No 27373 Sat Oct 19 NYT Crossword by August Miller and Joel Fagliano

Across Clues :

1. Lab evidence, perhaps, 10. Illustrations in many fantasy novels, 14. Some tabloid fodder, 16. Kinda, 17. Comes to terms, 18. Source of a South American herbal tea, 19. "Anything goes" period in early Hollywood history, 20. View of the moon?, 21. Beyoncé's 2009-10 ___ Tour, 22. Pumpkin substitute, 24. Block for "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood", 28. Was painted by, say, 29. Carpet fiber or human hair, maybe, 30. Greenland's capital, 32. Title for 10-Down, 33. Half of LV, 34. Roomy Toyotas, 36. Put a restriction on, 37. Actress Day of "The United States vs. Billie Holiday", 39. Made a case against?, 40. Half of a matching pair, 41. Six-time U.S. Open champion, familiarly, 43. Annual media award, 45. Grip improver, 47. C.V. listing: Abbr., 48. Dialect in the Black community, in brief, 49. Vehicle for criminal activity, 55. Indie ___, 56. Plant matter?, 57. Rim attachment, 58. "Travel as a Political Act" author, 2009, 59. Freshness, 60. "Cool trick"

Down Clues :

1. Premium outlet?, 2. Really out there, 3. "Stay ___", 4. Meticulous, 5. Hit with another water balloon, 6. Apple debut of 2012, 7. Branching point, 8. Branching point?, 9. Plays a big role, 10. Speaker of the line "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day", 11. Did a 180, 12. Game that involves drawing lots?, 13. Local legislation passers, 15. Sides of a summer cookout, 23. Sustenance, slangily, 24. Parts of many science museums, 25. They may open doors for you, 26. Some yearly payments, 27. Vampire's bedtime, 29. Impressively respectful types, 31. Support for a proposal, 34. Hit bottom, maybe, 35. Titular scientist in a 2016 children's book by Andrea Beaty, 38. Moves away, 40. Priors, e.g., 42. Portend, 44. Real wowers, 46. "Charms strike the sight, but ___ wins the soul": Alexander Pope, 50. Dash device, 51. "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" singer, 1959, 52. Quiet place to lay anchor, 53. See 54-Down, 54. With 53-Down, spot for picnic tables

Break down the NYT Crosswords: October 19, 2024

Let's go into the puzzle, starting with the across clues and answers, followed by the down clues and answers.

 Sat Oct 19 NYT Crossword 

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. Lab evidence, perhaps. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: PAWPRINTS




• The clue is 10. Illustrations in many fantasy novels. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: MAPS

  Possible Answer : mathematical_function, map, function, single-valued_function, represent, mapping, map_out




• The clue is 14. Some tabloid fodder. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: UFOREPORTS




• The clue is 16. Kinda. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ABIT




• The clue is 17. Comes to terms. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: MAKESADEAL




• The clue is 18. Source of a South American herbal tea. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: COCA

  Possible Answer : Imogene_Coca, Erythroxylon_coca, coca_plant, Coca, coca




• The clue is 19. "Anything goes" period in early Hollywood history. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: PRECODEERA




• The clue is 20. View of the moon?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: BUTT

  Possible Answer : stub, stern, butt_joint, ass, abut, hindquarters, backside, laughingstock, fanny, march, bum, rear_end, rear, keister, edge, arse, tail_end, butt, cigarette, border, prat, seat, goat, posterior, butt_end, target, coffin_nail, tooshie, tail, fag, derriere, buns, fundament, nates, hind_end, rump, bottom, adjoin, cigaret, stooge, behind, can, tush, bunt, butt_on, butt_against, buttocks




• The clue is 21. Beyoncé's 2009-10 ___ Tour. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: IAM




• The clue is 22. Pumpkin substitute. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: SWEETIE

  Possible Answer : sweetheart, truelove, sweetie, steady




• The clue is 24. Block for "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: PBSKIDS




• The clue is 28. Was painted by, say. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: SATFOR




• The clue is 29. Carpet fiber or human hair, maybe. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: CLUE

  Possible Answer : hint, cue, clue, clew




• The clue is 30. Greenland's capital. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: NUUK




• The clue is 32. Title for 10-Down. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: THANE

  Possible Answer : thane




• The clue is 33. Half of LV. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: LAS

  Possible Answer : LA, Pelican_State, lanthanum, lah, atomic_number_57, La, Louisiana, la




• The clue is 34. Roomy Toyotas. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: SIENNAS

  Possible Answer : sienna




• The clue is 36. Put a restriction on. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: CAP

  Possible Answer : detonator, crest, ceiling, jacket_crown, pileus, jacket, hood, chapiter, cap, roof, crown, detonating_device, capital, crownwork




• The clue is 37. Actress Day of "The United States vs. Billie Holiday". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: ANDRA




• The clue is 39. Made a case against?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: SUED

  Possible Answer : action, process, sue, litigate




• The clue is 40. Half of a matching pair. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: HERS




• The clue is 41. Six-time U.S. Open champion, familiarly. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: SERENA




• The clue is 43. Annual media award. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: PEABODY

  Possible Answer : Peabody, Elizabeth_Peabody, Elizabeth_Palmer_Peabody




• The clue is 45. Grip improver. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: STICKUM




• The clue is 47. C.V. listing: Abbr.. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: TEL




• The clue is 48. Dialect in the Black community, in brief. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: AAVE

  Possible Answer : African_American_English, Black_English_Vernacular, African_American_Vernacular_English, Black_English, Black_Vernacular, Ebonics, AAVE, Black_Vernacular_English




• The clue is 49. Vehicle for criminal activity. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: GETAWAYCAR




• The clue is 55. Indie ___. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: CRED

  Possible Answer : street_credibility, street_cred, cred




• The clue is 56. Plant matter?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: URANIUMORE




• The clue is 57. Rim attachment. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TIRE

  Possible Answer : wear, wear_out, fatigue, jade, fag_out, tire_out, outwear, wear_down, play_out, weary, exhaust, pall, sap, wear_upon, fag, run_down, tyre, tire, bore

  Possible Opposite Answer : interest, refresh




• The clue is 58. "Travel as a Political Act" author, 2009. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: RICKSTEVES




• The clue is 59. Freshness. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: SASS

  Possible Answer : sassing, mouth, backtalk, sass, lip, SAS, back_talk, Special_Air_Service




• The clue is 60. "Cool trick". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: THATSNEAT

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. Premium outlet?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: PUMP

  Possible Answer: ticker, heart, pump

• The clue is 2. Really out there. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: AFAR

  Possible Answer: afar

• The clue is 3. "Stay ___". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: WOKE

  Possible Answer: wake_up, rouse, ignite, heat, awaken, wake, stir_up, arouse, inflame, come_alive, waken, awake, fire_up

  Possible Opposite Answer : fall_asleep, sleep, cause_to_sleep

• The clue is 4. Meticulous. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: PRECISE

  Possible Answer: accurate, precise, exact

  Possible Opposite Answer : imprecise

• The clue is 5. Hit with another water balloon. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: RESOAK

• The clue is 6. Apple debut of 2012. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

  The answer: IPADMINI

• The clue is 7. Branching point. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: NODE

  Possible Answer: client, knob, node, guest, lymph_node, leaf_node, thickening, lymph_gland

  Possible Opposite Answer : antinode

• The clue is 8. Branching point?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TREE

  Possible Answer: tree, Tree, shoetree, Sir_Herbert_Beerbohm_Tree, tree_diagram, corner

• The clue is 9. Plays a big role. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: STARS

  Possible Answer: sensation, champion, hotshot, star, adept, asterisk, headliner, star_topology, genius, whiz, superstar, whizz, maven, ace, wiz, lead, mavin, principal, virtuoso, wizard

• The clue is 10. Speaker of the line "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: MACBETH

  Possible Answer: Macbeth

• The clue is 11. Did a 180. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: ABOUTFACED

• The clue is 12. Game that involves drawing lots?. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: PICTIONARY

• The clue is 13. Local legislation passers. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: STATEREPS

• The clue is 15. Sides of a summer cookout. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: SLAWS

  Possible Answer: coleslaw, slaw

• The clue is 23. Sustenance, slangily. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: EATS

  Possible Answer: eats, chow, wipe_out, eat, run_through, chuck, corrode, eat_on, eat_up, grub, consume, feed, exhaust, rust, use_up, deplete

• The clue is 24. Parts of many science museums. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: PLANETARIA

  Possible Answer: planetarium

• The clue is 25. They may open doors for you. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (10 letters)

  The answer: BUSDRIVERS

• The clue is 26. Some yearly payments. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: DUES

  Possible Answer: due

• The clue is 27. Vampire's bedtime. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: SUNUP

  Possible Answer: daybreak, morning, break_of_the_day, sunup, dawning, sunrise, dayspring, cockcrow, aurora, dawn, break_of_day, first_light

  Possible Opposite Answer : sunset

• The clue is 29. Impressively respectful types. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: CLASSACTS

• The clue is 31. Support for a proposal. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: KNEE

  Possible Answer: knee, knee_joint, human_knee, stifle, articulatio_genus, genu

• The clue is 34. Hit bottom, maybe. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: SANK

  Possible Answer: subside, go_down, drop, sink, go_under, fall_off, slump, drop_down, lapse, settle, pass, dip, slide_down, bury

  Possible Opposite Answer : float

• The clue is 35. Titular scientist in a 2016 children's book by Andrea Beaty. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

  The answer: ADATWIST

• The clue is 38. Moves away. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: RECEDES

  Possible Answer: fall_back, draw_back, retire, move_back, recede, pull_back, pull_away, lose, fall_behind, drop_off, withdraw, retreat

  Possible Opposite Answer : advance, gain

• The clue is 40. Priors, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: HOLYMEN

• The clue is 42. Portend. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: AUGUR

  Possible Answer: prefigure, predict, prognosticate, portend, bode, betoken, auspex, auspicate, presage, foreshadow, augur, foretell, omen, forecast

• The clue is 44. Real wowers. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: BEAUTS

  Possible Answer: beauty, beaut

• The clue is 46. "Charms strike the sight, but ___ wins the soul": Alexander Pope. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: MERIT

  Possible Answer: meritoriousness, merit, deserve, virtue, deservingness

  Possible Opposite Answer : demerit

• The clue is 50. Dash device. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TACH

  Possible Answer: tach, tachometer

• The clue is 51. "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" singer, 1959. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ANKA

• The clue is 52. Quiet place to lay anchor. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: COVE

  Possible Answer: cove

• The clue is 53. See 54-Down. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: AREA

  Possible Answer: field, domain, country, area, arena, expanse, orbit, region, surface_area, sphere

• The clue is 54. With 53-Down, spot for picnic tables. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: REST

  Possible Answer: perch, roost, eternal_sleep, catch_one's_breath, residuum, lie, respite, quietus, residue, breathe, relaxation, sleep, remainder, pillow, reside, repose, rest, stay, remain, rest_period, eternal_rest, balance, ease, take_a_breather, relief, residual

  Possible Opposite Answer : be_active, change

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 16, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (33 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (33 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Modern "go-to's"	4
2A	5. Curtain for silhouetting on stage	5
3A	10. Bird on the South Carolina state quarter	4
4A	14. Capote or chesterfield	4
5A	15. Emulates E.T., in a way	10
6A	17. Roman goddess who drives a two-horse chariot	4
7A	18. Precious self-reference	10
8A	19. Name shared by the singer of the #1 hit "Rock Me Gently" (1974) and the first Korean American elected to the U.S. Senate (2024)	7
9A	21. Double-___ cassowary (bird of Indonesia and Australia)	7
10A	22. Matches with forensics	14
11A	24. Occasions to relax and recharge	6
12A	25. Obama's third secretary of defense (2013-15)	5
13A	26. Gasoline brand that offered the Torch Club credit card	5
14A	27. Aid in making salsa	5
15A	28. Operculum, e.g.	3
16A	31. Capital of Greenland	4
17A	32. They're hard to pull off	5
18A	33. Spa service, in brief	4
19A	34. Up to snuff, facetiously	3
20A	35. Trickles	5
21A	36. Cup holders	5
22A	37. Many a Porsche 911	5
23A	38. Practical types who are often perfectionists, it's said	6
24A	39. Don't start with me!	14
25A	43. Difficult effort	7
26A	44. Cut out	7
27A	46. Setting for Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte"	10
28A	48. Cold-smoked lox	4
29A	49. 7 up, perhaps	10
30A	50. Gulf of ___, waters that abut Djibouti and Somaliland	4
31A	51. Vanilla units	4
32A	52. Spouts	5
33A	53. Romp	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Modern "go-to's""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the address of a web page on the world wide web
• Similar words include: universal resource locator, URL, uniform resource locator
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: URLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Curtain for silhouetting on stage"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a firm open-weave fabric used for a curtain in the theater
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCRIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Bird on the South Carolina state quarter"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that english architect who designed more than fifty london churches (1632-1723)
• Similar words include: Sir Christopher Wren, jenny wren
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WREN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Capote or chesterfield"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
• Similar words include: surface, coating, pelage
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Emulates E.T., in a way"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PHONESHOME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Roman goddess who drives a two-horse chariot"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (roman mythology) the goddess of the moon; counterpart of greek selene
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LUNA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. Precious self-reference"

10 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LITTLEOLME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Name shared by the singer of the #1 hit "Rock Me Gently" (1974) and the first Korean American elected to the U.S. Senate (2024)"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANDYKIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "21. Double-___ cassowary (bird of Indonesia and Australia)"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that build of or with wattle
• Similar words include: wattle
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WATTLED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Matches with forensics"

14 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEBATECONTESTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Occasions to relax and recharge"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEDAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Obama's third secretary of defense (2013-15)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAGEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "26. Gasoline brand that offered the Torch Club credit card"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMOCO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "27. Aid in making salsa"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mechanical device used for dicing food
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DICER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "28. Operculum, e.g."

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
• Similar words include: palpebra, hat, eyelid
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Capital of Greenland"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NUUK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "32. They're hard to pull off"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a notable achievement
• Similar words include: effort, exploit, feat
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FEATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "33. Spa service, in brief"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MANI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "34. Up to snuff, facetiously"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "35. Trickles"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
• Similar words include: ooze, seep
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEEPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "36. Cup holders"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an ornamental metal cup-shaped holder for a hot coffee cup
• Similar words include: zarf
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZARFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "37. Many a Porsche 911"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a car with two doors and front seats and a luggage compartment
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COUPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "38. Practical types who are often perfectionists, it's said"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in virgo
• Similar words include: Virgo, Virgin, Virgo the Virgin
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VIRGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "39. Don't start with me!"

14 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SECONDSTRINGER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "43. Difficult effort"

7 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child
• Similar words include: exertion, labour, toil
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRAVAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "44. Cut out"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
• Similar words include: expunge, excise, strike
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EXCISED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "46. Setting for Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte""

10 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RIVERSEINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "48. Cold-smoked lox"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a star that ejects some of its material in the form of a cloud and become more luminous in the process
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "49. 7 up, perhaps"

10 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EVENSTEVEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "50. Gulf of ___, waters that abut Djibouti and Somaliland"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an important port of yemen; located on the gulf of aden; its strategic location has made it a major trading center of southern arabia since ancient times
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "51. Vanilla units"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the vessel that contains the seeds of a plant (not the seeds themselves)
• Similar words include: cod, pod, seedpod
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PODS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "52. Spouts"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth
• Similar words include: disgorge, cat, eruct
• Opposite of: keep down

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "53. Romp"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that north american songbirds having a yellow breast
• Similar words include: frisk, escapade, gambol
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LARK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Victor over Washington on 11/12/1955 in "Back to the Future, Pt. II" — and in real life	4
2D	2. Cattle call	9
3D	3. Went wide or long, as a tennis ball	9
4D	4. "No closer!"	8
5D	5. Takes off	6
6D	6. Wind pipe?	5
7D	7. Blight	3
8D	8. Getting a break on Broadway?	9
9D	9. Medleys	8
10D	10. Marriott property with the slogan "Whatever Whenever"	6
11D	11. Triumphs smoothly	5
12D	12. ___ Brickowski ("The Lego Movie" protagonist)	5
13D	13. "What this country ___ ..."	5
14D	16. Certain volleyballer	6
15D	20. Deck	4
16D	23. Once-popular terra-cotta figurine	7
17D	24. Trigger hair	4
18D	27. State in which Gulliver is discovered by the Lilliputians	9
19D	28. Combo meal upgrade	9
20D	29. Going back ages	9
21D	30. ___ track	4
22D	32. Folks who enjoy a well-aged beef?	8
23D	33. Borderline	8
24D	35. Echolocation systems	6
25D	36. Element between copper and gallium on the periodic table	4
26D	37. Spelling combinations?	6
27D	38. They're concerned with feeding kits	6
28D	39. Pharyngeal woe	5
29D	40. Cynthia ___, Tony winner for "The Color Purple"	5
30D	41. Buckled	5
31D	42. Extend, in a way	5
32D	45. Chilly and damp	4
33D	47. "___ noticed"	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Victor over Washington on 11/12/1955 in "Back to the Future, Pt. II" — and in real life"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UCLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Cattle call"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROUNDEMUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Went wide or long, as a tennis ball"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LANDEDOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "No closer!""

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STAYBACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Takes off"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that extending the legs at right angles to the trunk (one in front and the other in back)
• Similar words include: Split, tear, split up
• Opposite of: unite

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPLITS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Wind pipe?"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
• Similar words include: gong, bell
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHIME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Blight"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor
• Similar words include: putrefaction, rotting, bunkum
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Getting a break on Broadway?"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INTWOACTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Medleys"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a motley assortment of things
• Similar words include: hodgepodge, ragbag, melange
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MELANGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Marriott property with the slogan "Whatever Whenever""

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WHOTEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Triumphs smoothly"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that rotary motion of an object around its own axis
• Similar words include: revolve, bun, rolling wave
• Opposite of: unwind

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROLLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. ___ Brickowski ("The Lego Movie" protagonist)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
• Similar words include: ant, pismire
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMMET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "What this country ___ ...""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a condition requiring relief
• Similar words include: penury, involve, want
• Opposite of: obviate

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "16. Certain volleyballer"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one who sets written material into type
• Similar words include: typesetter, typographer, compositor
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SETTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. Deck"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a blow that renders the opponent unconscious
• Similar words include: knockout, knock out, KO
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KAYO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Once-popular terra-cotta figurine"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHIAPET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Trigger hair"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck
• Similar words include: head of hair
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MANE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. State in which Gulliver is discovered by the Lilliputians"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEEPSLEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. Combo meal upgrade"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LARGESODA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Going back ages"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INFOREVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. ___ track"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that god of the underworld; counterpart of greek pluto
• Similar words include: affront, Dis, Orcus
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DISS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "32. Folks who enjoy a well-aged beef?"

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FEUDISTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "33. Borderline"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that at or constituting a border or edge
• Similar words include: bare, borderline, fringy
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MARGINAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Echolocation systems"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return
• Similar words include: echo sounder, asdic, sonar
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SONARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Element between copper and gallium on the periodic table"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a bluish-white lustrous metallic element; brittle at ordinary temperatures but malleable when heated; used in a wide variety of alloys and in galvanizing iron; it occurs naturally as zinc sulphide in zinc blende
• Similar words include: Zn, atomic number 30
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZINC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. Spelling combinations?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an assembly of witches; usually 13 witches
• Similar words include: coven
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COVENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "38. They're concerned with feeding kits"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a malicious woman with a fierce temper
• Similar words include: hellcat, vixen, harpy
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VIXENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "39. Pharyngeal woe"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that spherical gram-positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains; cause e.g. scarlet fever and tonsillitis
• Similar words include: streptococcal, streptococcus, streptococcic
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STREP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "40. Cynthia ___, Tony winner for "The Color Purple""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERIVO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "41. Buckled"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that hollow out as if making a cave or opening
• Similar words include: spelunk, undermine, cave
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAVED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "42. Extend, in a way"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new
• Similar words include: reincarnate, regenerate
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RENEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "45. Chilly and damp"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that unpleasantly cool and humid
• Similar words include: clammy
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DANK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "47. "___ noticed""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

33 Across Clues

33 Down Clues

66 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

• Complete NYT Crossword Archive
• Advanced Solving Techniques
• Common Crossword Words

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: May 16, 2026 at 06:11 AM