NYT Down Clues Answers September 20, 2025 - All 34 Vertical Solutions & Expert Hints
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 34 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: 27430 Tue Dec 17 2024 Ny Times | 27424 Wed Dec 11 2024 NYT Kathy Bloomer | September 19 2022 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 20, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Saturday |
| Total Down Clues | 34 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Tricky |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 34 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Catholic university in Florida or its home town |
| 2 Down | 2. Kink |
| 3 Down | 3. "Love, love, love!" and the like |
| 4 Down | 4. Original plot |
| 5 Down | 5. Connect with a flame |
| 6 Down | 6. Carrier that offered pioneering coast-to-coast service beginning in the 1930s |
| 7 Down | 7. Monthly magazine of politics and culture since 1850 |
| 8 Down | 8. Specialized languages |
| 9 Down | 9. Who wrote "Humankind cannot bear very much reality" |
| 10 Down | 10. Actor Millen of BBC America's "Orphan Black" |
| 11 Down | 11. Charcoal and wood, for two |
| 12 Down | 12. Beverage sometimes topped with whipped cream |
| 13 Down | 13. Drink drunk the morning after, maybe |
| 14 Down | 14. Hidden assets |
| 15 Down | 21. B to C, but not A to B |
| 16 Down | 24. Big mess |
| 17 Down | 26. Word after chicken or breast |
| 18 Down | 27. What's wrong? |
| 19 Down | 28. Rare showbiz collections |
| 20 Down | 30. "Hmm, no idea" |
| 21 Down | 31. "I don't like it," in Spanish |
| 22 Down | 32. Web master? |
| 23 Down | 34. Sounds from 59-Across |
| 24 Down | 38. Self-effacing personality trait |
| 25 Down | 39. Phenomenon brought about by seasonal wind shifts |
| 26 Down | 42. Demand upon reaching an "enemy border" |
| 27 Down | 44. Bottom of many an ensemble |
| 28 Down | 46. Some pilgrims |
| 29 Down | 47. Sheets might be placed in them |
| 30 Down | 48. Commencement |
| 31 Down | 51. Apple attachment |
| 32 Down | 52. Powdered ingredient in sweet teas and smoothies |
| 33 Down | 54. Farmer's market alternative, in brief |
| 34 Down | 56. Result of the '64 Clay/Liston fight |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- 2408 Thu Aug 22 2024 Ny Times Crossword
- July 13 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
- July 31 2024 Crosswords Crosswordhints
- 27430 Tue Dec 17 2024 Ny Times
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Catholic university in Florida or its home town"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: S___O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STLEO
2 Down: "2. Kink"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: C___P
- Similar words: kink, crease
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an angular or rounded shape made by folding
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CRIMP
3 Down: "3. "Love, love, love!" and the like"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: R___S
- Similar words: jabber, gush
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RAVES
4 Down: "4. Original plot"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: E__N
- Similar words: Shangri-la, promised land
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EDEN
5 Down: "5. Connect with a flame"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'W' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: W__D
- Similar words: Reseda luteola, dyer's rocket
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
WELD
6 Down: "6. Carrier that offered pioneering coast-to-coast service beginning in the 1930s"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'A'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TWA
7 Down: "7. Monthly magazine of politics and culture since 1850"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: H_____S
- Similar words: harper, harpist
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: someone who plays the harp
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HARPERS
8 Down: "8. Specialized languages"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A____S
- Similar words: lingo, vernacular
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARGOTS
9 Down: "9. Who wrote "Humankind cannot bear very much reality""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: T_____T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TSELIOT
10 Down: "10. Actor Millen of BBC America's "Orphan Black""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARI
11 Down: "11. Charcoal and wood, for two"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: M___A
- Similar words: culture medium, spiritualist
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MEDIA
12 Down: "12. Beverage sometimes topped with whipped cream"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: I_______E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ICEDLATTE
13 Down: "13. Drink drunk the morning after, maybe"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: S_______R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STALEBEER
14 Down: "14. Hidden assets"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: H_______S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HOLECARDS
15 Down: "21. B to C, but not A to B"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S______E
- Similar words: half step
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SEMITONE
16 Down: "24. Big mess"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: R______T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RATSNEST
17 Down: "26. Word after chicken or breast"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: F__D
- Similar words: prey, fee
- Opposite of: starve
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: food for domestic livestock
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
FEED
18 Down: "27. What's wrong?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: E___R
- Similar words: erroneousness, computer error
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ERROR
19 Down: "28. Rare showbiz collections"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: E___S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EGOTS
20 Down: "30. "Hmm, no idea""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: I_______S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IMATALOSS
21 Down: "31. "I don't like it," in Spanish"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: N_______A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NOMEGUSTA
22 Down: "32. Web master?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: S_______N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SPIDERMAN
23 Down: "34. Sounds from 59-Across"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: H__O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HOHO
24 Down: "38. Self-effacing personality trait"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'M'
- Word pattern: E_____M
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ECHOISM
25 Down: "39. Phenomenon brought about by seasonal wind shifts"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: M_____N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MONSOON
26 Down: "42. Demand upon reaching an "enemy border""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'K' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: K____E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
KINGME
27 Down: "44. Bottom of many an ensemble"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: S___T
- Similar words: wench, annulus
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SKIRT
28 Down: "46. Some pilgrims"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: H___S
- Similar words: hadji, haji
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HAJIS
29 Down: "47. Sheets might be placed in them"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: O___S
- Similar words: oven
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OVENS
30 Down: "48. Commencement"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'G' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: G___O
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
GETGO
31 Down: "51. Apple attachment"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'M'
- Word pattern: S__M
- Similar words: bow, root word
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STEM
32 Down: "52. Powdered ingredient in sweet teas and smoothies"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: T__O
- Similar words: taro plant, eddo
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: edible starchy tuberous root of taro plants
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TARO
33 Down: "54. Farmer's market alternative, in brief"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'A'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CSA
34 Down: "56. Result of the '64 Clay/Liston fight"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'O'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TKO
Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues
Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Down Clues?
- Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
- Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
- Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
- Down answers often help solve Across clues
Down Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
- Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically
Time-Saving Down Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Down first | Get a mental map of the vertical flow |
| Fill short Down words | 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors |
| Use crossing letters | Across letters help confirm Down answers |
| Look for themes | Related Down answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues
What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?
Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.
Should I solve Down or Across clues first?
Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 34 Down clues.
Are Down clues easier than Across clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.
How do Down clues interact with Across clues?
Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.