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Monday, August 3, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 03, 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. What's paid 4
2A 5. Slowpoke in a "mobile home" 5
3A 10. Figure that might be measured in acres 4
4A 14. What a diaper pail helps minimize 4
5A 15. ___ bear (cuddly toy) 5
6A 16. Device used in a lactation room 4
7A 17. Size between mini and maxi 4
8A 18. Humiliate 5
9A 19. Ancient Peruvian society 4
10A 20. Idler along the seashore 8
11A 22. "Pumpkin eater" in a nursery rhyme 5
12A 23. Speak at the top of one's lungs 4
13A 24. Needle-working craft 7
14A 26. Kitchen appliance for desserts 13
15A 30. Division in a supermarket 5
16A 31. Travel like slime 4
17A 32. One lacking refinement 3
18A 35. Chess game's end 4
19A 36. Children's author A.A. ___ 5
20A 38. Throw with force 4
21A 39. ___ constrictor 3
22A 40. Phase in which users help catch bugs 4
23A 41. Instrument on which reveille is played 5
24A 42. Series that may feature forensics experts 13
25A 46. Ninja's quality 7
26A 48. ___ whiskey 4
27A 49. Surgery that leaves the patient looking better? 5
28A 50. Adjective describing 20-, 26- and 42-Across 8
29A 54. Guesstimates for when planes are due, for short 4
30A 55. Donation at some Red Cross events 5
31A 57. "Best Dad ___" (message on a mug) 4
32A 58. "The King" in soccer 4
33A 59. Competitive thing to "bring" 5
34A 60. Still red, as steak 4
35A 61. Uno + dos 4
36A 62. All gone from the dinner plate 5
37A 63. Winter forecast 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. What's paid"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
  • Similar words include: price, monetary value, be
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Slowpoke in a "mobile home""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freshwater or marine or terrestrial gastropod mollusk usually having an external enclosing spiral shell
  • Similar words include: escargot
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Figure that might be measured in acres"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
  • Similar words include: domain, field, surface area
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. What a diaper pail helps minimize"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any property detected by the olfactory system
  • Similar words include: olfactory perception, olfactory property, scent
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. ___ bear (cuddly toy)"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)
  • Similar words include: chemise, shift, slip
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEDDY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Device used in a lactation room"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mechanical device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction
  • Similar words include: heart, ticker
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PUMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Size between mini and maxi"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the southern part of france
  • Similar words include: musical instrument digital interface
  • Opposite of: maxi
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIDI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Humiliate"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
  • Similar words include: chagrin, mortify, humiliate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Ancient Peruvian society"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ruler of the incas (or a member of his family)
  • Similar words include: Inka, Incan
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Idler along the seashore"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. "Pumpkin eater" in a nursery rhyme"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that disciple of jesus and leader of the apostles; regarded by catholics as the vicar of christ on earth and first pope
  • Similar words include: shaft, dick, prick
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PETER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Speak at the top of one's lungs"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
  • Similar words include: vociferation, squall, holler
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "24. Needle-working craft"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that needlework done by interlocking looped stitches with a hooked needle
  • Similar words include: hook, crocheting
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CROCHET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "26. Kitchen appliance for desserts"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Division in a supermarket"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
  • Similar words include: gangway
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AISLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Travel like slime"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any thick, viscous matter
  • Similar words include: transude, exudate, gunk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OOZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. One lacking refinement"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an awkward stupid person
  • Similar words include: lubber, clod, lump
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Chess game's end"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the officer below the master on a commercial ship
  • Similar words include: partner, married person, twin
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "36. Children's author A.A. ___"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english writer of stories for children (1882-1956)
  • Similar words include: Alan Alexander Milne, A. A. Milne
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MILNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "38. Throw with force"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a violent throw
  • Similar words include: hurtle, lunge, cast
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HURL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "39. ___ constrictor"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur
  • Similar words include: feather boa
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "40. Phase in which users help catch bugs"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the 2nd letter of the greek alphabet
  • Similar words include: genus Beta
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "41. Instrument on which reveille is played"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a brass instrument without valves; used for military calls and fanfares
  • Similar words include: bugleweed
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BUGLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "42. Series that may feature forensics experts"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "46. Ninja's quality"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that avoiding detection by moving carefully
  • Similar words include: stealing
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEALTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "48. ___ whiskey"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a milkshake made with malt powder
  • Similar words include: malt liquor, malted milk, malted
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. Surgery that leaves the patient looking better?"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a refractive surgery procedure that reshapes the cornea
  • Similar words include: laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LASIK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "50. Adjective describing 20-, 26- and 42-Across"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature
  • Similar words include: scarey, temperature reduction, scary
  • Opposite of: heat
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHILLING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "54. Guesstimates for when planes are due, for short"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "55. Donation at some Red Cross events"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fluid (red in vertebrates) that is pumped through the body by the heart and contains plasma, blood cells, and platelets
  • Similar words include: parentage, lineage, blood line
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLOOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "57. "Best Dad ___" (message on a mug)"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that at any time
  • Similar words include: always, e'er, ever so
  • Opposite of: never
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "58. "The King" in soccer"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "59. Competitive thing to "bring""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "60. Still red, as steak"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
  • Similar words include: rarified, rarefied, uncommon
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "61. Uno + dos"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "62. All gone from the dinner plate"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take in solid food
  • Similar words include: exhaust, feed, run through
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EATEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "63. Winter forecast"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
  • Similar words include: pull the wool over someone's eyes, Baron Snow of Leicester, bamboozle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Head-scratcher? 4
2D 2. Garfield's perky-eared canine buddy 4
3D 3. Coke or Pepsi 4
4D 4. Toddler's wheels 8
5D 5. Horses' hangout 6
6D 6. Cosmic cloud 6
7D 7. Eve's man 4
8D 8. Passports and driver's licenses, for short 3
9D 9. Aid in making soap 3
10D 10. Per individual 6
11D 11. Rehearsal 10
12D 12. Host with a mic 5
13D 13. A world ___ 5
14D 21. "Present!" 4
15D 22. Hawaiian seafood dish 4
16D 24. "Let's go, man!" 4
17D 25. Demolish 4
18D 26. First two syllables of "I am what I am," aptly 4
19D 27. Farewell in Florence 4
20D 28. Opportunity to buy some antiques 10
21D 29. Back tooth 5
22D 33. Guthrie who sang "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant" 4
23D 34. Went by plane 4
24D 36. Convene 4
25D 37. What a mosquito bite causes 4
26D 38. Swindling sorts 8
27D 40. Swoleness 4
28D 41. Taco ___ 4
29D 43. Rewards for excellent employees 6
30D 44. Stereotypical cry after "Honey ..." 6
31D 45. ___ voyage (first trip) 6
32D 46. Caught some Z's 5
33D 47. Product of Maine or Idaho, informally 5
34D 50. Jacket 4
35D 51. Pavlov known for canine experiments 4
36D 52. Roman emperor who competed in the Olympics (and "won" every event he was in) 4
37D 53. Got bigger 4
38D 55. Snookums 3
39D 56. Alternative to JFK and EWR 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Head-scratcher?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair
  • Similar words include: disentangle, cockscomb, ransack
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Garfield's perky-eared canine buddy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Coke or Pepsi"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sodium salt of carbonic acid; used in making soap powders and glass and paper
  • Similar words include: soda ash, sal soda, sodium carbonate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SODA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Toddler's wheels"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a vehicle with three wheels that is moved by foot pedals
  • Similar words include: trike, velocipede
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRICYCLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Horses' hangout"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
  • Similar words include: static, horse barn, unchanging
  • Opposite of: unstable
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STABLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Cosmic cloud"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a medicinal liquid preparation intended for use in an atomizer
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEBULA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Eve's man"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) in judeo-christian mythology; the first man and the husband of eve and the progenitor of the human race
  • Similar words include: disco biscuit, cristal, X
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Passports and driver's licenses, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in the rocky mountains
  • Similar words include: Idaho, id, I.D.
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Aid in making soap"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Per individual"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)
  • Similar words include: for each one, each, to each one
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APIECE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Rehearsal"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Host with a mic"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers)
  • Similar words include: master of ceremonies, host, compere
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMCEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. A world ___"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remote and separate physically or socially; ; - w.h.hudson
  • Similar words include: obscure, asunder, isolated
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. "Present!""

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

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!

15D: "22. Hawaiian seafood dish"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tall coarse perennial american herb having small white flowers followed by blackish-red berries on long drooping racemes; young fleshy stems are edible; berries and root are poisonous
  • Similar words include: lagger, slug, poking
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POKE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. "Let's go, man!""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Demolish"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tear down so as to make flat with the ground
  • Similar words include: tear down, rase, level
  • Opposite of: raise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. First two syllables of "I am what I am," aptly"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables
  • Similar words include: iambus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IAMB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Farewell in Florence"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

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!

20D: "28. Opportunity to buy some antiques"

10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "29. Back tooth"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that grinding tooth with a broad crown; located behind the premolars
  • Similar words include: grinder
  • Opposite of: molecular
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOLAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Guthrie who sang "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Went by plane"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that travel through the air; be airborne
  • Similar words include: vanish, vaporize, aviate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Convene"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
  • Similar words include: play, foregather, cope with
  • Opposite of: diverge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. What a mosquito bite causes"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
  • Similar words include: itchiness, spoil, rub
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "38. Swindling sorts"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a prostitute who attracts customers by walking the streets
  • Similar words include: hooker, floozie, wheeler dealer
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HUSTLERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Swoleness"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
  • Similar words include: mass, majority, bulge
  • Opposite of: minority
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BULK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Taco ___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
  • Similar words include: Vanessa Stephen, campana, ship's bell
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "43. Rewards for excellent employees"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the amount a salary is increased
  • Similar words include: climb, ascent, salary increase
  • Opposite of: lower, descent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAISES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "44. Stereotypical cry after "Honey ...""

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "45. ___ voyage (first trip)"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
  • Similar words include: initiatory, maid, inaugural
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "46. Caught some Z's"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be able to accommodate for sleeping
  • Similar words include: slumber, log Z's, kip
  • Opposite of: wake
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "47. Product of Maine or Idaho, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an edible tuber native to south america; a staple food of ireland
  • Similar words include: Irish potato, white potato, murphy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TATER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Jacket"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
  • Similar words include: coating, cake, pelage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "51. Pavlov known for canine experiments"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "52. Roman emperor who competed in the Olympics (and "won" every event he was in)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that roman emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of rome in 64) but the roman empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)
  • Similar words include: Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "53. Got bigger"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "55. Snookums"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "56. Alternative to JFK and EWR"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

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

37 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
76 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 03, 2026 at 06:41 AM

Saturday, July 25, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 25, 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. Fashionable spots? 9
2A 10. Meeting that's been cut short? 4
3A 14. Device used in making snow cones 10
4A 16. Lead 4
5A 17. What might provide you an opportunity to walk in someone else's shoes? 10
6A 18. Group with the hits "Honey, Honey" and "Money, Money, Money" 4
7A 19. Something won by successful Olympians 5
8A 20. Alternative to caps: Abbr. 4
9A 21. Emmy winner Ann of "The Handmaid's Tale" 4
10A 22. "Awesome!" 3
11A 23. Shared fantasies? 4
12A 25. "The gloves are off!" 6
13A 27. Lab in one's house, maybe 3
14A 28. Like some high-fiber snacks 4
15A 30. Ingredient in Swedish knäckebröd 3
16A 31. "Wrong answer" 4
17A 34. Grind up, in a way 4
18A 36. Rite-of-passage events for high schoolers 5
19A 38. "You and me both" 15
20A 41. Waft fragrant smoke around 5
21A 42. Actress Taylor-Joy 4
22A 43. Tricksters 4
23A 44. Prey for a mountain lion 3
24A 45. It has its time and place: Abbr. 4
25A 47. Things that could happen 3
26A 49. Light 6
27A 51. Let on a court, say 4
28A 53. Co-founder of the A.C.L.U.'s Women's Rights Project, familiarly 3
29A 56. Plains people 4
30A 57. Second person seen in "Hamlet" 4
31A 59. Immodest outburst 5
32A 61. The so-called "hurricane bird," because of its reputation for seeking shelter from storms at the last possible moment 4
33A 62. Knockout alternative 10
34A 64. "Santa Claus in Camp" artist, 1863 4
35A 65. "This has waited long enough, yes?" 10
36A 66. Like koalas, in Australia 4
37A 67. Some craft outlets 9

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Fashionable spots?"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "10. Meeting that's been cut short?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "14. Device used in making snow cones"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. Lead"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a slight indication
  • Similar words include: clew, cue, hint
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. What might provide you an opportunity to walk in someone else's shoes?"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. Group with the hits "Honey, Honey" and "Money, Money, Money""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Something won by successful Olympians"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state of high honor
  • Similar words include: resplendence, halo, gloriole
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GLORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "20. Alternative to caps: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Emmy winner Ann of "The Handmaid's Tale""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. "Awesome!""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a branch of the tai languages
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Shared fantasies?"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a german art song of the 19th century for voice and piano
  • Similar words include: lie, lie in, dwell
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. "The gloves are off!""

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Lab in one's house, maybe"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
  • Similar words include: positron emission tomography, darling, deary
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Like some high-fiber snacks"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Ingredient in Swedish knäckebröd"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the seed of the cereal grass
  • Similar words include: rye whisky, rye whiskey, Secale cereale
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. "Wrong answer""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Grind up, in a way"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wad of something chewable as tobacco
  • Similar words include: chewing, chaw, mastication
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Rite-of-passage events for high schoolers"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year
  • Similar words include: promenade, prom
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. "You and me both""

15 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Waft fragrant smoke around"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that perfume especially with a censer
  • Similar words include: thurify, incense
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CENSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "42. Actress Taylor-Joy"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "43. Tricksters"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
  • Similar words include: gremlin, imp, elf
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "44. Prey for a mountain lion"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called `elk' in europe and `moose' in north america
  • Similar words include: Cervus elaphus canadensis, moose, wapiti
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "45. It has its time and place: Abbr."

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "47. Things that could happen"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "49. Light"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
  • Similar words include: soft, blue, aristocratical
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENTLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "51. Let on a court, say"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a telephone connection
  • Similar words include: phone, shout out, squall
  • Opposite of: put option
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "53. Co-founder of the A.C.L.U.'s Women's Rights Project, familiarly"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "56. Plains people"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "57. Second person seen in "Hamlet""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
  • Similar words include: G, thousand, chiliad
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "59. Immodest outburst"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "61. The so-called "hurricane bird," because of its reputation for seeking shelter from storms at the last possible moment"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wading birds of warm regions having long slender down-curved bills
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IBIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "62. Knockout alternative"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "64. "Santa Claus in Camp" artist, 1863"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states political cartoonist (1840-1902)
  • Similar words include: Thomas Nast
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "65. "This has waited long enough, yes?""

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "66. Like koalas, in Australia"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states writer of western adventure novels (1875-1939)
  • Similar words include: Second Earl Grey, Charles Grey, hoary
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GREY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "67. Some craft outlets"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. One of a nursery rhyme quintet 5
2D 2. Seat of Marion County, Fla. 5
3D 3. Jim Croce's ___ Brown, who is "meaner than a junkyard dog" 5
4D 4. 1980s Chrysler innovation 4
5D 5. It's made of diamonds 6
6D 6. Directly 3
7D 7. Actor/playwright Davis who wrote "Purlie Victorious" 5
8D 8. "It was only a practice round!" 15
9D 9. Ward of "Sisters" 4
10D 10. A great deal 5
11D 11. Coach's lack, often 9
12D 12. Underground scheme? 9
13D 13. Providers of support for travelers 9
14D 15. Fired up again 5
15D 24. Shingles problem that a set of nails might address 4
16D 26. Word with set, cast or writer 4
17D 27. Predigital recording devices 4
18D 29. Where an annoying person might be told to go? 4
19D 31. "Good job!" 9
20D 32. A.M. station 9
21D 33. Ambient sound said to be more soothing than its "white" counterpart 9
22D 35. Whole lot (of) 4
23D 37. Tally of those driven home, for short 4
24D 39. Color of an ovarian cancer awareness ribbon 4
25D 40. One might check a box for it 4
26D 46. Kind of dish 5
27D 48. Dallies 6
28D 50. Easily set off 5
29D 52. What some sisters become 5
30D 53. Secretary of state beginning in 2025 5
31D 54. Game day sight 5
32D 55. Pool set? 5
33D 58. They might be thrown out if they run 4
34D 60. Philip with two National Book Awards 4
35D 63. Unprofessional letters? 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. One of a nursery rhyme quintet"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a young pig
  • Similar words include: swinish, shote, piglet
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIGGY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Seat of Marion County, Fla."

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Jim Croce's ___ Brown, who is "meaner than a junkyard dog""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. 1980s Chrysler innovation"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. It's made of diamonds"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a covered gravy holder of silver or other metal containing a detachable central vessel for hot water to keep the gravy warm
  • Similar words include: argyll
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARGYLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Directly"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that that which is deserved or owed
  • Similar words include: imputable, ascribable, referable
  • Opposite of: undue
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Actor/playwright Davis who wrote "Purlie Victorious""

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. "It was only a practice round!""

15 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Ward of "Sisters""

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. A great deal"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large number or amount
  • Similar words include: rafts, heaps, loads
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Coach's lack, often"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Underground scheme?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Providers of support for travelers"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cushion attached to the top of the back of an automobile's seat to prevent whiplash
  • Similar words include: head restraint, headrest
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEADRESTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. Fired up again"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "24. Shingles problem that a set of nails might address"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
  • Similar words include: rub, urge, scratch
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Word with set, cast or writer"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
  • Similar words include: eccentric, case, typecast
  • Opposite of: antitype
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TYPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Predigital recording devices"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
  • Similar words include: playpen, compose, write
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Where an annoying person might be told to go?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that not present; having left
  • Similar words include: off, aside, forth
  • Opposite of: home
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. "Good job!""

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. A.M. station"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Ambient sound said to be more soothing than its "white" counterpart"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Whole lot (of)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a collection of objects laid on top of each other
  • Similar words include: great deal, pot, muckle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "37. Tally of those driven home, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a run that is the result of the batter's performance
  • Similar words include: rbi, run batted in
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RBIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Color of an ovarian cancer awareness ribbon"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a blue-green color or pigment
  • Similar words include: bluish green, cyan, blue-green
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. One might check a box for it"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
  • Similar words include: post, chain armour, ring armour
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "46. Kind of dish"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "48. Dallies"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men
  • Similar words include: minx, flirtation, toy
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLIRTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "50. Easily set off"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that easily irritated or annoyed
  • Similar words include: peevish, techy, peckish
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TESTY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "52. What some sisters become"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
  • Similar words include: aunt, aunty, auntie
  • Opposite of: uncle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AUNTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "53. Secretary of state beginning in 2025"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "54. Game day sight"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any elderly pompous reactionary ultranationalistic person (after the cartoon character created by sir david low)
  • Similar words include: sausage balloon, sausage, Colonel Blimp
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BLIMP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "55. Pool set?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (genetics) a segment of dna that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding dna as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
  • Similar words include: gene, factor, cistron
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GENES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "58. They might be thrown out if they run"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that socks and stockings and tights collectively (the british include underwear)
  • Similar words include: hosiery, hose down, hosepipe
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "60. Philip with two National Book Awards"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states writer whose novels portray middle-class jewish life (born in 1933)
  • Similar words include: Philip Milton Roth, Philip Roth
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROTH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "63. Unprofessional letters?"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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

37 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
72 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: July 25, 2026 at 05:59 AM