All NYT Down Clues January 03, 2026 - 33 Vertical Answers with Hints
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 33 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: April 27 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | December 26 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | November 25 2022 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | January 03, 2026 |
| Day of Week | Saturday |
| Total Down Clues | 33 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 33 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Unwanted mail |
| 2 Down | 2. Berry found in swamps |
| 3 Down | 3. Work place |
| 4 Down | 4. Some chances to get credit, in brief |
| 5 Down | 5. Symbols of love on some bridges |
| 6 Down | 6. Opposite of "with the works" |
| 7 Down | 7. Lincolnesque, in a way |
| 8 Down | 8. Behold, in Latin |
| 9 Down | 9. Support from an angel |
| 10 Down | 10. Corner piece |
| 11 Down | 11. Fruits related to grapefruits |
| 12 Down | 12. Save space, in a way |
| 13 Down | 13. Words on an incriminating email, perhaps |
| 14 Down | 14. Emoji indicating interest |
| 15 Down | 23. Language in which "thank you" is "shukriya" |
| 16 Down | 24. Appliance that uses a thermostat to know when to stop |
| 17 Down | 25. Performer who's juggling a lot? |
| 18 Down | 26. Tech that records movement |
| 19 Down | 27. Part of a certain steering system |
| 20 Down | 28. When repeated, a fish |
| 21 Down | 29. Place with a chapel and mess hall |
| 22 Down | 33. Soft, sticky treat |
| 23 Down | 34. Drifters at sea |
| 24 Down | 37. Fervent |
| 25 Down | 40. Annual event with baskets |
| 26 Down | 42. Not so simple |
| 27 Down | 45. Where French fries are "frog sticks" |
| 28 Down | 46. Start of a declaration of 47 B.C. |
| 29 Down | 47. Nothing special |
| 30 Down | 49. Selene's Roman counterpart |
| 31 Down | 50. Lake ___, body of water near London |
| 32 Down | 51. Informal endorsements |
| 33 Down | 52. It's conditional |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- April 27 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
- March 27 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- December 26 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- NYT Across Today December 19 2025
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Unwanted mail"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: B__L
- Similar words: flier, beak
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a statute in draft before it becomes law
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BILL
2 Down: "2. Berry found in swamps"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: A__I
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ACAI
3 Down: "3. Work place"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'K'
- Word pattern: D__K
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DESK
4 Down: "4. Some chances to get credit, in brief"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A_____S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
APTESTS
5 Down: "5. Symbols of love on some bridges"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: P______S
- Similar words: padlock
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PADLOCKS
6 Down: "6. Opposite of "with the works""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: P___N
- Similar words: unmistakable, unembellished
- Opposite of: patterned
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: extensive tract of level open land
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PLAIN
7 Down: "7. Lincolnesque, in a way"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: L___Y
- Similar words: gangling, rangy
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: tall and thin and having long slender limbs
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LANKY
8 Down: "8. Behold, in Latin"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ECCE
9 Down: "9. Support from an angel"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: S_______Y
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SEEDMONEY
10 Down: "10. Corner piece"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S____E
- Similar words: staple fiber, basic
- Opposite of: unstaple
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STAPLE
11 Down: "11. Fruits related to grapefruits"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: P_____S
- Similar words: pummelo, Citrus grandis
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
POMELOS
12 Down: "12. Save space, in a way"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: A________E
- Similar words: shorten, foreshorten
- Opposite of: expand
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ABBREVIATE
13 Down: "13. Words on an incriminating email, perhaps"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: D________S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DELETETHIS
14 Down: "14. Emoji indicating interest"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: E__S
- Similar words: oculus, centre
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: opinion or judgment
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EYES
15 Down: "23. Language in which "thank you" is "shukriya""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'U'
- Word pattern: U__U
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the official literary language of Pakistan
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
URDU
16 Down: "24. Appliance that uses a thermostat to know when to stop"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: R________R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RICECOOKER
17 Down: "25. Performer who's juggling a lot?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: O________D
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ONEMANBAND
18 Down: "26. Tech that records movement"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: M___P
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MOCAP
19 Down: "27. Part of a certain steering system"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: R__N
- Similar words: rein in, harness
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
REIN
20 Down: "28. When repeated, a fish"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: M__I
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MAHI
21 Down: "29. Place with a chapel and mess hall"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: B_______P
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BIBLECAMP
22 Down: "33. Soft, sticky treat"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: P__P
- Similar words: peek, cheep
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the short weak cry of a young bird
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PEEP
23 Down: "34. Drifters at sea"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: P______N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PLANKTON
24 Down: "37. Fervent"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: I_____E
- Similar words: vivid, acute
- Opposite of: mild
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
INTENSE
25 Down: "40. Annual event with baskets"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: E_____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EGGHUNT
26 Down: "42. Not so simple"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: H____R
- Similar words: knockout, punishing
- Opposite of: voiced
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HARDER
27 Down: "45. Where French fries are "frog sticks""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: D___R
- Similar words: dining car, buffet car
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a person eating a meal (especially in a restaurant)
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DINER
28 Down: "46. Start of a declaration of 47 B.C."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: I___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ICAME
29 Down: "47. Nothing special"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: S__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SOSO
30 Down: "49. Selene's Roman counterpart"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: L__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LUNA
31 Down: "50. Lake ___, body of water near London"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E__E
- Similar words: Lake Erie
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ERIE
32 Down: "51. Informal endorsements"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: R__S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RECS
33 Down: "52. It's conditional"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ELSE
Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues
Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Down Clues?
- Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
- Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
- Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
- Down answers often help solve Across clues
Down Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
- Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically
Time-Saving Down Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Down first | Get a mental map of the vertical flow |
| Fill short Down words | 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors |
| Use crossing letters | Across letters help confirm Down answers |
| Look for themes | Related Down answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues
What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?
Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.
Should I solve Down or Across clues first?
Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 33 Down clues.
Are Down clues easier than Across clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.
How do Down clues interact with Across clues?
Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.
