December 31, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

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

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, December 31, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (33 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.4 letters

Across Clues Explained - Friday NYT Crossword December 31, 2021

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

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Colorful custardy confection"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FRUITTART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "10. Sudden inspirations"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
• Words that mean the same thing: pant, gasp, puff
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GASPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. Waltz onomatopoeia"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OOMPAHPAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. Love"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that love intensely
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. Classic diner orders"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TUNAMELTS

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RUBON

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OXO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Pit-___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: APAT

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ORLESS

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: XRAYLAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "24. Thing with rings"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
• Words that mean the same thing: shoetree, tree diagram, corner
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Legal action"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: APPEAL

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ELSAS

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEER

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: EASIER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "33. Pep"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a healthy capacity for vigorous activity
• Words that mean the same thing: vigour, vitality, muscularity
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VIM

  Great job if you got it right!

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

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LETSTHINGSSLIDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "39. Modern ___"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Words that mean the same thing: earned run average, epoch, geological era
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERA

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WOMANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. Actress Kendrick"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a former copper coin of pakistan and india
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANNA

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BARAK

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ELWOOD

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a hebrew minor prophet
• Words that mean the same thing: Book of Joel
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JOEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Relative by marriage"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: STEPDAD

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: INROME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "52. Stain"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a blemish made by dirt
• Words that mean the same thing: smirch, fleck, stain
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "53. Sprinkling"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small elite group
• The opposite would be: many
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. Canon competitor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LEICA

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: VIAVENETO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Still sticky"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (of a glutinous liquid such as paint) not completely dried and slightly sticky to the touch
• Words that mean the same thing: gaudy, gimcrack, brassy
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TACKY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "60. Make thin"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance)
• Words that mean the same thing: faded, weakened, rarefy
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATTENUATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "61. Crushes it"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that kill intentionally and with premeditation
• Words that mean the same thing: remove, polish off, murder
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SLAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: REARTIRES

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Friday Puzzle December 31, 2021

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

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Snap"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FOTO

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a mixture of fat and flour heated and used as a basis for sauces
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROUX

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: UMNO

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IPA

  Great job if you got it right!

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

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TAMARA

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THEPALEHORSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Make ___ for"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: APLAY

  Great job if you got it right!

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

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: RATTLESNAKEBITE

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day
• Words that mean the same thing: Th, thorium, atomic number 90
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THS

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GARR

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ADULTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Clearheaded"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: SOBER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Novel content"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PROSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Tell"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a general conscious awareness
• Words that mean the same thing: sensation, sentience, sensory faculty
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SENSE

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OBSESSEDOVER

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: XERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. Straighten"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALIGN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Proficient"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. ___ review"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
• Words that mean the same thing: match, compeer, equal
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEER

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PETA

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth's atmosphere
• Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 18, Arkansas, ar
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Target"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AIMAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Rosso o bianco"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fermented juice (of grapes especially)
• Words that mean the same thing: wine
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VINO

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IDNO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. Ren Faire concession"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in polynesian cultures (1901-1978)
• Words that mean the same thing: George Herbert Mead, Margaret Mead
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MEAD

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TWA

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LAWD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Squarish"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that resembling a block in shape
• Words that mean the same thing: blockish
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLOCKY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Not yet manifest"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LATENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Spurns"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a woman who jilts a lover
• Words that mean the same thing: jilt
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JILTS

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ONEAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "47. Writer Jong"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any plant of the genus erica
• Words that mean the same thing: true heath
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERICA

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PLATA

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states baseball player (born in 1931)
• Words that mean the same thing: English hawthorn, Crataegus oxycantha, May
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: FEAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "54. Suffix with towel"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ETTE

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that misery resulting from affliction
• Words that mean the same thing: woe, woefulness, suffering
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WOES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "57. Dictionary abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a unit of electrical power in an ac circuit equal to the power dissipated when 1 volt produces a current of 1 ampere
• Words that mean the same thing: volt-ampere
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VAR

  Great job if you got it right!

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

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: NUI

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

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

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	33
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.4 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Friday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 5 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 12, 2025 at 07:38 PM

Xwordhint Crossword Answers - August 01, 2025 | Today NYT Vibez

Published on Friday, August 01, 2025 • Daily puzzle hints • Crossword clues © The New York Times

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 lover who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Today is Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

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

🔍 Across Clues - Strategic Hints (35 clues)

🧩 1A: "1. Stringy parts of oranges"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
• Similar words include: meat, pith, sum
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PITHS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 2A: "6. Regarding"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INRE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 3A: "10. Longtime airer of the docuseries "American Greed""

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CNBC

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 4A: "14. Offerings from a truck or cart"

📏 10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STREETFOOD

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 5A: "16. Carrier lead-in to méxico"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AERO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 6A: "17. Phish-monger?"

📏 10 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAMARTIST

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 7A: "18. [Love ya!]"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MWAH

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 8A: "19. "The devil take ___ soul!": Laertes"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THY

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 9A: "20. Possible response to "Who's ready?""

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WEARE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 10A: "21. Start of a rally"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
• Similar words include: function, suffice, do
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SERVE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 11A: "22. Direction in a grilling recipe"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make very hot and dry
• Similar words include: parch, sere, char
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEAR

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 12A: "23. Substack alternative"

📏 7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PATREON

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 13A: "25. Was out for a bit"

📏 6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that take a siesta
• Similar words include: catnap, nap, catch a wink
• Pattern: ______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAPPED

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 14A: "28. "Come on, stop dreaming""

📏 6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEREAL

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 15A: "29. Insect that can reproduce with or without mating"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of various small plant-sucking insects
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APHID

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 16A: "30. Oatmeal, e.g."

📏 9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HOTCEREAL

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 17A: "33. Nano devices"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (trademark) a pocket-sized device used to play music files
• Similar words include: iPod
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IPODS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 18A: "34. Hour, in Italy"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
• Similar words include: OS, atomic number 76, os
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 19A: "35. "See ya later!""

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the state prevailing during the absence of war
• Similar words include: heartsease, peacefulness, repose
• Opposite of: war

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEACE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 20A: "36. Beginning of Taurus season"

📏 9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LATEAPRIL

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 21A: "38. Zapped, in a way"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LASED

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 22A: "39. Sale sign words"

📏 6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORLESS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 23A: "40. Meals at which Elijah's cup is poured"

📏 6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (judaism) the ceremonial dinner on the first night (or both nights) of passover
• Similar words include: Seder, Passover supper
• Pattern: ______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEDERS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 24A: "41. Ay, there's the rub!"

📏 7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation
• Similar words include: knead, rub down
• Pattern: _______

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MASSAGE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 25A: "43. Bordering on inappropriate, in a way"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that full of zest or vigor
• Similar words include: robust, rich, naughty
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RACY

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 26A: "44. Needed a 41-Across"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that feel physical pain
• Similar words include: ache, yearn, smart
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACHED

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 27A: "45. Golf course part"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the part of a golf course bordering the fairway where the grass is not cut short
• Similar words include: boisterous, pugnacious, bumpy
• Opposite of: smooth, cut

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROUGH

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 28A: "47. Nephew of Abraham"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
• Similar words include: deal, set, luck
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOT

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 29A: "50. Locale of the Sea of Serenity"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the natural satellite of the earth
• Similar words include: lunar month, daydream, moon around
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOON

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 30A: "51. Literally, "grilled meat""

📏 10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CARNEASADA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 31A: "53. Homeboys"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BROS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 32A: "54. One way to the highway"

📏 10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACCESSROAD

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 33A: "55. Opposite of post-"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANTE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 34A: "56. Complimentary assortment in a hotel room's kitchenette, maybe"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
• Similar words include: tea leaf, afternoon tea, teatime
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TEAS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 35A: "57. Padding for a grade point average"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EASYA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🔍 Down Clues - Strategic Hints (35 clues)

🧩 1D: "1. Alternative to "Hey!""

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PSST

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 2D: "2. Nagging desire"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
• Similar words include: scabies, itchiness, itching
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITCH

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 3D: "3. It may come with breakfast in bed"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRAY

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 4D: "4. Sew what?"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
• Similar words include: ahem
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HEM

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 5D: "5. Green poke bowl topping"

📏 12 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEAWEEDSALAD

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 6D: "6. Evening meal during Ramadan"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IFTAR

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 7D: "7. Genre of "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Big Sleep""

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOIR

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 8D: "8. Bit of scattered Valentine's Day décor"

📏 9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROSEPETAL

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 9D: "9. D.C. summer hrs."

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDT

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 10D: "10. Finished with hair and makeup, say"

📏 11 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAMERAREADY

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 11D: "11. Exciting announcement from a musician"

📏 10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NEWRELEASE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 12D: "12. "Well done!""

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed
• Similar words include: assassin, assassinator
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRAVO

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 13D: "13. Clinton's last defense secretary"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COHEN

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 14D: "15. Riser's partner"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a step in walking or running
• Similar words include: trample, pace, stride
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TREAD

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 15D: "21. Olympic track event in which Kenya dominates"

📏 12 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a footrace of usually 3000 meters over a closed track with hurdles and a water jump
• Pattern: ____________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STEEPLECHASE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 16D: "22. Intuitive ability in the Marvel Universe"

📏 11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPIDERSENSE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 17D: "24. Hero's journey, say"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
• Similar words include: spark, electric arc, arch
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARC

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 18D: "25. Hit hard"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
• Similar words include: cop, pick up, nab
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAIL

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 19D: "26. Dad, in Korean"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: APPA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 20D: "27. Job for a model"

📏 10 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: __________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PHOTOSHOOT

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 21D: "28. Chess great Spassky"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BORIS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 22D: "30. Who's ahead and who's not in campaign coverage, so to speak"

📏 9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HORSERACE

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 23D: "31. Early Chromebook manufacturer"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that type genus of the aceraceae; trees or shrubs having winged fruit
• Similar words include: genus Acer
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACER

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 24D: "32. Energy-efficient bulbs, for short"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
• Similar words include: LED, light-emitting diode
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEDS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 25D: "37. Identify (as)"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
• Similar words include: thole, nog, peg down
• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEG

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 26D: "40. Wise ones"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
• Similar words include: sage, sag down, droop
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAGES

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 27D: "41. Black ___, nickname for Kobe Bryant"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that arboreal snake of central and southern africa whose bite is often fatal
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAMBA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 28D: "42. What fell on Chicken Little's head"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fruit of the oak tree: a smooth thin-walled nut in a woody cup-shaped base
• Pattern: _____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACORN

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 29D: "43. Medieval characters"

📏 5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any character from an ancient germanic alphabet used in scandinavia from the 3rd century to the middle ages
• Similar words include: feed, fly the coop, hightail it
• Opposite of: malfunction, idle

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RUNES

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 30D: "46. Pod member"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas
• Similar words include: sea wolf, grampus, killer
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORCA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 31D: "47. One of the three landlocked countries with four-letter names, aside from Chad and Mali"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern asia; achieved independence from france in 1949
• Similar words include: Lao, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Laotian
• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LAOS

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 32D: "48. R&B/pop singer Aubrey"

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ODAY

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 33D: "49. "Look what I did!""

📏 4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TADA

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 34D: "51. "You cannot look at a sleeping ___ and feel tense": Jane Pauley"

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
• Similar words include: guy, spue, qat
• Opposite of: keep down

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAT

💡 Remember this word for future puzzles!

🧩 35D: "52. Montevideo Mrs."

📏 3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

🎯 Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

🔓 Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SRA

💡 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

35 Across Clues

35 Down Clues

70 Total Clues

🗂️ More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: August 01, 2025 at 04:41 AM