July 15, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (37 clues)
• Down Clues (40 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

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• November 28 2022 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, July 15, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 77 (37 Across, 40 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.3 letters

July 15, 2021 Across Hints: NYT Thursday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. "Delish!"	6
2A	5. "___ Sexy" (1991 dance hit)	5
3A	10. Single at a bar, perhaps	3
4A	13. Brown powder	5
5A	15. Brown powder	5
6A	16. Costa ___	4
7A	17. Popular pops	5
8A	18. Point a finger at	5
9A	19. Fan fave	4
10A	20. Kennel sound	3
11A	21. Southern newspaper that William Faulkner once contributed to, with "The"	13
12A	24. Prefix with beat or futurism	4
13A	26. Toy dog from Tibet	9
14A	27. Sport with Native American origins	8
15A	30. Melodramatist	3
16A	31. Kind of saxophone	4
17A	32. Rapper for whom Harvard's Hip-Hop Fellowship is named	3
18A	34. Get cozy	6
19A	39. Cultivars known for their yellow flesh	17
20A	43. "Excuse me"	6
21A	44. Do some patching, say	3
22A	45. Book after Joel	4
23A	46. Compadre	3
24A	48. Quantity that's tied to one's carbon footprint	9
25A	51. Second way of viewing things, figuratively	9
26A	56. Appear	4
27A	57. What a solver might growl after catching on to this puzzle's theme?	12
28A	59. Genre for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones	3
29A	62. Mine find	4
30A	63. Mother-of-pearl	5
31A	64. Motorola smartphone	5
32A	66. Flubs it	4
33A	67. Not using profanity, as a comedian	5
34A	68. "___ is easily deceived, because it is quick to hope": Aristotle	5
35A	69. Central concept of philosopher Zhuangzi's teachings	3
36A	70. Repeatedly comments (on)	5
37A	71. The first one in The New York Times appeared in 1970	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. "Delish!""

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: YUMYUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. "___ Sexy" (1991 dance hit)"

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: IMTOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Single at a bar, perhaps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
• Words that mean the same thing: angle, hint, tap
• 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: TIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Brown powder"

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 beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
• Words that mean the same thing: chocolate, drinking chocolate, hot chocolate
• 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: COCOA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Brown powder"

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 long pod containing small beans and sweetish edible pulp; used as animal feed and source of a chocolate substitute
• Words that mean the same thing: algarroba, carob bean, locust pod
• 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: CAROB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Costa ___"

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: RICA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Popular pops"

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 carbon fuel produced by distillation of coal
• Words that mean the same thing: Coke, blow, coke
• 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: COKES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Point a finger at"

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 accusation that you are responsible for some lapse or misdeed
• Words that mean the same thing: charge, incrimination, blamed
• The opposite would be: absolve
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLAME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Fan fave"

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 material effigy that is worshipped
• Words that mean the same thing: beau ideal, paragon, graven image
• 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: IDOL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Kennel sound"

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: ARF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "21. Southern newspaper that William Faulkner once contributed to, with "The""

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: TIMESPICAYUNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Prefix with beat or futurism"

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 rounded thickly curled hairdo
• Words that mean the same thing: Afro hairdo
• 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: AFRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Toy dog from Tibet"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LHASAAPSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Sport with Native American origins"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a game invented by american indians; now played by two teams who use long-handled rackets to catch and carry and throw the ball toward the opponents' goal
• 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: LACROSSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. Melodramatist"

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 meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)
• Words that mean the same thing: overact, ham actor, ham it up
• The opposite would be: underact
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "31. Kind of saxophone"

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Rapper for whom Harvard's Hip-Hop Fellowship is named"

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 silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group; occurs abundantly in natural compounds (especially in salt water); burns with a yellow flame and reacts violently in water; occurs in sea water and in the mineral halite (rock salt)
• Words that mean the same thing: Na, sodium, atomic number 11
• 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: NAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. Get cozy"

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 close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace
• Words that mean the same thing: cuddle, snuggle, draw close
• 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: NESTLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. Cultivars known for their yellow flesh"

Quick Info: This answer has 17 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: YUKONGOLDPOTATOES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "43. "Excuse me""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the act of excusing a mistake or offense
• Words that mean the same thing: free pardon, forgiveness, amnesty
• 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: PARDON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "44. Do some patching, say"

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 fasten by sewing; do needlework
• Words that mean the same thing: tailor, run up, stitch
• 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: SEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Book after Joel"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a hebrew shepherd and minor prophet
• Words that mean the same thing: Book of Amos
• 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: AMOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Compadre"

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 close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
• Words that mean the same thing: sidekick, pal up, chum
• 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: PAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Quantity that's tied to one's carbon footprint"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ENERGYUSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "51. Second way of viewing things, figuratively"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OTHERHAND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "56. Appear"

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 give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
• Words that mean the same thing: appear, look
• 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: SEEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "57. What a solver might growl after catching on to this puzzle's theme?"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: WHYYOULITTLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "59. Genre for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones"

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: SKA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "62. Mine find"

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 deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks
• Words that mean the same thing: load
• 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: LODE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "63. Mother-of-pearl"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell
• Words that mean the same thing: mother-of-pearl
• 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: NACRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "64. Motorola smartphone"

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: DROID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "66. Flubs it"

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 to make a mistake or be incorrect
• Words that mean the same thing: slip, drift, stray
• 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: ERRS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "67. Not using profanity, as a comedian"

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 a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then jerked overhead
• Words that mean the same thing: sporty, plumb, clean and jerk
• The opposite would be: unfairly, unclean
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLEAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "68. "___ is easily deceived, because it is quick to hope": Aristotle"

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 a young person (especially a young man or boy)
• Words that mean the same thing: youthfulness, young, younker
• The opposite would be: aged
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YOUTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "69. Central concept of philosopher Zhuangzi's teachings"

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 an adherent of any branch of taoism
• Words that mean the same thing: 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: TAO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "70. Repeatedly comments (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 a chordophone that has a triangular frame consisting of a sounding board and a pillar and a curved neck; the strings stretched between the neck and the soundbox are plucked with the fingers
• Words that mean the same thing: mouth organ, mouth harp, harp
• 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: HARPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "71. The first one in The New York Times appeared in 1970"

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: OPED

  Great job if you got it right!

July 15, 2021 Thursday NYT - All Down Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Southwest desert plant	5
2D	2. Dock	4
3D	3. Metric of grossness	10
4D	4. Classic comedy figure who sported a bowl cut	3
5D	5. Certain warhead transport, in brief	4
6D	6. Phoenix and Washington, e.g.	9
7D	7. Low culture, disparagingly	5
8D	8. Brass band sound	6
9D	9. Showily deferential	8
10D	10. Neaten	6
11D	11. Clickable things	5
12D	12. Prefix with -lithic	5
13D	14. Lone Star State athlete	5
14D	16. Certifier of music sales, for short	4
15D	22. Apple devices run on it	3
16D	23. "Along ___ spider ..."	5
17D	25. Palm part	5
18D	27. Easy two-pointer	5
19D	28. ___-Seltzer	4
20D	29. Not Ready for Prime Time Players show, for short	3
21D	33. Where a zipper gets caught?	9
22D	35. Put on	5
23D	36. Popular hot-and-sour Thai dish	10
24D	37. Some summer babies	4
25D	38. To be: Lat.	4
26D	40. Headgear for many an extreme athlete	5
27D	41. Using intuition	8
28D	42. Have	3
29D	47. Syllables said with fingers in one's ears	6
30D	49. Night sch. class	3
31D	50. Thin, as a voice	5
32D	51. Small screech, for example	5
33D	52. Actress Birch	5
34D	53. Green power option, informally	5
35D	54. A scallop has up to 200 of these	4
36D	55. Not so cold	5
37D	58. Second place at a math competition?	4
38D	60. Symbol of highness	4
39D	61. Focus problem, for short	4
40D	65. Joey of children's fiction	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. Southwest desert plant"

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 any of several evergreen plants of the genus yucca having usually tall stout stems and a terminal cluster of white flowers; warmer regions of north america
• 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: YUCCA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Dock"

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 one of the muslim people of north africa; of mixed arab and berber descent; converted to islam in the 8th century; conqueror of spain in the 8th century
• Words that mean the same thing: wharf, tie up, berth
• 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: MOOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Metric of grossness"

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: YUCKFACTOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Classic comedy figure who sported a bowl cut"

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

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: MOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Certain warhead transport, in brief"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a ballistic missile that is capable of traveling from one continent to another
• Words that mean the same thing: intercontinental ballistic missile
• 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: ICBM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Phoenix and Washington, e.g."

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MALELEADS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Low culture, disparagingly"

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 worthless material that is to be disposed of
• Words that mean the same thing: crank, tear apart, chicken 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: TRASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Brass band sound"

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: OOMPAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Showily deferential"

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: OBEISANT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Neaten"

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: TIDYUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Clickable things"

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 (computer science) a graphic symbol (usually a simple picture) that denotes a program or a command or a data file or a concept in a graphical user interface
• Words that mean the same thing: ikon, icon, image
• 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: ICONS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Prefix with -lithic"

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: PALEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. Lone Star State athlete"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ASTRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "16. Certifier of music sales, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RIAA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Apple devices run on it"

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 (greek mythology) a maiden seduced by zeus; when hera was about to discover them together zeus turned her into a white heifer
• Words that mean the same thing: Io
• 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: IOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. "Along ___ spider ...""

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: CAMEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Palm part"

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 compound leaf of a fern or palm or cycad
• 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: FROND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Easy two-pointer"

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 basketball shot made with one hand from a position under or beside the basket (and usually banked off the backboard)
• Words that mean the same thing: lay-up
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAYUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. ___-Seltzer"

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: ALKA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Not Ready for Prime Time Players show, for short"

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

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: SNL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. Where a zipper gets caught?"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SPEEDTRAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "35. Put 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 any distinct time period in a sequence of events
• Words that mean the same thing: leg, phase, level
• 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: STAGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "36. Popular hot-and-sour Thai dish"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about food & drink.

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: TOMYUMSOUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. Some summer babies"

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 (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in leo
• Words that mean the same thing: Leo the Lion, Lion, Leo
• 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: LEOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. To be: Lat."

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: ESSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "40. Headgear for many an extreme athlete"

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: GOPRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Using intuition"

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: ONAHUNCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Have"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that have ownership or possession of
• Words that mean the same thing: have, possess, ain
• 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: OWN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. Syllables said with fingers in one's ears"

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: LALALA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Night sch. class"

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: ESL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Thin, as a voice"

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 having a tone of a reed instrument
• Words that mean the same thing: reedlike, wheezy
• 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: REEDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Small screech, for example"

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: OWLET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Actress Birch"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Green power option, informally"

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: HYDRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "54. A scallop has up to 200 of these"

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 opinion or judgment
• Words that mean the same thing: optic, heart, eye
• 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: EYES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "55. Not so cold"

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 pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance; - george meredith
• Words that mean the same thing: skillful, dainty, decent
• The opposite would be: nasty
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NICER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Second place at a math competition?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
• Words that mean the same thing: 10, tenner, decade
• 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: TENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "60. Symbol of highness"

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 bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value
• 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: KITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "61. Focus problem, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
• Words that mean the same thing: attention deficit disorder, ADD, hyperkinetic syndrome
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADHD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "65. Joey of children's fiction"

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: ROO

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	54	70.1%
Short Answer	12	15.6%
Sports	3	3.9%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.6%
Literature	1	1.3%
History	1	1.3%
Music	1	1.3%
Food & Drink	1	1.3%
Science/Technology	1	1.3%
Abbreviation	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	37
Down Clues	40
Total Clues	77
Average Answer Length	5.3 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	17 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Thursday, and these puzzles are usually 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!

More Crossword Resources

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

• January 31 1990 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 29 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 19 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 20 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• March 28 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 02 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 22 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• February 05 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 29 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 24 2023 NYT Clues Solutions

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 16, 2025 at 07:39 AM

December 23, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (32 clues)
• Down Clues (42 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 23, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 74 (32 Across, 42 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

December 23, 2021 Thursday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. When said three times, how an overlong comment might be summarized	4
2A	5. Morgan Stanley acquisition of 2020	6
3A	11. Shock, in a way	3
4A	14. Let up	4
5A	15. Get something just right	6
6A	16. Word aptly hidden in "I've got this!"	3
7A	17. Reef deposit hung on the holiday tree?	15
8A	20. Is unobliged to	7
9A	21. Popular web browser	6
10A	22. Something an Australian might throw on the barbie	6
11A	25. Beats (out)	5
12A	26. Heath genus that's also a woman's name	5
13A	29. Certain international soccer championship, familiarly	5
14A	31. Noble gas you can't live without?	10
15A	33. It's 1 for 90°	4
16A	37. Occasion on which to sing the hymn "Up From the Grave He Arose"	6
17A	38. Word with candy or ball	6
18A	40. Things caught at a beach	4
19A	41. Starbucks order for a man's man?	10
20A	45. True	5
21A	46. Essential character	5
22A	47. Cause of the moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie, in song	5
23A	51. Sugar or flour	6
24A	53. Car model with a musical name	6
25A	55. Miami five	7
26A	59. Buys tickets for a couple of friends for a Polynesian getaway?	15
27A	62. Something it's good to get a hole in?	3
28A	63. Archers	6
29A	64. Trash day reminder	4
30A	65. Passage blocker, maybe	3
31A	66. New citizen, perhaps	6
32A	67. What cynophobia is the fear of	4

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. When said three times, how an overlong comment might be summarized"

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 pompous or pretentious talk or writing
• Words that mean the same thing: claptrap, fustian, bombast
• 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: BLAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Morgan Stanley acquisition of 2020"

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: ETRADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Shock, in a way"

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 sudden event that imparts energy or excitement, usually with a dramatic impact
• Words that mean the same thing: vaporize, nuke, atomise
• 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: ZAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Let up"

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 freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
• Words that mean the same thing: repose, relieve, easiness
• The opposite would be: difficulty
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Get something just right"

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: NAILIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Word aptly hidden in "I've got this!""

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 an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
• Words that mean the same thing: self-importance, self, egotism
• 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: EGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Reef deposit hung on the holiday tree?"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: ACHRISTMASCORAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Is unobliged to"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NEEDNOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Popular web browser"

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 another word for chromium when it is used in dyes or pigments
• Words that mean the same thing: chromium-plate
• 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: CHROME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Something an Australian might throw on the barbie"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that disparaging terms for small people
• Words that mean the same thing: prawn, half-pint, runt
• 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: SHRIMP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "25. Beats (out)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the boundary of a surface
• Words that mean the same thing: inch, butt, border
• 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: EDGES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Heath genus that's also a woman's name"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any plant of the genus erica
• Words that mean the same thing: true heath
• 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: ERICA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. Certain international soccer championship, familiarly"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the basic monetary unit of most members of the european union (introduced in 1999); in 2002 twelve european nations (germany, france, belgium, luxembourg, the netherlands, italy, spain, portugal, ireland, greece, austria, finland) adopted the euro as their basic unit of money and abandoned their traditional currencies
• Words that mean the same thing: euro
• 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: EUROS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. Noble gas you can't live without?"

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: VITALARGON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "33. It's 1 for 90°"

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 ratio of the length of the side opposite the given angle to the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
• Words that mean the same thing: sin
• 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: SINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "37. Occasion on which to sing the hymn "Up From the Grave He Arose""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a christian celebration of the resurrection of christ; celebrated on the sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox
• Words that mean the same thing: east wind, easterly
• 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: EASTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "38. Word with candy or ball"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
• Words that mean the same thing: cotton plant, cotton fiber, cotton wool
• 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: COTTON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "40. Things caught at a beach"

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 column of light (as from a beacon)
• Words that mean the same thing: electron beam, light beam, ray
• 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: RAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "41. Starbucks order for a man's man?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CAFFEMACHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "45. True"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that steadfast in allegiance or duty
• Words that mean the same thing: firm, patriotic, fast
• The opposite would be: disloyal, unpatriotic
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOYAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "46. Essential character"

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 (anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
• 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: ETHOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "47. Cause of the moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie, in song"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AMORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "51. Sugar or flour"

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 (usually plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant
• Words that mean the same thing: basic, raw material, staple fibre
• The opposite would be: unstaple
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STAPLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "53. Car model with a musical name"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting forms
• 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: SONATA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "55. Miami five"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THEHEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "59. Buys tickets for a couple of friends for a Polynesian getaway?"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: TAKESTWOTOTONGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "62. Something it's good to get a hole in?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Words that mean the same thing: i, unity, unitary
• 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: ONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "63. Archers"

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 who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
• Words that mean the same thing: archer, bowman
• 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: BOWMEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "64. Trash day reminder"

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 property detected by the olfactory system
• Words that mean the same thing: olfactory perception, olfactory property, olfactory sensation
• 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: ODOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "65. Passage blocker, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that not this merely but also; not only so but
• The opposite would be: yea
• 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: NAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "66. New citizen, perhaps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone who leaves one country to settle in another
• Words that mean the same thing: emigrant, outgoer, emigree
• 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: EMIGRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "67. What cynophobia is the fear of"

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 genus canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
• Words that mean the same thing: tag, track, andiron
• 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: DOGS

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Thursday Crossword Down Clues - December 23, 2021 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Black-eyed pea, technically	4
2D	2. Get ready to skate, with "up"	4
3D	3. Lead-in to a Southern "-ville"	4
4D	4. Tries to wrangle the unwrangleable	9
5D	5. "Christ's Entry Into Brussels in 1889" artist	5
6D	6. More ragged	7
7D	7. ___ shot	3
8D	8. In the way of	3
9D	9. 45, e.g.	4
10D	10. Does some cave art	6
11D	11. Free-fall phenomenon, informally	5
12D	12. Good thing to bring to the field	5
13D	13. North and South, but not East or West	5
14D	18. Gobble down	6
15D	19. Chicago airport code	3
16D	23. ___ shot	3
17D	24. For	3
18D	26. At all	4
19D	27. Org. that gives out "gold" but fights pirates	4
20D	28. Teeny-tiny	4
21D	30. "Kiss her ___ for me" ("A Holly Jolly Christmas" lyric)	4
22D	32. Western gas brand	4
23D	33. District of Columbia advocacy subject	9
24D	34. Hankering	4
25D	35. N.Y.C. neighborhood next to the Bowery	4
26D	36. Great-great-great-great-great grandfather of Noah	4
27D	39. Dish that may be served folded	6
28D	42. Old-timey agreements	3
29D	43. Like Santa, in traditional depictions	3
30D	44. Butter up, say	7
31D	45. Doesn't disturb	6
32D	47. Start of an English auto name	5
33D	48. 2016 animated film with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda	5
34D	49. Pitch-perfect	5
35D	50. Explorer John	3
36D	52. Give a buzz	5
37D	54. Small thing	4
38D	56. Opposite of exo-	4
39D	57. Full of anticipation	4
40D	58. Besmirches	4
41D	60. Historical event given its current name in 1939: Abbr.	3
42D	61. "!!!"	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. Black-eyed pea, technically"

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 various edible seeds of plants of the family leguminosae used for food
• Words that mean the same thing: edible bean, attic, noggin
• 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: BEAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Get ready to skate, with "up""

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 cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
• Words that mean the same thing: fortify, lace up, intertwine
• The opposite would be: untwine
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LACE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Lead-in to a Southern "-ville""

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 united states tennis player who was the first black to win united states and english singles championships (1943-1993)
• Words that mean the same thing: Arthur Ashe, Arthur Robert Ashe
• 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: ASHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Tries to wrangle the unwrangleable"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HERDSCATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. "Christ's Entry Into Brussels in 1889" artist"

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: ENSOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. More ragged"

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 showing signs of wear and tear
• Words that mean the same thing: gimcrack, tacky, tatty
• 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: TATTIER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. ___ shot"

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 shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
• Words that mean the same thing: brim, flange, lip
• 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: RIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. In the way of"

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 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!

Clue 9 Down: "9. 45, e.g."

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 sound recording consisting of a disk with a continuous groove; used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracks in the groove
• Words that mean the same thing: magnetic disk, phonograph recording, disk
• 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: DISC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Does some cave art"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that make an etching of
• Words that mean the same thing: etch, engrave
• 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: ETCHES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Free-fall phenomenon, informally"

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: ZEROG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Good thing to bring to the field"

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: AGAME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. North and South, but not East or West"

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 a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
• Words that mean the same thing: celestial pole, magnetic pole, Pole
• 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: POLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Gobble down"

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 draw deep into the lungs in by breathing
• Words that mean the same thing: breathe in, inspire
• The opposite would be: exhale
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INHALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. 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 16 Down: "23. ___ shot"

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 quantity that can be held in a mug
• Words that mean the same thing: sucker, smiler, mark
• 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: MUG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. For"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an athlete who plays for pay
• Words that mean the same thing: professional
• The opposite would be: con, amateur
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. At all"

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 at any time
• Words that mean the same thing: e'er, always, of all time
• The opposite would be: never
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EVER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Org. that gives out "gold" but fights pirates"

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: RIAA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "28. Teeny-tiny"

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: ITSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. "Kiss her ___ for me" ("A Holly Jolly Christmas" lyric)"

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 on one occasion
• Words that mean the same thing: erst, erstwhile, at one time
• 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: ONCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Western gas brand"

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 (of instruments in the violin family) to be played with the bow
• 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: ARCO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. District of Columbia advocacy subject"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: STATEHOOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Hankering"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
• Words that mean the same thing: scratch, spoil, itchiness
• 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: ITCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. N.Y.C. neighborhood next to the Bowery"

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: NOHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "36. Great-great-great-great-great grandfather of Noah"

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: ENOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "39. Dish that may be served folded"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that beaten eggs or an egg mixture cooked until just set; may be folded around e.g. ham or cheese or jelly
• Words that mean the same thing: omelette
• 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: OMELET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Old-timey agreements"

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: AYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "43. Like Santa, in traditional depictions"

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 soft greasy substance occurring in organic tissue and consisting of a mixture of lipids (mostly triglycerides)
• Words that mean the same thing: fatten up, fertile, fatty
• The opposite would be: thin, leanness
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "44. Butter up, say"

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 praise somewhat dishonestly
• Words that mean the same thing: prostrate, matte, vapid
• The opposite would be: contrasty, natural
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FLATTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "45. Doesn't disturb"

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: LETSBE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "47. Start of an English auto name"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ASTON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "48. 2016 animated film with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MOANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "49. Pitch-perfect"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: ONKEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "50. Explorer John"

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: RAE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "52. Give a buzz"

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 electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
• Words that mean the same thing: earpiece, headphone, telephone set
• 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: PHONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "54. Small thing"

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 (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
• Words that mean the same thing: particle, molecule, speck
• 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: ATOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "56. Opposite of exo-"

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: ENDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "57. Full of anticipation"

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 highly excited
• 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: AGOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "58. Besmirches"

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 any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
• Words that mean the same thing: old salt, Jack, seaman
• 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: TARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "60. Historical event given its current name in 1939: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WWI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 42 Down: "61. "!!!""

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: OMG

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	53	71.6%
Short Answer	13	17.6%
Music	3	4.1%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.7%
Sports	1	1.4%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	32
Down Clues	42
Total Clues	74
Average Answer Length	5.1 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Thursday, and these puzzles are usually 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!

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 12, 2025 at 11:17 PM