Universal Crossword Guide & Solving Tips – July 29, 2025

Universal Crossword Guide & Solving Tips – July 29, 2025

Welcome to today’s Universal Crossword breakdown from XWord Hint! Whether you’re a casual solver or a puzzle perfectionist, this daily Universal post gives you a thorough puzzle overview, expert strategies, and community highlights—without giving away any direct answers or solutions. Bookmark us for regular, SEO-friendly crossword support with a human touch.

Universal Crossword Guide & Solving Tips – July 29, 2025

About the Universal Crossword

Universal Crossword is famous for approachable themes, a diverse range of clues, and grids that suit beginners and seasoned solvers alike. Created by a rotating group of talented constructors, Universal’s puzzles are syndicated worldwide and are always accessible, fun, and educational.

• Theme Variety: Expect lighthearted topics, clever puns, and on-trend pop culture references.
• Standard Grid Size: Typically 15x15 with balanced difficulty and symmetrical design.
• Frequent Minis: Quick “mini” versions offer fast practice or a gentle warm-up.

Today’s Universal Puzzle: July 29, 2025

July 29’s puzzle brings a joyful, summer-inspired theme, with clues touching on music, food, and outdoor fun. The constructor weaves well-known cultural tidbits with fresh vocabulary, perfect for improving your solving skills and general knowledge.

Puzzle Highlights & Theme Analysis

Today’s Universal grid is welcoming, with themed entries forming the backbone of the puzzle. Interconnecting corners support smooth solving, while a handful of clues require a little extra pop culture savvy. As always, look out for wordplay-based clues—these are Universal’s signature.

• Common entries include personalities, foods, and trending shows.
• Theme answers are clearly marked and can often be solved with a few crossings.
• Mini themes or repeated clue ideas help less experienced solvers build confidence.

Sample Clues & Hints

• Short entries: 3- to 4-letter clues often rely on common abbreviations, world capitals, or classic crossword fill (e.g., “Three-letter musical instrument,” or “Short for ‘refrigerator’”).
• Medium entries: Expect food-related clues, TV shows, or pop icons that require recent cultural knowledge.
• Long entries: Themed answers—often puns or playful wordplay—are best approached after filling a few crossings for a letter boost.

Want more clue analysis? Try the Universal tips page, or check the archive for recent puzzles and approaches.

Solving Strategies & Community Insight

• Fill short answers first: They unlock valuable crossings for trickier, themed entries.
• Look for patterns: Universal crosswords love letter sequences and rhymes—beware of clues ending in “?” for wordplay.
• Learn constructor favorites: Over time, you’ll see certain clues or answers repeated. Recognizing these can speed up your solve!
• Engage with the blog: Share your solving experience, ask about tough spots, and connect with other crossword enthusiasts in the comments.

Theme Breakdown & Walkthrough

Every Universal crossword has a special flavor. Today’s grid might feature a hidden word theme, or perhaps a “punny” clue you won’t see elsewhere. Unsure where to start? Focus on the longest entries, then check for a hint in the puzzle’s title or accompanying notes.

Crossword Culture & Feedback

The Universal crossword community is active and welcoming. Many solvers prefer Universal for its user-friendly mix of difficulty tiers, daily variety, and friendly editorial style. We encourage you to join the conversation—suggest feedback on themes, offer your favorite clue interpretations, or request extra hints if you’re stumped.

Why Universal Crossword Is a Solver Favorite

• Fresh puzzles daily: Updated with new themes and constructors for endless variety.
• Balance of challenge and fun: Accessible to all, never boring.
• Pop culture flair: Learn fun facts and test your contemporary knowledge.
• Interactive support: Daily tips and community engagement on XWord Hint.

SEO & Discovery

• Keywords: Universal crossword hints July 29 2025, Universal puzzle solutions and walkthrough, how to solve Universal crossword, Universal crossword tips for beginners, Universal daily crossword guide
• Appears in Google News for timely puzzle searches
• Optimized metadata and easy-to-read format for all screens

Navigation & Internal Links

• XWord Hint homepage for more newspapers

Reader Engagement

What did you think of today’s Universal theme? Did a clue require outside-the-box thinking, or was it a classic fact you finally learned? Drop a comment below or share on social media with #UniversalCrossword and tag XWord Hint to join our fast-growing puzzle tribe!

Looking for even more crossword fun? Discover guides for Newsday, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and all major international puzzles in our navigation bar.

December 31, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (35 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 70 (35 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.5 letters

Across Clues Explained - Saturday NYT Crossword December 31, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Few and far between	6
2A	7. YouTube influencers have big ones	8
3A	15. In on	6
4A	16. Utopian	8
5A	17. One end of it might be felt	6
6A	18. Mario character with a mushroom head and pink braids	8
7A	19. Turning point in construction?	5
8A	20. Jollity	5
9A	21. ___ Solo, son of Leia Organa	3
10A	22. Lab order?	4
11A	23. Perfectly cromulent	4
12A	24. Heretofore	5
13A	26. Windup	3
14A	27. His initial stands for Tureaud	3
15A	28. About one in 10 Muslims	4
16A	30. Devote (to)	8
17A	33. Works in el Museo del Prado	4
18A	35. David Bowie persona in 1970s glam rock	13
19A	38. Rear-view feature on a Jeep?	4
20A	39. Sent to the junkyard	8
21A	41. Some social media posts, for short	4
22A	43. Trifle (with)	3
23A	44. Afore	3
24A	45. Didn't wait for a restaurant job?	5
25A	48. "Man, that hurts!"	4
26A	50. Edible husk	4
27A	51. Suffix with official	3
28A	52. Sap	5
29A	54. Producer of many popular singles	5
30A	55. Understand without listening	8
31A	57. At a high interest rate?	6
32A	58. Caused all sorts of problems with	8
33A	59. Kind of pickup	6
34A	60. Mad magazine staple	8
35A	61. Da bomb	6

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. Few and far between"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• Words that mean the same thing: thin
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPARSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "7. YouTube influencers have big ones"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FANBASES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. In on"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WISETO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. Utopian"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone guided more by ideals than by practical considerations
• Words that mean the same thing: dreamer
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IDEALIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. One end of it might be felt"

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: INKPEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Mario character with a mushroom head and pink braids"

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: TOADETTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Turning point in construction?"

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 someone who guards prisoners
• Words that mean the same thing: shtup, bonk, make love
• The opposite would be: unscrew
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCREW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Jollity"

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 great merriment
• Words that mean the same thing: hilarity, mirthfulness, glee
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MIRTH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. ___ Solo, son of Leia Organa"

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

  The answer is: BEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Lab order?"

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 the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
• Words that mean the same thing: reheel, bounder, list
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Perfectly cromulent"

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 money extracted as a penalty
• Words that mean the same thing: all right, amercement, exquisitely
• The opposite would be: coarse
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Heretofore"

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: ASYET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Windup"

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 either extremity of something that has length
• Words that mean the same thing: closing, remnant, oddment
• The opposite would be: begin, beginning
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: END

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. His initial stands for Tureaud"

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: MRT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "28. About one in 10 Muslims"

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 one of the two main branches of orthodox islam; mainly in iran
• Words that mean the same thing: Shiah, Shiah Islam
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "30. Devote (to)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
• Words that mean the same thing: consecrate, commit, devote
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEDICATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Works in el Museo del Prado"

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: ARTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "35. David Bowie persona in 1970s glam rock"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ZIGGYSTARDUST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. Rear-view feature on a Jeep?"

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 hoop that covers a wheel
• Words that mean the same thing: tyre, fatigue, run down
• The opposite would be: interest, refresh
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. Sent to the junkyard"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that dispose of (something useless or old)
• Words that mean the same thing: dispute, scrap, quarrel
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCRAPPED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. Some social media posts, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: VIDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "43. Trifle (with)"

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 artifact designed to be played with
• Words that mean the same thing: play, flirt, toy dog
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. Afore"

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: ERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. Didn't wait for a restaurant job?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that send or move around by bus
• Words that mean the same thing: bus
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUSED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "48. "Man, that hurts!""

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: OWOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Edible husk"

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 broken husks of the seeds of cereal grains that are separated from the flour by sifting
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BRAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "51. Suffix with official"

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 compass point midway between east and southeast
• Words that mean the same thing: east southeast
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ESE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "52. Sap"

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 emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
• Words that mean the same thing: run out, enfeeble, drainpipe
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DRAIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. Producer of many popular singles"

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 strong wrapping paper made from pulp processed with a sulfur solution
• Words that mean the same thing: kraft paper
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KRAFT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "55. Understand without listening"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: READLIPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "57. At a high interest rate?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that in a keen and discriminating manner
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KEENLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "58. Caused all sorts of problems with"

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: GUMMEDUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "59. Kind of pickup"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONETON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "60. Mad magazine staple"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SPYVSSPY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "61. Da bomb"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SODOPE

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Saturday Crossword Down Clues - December 31, 2022 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Barely rustled the net	7
2D	2. Sort of spectacles not much seen nowadays	8
3D	3. Forum that provides material for many BuzzFeed articles	9
4D	4. Ward off	5
5D	5. Fret about a fricassee?	4
6D	6. Long division	3
7D	7. Not stick out like a sore thumb	5
8D	8. Thinks the world of	6
9D	9. Dandy	4
10D	10. Something winds might cause	10
11D	11. Pale ___	3
12D	12. Not get involved	5
13D	13. First name in cosmetics	5
14D	14. Duct tube	5
15D	20. Grubby little paws	5
16D	23. Raggedy	6
17D	25. Snapped out of a daydream, perhaps	5
18D	27. Fast-food fare in which two pancakes form a sandwich	10
19D	29. Soil-loosening tool	6
20D	31. Resignation notice?	5
21D	32. 35-Across and others, in brief	3
22D	34. Language with its own "green star" flag	9
23D	36. Follow, as a lead	5
24D	37. Large unit of computing speed	8
25D	40. Breath-freshening brand	7
26D	42. Get frothy	6
27D	45. Sights in the Arctic	5
28D	46. Burn through	5
29D	47. Disreputable	5
30D	49. Feathery	5
31D	50. Stir up	5
32D	53. Purges	4
33D	54. Casino game with "hits" and "catches"	4
34D	56. Patty and Selma's workplace on "The Simpsons," for short	3
35D	57. Floors in a ring	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. Barely rustled the net"

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 move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound
• Words that mean the same thing: swish, lap, swosh
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SWISHED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Sort of spectacles not much seen nowadays"

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: PINCENEZ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Forum that provides material for many BuzzFeed articles"

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: ASKREDDIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Ward off"

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 cause to move back by force or influence
• Words that mean the same thing: drive, revolt, snub
• The opposite would be: attract
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REPEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Fret about a fricassee?"

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 agitation resulting from active worry
• Words that mean the same thing: grudge, fret, grizzle
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Long division"

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 longest division of geological time
• Words that mean the same thing: aeon
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Not stick out like a sore thumb"

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: FITIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Thinks the world of"

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 love intensely
• Words that mean the same thing: adore
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADORES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Dandy"

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 clean or organized
• Words that mean the same thing: swell, great, orderly
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Something winds might cause"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BADHAIRDAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Pale ___"

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 general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Not get involved"

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: SITBY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. First name in cosmetics"

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: ESTEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Duct tube"

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 slender tube inserted inside a tubular body part (as a blood vessel) to provide support during and after surgical anastomosis
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "20. Grubby little paws"

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 (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
• Words that mean the same thing: paw, manus, baseball glove
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MITTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Raggedy"

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 wear away by rubbing
• Words that mean the same thing: fret, frazzle, fray
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FRAYED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Snapped out of a daydream, perhaps"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: SATUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Fast-food fare in which two pancakes form a sandwich"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert 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: MCGRIDDLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. Soil-loosening tool"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a cultivator that pulverizes or smooths the soil
• Words that mean the same thing: disk
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HARROW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Resignation notice?"

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: IGIVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "32. 35-Across and others, in brief"

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: ETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "34. Language with its own "green star" flag"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an artificial language based as far as possible on words common to all the european languages
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ESPERANTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "36. Follow, as a lead"

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: ACTON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. Large unit of computing speed"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (computer science) a unit for measuring the speed of a computer system
• Words that mean the same thing: trillion floating point operations per second
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TERAFLOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "40. Breath-freshening brand"

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: DENTYNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "42. Get frothy"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SOAPUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "45. Sights in the Arctic"

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 large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier
• Words that mean the same thing: berg, Berg, Alban Berg
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BERGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "46. Burn through"

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: USEUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "47. Disreputable"

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 showing a seam
• Words that mean the same thing: squalid, seedy, sleazy
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEAMY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Feathery"

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 thin and weak; - edmund wilson
• Words that mean the same thing: shadowy, faint, dim
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WISPY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Stir up"

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 special variety of domesticated animals within a species
• Words that mean the same thing: cover, strain, engender
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BREED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "53. Purges"

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 relieve from
• Words that mean the same thing: free, disembarrass, rid
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RIDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "54. Casino game with "hits" and "catches""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards
• Words that mean the same thing: beano, lotto, bingo
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KENO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "56. Patty and Selma's workplace on "The Simpsons," for short"

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "57. Floors in a ring"

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 (in india) a unit of length having different values in different localities
• Words that mean the same thing: coss, KO, 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: KOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	54	77.1%
Short Answer	10	14.3%
Abbreviation	2	2.9%
History	1	1.4%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.4%
Sports	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	35
Total Clues	70
Average Answer Length	5.5 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	13 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 Saturday, 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 05, 2025 at 06:30 AM

April 08, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (37 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, April 08, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (35 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

NYT Friday Crossword Across Clues - April 08, 2022 Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Setting for "A Few Good Men," informally	5
2A	6. Hang (around with)	3
3A	9. Frustrated outburst	3
4A	12. Nubian Museum locale	5
5A	13. "Gotcha," in a groovier era	4
6A	15. Start to a logical conclusion	4
7A	16. That's the spirit!	5
8A	17. Revealed all	9
9A	19. Tiny seeds of green fruits, technically	4
10A	21. Expert problem solver	8
11A	22. Sign of fall	7
12A	25. Like refrigerators at night, sometimes	6
13A	26. Key element of opera seria	4
14A	27. Subjects of Monet paintings "in Venice" and "at Lavacourt"	7
15A	30. SeaWorld roller coaster ride	5
16A	32. ___ bar	5
17A	33. "Shameless" airer, for short	3
18A	36. This isn't what it looks like!	15
19A	39. Jenny, for one	3
20A	40. Really, really fancy	5
21A	41. In and of itself	5
22A	42. Boost someone's signal, in a way	7
23A	44. In and of itself?	4
24A	45. Go back to see again, maybe	6
25A	48. Hardly worth mentioning	7
26A	50. Biggest stars	8
27A	53. A bunch of crock?	4
28A	54. Raw footage?	9
29A	56. Off the chain, say	5
30A	59. Ammonia has one	4
31A	60. ___ brilliant (diamond cut)	4
32A	61. Musical based on a comic strip	5
33A	62. Mint	3
34A	63. Letters on some foundations	3
35A	64. Grand	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. Setting for "A Few Good Men," informally"

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: GITMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Hang (around with)"

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: buddy, chum up, crony
• The 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 3 Across: "9. Frustrated outburst"

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: GAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "12. Nubian Museum locale"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an ancient city on the nile in egypt; two dams across the nile have been built nearby
• Words that mean the same thing: Assouan, Assuan
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASWAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "13. "Gotcha," in a groovier era"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IDIG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "15. Start to a logical conclusion"

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 (used as a sentence connector) therefore or consequently
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "16. That's the spirit!"

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 mental representation of some haunting experience
• Words that mean the same thing: touch, specter, wraith
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GHOST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "17. Revealed all"

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: CAMECLEAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Tiny seeds of green fruits, technically"

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 seed of a pea plant used for food
• Words that mean the same thing: pea plant, pea
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Expert problem solver"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MATHLETE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Sign of fall"

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 (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in scorpio
• Words that mean the same thing: Scorpio the Scorpion, Scorpion, Scorpius
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCORPIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Like refrigerators at night, sometimes"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a expert clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
• Words that mean the same thing: bust, raid, foray into
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAIDED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Key element of opera seria"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an elaborate song for solo voice
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Subjects of Monet paintings "in Venice" and "at Lavacourt""

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 the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
• Words that mean the same thing: sundown, sunset
• The opposite would be: sunrise
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SUNSETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. SeaWorld roller coaster ride"

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 blanket that is used as a cloak or shawl
• Words that mean the same thing: devilfish, manta ray
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MANTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. ___ bar"

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 thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and pipturus albidus
• Words that mean the same thing: tappa, tapa bark, tapa
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAPAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. "Shameless" airer, for short"

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. This isn't what it looks like!"

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: OPTICALILLUSION

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "39. Jenny, for one"

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 fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: nooky, Eastern Samoa, stern
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. Really, really fancy"

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 have a craving, appetite, or great desire for
• Words that mean the same thing: lust, starve, thirst
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CRAVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. In and of itself"

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: PERSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. Boost someone's signal, in a way"

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: RETWEET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. In and of itself?"

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: META

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. Go back to see again, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: REWIND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "48. Hardly worth mentioning"

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 a phrase that can function as the subject or object of a verb
• Words that mean the same thing: titular, nominal phrase, tokenish
• The opposite would be: real
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NOMINAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Biggest stars"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 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: ALISTERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "53. A bunch of crock?"

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 metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
• Words that mean the same thing: mess, flock, potentiometer
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "54. Raw footage?"

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: NUDESCENE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "56. Off the chain, say"

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 grant freedom to; free from confinement
• Words that mean the same thing: liberate, wanton, liberal
• The opposite would be: affixed, tight
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOOSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Ammonia has one"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any property detected by the olfactory system
• Words that mean the same thing: smell, odour, scent
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "60. ___ brilliant (diamond cut)"

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 closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
• Words that mean the same thing: oval-shaped, elliptical, elliptic
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OVAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "61. Musical based on a comic strip"

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: ANNIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "62. Mint"

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 not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
• Words that mean the same thing: newfangled, raw, fresh
• The opposite would be: old, worn
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "63. Letters on some foundations"

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 degree to which a sunscreen protects the skin from the direct rays of the sun
• Words that mean the same thing: sun protection factor
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "64. Grand"

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 belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
• Words that mean the same thing: majestic, imperial, purple
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REGAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Friday NYT Crossword April 08, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. ___ order	3
2D	2. Ending with freak or fool	3
3D	3. Safety net?	9
4D	4. GranTurismo maker	8
5D	5. At the ready	5
6D	6. Insta post	3
7D	7. Levine of pop music	4
8D	8. Pacific Coast capital	4
9D	9. Love of lucre	5
10D	10. 5.5-point type size	5
11D	11. Refined	5
12D	14. "Puh-lease!"	7
13D	15. Actress Tracee ___ Ross	5
14D	18. Woos with words	7
15D	20. Nuclear unit nickname	3
16D	22. Where lavalava skirts are worn	5
17D	23. Shooting game	5
18D	24. Wanted one	6
19D	28. Easily had	5
20D	29. Pique	6
21D	31. Gives some stress	7
22D	33. Fatal attraction?	9
23D	34. Popular leafy perennial	5
24D	35. Former center of Los Angeles	5
25D	37. Like Los Angeles's Griffith Observatory	7
26D	38. Increment on a scale	8
27D	42. Stage support	5
28D	43. Number 1, with "the"	3
29D	45. Was fueled by	5
30D	46. Escape	5
31D	47. Black ___	5
32D	49. Toddler's eruption	5
33D	51. Makes purr, maybe	4
34D	52. Speak sharply	4
35D	55. 2003 film in which the title character exclaims "Son of a nutcracker!"	3
36D	57. Mononymous singer of "Alive," 2015	3
37D	58. Sushi fish that's not served raw	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. ___ order"

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 humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
• Words that mean the same thing: joke, choke, strangle
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GAG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Ending with freak or fool"

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: ISH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Safety net?"

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: TWOPOINTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. GranTurismo maker"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MASERATI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. At the ready"

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: ONTAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Insta post"

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 form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement
• Words that mean the same thing: movie, flick, moving picture
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Levine of pop music"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (old testament) in judeo-christian mythology; the first man and the husband of eve and the progenitor of the human race
• Words that mean the same thing: Robert Adam, disco biscuit, X
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Pacific Coast capital"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that capital and largest city and economic center of peru; located in western peru; was capital of the spanish empire in the new world until the 19th century
• Words that mean the same thing: capital of Peru
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Love of lucre"

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 excessive desire to acquire or possess more (especially more material wealth) than one needs or deserves
• Words that mean the same thing: avarice, covetousness, avaritia
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GREED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. 5.5-point type size"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an impure form of quartz consisting of banded chalcedony; used as a gemstone and for making mortars and pestles
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Refined"

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 sharpen with a hone
• Words that mean the same thing: hone, perfect
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HONED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "14. "Puh-lease!""

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: GETREAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "15. Actress Tracee ___ Ross"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (norse mythology) goddess of old age who defeated thor in a wrestling match
• Words that mean the same thing: Elli
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELLIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Woos with words"

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: CHATSUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "20. Nuclear unit nickname"

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 female person who has the same parents as another person
• Words that mean the same thing: Si, SI unit, SI
• The opposite would be: brother
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Where lavalava skirts are worn"

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 constitutional monarchy on the western part of the islands of samoa in the south pacific
• Words that mean the same thing: Western Samoa, Independent State of Samoa, Samoan Islands
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAMOA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. Shooting game"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that expressions used when when two dice are thrown and both come up showing one spot
• Words that mean the same thing: crap, poop, stool
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CRAPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "24. Wanted one"

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 someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
• Words that mean the same thing: malefactor, outlawed, criminal
• The opposite would be: decriminalize, legalize
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OUTLAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Easily had"

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 marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience
• Words that mean the same thing: uninitiate, primitive, naif
• The opposite would be: sophisticated
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NAIVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Pique"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a large dark-red oval organ on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm; produces cells involved in immune responses
• Words that mean the same thing: lien, irascibility, short temper
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPLEEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. Gives some stress"

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 distinctive manner of oral expression
• Words that mean the same thing: speech pattern, stress, punctuate
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACCENTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Fatal attraction?"

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: SIRENSONG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "34. Popular leafy perennial"

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 robust east asian clump-forming perennial herbs having racemose flowers: plantain lilies; sometimes placed in family hostaceae
• Words that mean the same thing: Funka, genus Hosta, genus Funka
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HOSTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Former center of Los Angeles"

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 25 Down: "37. Like Los Angeles's Griffith Observatory"

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: ARTDECO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "38. Increment on a scale"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the musical interval between adjacent keys on a keyboard instrument
• Words that mean the same thing: half step
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEMITONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Stage support"

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 person who rises (especially from bed)
• Words that mean the same thing: riser pipeline, riser main, riser pipe
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RISER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Number 1, with "the""

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 upper part of anything
• Words that mean the same thing: round top, peak, whirligig
• The opposite would be: bottom
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. Was fueled by"

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: RANON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Escape"

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 escape, either physically or mentally
• Words that mean the same thing: circumvent, duck, escape
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELUDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. Black ___"

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 woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
• Words that mean the same thing: widow woman
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WIDOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "49. Toddler's eruption"

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 grinding tooth with a broad crown; located behind the premolars
• Words that mean the same thing: grinder
• The opposite would be: molecular
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOLAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "51. Makes purr, maybe"

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 rate of revolution of a motor
• Words that mean the same thing: revolutions per minute, rpm, rev
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REVS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "52. Speak sharply"

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 act of catching an object with the hands
• Words that mean the same thing: shoot, flick, photograph
• The opposite would be: inelasticity
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. 2003 film in which the title character exclaims "Son of a nutcracker!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
• Words that mean the same thing: gremlin, hob, pixy
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. Mononymous singer of "Alive," 2015"

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: SIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "58. Sushi fish that's not served raw"

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 fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	48	66.7%
Short Answer	11	15.3%
Celebrity/Entertainment	4	5.6%
History	3	4.2%
Music	2	2.8%
Abbreviation	1	1.4%
Geography	1	1.4%
Sports	1	1.4%
Movies/Film	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	37
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.2 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 10, 2025 at 07:16 PM