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Monday, August 31, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 31, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Part of a dance 4
2A 5. Sch. with the Daily Bruin newspaper 4
3A 9. Slightly intoxicated 5
4A 14. Fancy 4
5A 15. Worms and such on hooks 4
6A 16. Be of the same mind 5
7A 17. Redding with two posthumous Grammys 4
8A 18. "Sesame Street" character who was once sung to sleep by Andrea Bocelli 4
9A 19. Ransacks 5
10A 20. One who regularly drops things 13
11A 23. The : English :: ___ : French 3
12A 24. Letter after sigma 3
13A 25. One dining on Friskies 3
14A 28. Role for Selena Gomez on "Only Murders in the Building" 5
15A 31. Umbrella-shaped sea creature 9
16A 34. Director DuVernay 3
17A 35. Pathetic 3
18A 36. Examine at length 6
19A 37. Took shots first, then paid for them later 7
20A 40. Clothing sizes for shorter women 7
21A 41. Ski in zigzags 6
22A 42. "Far out!" 3
23A 43. Tetra- minus one 3
24A 44. Newlyweds' getaway 9
25A 46. Owl sounds 5
26A 48. Actress de Armas 3
27A 49. 401(k) relative 3
28A 50. "Need an ark? I Noah guy," e.g. 3
29A 51. "Tell everyone!" ... or what to do with the starts of 20-, 31- and 44-Across? 13
30A 58. Inuit for "house" 5
31A 60. Italian hello 4
32A 61. Et ___ (and others: Lat.) 4
33A 62. Tennis locale 5
34A 63. Pre-Easter observance 4
35A 64. R-rated, maybe 4
36A 65. A cube has 12 of them 5
37A 66. Petrol brand 4
38A 67. Easter egg decorating supplies 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Part of a dance"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
  • Similar words include: mistreat, stride, ill-treat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Sch. with the Daily Bruin newspaper"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Slightly intoxicated"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that slightly intoxicated
  • Similar words include: tiddly, potty
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIPSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Fancy"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that elegant and sumptuous
  • Similar words include: de luxe, deluxe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Worms and such on hooks"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that anything that serves as an enticement
  • Similar words include: rag, tantalize, twit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BAIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Be of the same mind"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be in accord; be in agreement
  • Similar words include: match, consort, tally
  • Opposite of: disagree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Redding with two posthumous Grammys"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states inventor who manufactured the first elevator with a safety device (1811-1861)
  • Similar words include: genus Otis, Elisha Graves Otis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. "Sesame Street" character who was once sung to sleep by Andrea Bocelli"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Ransacks"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that goods or money obtained illegally
  • Similar words include: cabbage, moolah, strip
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. One who regularly drops things"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who drops things (especially one who cannot catch a ball)
  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUTTERFINGERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. The : English :: ___ : French"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
  • Similar words include: LE, lupus erythematosus
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Letter after sigma"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 19th letter of the greek alphabet
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. One dining on Friskies"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Role for Selena Gomez on "Only Murders in the Building""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Umbrella-shaped sea creature"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large siphonophore having a bladderlike float and stinging tentacles
  • Similar words include: Portuguese man-of-war, man-of-war
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JELLYFISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Director DuVernay"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Pathetic"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness; ; - christina rossetti
  • Similar words include: deplorable, pitiful, lamentable
  • Opposite of: glad
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Examine at length"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that examine or consider with attention and in detail
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PERUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Took shots first, then paid for them later"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "40. Clothing sizes for shorter women"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a garment size for short or slender women
  • Similar words include: petite
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PETITES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. Ski in zigzags"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a downhill race over a winding course defined by upright poles
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLALOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. "Far out!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of absorbed ionizing radiation equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material
  • Similar words include: radian
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Tetra- minus one"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Newlyweds' getaway"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a holiday taken by a newly married couple
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HONEYMOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Owl sounds"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
  • Similar words include: tinker's dam, Bronx cheer, raspberry
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. Actress de Armas"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. 401(k) relative"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a militant organization of irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive british forces from northern ireland and achieve a united independent ireland
  • Similar words include: wrath, individual retirement account, Irish Republican Army
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. "Need an ark? I Noah guy," e.g."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a humorous play on words
  • Similar words include: wordplay, punning, paronomasia
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. "Tell everyone!" ... or what to do with the starts of 20-, 31- and 44-Across?"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPREADTHEWORD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "58. Inuit for "house""

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an eskimo hut; usually built of blocks (of sod or snow) in the shape of a dome
  • Similar words include: iglu
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IGLOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "60. Italian hello"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is hawaiian and ciao is italian)
  • Similar words include: aloha
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. Et ___ (and others: Lat.)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Tennis locale"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
  • Similar words include: tribunal, courtroom, motor lodge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COURT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "63. Pre-Easter observance"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period of 40 weekdays from ash wednesday to holy saturday
  • Similar words include: lend, bestow, add
  • Opposite of: borrow
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "64. R-rated, maybe"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that full of zest or vigor
  • Similar words include: robust, naughty, gamey
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RACY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "65. A cube has 12 of them"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the boundary of a surface
  • Similar words include: inch, butt, edge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "66. Petrol brand"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "67. Easter egg decorating supplies"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a usually soluble substance for staining or coloring e.g. fabrics or hair
  • Similar words include: dyestuff, dye
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Mess maker 4
2D 2. Attire for the Sugar Plum Fairy 4
3D 3. Off-ramp 4
4D 4. Pulverizing tool 6
5D 5. Alternatives to Lyfts 5
6D 6. Baby whale 4
7D 7. In finite supply 7
8D 8. Lacking a musical key 6
9D 9. A ___ as old as time 4
10D 10. Composer Stravinsky 4
11D 11. Ham on an antipasto platter 10
12D 12. Solidify 3
13D 13. "You called?" 3
14D 21. Sinuous swimmer 3
15D 22. Swallowed hard 6
16D 26. Aver 6
17D 27. Graduate student's project 6
18D 28. ___ P. Johnson (gay rights activist) 6
19D 29. Island of Arthurian legend 6
20D 30. Fruit-resembling mollusk 10
21D 31. The "one" of a one-two 3
22D 32. So far 3
23D 33. Part of the week that workers look forward to: Abbr. 3
24D 35. Lunch item that might be made with cold cuts, in slang 6
25D 38. Ginger ___ 3
26D 39. Cup-and-ball or yo-yo 3
27D 40. Deep-dish vessel 3
28D 42. Support staff for a rock band 7
29D 45. Soothsayer 6
30D 46. Tint 3
31D 47. "To victory!" 6
32D 50. Part of an Instagram post 5
33D 52. Skin opening 4
34D 53. Goes bad 4
35D 54. Gets bronzed at the beach 4
36D 55. Brand with "anti-aging" products 4
37D 56. Bibimbap base 4
38D 57. Pages on a desk calendar 4
39D 58. "Rocks" at a bar 3
40D 59. Lead-in to forbid or forsaken 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Mess maker"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a coarse obnoxious person
  • Similar words include: pig, slovenly person, sloven
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Attire for the Sugar Plum Fairy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that south african prelate and leader of the antiapartheid struggle (born in 1931)
  • Similar words include: ballet skirt, Desmond Tutu
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUTU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Off-ramp"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an opening that permits escape or release
  • Similar words include: snuff it, croak, cash in one's chips
  • Opposite of: be born, enter
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Pulverizing tool"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores
  • Similar words include: pounder, muller, stamp
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PESTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Alternatives to Lyfts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Baby whale"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that young of domestic cattle
  • Similar words include: sura, calfskin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CALF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. In finite supply"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that public transport consisting of a fast train or bus that makes only a few scheduled stops
  • Similar words include: confine, restrain, express
  • Opposite of: unlimited, local
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIMITED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Lacking a musical key"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. A ___ as old as time"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
  • Similar words include: narrative, narration, tarradiddle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Composer Stravinsky"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Ham on an antipasto platter"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that italian salt-cured ham usually sliced paper thin
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROSCIUTTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Solidify"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: curing, adjust, gear up
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "You called?""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an affirmative
  • Opposite of: no
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Sinuous swimmer"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Swallowed hard"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
  • Similar words include: swig, quaff, gulp
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GULPED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Aver"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that state categorically
  • Similar words include: verify, asseverate, maintain
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASSERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Graduate student's project"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument
  • Similar words include: dissertation
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THESIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. ___ P. Johnson (gay rights activist)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Island of Arthurian legend"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Fruit-resembling mollusk"

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. The "one" of a one-two"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
  • Similar words include: stab, thrust, thrusting
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JAB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. So far"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that up to the present time
  • Similar words include: nonetheless, as yet, thus far
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Part of the week that workers look forward to: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
  • Similar words include: Friday
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Lunch item that might be made with cold cuts, in slang"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Ginger ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Cup-and-ball or yo-yo"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an artifact designed to be played with
  • Similar words include: miniature, fiddle, play
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Deep-dish vessel"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
  • Similar words include: pan off, tear apart, pan out
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Support staff for a rock band"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Soothsayer"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an authoritative person who divines the future
  • Similar words include: prophet, vaticinator, seer
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORACLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Tint"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
  • Similar words include: imbue, chromaticity
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. "To victory!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that forward in time or order or degree
  • Similar words include: forth, forrader, ahead
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONWARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Part of an Instagram post"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide; recorded by a camera on light-sensitive material
  • Similar words include: pic, picture, photograph
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PHOTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Skin opening"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid (fluid or gas)
  • Similar words include: stomate, rivet, centre
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Goes bad"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor
  • Similar words include: molder, bunk, rotting
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Gets bronzed at the beach"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
  • Similar words include: tangent, suntan, tan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TANS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Brand with "anti-aging" products"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Bibimbap base"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished
  • Similar words include: Elmer Leopold Rice, Sir Tim Rice, Elmer Reizenstein
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "57. Pages on a desk calendar"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time during which someone's life continues
  • Similar words include: twenty-four hour period, mean solar day, daylight
  • Opposite of: night
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "58. "Rocks" at a bar"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that water frozen in the solid state
  • Similar words include: crank, methamphetamine hydrochloride, chicken feed
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "59. Lead-in to forbid or forsaken"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
  • Similar words include: divinity, idol, Supreme Being
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

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

Decode the Clues

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

Use Cross-References

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

Build Vocabulary

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

Today's Puzzle Stats

38 Across Clues
40 Down Clues
78 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: August 31, 2026 at 09:56 AM

Friday, April 24, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers April 24, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Once-in-a-lifetime events 6
2A 7. They might have good track records 8
3A 15. "Ah, right right right" 6
4A 16. Field for both Martin Luther and Martin Luther King Jr. 8
5A 17. Oscar winner for "The African Queen" 6
6A 18. Low volume? 8
7A 19. Treat mercifully 5
8A 20. Charges 5
9A 21. Concern for a seamstress 3
10A 22. "Sounds good!" 4
11A 23. Best-selling author who founded Paris's Théâtre Historique 5
12A 24. "Green" 4
13A 25. Rocker Brian 3
14A 26. Green spots 5
15A 27. Game with a board numbered from 1 to 20 5
16A 28. Peace sign? 12
17A 31. "The best cheese of its type in the world," per George Orwell 7
18A 32. Approach surreptitiously 7
19A 36. Where somebody might be washed up? 12
20A 38. One who's generous to a fault, say 5
21A 41. They're held in bondage 5
22A 42. Org. whose motto translates to "Through adversity to the stars" 3
23A 43. Neural transmitter 4
24A 44. Certain exposition 5
25A 45. Children's author Kinney 4
26A 46. ?!?!?! 3
27A 47. Something you might get at a wedding 5
28A 48. Grand duke of Luxembourg until 2025 5
29A 49. It has a light bulb 8
30A 51. No comment? 6
31A 52. Toss and turn, perhaps 8
32A 53. Role for John Travolta on "Welcome Back, Kotter" 6
33A 54. Takes to the next level 8
34A 55. Tree nymphs 6

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Once-in-a-lifetime events"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the time when something begins (especially life)
  • Similar words include: nascence, deliver, give birth
  • Opposite of: death
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BIRTHS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "7. They might have good track records"

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person trained to compete in sports
  • Similar words include: jock, athlete
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATHLETES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "15. "Ah, right right right""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Field for both Martin Luther and Martin Luther King Jr."

8 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rational and systematic study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truth
  • Similar words include: divinity, theological system
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THEOLOGY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. Oscar winner for "The African Queen""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states film actor (1899-1957)
  • Similar words include: Humphrey Bogart, Humphrey DeForest Bogart
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOGART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Low volume?"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that as much as a teaspoon will hold
  • Similar words include: teaspoonful
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEASPOON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Treat mercifully"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an extra component of a machine or other apparatus
  • Similar words include: excess, unornamented, superfluous
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Charges"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a statute in draft before it becomes law
  • Similar words include: card, invoice, charge
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BILLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Concern for a seamstress"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a display of bad temper
  • Similar words include: suit, agree, check
  • Opposite of: unfit, disagree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. "Sounds good!""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brutal terrorist group active in kashmir; fights against india with the goal of restoring islamic rule of india
  • Similar words include: Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, net ball, Army of the Pure
  • Opposite of: prevent, forbid
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LETS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Best-selling author who founded Paris's Théâtre Historique"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that french writer remembered for his swashbuckling historical tales (1802-1870)
  • Similar words include: Duma, Alexandre Dumas
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUMAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. "Green""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

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!

13A: "25. Rocker Brian"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Green spots"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
  • Similar words include: haven, oasis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "27. Game with a board numbered from 1 to 20"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a game in which small pointed missiles are thrown at a dartboard
  • Similar words include: flit, flash, flutter
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DARTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "28. Peace sign?"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "31. "The best cheese of its type in the world," per George Orwell"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english blue cheese
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STILTON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "32. Approach surreptitiously"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Where somebody might be washed up?"

12 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. One who's generous to a fault, say"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "41. They're held in bondage"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (middle ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord
  • Similar words include: villein, serf, helot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "42. Org. whose motto translates to "Through adversity to the stars""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the airforce of great britain
  • Similar words include: Royal Air Force, Red Army Faction
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "43. Neural transmitter"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that long nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron
  • Similar words include: axone
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AXON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "44. Certain exposition"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an analytic or interpretive literary composition
  • Similar words include: assay, test, examine
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ESSAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "45. Children's author Kinney"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "46. ?!?!?!"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "47. Something you might get at a wedding"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. Grand duke of Luxembourg until 2025"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "49. It has a light bulb"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of numerous varieties of narcissus plants having showy often yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown
  • Similar words include: Narcissus pseudonarcissus
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAFFODIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "51. No comment?"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)
  • Similar words include: abnegation, self-denial, defense
  • Opposite of: prosecution
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DENIAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "52. Toss and turn, perhaps"

8 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "53. Role for John Travolta on "Welcome Back, Kotter""

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "54. Takes to the next level"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that give a promotion to or assign to a higher position
  • Similar words include: lift, advance, bring up
  • Opposite of: demote, lower
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELEVATES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "55. Tree nymphs"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deity or nymph of the woods
  • Similar words include: wood nymph, dryad
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRYADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Goes downhill at the Olympics, in a way 8
2D 2. "Perish the thought!" 8
3D 3. Tubes that go down? 8
4D 4. The first of these was Terrible 5
5D 5. Accounted for 4
6D 6. Murderer of Osiris, in myth 3
7D 7. Every now and then 7
8D 8. You just can't take it 12
9D 9. Recovers 5
10D 10. Competitor's setback 4
11D 11. Half of hip-hop's Run the Jewels, alongside Killer Mike 3
12D 12. How a troublemaker might go 6
13D 13. One prioritizing self-care? 6
14D 14. Electronica instruments, informally 6
15D 20. Professional 12
16D 23. Woodworkers' grooves 5
17D 24. Vicious circle? 5
18D 26. Animal known to hold another's paws while sleeping 5
19D 27. Attire 5
20D 29. From time past 5
21D 30. Coalesce 5
22D 33. Surname of a Tolstoy heroine 8
23D 34. Game 8
24D 35. Acrobat's display 8
25D 37. Secondhand offerings 7
26D 38. Dillydally 6
27D 39. Hearty soup ingredient in Caribbean cooking 6
28D 40. Brittle confection 6
29D 44. Finish up with 5
30D 45. Female donkey 5
31D 47. Where the Red Delicious apple originated 4
32D 48. Dauphin, e.g. 4
33D 50. Number one, informally 3
34D 51. It might have a director's commentary 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Goes downhill at the Olympics, in a way"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that formerly two short sleds coupled together
  • Similar words include: bobsled, bobsleigh, bob
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOBSLEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "Perish the thought!""

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Tubes that go down?"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tubular pasta in short ribbed pieces
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIGATONI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. The first of these was Terrible"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
  • Similar words include: tsar, czar, tzar
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Accounted for"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Murderer of Osiris, in myth"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Similar words include: band, curing, exercise set
  • Opposite of: rise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Every now and then"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. You just can't take it"

12 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Recovers"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that heal or recover
  • Similar words include: heal, bring around, mend
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEALS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Competitor's setback"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something that is lost
  • Similar words include: red ink, release, personnel casualty
  • Opposite of: gain
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOSS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Half of hip-hop's Run the Jewels, alongside Killer Mike"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. How a troublemaker might go"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. One prioritizing self-care?"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conceited and self-centered person
  • Similar words include: swellhead, egotist, egocentric
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EGOIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Electronica instruments, informally"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Professional"

12 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that exhibiting methodical and systematic characteristics that would be useful in business
  • Similar words include: earnest
  • Pattern: ____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUSINESSLIKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Woodworkers' grooves"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that panel forming the lower part of an interior wall when it is finished differently from the rest of the wall
  • Similar words include: wainscot, dado
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DADOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Vicious circle?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
  • Similar words include: conspire, camarilla, junto
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CABAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Animal known to hold another's paws while sleeping"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fur of an otter
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Attire"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
  • Similar words include: prune, tog, clip
  • Opposite of: undress
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DRESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. From time past"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Coalesce"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to bring or combine together or with something else
  • Similar words include: unite, amalgamate, commix
  • Opposite of: divide, disunify
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNIFY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Surname of a Tolstoy heroine"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Game"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them
  • Similar words include: fearless, untroubled, secure
  • Opposite of: afraid, insecure
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNAFRAID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Acrobat's display"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. Secondhand offerings"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the selling of something purchased
  • Similar words include: resale
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RESALES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Dillydally"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take one's time; proceed slowly
  • Similar words include: dally, linger, fall behind
  • Opposite of: rush
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAWDLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "39. Hearty soup ingredient in Caribbean cooking"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the skinned tail of cattle; used especially for soups
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OXTAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "40. Brittle confection"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that caramelized sugar cooled in thin sheets
  • Similar words include: brittle, toffy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOFFEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "44. Finish up with"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "45. Female donkey"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)
  • Similar words include: William Le Baron Jenny, jennet, jenny ass
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: JENNY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Where the Red Delicious apple originated"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in iowa and minnesota and missouri
  • Similar words include: Hawkeye State, IA, Ioway
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IOWA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Dauphin, e.g."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another
  • Similar words include: inheritor, heritor, successor
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "50. Number one, informally"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "51. It might have a director's commentary"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a digital recording (as of a movie) on an optical disk that can be played on a computer or a television set
  • Similar words include: videodisk, videodisc
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DVD

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

34 Across Clues
34 Down Clues
68 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: April 24, 2026 at 05:55 AM