in L.A.	3
38D	55. Fish eggs	3
39D	56. "___ roads lead to Rome"	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

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

Clue 1 Down: "1. Straps that go around the waist"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
• Words that mean the same thing: whang, belted ammunition, belt out
• The opposite would be: unbelt
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BELTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. "La Bohème" or "La Traviata""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
• Words that mean the same thing: opera house
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OPERA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. It's very unlikely to happen"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BIGIF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Actor/comedian Steve"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that french bishop who is a patron saint of france (died in 397)
• Words that mean the same thing: Dean Martin, Steve Martin, St. Martin
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MARTIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. 8-Across for some New York plays"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OBIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Civil rights icon ___ Parks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Rosa
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Christmas carol"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NOEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Information header on a business's website"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ABOUTUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Higher in temperature"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room
• Words that mean the same thing: lovesome, ardent, heater
• The opposite would be: cool
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WARMER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. ___-backwards (utterly wrong, in slang)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 33, nooky, can
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. ___ de Janeiro"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the former capital and 2nd largest city of brazil; chief brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
• Words that mean the same thing: Rio de Janeiro
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Thieves' hangout"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. Ford model that's also a zodiac sign"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that venezuelan master terrorist raised by a marxist-leninist father; trained and worked with many terrorist groups (born in 1949)
• Words that mean the same thing: Salim, Glen Gebhard, Andres Martinez
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAURUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "20. Loaf-shaped cake"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a coffee cake flavored with orange rind and raisins and almonds
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BABKA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Innocent sorts "in the woods""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
• Words that mean the same thing: sister, babe, infant
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BABES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Playwright Chekhov"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ANTON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Makes watertight, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
• Words that mean the same thing: sealskin, varnish, stamp
• The opposite would be: unseal
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEALS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. Wear away"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that become ground down or deteriorate
• Words that mean the same thing: eat at, eat away, fret
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERODE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Attack, as a bee might"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung
• Words that mean the same thing: gyp, hustle, insect bite
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Muppet who loves his rubber duckie"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ERNIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Neighbor of Mali"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an african river; flows into the south atlantic
• Words that mean the same thing: Republic of Niger, Niger River
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NIGER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Milk, in Spanish"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LECHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. Buffalo Bill, for William Cody"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a name that has been assumed temporarily
• Words that mean the same thing: a.k.a., false name, assumed name
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALIAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. Gripping tool"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a device (generally used by carpenters) that holds things firmly together
• Words that mean the same thing: clinch
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLAMP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "37. Capital of Western Australia"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the state capital of western australia
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PERTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "38. Engage in épée, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a barrier that serves to enclose an area
• Words that mean the same thing: palisade, wall, argue
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FENCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Things with necks and frets"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a stringed instrument usually having six strings; played by strumming or plucking
• Words that mean the same thing: guitar
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GUITARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "41. Head covering that's wrapped"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a traditional muslim headdress consisting of a long scarf wrapped around the head
• Words that mean the same thing: pillbox, toque
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TURBAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "43. ___ shower (pre-wedding event)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast
• Words that mean the same thing: espousal, spousal, nuptial
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BRIDAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "44. One born shortly after W.W. II, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of the baby boom generation in the 1950s
• Words that mean the same thing: baby boomer
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOOMER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. Hotel chain whose name rhymes with "quiet""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HYATT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "48. Scintillas"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
• Words that mean the same thing: shred, iota, tittle
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IOTAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "49. Because of"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DUETO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "51. Many N.Y.C. dwellings: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: APTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "52. "Oh, nerts!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DRAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "53. Kind of bar with island-themed drinks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TIKI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "54. Winter hrs. in L.A."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that standard time in the 8th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 120th meridian west; used in far western states of the united states
• Words that mean the same thing: Pacific Standard Time, Pacific Time
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "55. Fish eggs"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
• Words that mean the same thing: hard roe
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "56. "___ roads lead to Rome""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
• Words that mean the same thing: altogether, wholly, entirely
• The opposite would be: some, partly
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	51	68.9%
Short Answer	11	14.9%
History	4	5.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	4.1%
Abbreviation	2	2.7%
Music	1	1.4%
Geography	1	1.4%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	74
Average Answer Length	5.1 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	12 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: September 05, 2025 at 05:40 AM