December 27, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (37 clues)
• Down Clues (41 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, December 27, 2021

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (37 Across, 41 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

Across Clues Explained - Monday NYT Crossword December 27, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. "Ain't that the truth!"	6
2A	7. Use a swizzle stick	4
3A	11. "You don't need to be ___, Roy" (rhyming Paul Simon lyric)	3
4A	14. Human beings	6
5A	15. Keister, in Leicester	4
6A	16. Filmmaker DuVernay	3
7A	17. *TV remote inserts, often	11
8A	19. Implement with ink	3
9A	20. Technical detail, for short	4
10A	21. *Sobriety support group session, informally	9
11A	23. Give off, as vibes	4
12A	26. Little criticism	3
13A	27. Pub barrel	6
14A	30. *Animal whose name means "earth pig" in Afrikaans	8
15A	35. Line on a sales receipt	3
16A	36. Skirmish	6
17A	38. Lena of "Chocolat"	4
18A	39. Floor cover	3
19A	40. *"Winnie-the-Pooh" writer	7
20A	42. Lacto-___ vegetarianism	3
21A	43. Element that also names a household appliance	4
22A	45. Acknowledges with a head tilt	6
23A	46. Snag	3
24A	47. *4.0 on a transcript	8
25A	49. Shapes made in the snow	6
26A	51. Swing ___ (when big bands were big)	3
27A	52. Disney snow queen	4
28A	53. *Three-time Emmy winner for "Breaking Bad"	9
29A	58. Word with butter or Stadium	4
30A	62. What's central in heliocentrism	3
31A	63. Tennessee Smokies or Portland Sea Dogs ... or what the answers to the starred clues comprise?	11
32A	66. Words from an altar ego?	3
33A	67. Fairy tale menace	4
34A	68. Section of a sentence	6
35A	69. What's inside an inner tube	3
36A	70. Fly high	4
37A	71. Summer wear with a T-shirt	6

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. "Ain't that the truth!""

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: ILLSAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "7. Use a swizzle stick"

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 prominent or sensational but short-lived news event
• Words that mean the same thing: call down, shake, call forth
• 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 3 Across: "11. "You don't need to be ___, Roy" (rhyming Paul Simon lyric)"

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 affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
• Words that mean the same thing: overmodest, demure
• 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: COY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Human beings"

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 (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
• Words that mean the same thing: hoi polloi, multitude, the great unwashed
• 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: PEOPLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Keister, in Leicester"

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 fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: tooshie, buns, derriere
• 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: ARSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Filmmaker DuVernay"

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

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: AVA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. *TV remote inserts, often"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: AABATTERIES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Implement with ink"

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 writing implement with a point from which ink flows
• Words that mean the same thing: playpen, compose, indite
• 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: PEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Technical detail, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work
• Words that mean the same thing: specification
• 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: SPEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. *Sobriety support group session, informally"

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: AAMEETING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Give off, as vibes"

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 expel (gases or odors)
• Words that mean the same thing: utter, give out, let out
• The opposite would be: absorb
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EMIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Little criticism"

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 luminance unit equal to 1 candle per square meter measured perpendicular to the rays from the source
• 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: NIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. Pub barrel"

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: ALEKEG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. *Animal whose name means "earth pig" in Afrikaans"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that nocturnal burrowing mammal of the grasslands of africa that feeds on termites; sole extant representative of the order tubulidentata
• Words that mean the same thing: Orycteropus afer, anteater, ant bear
• 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: AARDVARK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "35. Line on a sales receipt"

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 charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government
• Words that mean the same thing: revenue enhancement, task, taxation
• 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: TAX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "36. Skirmish"

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 disorderly fighting
• Words that mean the same thing: scuffle, rough-and-tumble, muss
• 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: TUSSLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "38. Lena of "Chocolat""

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: OLIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "39. Floor cover"

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 floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
• Words that mean the same thing: carpet, carpeting
• 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: RUG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. *"Winnie-the-Pooh" writer"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about literature.

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: AAMILNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "42. Lacto-___ vegetarianism"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: OVO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Element that also names a household appliance"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
• Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 26, cast-iron, press
• 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: IRON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Acknowledges with a head tilt"

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: NODSTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Snag"

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 tag the base runner to get him out
• Words that mean the same thing: pick up, arrest, cop
• 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: NAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "47. *4.0 on a transcript"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: AAVERAGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "49. Shapes made in the snow"

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 spiritual being attendant upon god
• Words that mean the same thing: Angel, Angel Falls, saint
• 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: ANGELS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "51. Swing ___ (when big bands were big)"

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 period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Words that mean the same thing: geological era, earned run average, epoch
• 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: ERA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "52. Disney snow queen"

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: ELSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. *Three-time Emmy winner for "Breaking Bad""

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: AARONPAUL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "58. Word with butter or Stadium"

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: SHEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "62. What's central in heliocentrism"

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 the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
• Words that mean the same thing: sunbathe, Lord's Day, Dominicus
• 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: SUN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "63. Tennessee Smokies or Portland Sea Dogs ... or what the answers to the starred clues comprise?"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert 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: DOUBLEATEAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "66. Words from an altar ego?"

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 an artificial language that is a revision and simplification of esperanto
• 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: IDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "67. Fairy tale menace"

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 cruel wicked and inhuman person
• Words that mean the same thing: demon, devil, monster
• 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: OGRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "68. Section of a sentence"

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 expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
• Words that mean the same thing: idiomatic expression, give voice, set phrase
• 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: PHRASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "69. What's inside an inner tube"

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 mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
• Words that mean the same thing: air travel, broadcast, send
• 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: AIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "70. Fly high"

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 act of rising upward into the air
• Words that mean the same thing: hang glide, surge, soar upwards
• 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: SOAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "71. Summer wear with a T-shirt"

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 trousers that end at or above the knee
• Words that mean the same thing: short circuit, boxershorts, short-change
• 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: SHORTS

  Great job if you got it right!

December 27, 2021 Down Hints: NYT Monday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Many hoppy brews, in brief	4
2D	2. ___ of faith	4
3D	3. One of four in the human brain	4
4D	4. Actress Sissy	6
5D	5. Ctrl-___-Del	3
6D	6. Nonetheless	3
7D	7. Singer Bareilles	4
8D	8. Minor haircut	4
9D	9. "Ah, gotcha"	4
10D	10. Forward, as mail	6
11D	11. Banking giant that makes the Venture card	10
12D	12. Bakery hot spot	4
13D	13. Yin's opposite	4
14D	18. "Don't starve yourself!"	3
15D	22. Big name in DVRs	4
16D	24. Prefix with physics	4
17D	25. Tropical lizard	6
18D	27. Indoor spaces with lots of natural light	5
19D	28. First lady Bush	5
20D	29. Arnold Schwarzenegger or Ronald Reagan, for California	10
21D	30. Parenthetical comment	5
22D	31. "___ Well That Ends Well"	4
23D	32. Car for a vacationer	6
24D	33. Archcompetitor	5
25D	34. Some volume controls	5
26D	37. Pollution in city skies	4
27D	41. Like, forever!	4
28D	44. Emperor during the Great Fire of Rome	4
29D	48. Total strangers, in modern slang	6
30D	50. Prefix with enterologist	6
31D	52. Right-angle shape	3
32D	53. Home of seven -stans	4
33D	54. A4 automaker	4
34D	55. Jumping stick	4
35D	56. Vibe	4
36D	57. Lyft competitor	4
37D	59. Consider, as a judicial case	4
38D	60. Down ___ (Maine)	4
39D	61. Iowa campus town	4
40D	64. Mini-albums, in brief	3
41D	65. "Say ___" (doctor's request)	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. Many hoppy brews, in brief"

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: IPAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. ___ of faith"

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 light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
• Words that mean the same thing: bounce, saltation, jump
• 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: LEAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. One of four in the human brain"

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 (anatomy) a somewhat rounded subdivision of a bodily organ or part
• 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: LOBE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Actress Sissy"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: SPACEK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Ctrl-___-Del"

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 angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
• Words that mean the same thing: elevation, EL, altitude
• 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: ALT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Nonetheless"

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 up to the present time
• Words that mean the same thing: nonetheless, up to now, however
• 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: YET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Singer Bareilles"

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: SARA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Minor haircut"

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 arrangement or appearance
• Words that mean the same thing: cut down, trim back, pare
• 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: TRIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. "Ah, gotcha""

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: ISEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Forward, as mail"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: RESEND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Banking giant that makes the Venture card"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: CAPITALONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Bakery hot spot"

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 kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
• 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: OVEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Yin's opposite"

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 bright positive masculine principle in chinese dualistic cosmology
• The opposite would be: yin
• 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: YANG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. "Don't starve yourself!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that take in solid food
• Words that mean the same thing: feed, corrode, deplete
• 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: EAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Big name in DVRs"

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: TIVO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Prefix with physics"

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

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: META

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Tropical lizard"

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 large herbivorous tropical american arboreal lizards with a spiny crest along the back; used as human food in central america and south america
• Words that mean the same thing: common iguana, Iguana iguana
• 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: IGUANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Indoor spaces with lots of natural light"

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 any chamber that is connected to other chambers or passageways (especially one of the two upper chambers of the heart)
• Words that mean the same thing: atrium
• 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: ATRIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. First lady Bush"

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: LAURA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Arnold Schwarzenegger or Ronald Reagan, for California"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert 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: EXGOVERNOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Parenthetical comment"

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 line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage
• Words that mean the same thing: apart, parenthesis, digression
• 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: ASIDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. "___ Well That Ends Well""

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: ALLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. Car for a vacationer"

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 property that is leased or rented out or let
• Words that mean the same thing: renting, lease, letting
• 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: RENTAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. Archcompetitor"

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 the contestant you hope to defeat
• Words that mean the same thing: challenger, match, contender
• 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: RIVAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "34. Some volume controls"

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 circular rounded projection or protuberance
• Words that mean the same thing: thickening, knob, boss
• 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: KNOBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. Pollution in city skies"

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 air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
• Words that mean the same thing: smogginess
• 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: SMOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Like, forever!"

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 longest division of geological time
• Words that mean the same thing: eon, aeon
• 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: EONS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Emperor during the Great Fire of Rome"

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 roman emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of rome in 64) but the roman empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)
• Words that mean the same thing: Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
• 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: NERO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "48. Total strangers, in modern slang"

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: RANDOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "50. Prefix with enterologist"

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: GASTRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "52. Right-angle shape"

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 extension at the end and at right angles to the main building
• 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: ELL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "53. Home of seven -stans"

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 largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to europe on the west to form eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
• 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: ASIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "54. A4 automaker"

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: AUDI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "55. Jumping stick"

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: POGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "56. Vibe"

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 sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure
• Words that mean the same thing: air, halo, atmosphere
• 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: AURA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. Lyft competitor"

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: UBER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "59. Consider, as a judicial case"

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 perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
• Words that mean the same thing: get word, pick up, get a line
• 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: HEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "60. Down ___ (Maine)"

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 cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
• Words that mean the same thing: eastern United States, Orient, due east
• The opposite would be: west
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EAST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "61. Iowa campus town"

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: AMES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "64. Mini-albums, in brief"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: EPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "65. "Say ___" (doctor's request)"

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: AHH

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	50	64.1%
Short Answer	15	19.2%
Celebrity/Entertainment	4	5.1%
Science/Technology	2	2.6%
History	2	2.6%
Movies/Film	1	1.3%
Abbreviation	1	1.3%
Literature	1	1.3%
Geography	1	1.3%
Music	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	37
Down Clues	41
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	11 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 12, 2025 at 09:37 PM

December 30, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

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

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 30, 2021

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (39 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

Across Clues Explained - Thursday NYT Crossword December 30, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Flatbread from India	4
2A	5. Top-notch	6
3A	11. "J to ___ L-O!" (Jennifer Lopez album)	3
4A	14. Captain who cries "From hell's heart I stab at thee"	4
5A	15. What the 21st Amendment achieved	6
6A	16. Conned	3
7A	17. Tiny bit of information	4
8A	18. They stay and bite	10
9A	20. "No clue"	7
10A	22. Propelled from a bench	5
11A	23. Words declared before and after "what"	3
12A	24. Product whose first commercial was notably narrated by Jeff Goldblum	4
13A	26. ___-worthy	5
14A	27. Emmy-winning comedy series of 2007, 2008 and 2009	10
15A	30. Climate control system, in brief	4
16A	32. "Certainly"	3
17A	33. Goddess often depicted with wings	3
18A	34. URL ending	3
19A	35. Places people speak in whispers	5
20A	38. Symbol for the starts of 18-, 27-, 46- and 58-Across	3
21A	39. Sounder	5
22A	41. Having everything one needs	3
23A	42. Nintendo console	3
24A	43. Part of many a ballroom dance	3
25A	44. Beer topper	4
26A	46. Gains favor using abject flattery, informally	10
27A	51. Fire starters, for short	5
28A	53. Idiosyncrasies	4
29A	54. New Deal inits.	3
30A	55. "Man, that's something!"	5
31A	56. Lady Gaga or Kylie Minogue	7
32A	58. Souse	10
33A	62. Animal, vegetable or mineral	4
34A	63. Class	3
35A	64. Move stealthily	6
36A	65. "Huh-uh"	4
37A	66. Aid for driving	3
38A	67. Evansville baseball team or Erie ice hockey team	6
39A	68. Coaster	4

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. Flatbread from India"

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: ROTI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Top-notch"

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: GRADEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. "J to ___ L-O!" (Jennifer Lopez album)"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium 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: THA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Captain who cries "From hell's heart I stab at thee""

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 according to the old testament he was a pagan king of israel and husband of jezebel (9th century bc)
• 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: AHAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. What the 21st Amendment achieved"

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 the act of abrogating; an official or legal cancellation
• Words that mean the same thing: overturn, rescind, annulment
• 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: REPEAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Conned"

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 have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
• Words that mean the same thing: give, induce, suffer
• The opposite would be: refuse, lack
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Tiny bit of information"

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 sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information
• 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: BYTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. They stay and bite"

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: ADULTTEETH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. "No clue""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: BEATSME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Propelled from a bench"

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: OARED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Words declared before and after "what""

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: IAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Product whose first commercial was notably narrated by Jeff Goldblum"

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: IMAC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. ___-worthy"

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 an annual award by the academy of motion picture arts and sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance
• Words that mean the same thing: Academy Award
• 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: OSCAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Emmy-winning comedy series of 2007, 2008 and 2009"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: THIRTYROCK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. Climate control system, in brief"

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: HVAC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. "Certainly""

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 affirmative
• The opposite would be: no
• 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: YES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Goddess often depicted with wings"

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 (greek mythology) the winged goddess of the dawn in ancient mythology; daughter of hyperion; identified with roman aurora
• 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: EOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. URL ending"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: EDU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. Places people speak in whispers"

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 domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
• Words that mean the same thing: apsis, apse
• 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: APSES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. Symbol for the starts of 18-, 27-, 46- and 58-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
• Words that mean the same thing: thirty, 30
• 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: XXX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "39. Sounder"

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 mentally healthy; free from mental disorder
• Words that mean the same thing: sane, reasonable
• The opposite would be: insane
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SANER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. Having everything one needs"

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 group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
• Words that mean the same thing: bent, readiness, localise
• The opposite would be: rise
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "42. Nintendo console"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: WII

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "43. Part of many a ballroom dance"

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 depression in an otherwise level surface
• Words that mean the same thing: free fall, plunge, dim
• 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: DIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "44. Beer topper"

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 upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
• Words that mean the same thing: caput, oral sex, steer
• The opposite would be: rear, foot
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "46. Gains favor using abject flattery, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: KISSESBUTT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "51. Fire starters, for short"

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: PYROS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Idiosyncrasies"

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 local and habitual twitching especially in the face
• Words that mean the same thing: tic
• 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: TICS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. New Deal inits."

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 powerful lobby that advocates the right to own and bear arms and rejects any gun regulation by the government
• Words that mean the same thing: National Rifle Association
• 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: NRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "55. "Man, that's something!""

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: OHWOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "56. Lady Gaga or Kylie Minogue"

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: GAYICON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "58. Souse"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: BOOZEHOUND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "62. Animal, vegetable or mineral"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action
• 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: NOUN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "63. Class"

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 kind of person
• Words that mean the same thing: like
• 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: ILK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "64. Move stealthily"

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 tip of a toe
• Words that mean the same thing: tip, tippytoe
• 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: TIPTOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "65. "Huh-uh""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy 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: NOPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "66. Aid for driving"

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 starting place for each hole on a golf course
• Words that mean the same thing: football tee, tee up, teeing ground
• 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: TEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "67. Evansville baseball team or Erie ice hockey team"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the fur of an otter
• Words that mean the same thing: otter
• 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: OTTERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "68. Coaster"

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 vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
• Words that mean the same thing: sleigh, sledge
• 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: SLED

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Thursday Crossword Down Clues - December 30, 2021 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Hutch occupant	6
2D	2. Sarcastic "Is that so?"	6
3D	3. Japanese mat	6
4D	4. "Um, sure"	4
5D	5. Awards won by presidents Carter, Clinton and Obama	7
6D	6. Sunfish with colorful gill covers	6
7D	7. Shopkeeper on "The Simpsons"	3
8D	8. Joe Biden's home: Abbr.	3
9D	9. Down	3
10D	10. Choir section	5
11D	11. Classic poem set in "bleak December"	8
12D	12. Virulent negativity, in modern parlance	8
13D	13. Ritalin target, for short	4
14D	19. Per	4
15D	21. Web destinations	5
16D	25. Popular bumper sticker of the 2000s	7
17D	26. Stamps, maybe	3
18D	28. Ingredient in an old-fashioned	3
19D	29. One facing the crew, informally	3
20D	31. Scoundrel	3
21D	35. Remains to be seen?	3
22D	36. Hotel door feature	8
23D	37. Social justice catchphrase	8
24D	38. Spot on a sundial	3
25D	39. Actress Spacek	5
26D	40. Police dispatch, for short	3
27D	42. Calendar units: Abbr.	3
28D	43. A long, long time	7
29D	45. "The ___ Show" (daytime TV staple beginning in 2009)	4
30D	47. Gentleman from Genoa	6
31D	48. Square	6
32D	49. Traveling performers	6
33D	50. Showing evidence of a beach holiday	6
34D	52. Have because of	5
35D	55. Life after death?	4
36D	57. Public houses	4
37D	59. Google result	3
38D	60. Go (for)	3
39D	61. Pac-12 Conference player	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. Hutch occupant"

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 any of various burrowing animals of the family leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food
• Words that mean the same thing: lapin, hare, cony
• 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: RABBIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Sarcastic "Is that so?""

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: OHYEAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Japanese mat"

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: TATAMI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. "Um, sure""

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: IBET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Awards won by presidents Carter, Clinton and Obama"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard 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: GRAMMYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Sunfish with colorful gill covers"

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: REDEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Shopkeeper on "The Simpsons""

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: APU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Joe Biden's home: Abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: DEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Down"

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 take in solid food
• Words that mean the same thing: consume, deplete, eat 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: EAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Choir section"

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 singer whose voice lies in the alto clef
• Words that mean the same thing: countertenor, contralto, alto
• 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: ALTOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Classic poem set in "bleak December""

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about literature.

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: THERAVEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Virulent negativity, in modern parlance"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: HATERADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Ritalin target, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
• Words that mean the same thing: MBD, attention deficit disorder, minimal brain dysfunction
• 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: ADHD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "19. Per"

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 (used of count nouns) every one considered individually
• Words that mean the same thing: apiece, from each one, for each one
• 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: EACH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Web destinations"

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 piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
• Words that mean the same thing: place, locate, sit
• The opposite would be: stand, arise
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SITES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. Popular bumper sticker of the 2000s"

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 coexist peacefully, as of nations
• 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: COEXIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Stamps, maybe"

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 state in south central united states
• Words that mean the same thing: okey, OK, okay
• 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: OKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "28. Ingredient in an old-fashioned"

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 the seed of the cereal grass
• Words that mean the same thing: rye whisky, Secale cereale, rye whiskey
• 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: RYE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. One facing the crew, 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 either of two related enzymes that control the production of prostaglandins and are blocked by aspirin
• Words that mean the same thing: coxswain, cyclooxygenase
• 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: COX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Scoundrel"

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 inferior dog or one of mixed breed
• Words that mean the same thing: mongrel, mutt
• 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: CUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "35. Remains to be seen?"

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 the residue that remains when something is burned
• Words that mean the same thing: ash 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: ASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "36. Hotel door feature"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a hole (in a door or an oven etc) through which you can peep
• Words that mean the same thing: eyehole, spyhole
• 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: PEEPHOLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "37. Social justice catchphrase"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: STAYWOKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "38. Spot on a sundial"

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 the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
• Words that mean the same thing: dozen, 12, twelve
• 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: XII

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. Actress Spacek"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a timid man or boy considered childish or unassertive
• Words that mean the same thing: pantywaist, Milquetoast, emasculate
• 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: SISSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "40. Police dispatch, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: APB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Calendar units: Abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: WKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. A long, long time"

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 period of 10 years
• Words that mean the same thing: decade, tenner, ten
• 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: DECADES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. "The ___ Show" (daytime TV staple beginning in 2009)"

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: DROZ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "47. Gentleman from Genoa"

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 used as an italian courtesy title; can be prefixed to the name or used separately
• Words that mean the same thing: signior
• 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: SIGNOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "48. Square"

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 (spoken slang) unfashionable and boring
• 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: UNCOOL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "49. Traveling performers"

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 organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical)
• Words that mean the same thing: company
• 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: TROUPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "50. Showing evidence of a beach holiday"

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 treat skins and hides with tannic acid so as to convert them into leather
• Words that mean the same thing: bronze, suntanned, bronzed
• The opposite would be: untanned
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TANNED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "52. Have 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: OWETO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Life after death?"

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 a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography
• Words that mean the same thing: obituary, necrology
• 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: OBIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. Public houses"

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 hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
• Words that mean the same thing: inn, hostel, hostelry
• 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: INNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "59. Google result"

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 (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
• Words that mean the same thing: bump off, come to, rack up
• 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 38 Down: "60. Go (for)"

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 select as an alternative over another
• Words that mean the same thing: prefer, choose
• 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: OPT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "61. Pac-12 Conference player"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of the shoshonean people of utah and colorado and new mexico
• 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: UTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	44	56.4%
Short Answer	21	26.9%
Abbreviation	4	5.1%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	3.8%
History	2	2.6%
Sports	2	2.6%
Music	1	1.3%
Literature	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	39
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.8 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 Thursday, 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 12, 2025 at 08:21 PM