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Saturday, May 9, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 09, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Gold meddlers? 10
2A 11. One making calls on the fly? 4
3A 15. You or me, e.g. 10
4A 16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread) 4
5A 17. Exclamation of surprise from a host 10
6A 18. Place for a post 4
7A 19. Dr. J, for all of his N.B.A. career 5
8A 20. Perspective 4
9A 21. Husky hellos? 4
10A 22. Reached new heights 4
11A 24. Low-level clouds 6
12A 26. Central Plains nation governed by the Nasharo Council 6
13A 30. Storage unit 4
14A 32. Portable retirement option 3
15A 33. Black-and-white debut of 1912 4
16A 34. Like something no money can buy 4
17A 36. Accomplished 5
18A 38. List of qualifications? 15
19A 41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation 5
20A 42. Pomegranate morsel 4
21A 43. Certain razorback 4
22A 44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names 3
23A 45. Still active after all these years 4
24A 47. Looks all over 6
25A 49. ___ paratha (cheese-filled flatbread) 6
26A 51. Great find in the candy aisle, by the sound of it 4
27A 53. Things to let: Abbr. 4
28A 54. "I could be wrong, but ...," for short 4
29A 56. Tropical ring 5
30A 61. Hoot 4
31A 62. 2000 parody of a 62-Across 10
32A 64. "That's for sure" 4
33A 65. Postponed court date? 10
34A 66. No time like the present 4
35A 67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps 10

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Gold meddlers?"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who was versed in the practice of alchemy and who sought an elixir of life and a panacea and an alkahest and the philosopher's stone
  • Similar words include: alchemist
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALCHEMISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "11. One making calls on the fly?"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
  • Similar words include: shuttle, chick, shuttlecock
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIRD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. You or me, e.g."

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Exclamation of surprise from a host"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Place for a post"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies
  • Similar words include: web log
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Dr. J, for all of his N.B.A. career"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
  • Similar words include: sestet, sextet, sextuplet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIXER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Perspective"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
  • Similar words include: require, take aim, subscribe to
  • Opposite of: disclaim, give
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Husky hellos?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Reached new heights"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
  • Similar words include: uprise, develop, grow
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GREW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Low-level clouds"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large dark low cloud
  • Similar words include: stratus, stratus cloud
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STRATI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Central Plains nation governed by the Nasharo Council"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the pawnee nation formerly living in nebraska and kansas but now largely in oklahoma
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAWNEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "30. Storage unit"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BYTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "32. Portable retirement option"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sheath worn to protect a finger
  • Similar words include: camp bed, crib, fingerstall
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "33. Black-and-white debut of 1912"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Like something no money can buy"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people who are free
  • Similar words include: barren, unloosen, liberal
  • Opposite of: freeze, block
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "36. Accomplished"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. List of qualifications?"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that formed by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Pomegranate morsel"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fleshy and usually brightly colored cover of some seeds that develops from the ovule stalk and partially or entirely envelopes the seed
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Certain razorback"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that old world wild swine having a narrow body and prominent tusks from which most domestic swine come; introduced in united states
  • Similar words include: wild boar, Sus scrofa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 17th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "45. Still active after all these years"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that moving quickly and lightly
  • Similar words include: agile, nimble, quick
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Looks all over"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that diarrhea in livestock
  • Similar words include: purge, scour, abrade
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCOURS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. ___ paratha (cheese-filled flatbread)"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Great find in the candy aisle, by the sound of it"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "53. Things to let: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "54. "I could be wrong, but ...," for short"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Tropical ring"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an island consisting of a circular coral reef surrounding a lagoon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOLL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Hoot"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a public act of violence by an unruly mob
  • Similar words include: public violence, thigh-slapper, wow
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "62. 2000 parody of a 62-Across"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "64. "That's for sure""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that proper alignment; the property possessed by something that is in correct or proper alignment
  • Similar words include: avowedly, reliable, dead on target
  • Opposite of: untruthful, false
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "65. Postponed court date?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "66. No time like the present"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that time long past
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987 4
2D 2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped 4
3D 3. Central point 4
4D 4. "This is for you" 4
5D 5. Spring up 6
6D 6. One of the Three Stooges 3
7D 7. Extra hot 5
8D 8. Parlor treat typically served with the first five letters of its name 15
9D 9. Lecture 4
10D 10. Least straightforward, say 6
11D 11. Weighty subject of some children's books 5
12D 12. Statement that may be followed by a dash 10
13D 13. Where spirits are high? 10
14D 14. Vacationers' hires, perhaps 10
15D 23. Makes some calls 4
16D 25. Kings of Los Angeles, e.g. 4
17D 26. Event at which you hope to get good deals? 10
18D 27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening" 10
19D 28. Traveled to perform 10
20D 29. Central point 4
21D 31. Legendary Himalayan climber 4
22D 35. Sound made by many fans 4
23D 37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history) 4
24D 39. Bath seat? 4
25D 40. Setup for an extra point 4
26D 46. Color separators 6
27D 48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon 6
28D 50. Perfume with an accent on its fourth letter 5
29D 52. Won land 5
30D 55. What some bio majors do prep work for 4
31D 57. Garment that once indicated citizenship 4
32D 58. A zero is one 4
33D 59. Kilo follower 4
34D 60. Certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, in brief 4
35D 63. New ___ University of Knuckleheads (fictional institution where Leslie Nielsen lectured about the Three Stooges) 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Central point"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small conspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere in the milky way near centaurus
  • Similar words include: Crux Australis, crux of the matter, Southern Cross
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRUX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "This is for you""

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the present location; this place
  • Similar words include: hither, Hera
  • Opposite of: there
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Spring up"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come out into view, as from concealment
  • Similar words include: issue, egress, come forth
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMERGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. One of the Three Stooges"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Extra hot"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that feeling or showing extreme anger
  • Similar words include: ireful
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Parlor treat typically served with the first five letters of its name"

15 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Lecture"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an exchange of ideas via conversation
  • Similar words include: spill, blab out, blab
  • Opposite of: keep quiet
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Least straightforward, say"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

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: SLYEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Weighty subject of some children's books"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an imaginary elephant that appears in a series of french books for children
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BABAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Statement that may be followed by a dash"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Where spirits are high?"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Vacationers' hires, perhaps"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "23. Makes some calls"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or american football) who is expected to ensure fair play
  • Similar words include: referee, ref
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Kings of Los Angeles, e.g."

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
  • Similar words include: squad, team up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Event at which you hope to get good deals?"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening""

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Traveled to perform"

10 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Central point"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a connecting point at which several lines come together
  • Similar words include: client, lymph gland, guest
  • Opposite of: antinode
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Legendary Himalayan climber"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
  • Similar words include: abominable snowman
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YETI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Sound made by many fans"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deep prolonged loud noise
  • Similar words include: roaring, holloa, boom
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history)"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Bath seat?"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
  • Similar words include: prat, posterior, arsehole
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Setup for an extra point"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in addition
  • Similar words include: as well, too, likewise
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "46. Color separators"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a polyhedron with two congruent and parallel faces (the bases) and whose lateral faces are parallelograms
  • Similar words include: optical prism, prism
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRISMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
  • Similar words include: hamper, spasm, muscle spasm
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRAMPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "50. Perfume with an accent on its fourth letter"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "52. Won land"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an asian peninsula (off manchuria) separating the yellow sea and the sea of japan; the korean name is dae-han-min-gook or han-gook
  • Similar words include: Dae-Han-Min-Gook, Korean Peninsula, Han-Gook
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KOREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "55. What some bio majors do prep work for"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "57. Garment that once indicated citizenship"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient rome
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "58. A zero is one"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
  • Similar words include: prolate, egg-shaped, ovoid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "59. Kilo follower"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that capital and largest city and economic center of peru; located in western peru; was capital of the spanish empire in the new world until the 19th century
  • Similar words include: capital of Peru
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "60. Certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, in brief"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "63. New ___ University of Knuckleheads (fictional institution where Leslie Nielsen lectured about the Three Stooges)"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: May 09, 2026 at 06:03 AM

Today's Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini Crossword May 09, 2026 Answers

Trivia Week 2 May 09, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: March 10 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | September 21 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | March 13 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for May 09, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Saturday, May 09, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date May 09, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

  1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
  2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
  3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
  4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
  5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

  • Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
  • Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
  • Best time to play: During a coffee break
  • Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread)
2 Across 24. Low-level clouds
3 Across 21. Husky hellos?
4 Across 42. Pomegranate morsel
5 Across 45. Still active after all these years
6 Across 22. Reached new heights
7 Across 18. Place for a post
8 Across 67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps
9 Across 44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names
10 Across 41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. Also check out these helpful guides:


1 Across: "16. ___ paratha (potato-filled flatbread)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: A__O

Answer:

Click to reveal ALOO


2 Across: "24. Low-level clouds"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: S____I

Answer:

Click to reveal STRATI


3 Across: "21. Husky hellos?"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A__S

Answer:

Click to reveal ARFS


4 Across: "42. Pomegranate morsel"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A__L

Answer:

Click to reveal ARIL


5 Across: "45. Still active after all these years"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: S__Y

Answer:

Click to reveal SPRY


6 Across: "22. Reached new heights"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: G__W

Answer:

Click to reveal GREW


7 Across: "18. Place for a post"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: B__G

Answer:

Click to reveal BLOG


8 Across: "67. Skirt with a bunch of leaves, perhaps"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 10 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: S________D

Answer:

Click to reveal STEAKSALAD


9 Across: "44. Letter in Socrates' and Aristotle's names"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal RHO


10 Across: "41. Fragrant compound released during fermentation"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: E___R

Answer:

Click to reveal ESTER

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped
2 Down 11. Weighty subject of some children's books
3 Down 55. What some bio majors do prep work for
4 Down 4. "This is for you"
5 Down 59. Kilo follower
6 Down 1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987
7 Down 48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon
8 Down 27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening"
9 Down 40. Setup for an extra point
10 Down 37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history)

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:


1 Down: "2. Name of a pope and a Roman emperor whose terms of leadership overlapped"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: L__I

Answer:

Click to reveal LEOI


2 Down: "11. Weighty subject of some children's books"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: B___R

Answer:

Click to reveal BABAR


3 Down: "55. What some bio majors do prep work for"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: M__T

Answer:

Click to reveal MCAT


4 Down: "4. "This is for you""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: H__E

Answer:

Click to reveal HERE


5 Down: "59. Kilo follower"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: L__A

Answer:

Click to reveal LIMA


6 Down: "1. ___ Kitchen, brand of organic foods since 1987"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A__S

Answer:

Click to reveal AMYS


7 Down: "48. What may slow the pace of some legs in a marathon"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: C____S

Answer:

Click to reveal CRAMPS


8 Down: "27. Radio journalist with the 2023 memoir "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 10 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: A________O

Answer:

Click to reveal ARISHAPIRO


9 Down: "40. Setup for an extra point"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: A__O

Answer:

Click to reveal ALSO


10 Down: "37. Clemson's ___ Swinney (winningest head football coach in A.C.C. history)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: D__O

Answer:

Click to reveal DABO

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
  2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
  3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
  4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
  5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • The letter E is the most common in English
  • Words ending in S are often plurals
  • If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
  • Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds Advanced Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes Good You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes Learning You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20 clues to solve
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25 squares to fill
Average Time: Most people solve in 1 minute 3 seconds
Difficulty: A bit tricky

Common Questions About Trivia Week 2

When can I play the Trivia Week 2 Mini?

The Trivia Week 2 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 2?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 2 Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play Trivia Week 2?

No! The Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 2 solver?

Good Trivia Week 2 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 2?

Trivia Week 2 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.


About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: May 09, 2026 at 06:03 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, May 09 2026 mini crossword

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 01, 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. "Don't ___ me!" 5
2A 6. Alternative to check or card 4
3A 10. World traveler's need 4
4A 14. Old Hollywood nickname that sounds like a golf term 5
5A 15. Birthplace of seven U.S. presidents 4
6A 16. They can be bruised or inflated 4
7A 17. Quip, part 1 10
8A 19. "Golly!" 4
9A 20. Epitome of smoothness 4
10A 21. Nail-biting sports periods, for short 3
11A 22. Bone that squeaks, maybe 6
12A 24. Takes care of 6
13A 26. Implied 5
14A 27. Quip, part 2 12
15A 31. Apple pan ___ (baked pastry) 5
16A 34. Waze ways: Abbr. 4
17A 35. Go a-courtin'? 3
18A 36. Airline predictions, for short 4
19A 37. Stores selling Snรถdrottning pillowcases 5
20A 39. Scottish caps 4
21A 40. "Fear ___" 3
22A 41. Either of two wives of Henry VIII 4
23A 42. Vault in a mummy movie 5
24A 43. Quip, part 3 12
25A 47. Cry from a bandleader 5
26A 48. "Wow, cool!" 6
27A 51. Leave undisturbed 6
28A 53. Environmentally friendly: Prefix 3
29A 54. Word before market or collar 4
30A 56. Tennis legend Arthur 4
31A 57. Quip, part 4 10
32A 60. Awaken slowly 4
33A 61. Mine finds 4
34A 62. Awaken rudely 5
35A 63. Cheek 4
36A 64. "Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book) 4
37A 65. Nash who wrote "Who wants my jellyfish? / I'm not sellyfish!" 5

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. "Don't ___ me!""

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an accusation that you are responsible for some lapse or misdeed
  • Similar words include: goddam, infernal, incrimination
  • Opposite of: absolve
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "6. Alternative to check or card"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that money in the form of bills or coins
  • Similar words include: immediate payment, hard currency, hard cash
  • Opposite of: credit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. World traveler's need"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an endorsement made in a passport that allows the bearer to enter the country issuing it
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VISA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Old Hollywood nickname that sounds like a golf term"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an evil spirit
  • Similar words include: bogey, bogy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOGIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Birthplace of seven U.S. presidents"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a midwestern state in north central united states in the great lakes region
  • Similar words include: Buckeye State, OH, Ohio River
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OHIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. They can be bruised or inflated"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
  • Similar words include: ego, self-importance, self
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Quip, part 1"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. "Golly!""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Epitome of smoothness"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SILK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Nail-biting sports periods, for short"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Bone that squeaks, maybe"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Takes care of"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Implied"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that implied by or inferred from actions or statements
  • Similar words include: understood, silent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TACIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Quip, part 2"

12 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YOUNGATHEART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Apple pan ___ (baked pastry)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that british marshal of the raf who commanded the british air defense forces that defeated the luftwaffe during the battle of britain (1882-1970)
  • Similar words include: Dowding, Hugh Dowding, pandowdy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOWDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Waze ways: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Go a-courtin'?"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french writer whose novels described the sordid side of city life (1804-1857)
  • Similar words include: Eugene Sue, process, litigate
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Airline predictions, for short"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Similar words include: eta, ETA, Basque Homeland and Freedom
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Stores selling Snรถdrottning pillowcases"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Scottish caps"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a woolen cap of scottish origin
  • Similar words include: tam-o'-shanter, tammy, tam
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. "Fear ___""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that negation of a word or group of words
  • Similar words include: non
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. Either of two wives of Henry VIII"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that queen of england and scotland and ireland; daughter if james ii and the last of the stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last english ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Vault in a mummy movie"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cellar or vault or underground burial chamber (especially beneath a church)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CRYPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Quip, part 3"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SECONDINLINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Cry from a bandleader"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. "Wow, cool!""

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Leave undisturbed"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Environmentally friendly: Prefix"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Word before market or collar"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any wingless bloodsucking parasitic insect noted for ability to leap
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "56. Tennis legend Arthur"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states tennis player who was the first black to win united states and english singles championships (1943-1993)
  • Similar words include: Arthur Robert Ashe, Arthur Ashe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. Quip, part 4"

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "60. Awaken slowly"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event
  • Similar words include: fuss, touch, flurry
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "61. Mine finds"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "62. Awaken rudely"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "63. Cheek"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an impudent or insolent rejoinder
  • Similar words include: backtalk, Special Air Service, back talk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SASS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "64. "Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal
  • Similar words include: plague, gadfly, cuss
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "65. Nash who wrote "Who wants my jellyfish? / I'm not sellyfish!""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english psychologist who collaborated with i. a. richards in designing basic english (1889-1957)
  • Similar words include: Charles Kay Ogden, C. K. Ogden
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OGDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Outdoor events with grills, for short 4
2D 2. Julia ___-Dreyfus of "Veep" 5
3D 3. Light on one's feet 5
4D 4. Happy Meal chain, informally 8
5D 5. "Yikes!" 3
6D 6. Second wedding anniversary material 6
7D 7. Moments of understanding 4
8D 8. Walter Scott or Isaac Newton 3
9D 9. Occasions for getting gussied up 8
10D 10. Kind of burger that lacks meat 6
11D 11. "Listen, hear me out on this ..." 9
12D 12. Meh 4
13D 13. Like a burnt-out firepit 4
14D 18. Annual D.C. address, for short 4
15D 23. Phil who sang the protest song "The War Is Over" 4
16D 25. Kind of burger that lacks meat 3
17D 26. "Toodle-oo!" 4
18D 28. Environmentally friendly 5
19D 29. Rear end 4
20D 30. Word repeated while trying out a microphone 4
21D 31. Cozy rooms 4
22D 32. Midwestern native 4
23D 33. "Look what I can do!" 9
24D 37. Genre that combines mainstream and underground music 8
25D 38. Do some crafting 4
26D 39. Amphibian with specialized toe pads 8
27D 41. Opposed 4
28D 42. MS NOW competitor 3
29D 44. Edmonton's hockey team 6
30D 45. Swarming insect 6
31D 46. Restaurant chain with locations in more than a dozen countries, thus justifying the first letter in its name 4
32D 49. So others can hear 5
33D 50. Nervous 5
34D 51. Gal in Glasgow 4
35D 52. "Cรณmo ___ usted?" 4
36D 53. What hearts represent in the face of a love emoji 4
37D 55. Subject line abbr. 4
38D 58. "How ___ you?" 3
39D 59. Natural hairstyle, for short 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Outdoor events with grills, for short"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Julia ___-Dreyfus of "Veep""

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
  • Similar words include: Joseph Louis Barrow, Joe Louis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOUIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Light on one's feet"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that moving quickly and lightly
  • Similar words include: quick, nimble, spry
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Happy Meal chain, informally"

8 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. "Yikes!""

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Second wedding anniversary material"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
  • Similar words include: cotton wool, cotton fiber, cotton plant
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COTTON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Moments of understanding"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Walter Scott or Isaac Newton"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

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!

9D: "9. Occasions for getting gussied up"

8 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Kind of burger that lacks meat"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant
  • Similar words include: vegetable, veg
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VEGGIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "Listen, hear me out on this ...""

9 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Meh"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Like a burnt-out firepit"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of a light grey
  • Similar words include: ash-grey, ash-gray
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASHY

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14D: "18. Annual D.C. address, for short"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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15D: "23. Phil who sang the protest song "The War Is Over""

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states newspaper publisher (1858-1935)
  • Similar words include: Adolph Simon Ochs
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OCHS

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16D: "25. Kind of burger that lacks meat"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a source of oil; used for forage and soil improvement and as food
  • Similar words include: soybean plant, Glycine max, soja bean
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOY

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17D: "26. "Toodle-oo!""

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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18D: "28. Environmentally friendly"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
  • Similar words include: viridity, putting green, William Green
  • Opposite of: ripe
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GREEN

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19D: "29. Rear end"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the part of an animal that corresponds to the human buttocks
  • Similar words include: rear end, posterior, hind end
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUMP

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20D: "30. Word repeated while trying out a microphone"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that trying something to find out about it
  • Similar words include: psychometric test, trial run, exam
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEST

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21D: "31. Cozy rooms"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: den, hideaway, lair
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENS

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22D: "32. Midwestern native"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people inhabiting the valleys of the platte and missouri rivers in nebraska
  • Similar words include: Oto
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTOE

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23D: "33. "Look what I can do!""

9 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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24D: "37. Genre that combines mainstream and underground music"

8 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

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25D: "38. Do some crafting"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fabric made by knitting
  • Similar words include: cockle, pucker, plain
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNIT

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26D: "39. Amphibian with specialized toe pads"

8 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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27D: "41. Opposed"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is opposed (to an action or policy or practice etc.)
  • Opposite of: pro
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTI

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28D: "42. MS NOW competitor"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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29D: "44. Edmonton's hockey team"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a worker who oils engines or machinery
  • Similar words include: tank ship, oil tanker, oiler
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OILERS

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30D: "45. Swarming insect"

6 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that migratory grasshoppers of warm regions having short antennae
  • Similar words include: locust tree
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOCUST

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31D: "46. Restaurant chain with locations in more than a dozen countries, thus justifying the first letter in its name"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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32D: "49. So others can hear"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that using the voice; not silently
  • Similar words include: loudly, loud, out loud
  • Opposite of: softly
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALOUD

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33D: "50. Nervous"

5 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
  • Similar words include: strain, tense up
  • Opposite of: relax, relaxed
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TENSE

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34D: "51. Gal in Glasgow"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a girl or young woman who is unmarried
  • Similar words include: lassie, jeune fille, young girl
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASS

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35D: "52. "Cรณmo ___ usted?""

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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36D: "53. What hearts represent in the face of a love emoji"

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that opinion or judgment
  • Similar words include: middle, optic, oculus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYES

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37D: "55. Subject line abbr."

4 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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38D: "58. "How ___ you?""

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
  • Similar words include: ar, cost, constitute
  • Opposite of: differ
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARE

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39D: "59. Natural hairstyle, for short"

3 letters ๐Ÿ’ญ Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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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
39 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

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Last updated: April 01, 2026 at 05:34 AM