Search Clues

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

Thursday, October 22, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 22, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Her breast milk created the Milky Way, in Greek myth 4
2A 5. Something passed at a charity event 3
3A 8. Bratty 6
4A 14. Some supermarkets, in brief 4
5A 15. What makes her hear? 3
6A 16. Island capital that's an anagram for a word meaning "steamy baths" 6
7A 17. *It may precede or follow "a million" 8
8A 19. *Line used in plotting points 6
9A 20. Dawn hrs. 3
10A 21. Succeeds without really trying 6
11A 23. Small grouse 3
12A 24. Nursery cry 3
13A 25. ZipRecruiter client 5
14A 26. Like some flaws 5
15A 28. By ___ (barely) 5
16A 30. *Trendy 9
17A 32. Pre-euro money 4
18A 33. Confection whose name is a contraction 5
19A 34. *Weapon in "Ivanhoe" 7
20A 38. *Second letter addendum, for short 7
21A 42. "Oz the Great and Powerful" director, 2013 5
22A 44. Display, with "out" 4
23A 45. *Subs 9
24A 49. The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows," to "Wouldn't It Be Nice" 5
25A 50. Tablets that can't be swallowed 5
26A 51. Volkswagen compact 5
27A 53. "Who knew?!" 3
28A 54. Richard Branson, for one 3
29A 55. Tops of palaces? 6
30A 56. Unhealthy 3
31A 57. *Inventory clearance option 6
32A 60. "Forget it!" ... or a phonetic hint to aligning seven answers in this puzzle with their starred clues 8
33A 62. Like Alban Berg's opera "Lulu" 6
34A 63. When said five times, an Abba song 3
35A 64. Region that produces Riesling wine 4
36A 65. Core beliefs 6
37A 66. French possessive 3
38A 67. 35mm options 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Her breast milk created the Milky Way, in Greek myth"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that queen of the olympian gods in ancient greek mythology; sister and wife of zeus remembered for her jealously of the many mortal women zeus fell in love with; identified with roman juno
  • Similar words include: Here
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Something passed at a charity event"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
  • Similar words include: chapeau, lid
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Bratty"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that naughtily or annoyingly playful
  • Similar words include: prankish, pixilated, wicked
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Some supermarkets, in brief"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of the most common of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; the chief antibody in the membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
  • Similar words include: IgA, immunoglobulin A
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. What makes her hear?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that mother of the ancient irish gods; sometimes identified with danu
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Island capital that's an anagram for a word meaning "steamy baths""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital of the bahamas
  • Similar words include: capital of the Bahamas
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NASSAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. *It may precede or follow "a million""

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. *Line used in plotting points"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
  • Similar words include: axiom, maxim
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXIOMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Dawn hrs."

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive transuranic metallic element; discovered by bombarding uranium with helium atoms
  • Similar words include: AM, amplitude modulation, Artium Magister
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Succeeds without really trying"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the shore of a sea or ocean
  • Similar words include: glide, seashore, sea-coast
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COASTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Small grouse"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a luminance unit equal to 1 candle per square meter measured perpendicular to the rays from the source
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Nursery cry"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. ZipRecruiter client"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person responsible for hiring workers
  • Similar words include: boss
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HIRER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Like some flaws"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bringing death
  • Similar words include: disastrous, fateful, black
  • Opposite of: nonfatal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FATAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. By ___ (barely)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "30. *Trendy"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. Pre-euro money"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic unit of money on malta; equal to 100 cents
  • Similar words include: Italian lira, Maltese lira, Turkish lira
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Confection whose name is a contraction"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. *Weapon in "Ivanhoe""

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. *Second letter addendum, for short"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. "Oz the Great and Powerful" director, 2013"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Display, with "out""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slow pace of running
  • Similar words include: jog, Trotskyite, clip
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. *Subs"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a classroom in which all students in a particular grade (or in a division of a grade) meet at certain times under the supervision of a teacher who takes attendance and does other administrative business
  • Similar words include: home room, homeroom
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOMEROOMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows," to "Wouldn't It Be Nice""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Tablets that can't be swallowed"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Volkswagen compact"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. "Who knew?!""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity; used to indicate the force to which a body is subjected when it is accelerated
  • Similar words include: g, g-force
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. Richard Branson, for one"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that term of address for a man
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "55. Tops of palaces?"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a jeweled headdress worn by women on formal occasions
  • Similar words include: tiara
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIARAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Unhealthy"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: poorly, inauspicious, badly
  • Opposite of: well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. *Inventory clearance option"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that woman whose dancing beguiled herod into giving her the head of john the baptist
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SALOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. "Forget it!" ... or a phonetic hint to aligning seven answers in this puzzle with their starred clues"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Like Alban Berg's opera "Lulu""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that characterized by avoidance of traditional western tonality
  • Similar words include: unkeyed
  • Opposite of: tonal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATONAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. When said five times, an Abba song"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an artificial language that is a revision and simplification of esperanto
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. Region that produces Riesling wine"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "65. Core beliefs"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
  • Similar words include: tenet, dogma
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "66. French possessive"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brittle silver-white metalloid element that is related to selenium and sulfur; it is used in alloys and as a semiconductor; occurs mainly as tellurides in ores of copper and nickel and silver and gold
  • Similar words include: atomic number 52, ti, te
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "67. 35mm options"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Was unable to go further 8
2D 2. Extreme boastfulness 8
3D 3. Instrument heard at Rosh Hashana services 8
4D 4. Wood used in making guitar bodies 3
5D 5. World capital known as the "City for Peace" 5
6D 6. World capital that's home to the Kocatepe Mosque 6
7D 7. Attachments to mortarboards 7
8D 8. Lead-in to much 4
9D 9. Late psychedelic artist Peter 3
10D 10. Fraternity letter 3
11D 11. Understands, despite efforts at concealment 6
12D 12. Dr. Seuss character in a red hat 6
13D 13. Step on it 6
14D 18. Post-marathon problem 4
15D 22. Disney street-smart mutt 5
16D 26. Bit of red tape 4
17D 27. Old pros 6
18D 29. Hallowed 6
19D 31. ___ shu pork 3
20D 35. Dinghy gear 4
21D 36. "O ___ babbino caro" (Puccini aria) 3
22D 37. Thumbs Up or Thinking Face 5
23D 39. First out 8
24D 40. Item in a miniature collector's collection 8
25D 41. Team with the most Super Bowl wins in the 1970s 8
26D 43. "Seriously!" 7
27D 45. Alternative to boo 6
28D 46. Analgesic agent 6
29D 47. Brando with two Oscars 6
30D 48. Took big steps 6
31D 49. Big blowout 4
32D 52. ___ de asador (Mexican meal) 5
33D 55. Some info on bus. cards 4
34D 58. Apt letters missing from j_i_ _d 3
35D 59. Tumbler's surface 3
36D 61. Ding-dong 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Was unable to go further"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Extreme boastfulness"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an intense and irresistible love for yourself and concern for your own needs
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGOMANIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Instrument heard at Rosh Hashana services"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Wood used in making guitar bodies"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the residue that remains when something is burned
  • Similar words include: ash tree
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. World capital known as the "City for Peace""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital city of vietnam; located in north vietnam
  • Similar words include: capital of Vietnam
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HANOI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. World capital that's home to the Kocatepe Mosque"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital of turkey; located in west-central turkey; it was formerly known as angora and is the home of angora goats
  • Similar words include: capital of Turkey, Angora, Turkish capital
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANKARA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Attachments to mortarboards"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that adornment consisting of a bunch of cords fastened at one end
  • Similar words include: tassel
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TASSELS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Lead-in to much"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Late psychedelic artist Peter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate
  • Similar words include: goop, soap, easy lay
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Fraternity letter"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of pressure
  • Similar words include: pounds per square inch
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PSI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Understands, despite efforts at concealment"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Dr. Seuss character in a red hat"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Step on it"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
  • Similar words include: ado, flimflam, gyp
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUSTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Post-marathon problem"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
  • Similar words include: languish, smart, pine
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Disney street-smart mutt"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disreputable vagrant
  • Similar words include: hiking, hobo, hiker
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Bit of red tape"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
  • Similar words include: manakin, course, organize
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Old pros"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
  • Similar words include: whizz, wizard, wiz
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADEPTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Hallowed"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that concerned with religion or religious purposes
  • Similar words include: sanctified, hallowed, consecrated
  • Opposite of: profane
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SACRED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. ___ shu pork"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by a cow or bull
  • Similar words include: low
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "35. Dinghy gear"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
  • Similar words include: oar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "36. "O ___ babbino caro" (Puccini aria)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "37. Thumbs Up or Thinking Face"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "39. First out"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made
  • Similar words include: archetype, master copy, pilot
  • Opposite of: unoriginal
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORIGINAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "40. Item in a miniature collector's collection"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "41. Team with the most Super Bowl wins in the 1970s"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "43. "Seriously!""

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Alternative to boo"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. Analgesic agent"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narcotic drug that contains opium or an opium derivative
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPIATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Brando with two Oscars"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Took big steps"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that walk with long steps
  • Similar words include: stride
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Big blowout"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vigorous blow
  • Similar words include: smash, brawl, knock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. ___ de asador (Mexican meal)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of mexican descent
  • Similar words include: wetback, greaser, taco
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TACOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "55. Some info on bus. cards"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "58. Apt letters missing from j_i_ _d"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: unity, single, I
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "59. Tumbler's surface"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "61. Ding-dong"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: tail, rear, bottom
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

38 Across Clues
36 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: October 22, 2026 at 08:46 AM

Thursday, October 15, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 15, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Creator of Beats Electronics, familiarly 3
2A 4. Key of Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" 5
3A 9. ___ ball 5
4A 14. Classic cartoon dog with the catchphrase "You eediot!" 3
5A 15. Prefix with Roman 5
6A 16. Ancient calculation tools 5
7A 17. Bygone org. for the Houston Oilers 3
8A 18. Lacks 5
9A 19. Her Majesty, for one 5
10A 20. Sure ___ 10
11A 23. Rogue 3
12A 24. Frighteningly monstrous sorts 5
13A 25. More than a chart-topper 7
14A 28. What "!" is used for, in coding 8
15A 32. Political rival of Mark Antony 6
16A 33. Genesis 4
17A 34. Southern California city with a Spanish name 4
18A 36. Some undergrad conferrals, in brief 3
19A 37. Put under ___ 9
20A 40. One who's left, for short? 3
21A 41. Overzealous fan, in modern slang 4
22A 42. Paradise 4
23A 46. Big fuss 6
24A 49. Make the most of 8
25A 51. Useful tips for writers? 7
26A 53. What's close to the bone? 5
27A 54. Possible translation of "y" 3
28A 55. One way to start a race ... or a hint to understanding seven clues in this puzzle 10
29A 59. Clear molding material 5
30A 62. Aquarium fish with "neon" and "emperor" varieties 5
31A 63. Ramadan's end 3
32A 64. Cease ___ 5
33A 65. Have leftovers, say 5
34A 66. Actor Stephen of "V for Vendetta" 3
35A 67. Promotes 5
36A 68. Tempo 5
37A 69. Foxy 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Creator of Beats Electronics, familiarly"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Key of Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. ___ ball"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (astronomy) a relatively small extraterrestrial body consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun in a highly elliptical orbit
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Classic cartoon dog with the catchphrase "You eediot!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Prefix with Roman"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that spanish painter (born in greece) remembered for his religious works characterized by elongated human forms and dramatic use of color (1541-1614)
  • Similar words include: Domenikos Theotocopoulos, El Greco
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRECO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Ancient calculation tools"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tablet placed horizontally on top of the capital of a column as an aid in supporting the architrave
  • Similar words include: abacus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABACI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Bygone org. for the Houston Oilers"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a federation of north american labor unions that merged with the congress of industrial organizations in 1955
  • Similar words include: American Federation of Labor
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Lacks"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Her Majesty, for one"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
  • Similar words include: championship, statute title, form of address
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TITLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Sure ___"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give surety or assume responsibility
  • Similar words include: assure, vouch, insure
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUARANTEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Rogue"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who is morally reprehensible
  • Similar words include: bounder, computer-aided design, heel
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Frighteningly monstrous sorts"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cruel wicked and inhuman person
  • Similar words include: ogre, monster, devil
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OGRES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. More than a chart-topper"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unusually successful hit with widespread popularity and huge sales (especially a movie or play or recording or novel)
  • Similar words include: blockbuster, smash hit
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEGAHIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. What "!" is used for, in coding"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a negative statement; a statement that is a refusal or denial of some other statement
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEGATION

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "32. Political rival of Mark Antony"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a linear unit of the size of type slightly larger than an em
  • Similar words include: Tully, Marcus Tullius Cicero
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CICERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Genesis"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small hard fruit
  • Similar words include: semen, come, cum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Southern California city with a Spanish name"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Some undergrad conferrals, in brief"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group; found in barite
  • Similar words include: Artium Baccalaurens, barium, Bachelor of Arts
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Put under ___"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that beat with a cane
  • Similar words include: scold, bawl out, lecture
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAMBASTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. One who's left, for short?"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Overzealous fan, in modern slang"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Paradise"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Big fuss"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that blatant or sensational promotion
  • Similar words include: plug, ballyhoo, hype
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOOPLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. Make the most of"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make optimal; get the most out of; use best
  • Similar words include: optimise
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPTIMIZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "51. Useful tips for writers?"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement used to erase something
  • Similar words include: eraser
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERASERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "53. What's close to the bone?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "54. Possible translation of "y""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "55. One way to start a race ... or a hint to understanding seven clues in this puzzle"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Clear molding material"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of a class of solid or semisolid viscous substances obtained either as exudations from certain plants or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules
  • Similar words include: rosin
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "62. Aquarium fish with "neon" and "emperor" varieties"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that brightly colored tropical freshwater fishes
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TETRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Ramadan's end"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. Cease ___"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
  • Similar words include: cease-fire, armistice
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRUCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Have leftovers, say"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. Actor Stephen of "V for Vendetta""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Promotes"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that blatant or sensational promotion
  • Similar words include: plug, hoopla, ballyhoo
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HYPES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "68. Tempo"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that distance travelled per unit time
  • Similar words include: cannonball along, fastness, belt along
  • Opposite of: decelerate, linger
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "69. Foxy"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by skill in deception
  • Similar words include: tricksy, foxy, dodgy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. ___ breathers 7
2D 2. Asylum seeker 7
3D 3. Swell 7
4D 4. Shocked 6
5D 5. "Metropolitan Life" author Lebowitz 4
6D 6. In case 4
7D 7. Possible puberty problem 4
8D 8. Emblem with an Ojibwe name 5
9D 9. Hipster of times past 3
10D 10. Belt with a kimono 3
11D 11. ___ starters 7
12D 12. Pastry whose name is French for "lightning" 6
13D 13. Associated with 6
14D 21. Eavesdrop from afar, maybe 8
15D 22. When N.Y.C. tourism is typically high 3
16D 26. Taunt 4
17D 27. Professor's world 8
18D 29. Tech co. that was integral to early computer science 3
19D 30. Bubbles, e.g. 4
20D 31. "Groovy!" 5
21D 35. "Hurry!" 4
22D 38. Proficient 4
23D 39. Boom sticks? 3
24D 40. Fills, as a buffet plate 7
25D 43. Things that might be provided with grace? 7
26D 44. Book after Lamentations 7
27D 45. Tabloid that's one of the 10 highest-circulation papers in the U.S. 7
28D 46. ___ place 6
29D 47. Cantankerous 6
30D 48. Rover's sound 3
31D 50. Card that's the source for "blue mana" in Magic: The Gathering 6
32D 52. Plots 5
33D 56. Gather from the field 4
34D 57. Suffix with kitchen 4
35D 58. Wheel that comes apart easily? 4
36D 60. Treatment for a bruise 3
37D 61. Platform for Duck Hunt, in brief 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. ___ breathers"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a creature of teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings
  • Similar words include: Draco, Dragon, firedrake
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRAGONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Asylum seeker"

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exile who flees for safety
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REFUGEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Swell"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make larger
  • Similar words include: expatiate, flesh out, expand
  • Opposite of: reduce, contract
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENLARGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Shocked"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that struck with fear, dread, or consternation
  • Similar words include: shocked, dismayed, appalled
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGHAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "Metropolitan Life" author Lebowitz"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. In case"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that being ten more than forty
  • Similar words include: l, 50, fifty
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Possible puberty problem"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inflammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands of the skin; characterized by papules or pustules or comedones
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Emblem with an Ojibwe name"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOTEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Hipster of times past"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
  • Similar words include: hombre, computerized tomography, true cat
  • Opposite of: keep down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Belt with a kimono"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (west indies) followers of a religious system involving witchcraft and sorcery
  • Similar words include: obeah
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OBI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. ___ starters"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction
  • Similar words include: catch, twin, equalise
  • Opposite of: disagree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATCHES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Pastry whose name is French for "lightning""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that oblong cream puff
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECLAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Associated with"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Eavesdrop from afar, maybe"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. When N.Y.C. tourism is typically high"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the last (12th) month of the year
  • Similar words include: declination, celestial latitude, December
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Taunt"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
  • Similar words include: dig, barrack, flout
  • Opposite of: disagree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIBE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Professor's world"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the academic world
  • Similar words include: academe
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACADEMIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Tech co. that was integral to early computer science"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. Bubbles, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye
  • Similar words include: revolve, ball, globe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORBS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. "Groovy!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "35. "Hurry!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that as soon as possible
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "38. Proficient"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
  • Similar words include: able-bodied, capable
  • Opposite of: unable
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "39. Boom sticks?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that explosive consisting of a yellow crystalline compound that is a flammable toxic derivative of toluene
  • Similar words include: trinitrotoluene
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "40. Fills, as a buffet plate"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "43. Things that might be provided with grace?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
  • Similar words include: dinner party, dinner
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DINNERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "44. Book after Lamentations"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hebrew prophet of the 6th century bc who was exiled to babylon in 587 bc
  • Similar words include: Book of Ezekiel, Ezechiel
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EZEKIEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "45. Tabloid that's one of the 10 highest-circulation papers in the U.S."

7 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "46. ___ place"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
  • Similar words include: open fireplace, fireside, fireplace
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEARTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. Cantankerous"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having a difficult and contrary disposition; - dorothy sayers
  • Similar words include: cantankerous, crotchety
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORNERY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Rover's sound"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Card that's the source for "blue mana" in Magic: The Gathering"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISLAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. Plots"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
  • Similar words include: pose, seat, website
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "56. Gather from the field"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gather, as of natural products
  • Similar words include: harvest, draw, glean
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "57. Suffix with kitchen"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. Wheel that comes apart easily?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that soft creamy white cheese; milder than camembert
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "60. Treatment for a bruise"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: internal-combustion engine, frosting, sparkler
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "61. Platform for Duck Hunt, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
  • Similar words include: Cornhusker State, neon, nor'-east
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
37 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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

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

Last updated: October 15, 2026 at 08:27 AM