December 31, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (33 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 31, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (33 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.4 letters

Across Clues Explained - Friday NYT Crossword December 31, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Colorful custardy confection	9
2A	10. Sudden inspirations	5
3A	15. Waltz onomatopoeia	9
4A	16. Love	5
5A	17. Classic diner orders	9
6A	18. Apply, as ointment	5
7A	19. Kitchen brand whose name is an ambigram	3
8A	20. Pit-___	4
9A	21. More might come before it	6
10A	22. Its employees might get under your skin	7
11A	24. Thing with rings	4
12A	25. Legal action	6
13A	28. Some Disney-inspired Halloween costumes	5
14A	30. "___ me!" (request to a fridge-goer)	4
15A	31. Like blue and green ski trails, vis-à-vis black diamonds	6
16A	33. Pep	3
17A	36. Looks the other way	15
18A	39. Modern ___	3
19A	40. "A ___ place is in the House, and in the Senate" (bumper sticker)	6
20A	41. Actress Kendrick	4
21A	42. Sharon's predecessor as Israeli P.M.	5
22A	43. One of the Blues Brothers	6
23A	45. One of the Coen brothers	4
24A	48. Relative by marriage	7
25A	50. Where to do as others do, it's said	6
26A	52. Stain	4
27A	53. Sprinkling	3
28A	56. Canon competitor	5
29A	57. Street featured in Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (that's also 50-Across)	9
30A	59. Still sticky	5
31A	60. Make thin	9
32A	61. Crushes it	5
33A	62. Couple in the back of a car	9

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. Colorful custardy confection"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: FRUITTART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "10. Sudden inspirations"

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 short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
• Words that mean the same thing: pant, gasp, puff
• 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: GASPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. Waltz onomatopoeia"

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: OOMPAHPAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. Love"

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 love intensely
• 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: ADORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. Classic diner orders"

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: TUNAMELTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Apply, as ointment"

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: RUBON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Kitchen brand whose name is an ambigram"

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: OXO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Pit-___"

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: APAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. More might come before it"

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: ORLESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Its employees might get under your skin"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: XRAYLAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "24. Thing with rings"

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 tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
• Words that mean the same thing: shoetree, tree diagram, corner
• 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: TREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Legal action"

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 earnest or urgent request
• Words that mean the same thing: charm, solicitation, prayer
• The opposite would be: repel
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: APPEAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. Some Disney-inspired Halloween costumes"

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: ELSAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. "___ me!" (request to a fridge-goer)"

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 general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
• 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: BEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Like blue and green ski trails, vis-à-vis black diamonds"

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 posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
• Words that mean the same thing: light, sluttish, wanton
• The opposite would be: uneasy, difficult
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASIER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "33. Pep"

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 healthy capacity for vigorous activity
• Words that mean the same thing: vigour, vitality, muscularity
• 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: VIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Looks the other way"

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: LETSTHINGSSLIDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "39. Modern ___"

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 period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Words that mean the same thing: earned run average, epoch, geological 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: ERA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. "A ___ place is in the House, and in the Senate" (bumper sticker)"

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 an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
• Words that mean the same thing: charwoman, char, fair sex
• The opposite would be: man
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WOMANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. Actress Kendrick"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a former copper coin of pakistan and india
• 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: ANNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "42. Sharon's predecessor as Israeli P.M."

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: BARAK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "43. One of the Blues Brothers"

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: ELWOOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "45. One of the Coen brothers"

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 hebrew minor prophet
• Words that mean the same thing: Book of Joel
• 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: JOEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Relative by marriage"

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: STEPDAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "50. Where to do as others do, it's said"

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: INROME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "52. Stain"

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 blemish made by dirt
• Words that mean the same thing: smirch, fleck, stain
• 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: BLOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "53. Sprinkling"

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 small elite group
• The opposite would be: many
• 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: FEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. Canon competitor"

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: LEICA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Street featured in Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (that's also 50-Across)"

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: VIAVENETO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Still sticky"

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 (of a glutinous liquid such as paint) not completely dried and slightly sticky to the touch
• Words that mean the same thing: gaudy, gimcrack, brassy
• 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: TACKY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "60. Make thin"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance)
• Words that mean the same thing: faded, weakened, rarefy
• 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: ATTENUATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "61. Crushes it"

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 kill intentionally and with premeditation
• Words that mean the same thing: remove, polish off, murder
• 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: SLAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "62. Couple in the back of a car"

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: REARTIRES

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Friday Puzzle December 31, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Snap	4
2D	2. Component of three of the five French "mother sauces"	4
3D	3. "That's ... never gonna happen"	4
4D	4. "Double" or "triple" drink	3
5D	5. Actress Taylor of TV's "Bones"	6
6D	6. Agatha Christie novel named after Death's mount in Revelation	12
7D	7. Make ___ for	5
8D	8. Danger for desert hikers	15
9D	9. Ending with four or six, but not five	3
10D	10. Teri of "Mr. Mom"	4
11D	11. Does laundry or pays bills, in modern lingo	6
12D	12. Clearheaded	5
13D	13. Novel content	5
14D	14. Tell	5
15D	21. Couldn't let go of	12
16D	22. Group portrayed in "Slacker" and "Reality Bites," familiarly	4
17D	23. Straighten	5
18D	25. Proficient	4
19D	26. ___ review	4
20D	27. One quadrillion: Prefix	4
21D	29. Trio of horrors?	3
22D	32. Target	5
23D	33. Rosso o bianco	4
24D	34. Driver's license fig.	4
25D	35. Ren Faire concession	4
26D	37. United competitor, once	3
27D	38. "Heavens!"	4
28D	42. Squarish	6
29D	44. Not yet manifest	6
30D	45. Spurns	5
31D	46. Longtime "Inside the N.B.A." commentator	5
32D	47. Writer Jong	5
33D	49. South America's Río de la ___	5
34D	51. Eponym of the World Series M.V.P. award	4
35D	53. "Have no ___ of perfection - you'll never reach it": Dalí	4
36D	54. Suffix with towel	4
37D	55. Melancholiac's list	4
38D	57. Dictionary abbr.	3
39D	58. Rapa ___ (Easter Island)	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. Snap"

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: FOTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Component of three of the five French "mother sauces""

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 mixture of fat and flour heated and used as a basis for sauces
• 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: ROUX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. "That's ... never gonna happen""

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: UMNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. "Double" or "triple" drink"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium 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: IPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Actress Taylor of TV's "Bones""

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: TAMARA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Agatha Christie novel named after Death's mount in Revelation"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert clue about literature.

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: THEPALEHORSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Make ___ for"

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: APLAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Danger for desert hikers"

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: RATTLESNAKEBITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Ending with four or six, but not five"

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 the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day
• Words that mean the same thing: Th, thorium, atomic number 90
• 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: THS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Teri of "Mr. Mom""

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: GARR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Does laundry or pays bills, in modern lingo"

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 fully developed person from maturity onward
• Words that mean the same thing: grownup, adult
• The opposite would be: juvenile
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADULTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Clearheaded"

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 cause to become sober
• Words that mean the same thing: grave, somber, serious
• The opposite would be: playful, intoxicated
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOBER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Novel content"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
• 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: PROSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Tell"

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 a general conscious awareness
• Words that mean the same thing: sensation, sentience, sensory faculty
• 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: SENSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Couldn't let go of"

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: OBSESSEDOVER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Group portrayed in "Slacker" and "Reality Bites," familiarly"

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: XERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. Straighten"

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 place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
• Words that mean the same thing: ordinate, aline, adjust
• The opposite would be: skew
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALIGN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Proficient"

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 (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
• Words that mean the same thing: able-bodied, capable
• The opposite would be: unable
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. ___ review"

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 person who is of equal standing with another in a group
• Words that mean the same thing: match, compeer, equal
• 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: PEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. One quadrillion: Prefix"

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: PETA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "29. Trio of horrors?"

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 colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth's atmosphere
• Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 18, Arkansas, ar
• 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: ARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Target"

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: AIMAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Rosso o bianco"

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 fermented juice (of grapes especially)
• Words that mean the same thing: wine
• 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: VINO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Driver's license fig."

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

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: IDNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. Ren Faire concession"

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 anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in polynesian cultures (1901-1978)
• Words that mean the same thing: George Herbert Mead, Margaret Mead
• 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: MEAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. United competitor, once"

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: TWA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "38. "Heavens!""

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: LAWD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Squarish"

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 resembling a block in shape
• Words that mean the same thing: blockish
• 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: BLOCKY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Not yet manifest"

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 potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
• 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: LATENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Spurns"

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 a woman who jilts a lover
• Words that mean the same thing: jilt
• 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: JILTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "46. Longtime "Inside the N.B.A." commentator"

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: ONEAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "47. Writer Jong"

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

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 33 Down: "49. South America's Río de la ___"

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: PLATA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "51. Eponym of the World Series M.V.P. award"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states baseball player (born in 1931)
• Words that mean the same thing: English hawthorn, Crataegus oxycantha, May
• 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: MAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "53. "Have no ___ of perfection - you'll never reach it": Dalí"

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 an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
• Words that mean the same thing: venerate, dread, reverence
• The opposite would be: fearlessness
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "54. Suffix with towel"

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: ETTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "55. Melancholiac's list"

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 misery resulting from affliction
• Words that mean the same thing: woe, woefulness, suffering
• 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: WOES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "57. Dictionary abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a unit of electrical power in an ac circuit equal to the power dissipated when 1 volt produces a current of 1 ampere
• Words that mean the same thing: volt-ampere
• 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: VAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "58. Rapa ___ (Easter Island)"

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: NUI

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	54	75.0%
Short Answer	8	11.1%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	4.2%
Literature	3	4.2%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%
Geography	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%
Abbreviation	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	33
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.4 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 Friday, 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 07:38 PM

May 09, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (36 clues)
• Down Clues (40 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, May 09, 2022

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (36 Across, 40 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Monday Puzzle May 09, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Pace set by a metronome	5
2A	6. Ewe's mate	3
3A	9. Percolate	4
4A	13. Measure of gold's purity, not its weight	5
5A	14. Cause of a laugh	4
6A	15. Bone parallel to the radius	4
7A	16. Closing bit of music	5
8A	17. In memoriam piece	4
9A	18. Doe or buck	4
10A	19. "Have another round - my treat!"	12
11A	22. ___-bitsy	4
12A	25. Private eye, in old slang	3
13A	26. C-worthy	4
14A	27. Gloating words of mock consolation	12
15A	31. Wretched	5
16A	32. Amanda of "Sleeping With Other People"	4
17A	33. Texter's "Hold that thought"	3
18A	36. Revealed accidentally	7
19A	39. Once-standard feature not found in most newer vehicles	7
20A	41. greenpeace.___	3
21A	42. Trolley	4
22A	44. Blow, as a volcano	5
23A	45. Invitation to a prospective waltz partner	12
24A	48. Actress Rudolph of "Bridesmaids"	4
25A	50. Feathery accessory	3
26A	51. Lays down turf	4
27A	52. Empower a successor, metaphorically	12
28A	56. "Dagnabbit!"	4
29A	57. Decorated, as a cake	4
30A	58. In a good mood	5
31A	62. Rough patch in adolescence?	4
32A	63. Rainy day hue	4
33A	64. Full of fury	5
34A	65. Bogus	4
35A	66. Make music on a kazoo, say	3
36A	67. Sufi poet thought to have coined the adage found at the starts of 19-, 27-, 45- and 52-Across	5

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. Pace set by a metronome"

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 (music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
• Words that mean the same thing: pace, pacing
• 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: TEMPO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Ewe's mate"

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 most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible
• Words that mean the same thing: crash, Aries, read/write memory
• 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: RAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Percolate"

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 pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
• Words that mean the same thing: ooze
• 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: SEEP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Measure of gold's purity, not its weight"

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 the unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy; 18-karat gold is 75% gold; 24-karat gold is pure gold
• Words that mean the same thing: carat, kt
• 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: KARAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Cause of a laugh"

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 humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
• Words that mean the same thing: gag, antic, trick
• 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: JOKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "15. Bone parallel to the radius"

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 the inner and longer of the two bones of the human forearm
• Words that mean the same thing: elbow bone
• 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: ULNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "16. Closing bit of music"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium 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: OUTRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "17. In memoriam piece"

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 notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography
• Words that mean the same thing: necrology, obituary
• 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: OBIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "18. Doe or buck"

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 distinguished from bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
• Words that mean the same thing: cervid
• 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: DEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "19. "Have another round - my treat!""

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: THISONESONME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. ___-bitsy"

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 12 Across: "25. Private eye, in old slang"

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 police officer who investigates crimes
• Words that mean the same thing: investigator, police detective, detective
• 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: TEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. C-worthy"

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 an endorsement
• Words that mean the same thing: hunky-dory, approve, O.K.
• The opposite would be: disapprove
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OKAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Gloating words of mock consolation"

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: TOOBADFORYOU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Wretched"

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 exceptionally bad or displeasing
• Words that mean the same thing: horrific, atrocious, awesome
• The opposite would be: nice
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AWFUL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Amanda of "Sleeping With Other People""

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: PEET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Texter's "Hold that thought""

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: BRB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. Revealed accidentally"

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: LETSLIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. Once-standard feature not found in most newer vehicles"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a receptacle for the ash from smokers' cigars or cigarettes
• 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: ASHTRAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. greenpeace.___"

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: ORG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "42. Trolley"

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 conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
• Words that mean the same thing: aerial tramway, trolley, ropeway
• 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: TRAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "44. Blow, as a volcano"

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 start abruptly
• Words that mean the same thing: break through, break open, belch
• 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: ERUPT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "45. Invitation to a prospective waltz partner"

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: SHALLWEDANCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Actress Rudolph of "Bridesmaids""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of an american indian people of yucatan and belize and guatemala who had a culture (which reached its peak between ad 300 and 900) characterized by outstanding architecture and pottery and astronomy
• Words that mean the same thing: Mayan language, Mayan
• 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: MAYA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "50. Feathery accessory"

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 long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur
• Words that mean the same thing: feather boa
• 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: BOA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "51. Lays down turf"

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 surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
• Words that mean the same thing: bugger, SOD, superoxide dismutase
• 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: SODS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "52. Empower a successor, metaphorically"

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: PASSTHETORCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. "Dagnabbit!""

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: DRAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Decorated, as a cake"

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 decorate with frosting
• Words that mean the same thing: frost, ice
• 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: ICED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "58. In a good mood"

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 enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
• Words that mean the same thing: well-chosen, glad, felicitous
• The opposite would be: unhappy
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HAPPY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "62. Rough patch in adolescence?"

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 an inflammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands of the skin; characterized by papules or pustules or comedones
• 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: ACNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "63. Rainy day hue"

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 neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
• Words that mean the same thing: gray-headed, grey-headed, hoar
• 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: GRAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "64. Full of fury"

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 feeling or showing extreme anger
• Words that mean the same thing: ireful
• 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: IRATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "65. Bogus"

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 something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
• Words that mean the same thing: imposter, affect, dissemble
• 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: SHAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "66. Make music on a kazoo, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity
• Words that mean the same thing: Movement of Holy Warriors, Harkat-ul-Mujahidin, busyness
• 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: HUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "67. Sufi poet thought to have coined the adage found at the starts of 19-, 27-, 45- and 52-Across"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers
• Words that mean the same thing: ottar, athar, atar
• 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: ATTAR

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Monday Crossword Down Clues - May 09, 2022 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Boxing ring ruling, in brief	3
2D	2. ___ de toilette	3
3D	3. Mohawked star of "The A-Team"	3
4D	4. Transport built for revelry	8
5D	5. Tweeter's "alternatively"	4
6D	6. Title cyborg in a 1987 sci-fi flick	7
7D	7. Similar (to)	4
8D	8. Distribute, with "out"	4
9D	9. Puzzle with a 9 x 9 grid	6
10D	10. Justice Kagan	5
11D	11. Foe	5
12D	12. Peel ... or, phonetically, a fruit you might do this to	4
13D	14. ___ K. of Kafka's "The Trial"	5
14D	20. "___ be a big help"	3
15D	21. Solaced	7
16D	22. Author Calvino	5
17D	23. The ___ of Babel	5
18D	24. Sound heard twice in "George"	5
19D	28. Something special	7
20D	29. Stephen of "The Crying Game"	3
21D	30. "You bet!"	3
22D	33. Uncle "we don't talk about" in Disney's 2021 film "Encanto"	5
23D	34. Bygone music collection from Nas or Lil' Kim	5
24D	35. Computer memory units	5
25D	37. Good name for a financial planner?	3
26D	38. Buddy	3
27D	40. Sculptures made of found objects and scraps	8
28D	43. The Reds or the Red Sox, for short	7
29D	45. The "S" in iOS	6
30D	46. Folk icon Guthrie	5
31D	47. Anatomical canal locale	3
32D	48. 1963's ___ on Washington	5
33D	49. Cat pose or downward dog	5
34D	52. BlackBerrys and PalmPilots, for short	4
35D	53. Low's opposite	4
36D	54. Hosiery shade	4
37D	55. ___ Pet (onetime fad item)	4
38D	59. Small butter unit	3
39D	60. School fund-raising grp.	3
40D	61. "Oh, quit ___ bellyachin'!"	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. Boxing ring ruling, in brief"

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 knockout declared by the referee who judges one boxer unable to continue
• Words that mean the same thing: technical knockout
• 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: TKO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. ___ de toilette"

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: EAU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Mohawked star of "The A-Team""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: MRT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Transport built for revelry"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard 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: PARTYBUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Tweeter's "alternatively""

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: OTOH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Title cyborg in a 1987 sci-fi flick"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: ROBOCOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Similar (to)"

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 similar in quality or character
• Words that mean the same thing: consanguine, kindred, kin
• 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: AKIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Distribute, with "out""

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 line that indicates a boundary
• Words that mean the same thing: border, borderline, boundary line
• 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: METE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Puzzle with a 9 x 9 grid"

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 number puzzle in which the numbers 1 through 9 must be placed into a grid of cells so that each row or column contains only one of each number
• 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: SUDOKU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Justice Kagan"

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: ELENA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Foe"

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 an opposing military force
• Words that mean the same thing: opposition, foe, foeman
• The opposite would be: friend
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENEMY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Peel ... or, phonetically, a fruit you might do this to"

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 decrease gradually or bit by bit
• Words that mean the same thing: whittle, pare down, trim
• 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: PARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. ___ K. of Kafka's "The Trial""

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: JOSEF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "20. "___ be a big help""

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: ITD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Solaced"

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 give moral or emotional strength to
• Words that mean the same thing: soothe, solace, console
• The opposite would be: irritate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOOTHED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Author Calvino"

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: ITALO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. The ___ of Babel"

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 structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
• Words that mean the same thing: pillar, predominate, tug
• 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: TOWER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "24. Sound heard twice in "George""

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: SOFTG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Something special"

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: ALLTHAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Stephen of "The Crying Game""

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: REA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. "You bet!""

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 affirmative
• The opposite would be: no
• 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: YES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Uncle "we don't talk about" in Disney's 2021 film "Encanto""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that german pope from 1049 to 1054 whose papacy was the beginning of papal reforms in the 11th century (1002-1054)
• Words that mean the same thing: Bruno of Toul, Saint Bruno, St. Bruno
• 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: BRUNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "34. Bygone music collection from Nas or Lil' Kim"

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: RAPCD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Computer memory units"

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 sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information
• Words that mean the same thing: byte
• 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: BYTES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "37. Good name for a financial planner?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a militant organization of irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive british forces from northern ireland and achieve a united independent ireland
• Words that mean the same thing: individual retirement account, wrath, Provisional IRA
• 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: IRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "38. Buddy"

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, brother, buddy
• 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 27 Down: "40. Sculptures made of found objects and scraps"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TRASHART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. The Reds or the Red Sox, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MLBTEAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. The "S" in iOS"

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 instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
• Words that mean the same thing: system of rules, arrangement, scheme
• 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: SYSTEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Folk icon Guthrie"

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 made of or containing or resembling wood
• Words that mean the same thing: woodsy, arboreous, arboraceous
• The opposite would be: nonwoody
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WOODY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. Anatomical canal locale"

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 sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
• Words that mean the same thing: capitulum, spike, auricle
• 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: EAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "48. 1963's ___ on Washington"

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 month following february and preceding april
• Words that mean the same thing: exhibit, border, adjoin
• 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: MARCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "49. Cat pose or downward dog"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (hinduism) a posture or manner of sitting (as in the practice of yoga)
• 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: ASANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "52. BlackBerrys and PalmPilots, 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 lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.
• Words that mean the same thing: organiser, PDA, personal digital assistant
• 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: PDAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "53. Low's opposite"

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 lofty level or position or degree
• Words that mean the same thing: high gear, mellow, luxuriously
• The opposite would be: low, low spirits
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HIGH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "54. Hosiery shade"

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 very light brown
• Words that mean the same thing: beige
• 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: ECRU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "55. ___ Pet (onetime fad item)"

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: CHIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "59. Small butter unit"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the sound made by a gentle blow
• Words that mean the same thing: rap, slick, 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: PAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "60. School fund-raising grp."

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: PTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "61. "Oh, quit ___ bellyachin'!""

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: YER

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	48	63.2%
Short Answer	15	19.7%
Celebrity/Entertainment	4	5.3%
Music	3	3.9%
Sports	2	2.6%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
Movies/Film	1	1.3%
History	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	36
Down Clues	40
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	4.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	12 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 Monday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 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 10, 2025 at 05:19 AM