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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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Lecture"

4 letters 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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 💭 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

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

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

Last updated: 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

Saturday, September 27, 2025

February 05, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Related Puzzles

Check out these other crossword solutions and helpful guides:

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, February 05, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (33 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Wednesday Puzzle February 05, 2020

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Holiday Inn alternative 6
2A 7. Where you might go through withdrawal? 3
3A 10. "Kapow!" 4
4A 14. Left 6
5A 15. Get major hang time, in snowboarding lingo 8
6A 17. College in Claremont, Calif. 6
7A 18. Al who famously drove a white Ford Bronco 8
8A 19. Brief hookup 13
9A 21. Fair-hiring inits. 3
10A 22. No longer in bondage 5
11A 24. One of the musicians on the 11th day of Christmas 5
12A 28. Showtime alternative 3
13A 31. Law partner? 5
14A 33. "The Scream" and "The Kiss," for two 10
15A 36. Vein contents 3
16A 37. American ___ (another name for the century plant) 4
17A 38. Slayer of Tybalt 5
18A 39. Ardent 4
19A 40. Hoover, e.g., informally 3
20A 41. Nonsense line sung by Frank Sinatra in "Strangers in the Night" 10
21A 43. Infotainment show with an exclamation point in its name 5
22A 46. Keg necessity 3
23A 47. Cuts back on 5
24A 48. What an ID may substitute for? 5
25A 50. Put away 3
26A 52. Some garage sale goods ... or what the answers at 15-, 19-, 33-, 41- and 62-Across have done? 13
27A 59. Archrivals of the Blue Devils 8
28A 61. Refrigerator, old-style 6
29A 62. Verses-vs.-verses competitor 8
30A 63. Gay who wrote "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold" 6
31A 64. Healthful leaf vegetable 4
32A 65. "Straight Outta Compton" group 3
33A 66. Totally embarrassed 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. Holiday Inn alternative"

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: RAMADA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "7. Where you might go through withdrawal?"

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 a unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade
  • Words that mean the same thing: standard pressure, automatic teller machine, cash machine
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ATM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. "Kapow!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • Words that mean the same thing: wallop, whop, whack
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WHAM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Left"

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 move out of or depart from
  • Words that mean the same thing: choke, go out, expire
  • The opposite would be: be born, enter
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EXITED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Get major hang time, in snowboarding lingo"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: CATCHAIR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. College in Claremont, Calif."

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: POMONA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Al who famously drove a white Ford Bronco"

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 protective covering consisting of a metal part that covers the engine
  • Words that mean the same thing: bonnet, hood, cowl
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: COWLINGS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Brief hookup"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: ONENIGHTSTAND

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Fair-hiring inits."

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: EEO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. No longer in bondage"

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 grant freedom to; free from confinement
  • Words that mean the same thing: rid, give up, justify
  • The opposite would be: lodge, freeze
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FREED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "24. One of the musicians on the 11th day of Christmas"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that someone who plays the bagpipe
  • Words that mean the same thing: genus Piper, bagpiper
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PIPER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "28. Showtime alternative"

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: TMC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "31. Law partner?"

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 (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
  • Words that mean the same thing: tell, regularise, Holy Order
  • The opposite would be: disorder, disorderliness
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ORDER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "33. "The Scream" and "The Kiss," for two"

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: WORKSOFART

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "36. Vein contents"

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 mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ORE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "37. American ___ (another name for the century plant)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ALOE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "38. Slayer of Tybalt"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an ardent male lover
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROMEO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "39. Ardent"

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 (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
  • Words that mean the same thing: zealous, esurient, devouring
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AVID

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. Hoover, e.g., informally"

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

    The answer is: VAC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. Nonsense line sung by Frank Sinatra in "Strangers in the Night""

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: DOBEDOBEDO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Infotainment show with an exclamation point in its name"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ENEWS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "46. Keg necessity"

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 sound made by a gentle blow
  • Words that mean the same thing: tip, hydrant, pink
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "47. Cuts back on"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that decrease gradually or bit by bit
  • Words that mean the same thing: pare down, skin, 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: PARES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. What an ID may substitute for?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a state in the rocky mountains
  • Words that mean the same thing: Gem State, ID
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IDAHO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "50. Put away"

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: deplete, run through, feed
  • The 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 26 Across: "52. Some garage sale goods ... or what the answers at 15-, 19-, 33-, 41- and 62-Across have done?"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: USEDFURNITURE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "59. Archrivals of the Blue Devils"

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 native or resident of north carolina
  • Words that mean the same thing: Tarheel, North Carolinian
  • The word looks like this: ________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TARHEELS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "61. Refrigerator, old-style"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that white goods in which food can be stored at low temperatures
  • Words that mean the same thing: refrigerator
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ICEBOX

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "62. Verses-vs.-verses competitor"

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: SLAMPOET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "63. Gay who wrote "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold""

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: TALESE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "64. Healthful leaf vegetable"

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 informal terms for money
  • Words that mean the same thing: gelt, sugar, dough
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KALE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "65. "Straight Outta Compton" group"

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: NWA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "66. Totally embarrassed"

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: ALLRED

    Great job if you got it right!

February 05, 2020 Down Hints: NYT Wednesday Crossword Guide

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Tow job, maybe 4
2D 2. Impulse transmitter 4
3D 3. Performer without a speaking part 4
4D 4. Loads 4
5D 5. They're not just skeptics 7
6D 6. "Curiosity killed the cat," e.g. 5
7D 7. Bank no. 4
8D 8. Ski resort NNE of Santa Fe 4
9D 9. Daily run, for short? 5
10D 10. Kvetch 6
11D 11. Ceded control of 10
12D 12. Bailed-out insurance giant of 2008 3
13D 13. Better half, with "the" 3
14D 16. Mild cigar 5
15D 20. Hurry, with "it" 7
16D 23. Mock 6
17D 24. Something a seismograph detects 5
18D 25. Honolulu's historic ___ Palace 6
19D 26. Police show, say 10
20D 27. Just get (by) 3
21D 29. Deadly African snake 5
22D 30. Ivy, e.g. 7
23D 32. Mulligans, e.g. 5
24D 34. Chicago airport code 3
25D 35. Death, in Deutschland 3
26D 39. Legal org. 3
27D 42. Like some illusions 7
28D 44. Message written on a car window 6
29D 45. Blind followers 5
30D 49. Classic theater 5
31D 51. "West Side Story" woman 5
32D 53. Zoomed 4
33D 54. Racketeer's org.? 4
34D 55. Poker giveaway 4
35D 56. Really, informally 4
36D 57. Symbol of Aphrodite 4
37D 58. Deleted 4
38D 59. "Naughty!" 3
39D 60. Calamares ___ romana (seafood dish) 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. Tow job, maybe"

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: REPO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Impulse transmitter"

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 long nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron
  • Words that mean the same thing: axone
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AXON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Performer without a speaking part"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an actor who communicates entirely by gesture and facial expression
  • Words that mean the same thing: mimer, mimic, mummer
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MIME

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Loads"

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 the sun (or solar disc) which was the deity of a monotheistic cult under the pharaoh akhenaten
  • Words that mean the same thing: Aten
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ATON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. They're not just skeptics"

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 unit of measurement for the fineness of silk or nylon or rayon
  • Words that mean the same thing: denier
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DENIERS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. "Curiosity killed the cat," e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
  • Words that mean the same thing: proverb, saw, byword
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ADAGE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Bank no."

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: ACCT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Ski resort NNE of Santa Fe"

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 member of the pueblo people living in northern new mexico
  • Words that mean the same thing: Tao, Taoist
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TAOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Daily run, for short?"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard 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: MTWTF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Kvetch"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a person given to excessive complaints and crying and whining
  • Words that mean the same thing: moaner, bellyacher, complainer
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WHINER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Ceded control of"

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: HANDEDOVER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Bailed-out insurance giant of 2008"

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: AIG

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Better half, with "the""

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 form of address for a married woman
  • Words that mean the same thing: Mrs., Mr, Mister
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MRS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "16. Mild cigar"

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 cigar made with light-colored tobacco
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CLARO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "20. Hurry, with "it""

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a practical joke that involves inserting a match surreptitiously between the sole and upper of the victim's shoe and then lighting it
  • Words that mean the same thing: pelt along, belt along, step on it
  • The opposite would be: linger
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HOTFOOT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Mock"

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

    The answer is: DERIDE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Something a seismograph detects"

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: PWAVE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Honolulu's historic ___ Palace"

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: IOLANI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Police show, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that of or relating to procedure
  • Words that mean the same thing: adjective
  • The opposite would be: substantive
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PROCEDURAL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Just get (by)"

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: EKE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "29. Deadly African snake"

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 arboreal snake of central and southern africa whose bite is often fatal
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MAMBA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "30. Ivy, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that any plant (as ivy or periwinkle) that grows by creeping
  • Words that mean the same thing: crawler, tree creeper
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CREEPER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. Mulligans, e.g."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that do over, as of (part of) a house
  • Words that mean the same thing: refashion, remodel, reconstruct
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REDOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Chicago airport code"

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: ORD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. Death, in Deutschland"

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 unit of weight for wool equal to about 28 pounds
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TOD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Legal org."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by arabs
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ABA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Like some illusions"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that of or relating to or involving light or optics
  • Words that mean the same thing: visual, ocular, optic
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OPTICAL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Message written on a car window"

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: WASHME

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. Blind followers"

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 woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SHEEP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Classic theater"

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: ODEON

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "51. "West Side Story" woman"

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: ANITA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "53. Zoomed"

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 travel through the air; be airborne
  • Words that mean the same thing: wing, fly, flee
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FLEW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "54. Racketeer's org.?"

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: USTA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "55. Poker giveaway"

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

    The answer is: TELL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "56. Really, informally"

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 36 Down: "57. Symbol of Aphrodite"

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 any of many shrubs of the genus rosa that bear roses
  • Words that mean the same thing: climb, originate, pink wine
  • The opposite would be: turn in, go to bed
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROSE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Deleted"

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: EXED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "59. "Naughty!""

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 utter `tsk,' `tut,' or `tut-tut,' as in disapproval
  • Words that mean the same thing: tut, tut-tut
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TSK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "60. Calamares ___ romana (seafood dish)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALA

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 52 72.2%
Short Answer 15 20.8%
History 2 2.8%
Music 1 1.4%
Abbreviation 1 1.4%
Food & Drink 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 33
Down Clues 39
Total Clues 72
Average Answer Length 5.2 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 13 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 Wednesday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
  • Most clues today are about general knowledge
  • The average word today has about 5 letters
  • Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
  • Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

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 27, 2025 at 07:37 AM