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Wednesday, September 17, 2025

May 07, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, May 07, 2021

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 70 (35 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.6 letters

May 07, 2021 Friday NYT - Complete Across Solutions

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Tinder and others 4
2A 5. Appeal 4
3A 9. Costa ___ 5
4A 14. Activist Copeny known as "Little Miss Flint" 4
5A 15. City SW of Pyramid Lake 4
6A 16. Chilled 5
7A 17. Kind of device used in filmmaking 4
8A 18. Jafar's parrot in "Aladdin" 4
9A 19. Big name in kitchen appliances 5
10A 20. Unexpected 14
11A 23. Rhythmic 6
12A 24. Constellation that Regulus is part of 3
13A 25. Decision-making time 4
14A 26. Smartphone pop-up 5
15A 27. Rotation calculation 6
16A 29. "That fits perfectly!" 8
17A 31. Cosmopolitan 6
18A 35. Sarcastic punch line to an insincere remark 3
19A 36. Energize, with "up" 3
20A 37. City whose name means "spring hill" 7
21A 38. Total wrecks 7
22A 40. Reciprocal of cosecant 4
23A 41. Best-selling video game that takes place in space 9
24A 44. Lets, say 5
25A 45. Running apparel? 4
26A 46. "Well done!" 7
27A 48. Endangered 7
28A 50. Liquor brand that inspired the name of a Grammy-winning rapper 7
29A 54. Nonkosher deli order 6
30A 55. Something of interest to a business? 8
31A 56. Mathematician who lent his name to a test 6
32A 57. Singer who was an original judge on "The Voice" 8
33A 58. Flies 6
34A 59. Ab ___ (absent, in Latin) 4
35A 60. Good to go 3

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. Tinder and others"

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: APPS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Appeal"

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 gully that is shallower than a ravine
  • Words that mean the same thing: string, attractor, make
  • The opposite would be: repel, deposit
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DRAW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Costa ___"

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: RICAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Activist Copeny known as "Little Miss Flint""

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 member of a rural finnish people living in eastern russia
  • Words that mean the same thing: Cheremiss, Cheremis
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MARI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. City SW of Pyramid Lake"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a city in western nevada at the foot of the sierra nevada mountains; known for gambling casinos and easy divorce and remarriage
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: RENO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Chilled"

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: ONICE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Kind of device used in filmmaking"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
  • Words that mean the same thing: game, plot of ground, plot of land
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PLOT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Jafar's parrot in "Aladdin""

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the villain in william shakespeare's tragedy who tricked othello into murdering his wife
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IAGO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Big name in kitchen appliances"

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: OSTER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Unexpected"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 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: OUTOFLEFTFIELD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Rhythmic"

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

    The answer is: CADENT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Constellation that Regulus is part of"

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

    The answer is: LEO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Decision-making time"

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: DDAY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "26. Smartphone pop-up"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
  • Words that mean the same thing: spanking, qui vive, alerting
  • The opposite would be: unalert
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ALERT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "27. Rotation calculation"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: TORQUE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "29. "That fits perfectly!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ITSSOYOU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "31. Cosmopolitan"

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 showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
  • Words that mean the same thing: refined, svelte, polished
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: URBANE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "35. Sarcastic punch line to an insincere remark"

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 negation of a word or group of words
  • Words that mean the same thing: non
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NOT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "36. Energize, with "up""

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 liveliness and energy
  • Words that mean the same thing: ginger, peppiness
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PEP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "37. City whose name means "spring hill""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard 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: TELAVIV

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "38. Total wrecks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a sudden and violent collapse
  • Words that mean the same thing: fiasco, debacle
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FIASCOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "40. Reciprocal of cosecant"

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 ratio of the length of the side opposite the given angle to the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
  • Words that mean the same thing: sin
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SINE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "41. Best-selling video game that takes place in space"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: STARCRAFT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "44. Lets, say"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that do over, as of (part of) a house
  • Words that mean the same thing: remodel, refashion, reconstruct
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REDOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "45. Running apparel?"

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 socks and stockings and tights collectively (the british include underwear)
  • Words that mean the same thing: hose down, hosepipe, hosiery
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: HOSE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "46. "Well done!""

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: NICEJOB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "48. Endangered"

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: INPERIL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "50. Liquor brand that inspired the name of a Grammy-winning rapper"

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: BACARDI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. Nonkosher deli order"

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 (old testment) a son of jacob and forefather of one of the tribes of israel
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REUBEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "55. Something of interest to a business?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: BANKLOAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "56. Mathematician who lent his name to a test"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that english mathematician who conceived of the turing machine and broke german codes during world war ii (1912-1954)
  • Words that mean the same thing: Alan Turing, Alan Mathison Turing
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TURING

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "57. Singer who was an original judge on "The Voice""

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert 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: AGUILERA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "58. Flies"

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 distance travelled per unit time
  • Words that mean the same thing: belt along, swiftness, upper
  • The opposite would be: decelerate, linger
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SPEEDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "59. Ab ___ (absent, in Latin)"

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: ESSE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "60. Good to go"

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 group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
  • Words that mean the same thing: localise, fit, hardened
  • The opposite would be: rise
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SET

    Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Friday NYT Crossword May 07, 2021

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Hype (up) 3
2D 2. Home of many a tech start-up 8
3D 3. ___ moment (crowning achievement) 8
4D 4. Stay-at-home workers 7
5D 5. Meaning 5
6D 6. Heartfelt 4
7D 7. "Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie" poet 7
8D 8. Low speaker 6
9D 9. Mouth part 4
10D 10. Esoterica 14
11D 11. Word that becomes its own synonym when RED is inserted between its first two letters 5
12D 12. Train that serves three Union Stations 5
13D 13. Wonkish 5
14D 21. Relevant 7
15D 22. Parts of a restaurant's overhead? 6
16D 23. Caleb represents him in "East of Eden" 4
17D 27. Part of a ship's rigging 7
18D 28. Something bookmarked in a bookmark bar 3
19D 30. Wishes 9
20D 32. Voracious 4
21D 33. Young 'un in Yucatán 4
22D 34. Anticipatory times 4
23D 37. Common items at merchandise stands 8
24D 38. Giveaway 7
25D 39. Banned refrigerant, for short 3
26D 41. Common items at merchandise stands 6
27D 42. Build muscle 6
28D 43. Having the same number of karats, e.g. 6
29D 44. Coors Field athlete 6
30D 47. Roman god of beginnings and endings 5
31D 49. Tear 4
32D 51. Some deer 4
33D 52. Truth's counterpart 4
34D 53. ___ the finish 4
35D 55. Sweetie 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. Hype (up)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the basic unit of electric current adopted under the systeme international d'unites
  • Words that mean the same thing: A, ampere, adenosine monophosphate
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AMP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Home of many a tech start-up"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert 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: PALOALTO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. ___ moment (crowning achievement)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
  • Words that mean the same thing: gallant, proud, majestic
  • The opposite would be: humble
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PROUDEST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Stay-at-home workers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that dutch astronomer who calculated the size of the universe and suggested that it is expanding (1872-1934)
  • Words that mean the same thing: broody, setting hen, Sitter
  • The opposite would be: stander
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SITTERS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Meaning"

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 force that moves something along
  • Words that mean the same thing: range, purport, roam
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DRIFT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Heartfelt"

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 any rational or irrational number
  • Words that mean the same thing: veridical, existent, tangible
  • The opposite would be: nominal, unreal
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REAL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. "Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie" poet"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard 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: ANGELOU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Low speaker"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a loudspeaker that reproduces lower audio frequency sounds
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: WOOFER

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Mouth part"

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 protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
  • Words that mean the same thing: cap, ceiling
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROOF

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Esoterica"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 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: INSIDEBASEBALL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Word that becomes its own synonym when RED is inserted between its first two letters"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that make reference to
  • Words that mean the same thing: name, advert, cite
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CITED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Train that serves three Union Stations"

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: ACELA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Wonkish"

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: NERDY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "21. Relevant"

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: ONTOPIC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Parts of a restaurant's overhead?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a tall white hat with a pouched crown; worn by chefs
  • Words that mean the same thing: turban, pillbox, toque
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TOQUES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Caleb represents him in "East of Eden""

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 (old testament) cain and abel were the first children of adam and eve born after the fall of man; cain killed abel out of jealousy and was exiled by god
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CAIN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "27. Part of a ship's rigging"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a sail (or either of a pair of sails) immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TOPSAIL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "28. Something bookmarked in a bookmark bar"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the address of a web page on the world wide web
  • Words that mean the same thing: uniform resource locator, universal resource locator
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: URL

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. Wishes"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
  • Words that mean the same thing: longing, hungriness, yearning
  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: YEARNINGS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "32. Voracious"

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 (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
  • Words that mean the same thing: esurient, zealous, devouring
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AVID

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. Young 'un in Yucatán"

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: NINO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "34. Anticipatory times"

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 (old testament) adam's wife in judeo-christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; god created eve from adam's rib and placed adam and eve in the garden of eden
  • Words that mean the same thing: even, Eve, evening
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EVES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "37. Common items at merchandise stands"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: TOTEBAGS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "38. Giveaway"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that something that is free (usually provided as part of a promotional scheme)
  • Words that mean the same thing: freebee
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: FREEBIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. Banned refrigerant, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a fluorocarbon with chlorine; formerly used as a refrigerant and as a propellant in aerosol cans
  • Words that mean the same thing: chlorofluorocarbon
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CFC

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "41. Common items at merchandise stands"

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 garment worn on the upper half of the body
  • Words that mean the same thing: shirt
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SHIRTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. Build muscle"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: TONEUP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Having the same number of karats, e.g."

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: ASPURE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Coors Field athlete"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ROCKIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "47. Roman god of beginnings and endings"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that (roman mythology) the roman god of doorways and passages; is depicted with two faces on opposite sides of his head
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: JANUS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. Tear"

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 tear or be torn violently
  • Words that mean the same thing: rip, pull, rive
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REND

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Some deer"

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 fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
  • Words that mean the same thing: hard roe, roe
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ROES

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Truth's counterpart"

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 challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
  • Words that mean the same thing: daring, defy, presume
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DARE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. ___ the finish"

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: INAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Sweetie"

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: BAE

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 54 77.1%
Short Answer 6 8.6%
Geography 2 2.9%
Celebrity/Entertainment 2 2.9%
Movies/Film 1 1.4%
Sports 1 1.4%
Science/Technology 1 1.4%
Food & Drink 1 1.4%
Literature 1 1.4%
History 1 1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 35
Down Clues 35
Total Clues 70
Average Answer Length 5.6 letters
Shortest Answer 3 letters
Longest Answer 14 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!

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

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 17, 2025 at 05:39 PM

Friday, August 29, 2025

December 18, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, December 18, 2023

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (35 Across, 41 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.0 letters

Across Clues Explained - Monday NYT Crossword December 18, 2023

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Parishioners' bench 3
2A 4. Spanish "Bye!" 5
3A 9. Unexpected plot development 5
4A 14. Before, in poetry 3
5A 15. Variety show with skits and songs 5
6A 16. Got out of bed 5
7A 17. Preliminary tournament stage 15
8A 20. Commotion 6
9A 21. Campus figure with a "list" 4
10A 22. 1960s soul singer Redding 4
11A 23. Filipino or Laotian 5
12A 26. Fig. on a college transcript 3
13A 29. "Spring forward" clock setting: Abbr. 3
14A 30. Snake oil salesman's offering 11
15A 33. Move just a little 5
16A 34. Got hitched in Vegas, perhaps 6
17A 35. Cause for a produce recall 5
18A 38. Lawyers' org. 3
19A 40. 2, 4, 6, 8, etc. 5
20A 41. 1989's "Honey, I ___ the Kids" 6
21A 43. Wonderland visitor 5
22A 45. Woman temporarily serving as monarch 11
23A 47. Ice cream amts. 3
24A 50. Disorderly bunch 3
25A 51. Beginning phase 5
26A 52. Last word in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" 4
27A 53. Actress ___ Skye 4
28A 55. Passes into law 6
29A 57. Financial statement issued every three months 15
30A 62. Railroad property in Monopoly 5
31A 63. Actress Davis of "Thelma & Louise" 5
32A 64. 20-sided game piece in Dungeons & Dragons 3
33A 65. Intelligence 5
34A 66. Important agent in bread dough and beer fermentation 5
35A 67. Guinness book suffix 3

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. Parishioners' bench"

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 long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
  • Words that mean the same thing: church bench
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: PEW

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. Spanish "Bye!""

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 farewell remark
  • Words that mean the same thing: auf wiedersehen, bye, good-by
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ADIOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Unexpected plot development"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an unforeseen development
  • Words that mean the same thing: pervert, wind, wriggle
  • The opposite would be: untwist, unbend
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TWIST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Before, in poetry"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: ERE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Variety show with skits and songs"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
  • Words that mean the same thing: review
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: REVUE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Got out of bed"

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 come into existence; take on form or shape
  • Words that mean the same thing: bob up, rise, grow
  • The opposite would be: turn in, fall
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: AROSE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Preliminary tournament stage"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: QUALIFYINGROUND

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Commotion"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a state of commotion and noise and confusion
  • Words that mean the same thing: tumultuousness, garboil, hubbub
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: UPROAR

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Campus figure with a "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 an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
  • Words that mean the same thing: doyen, James Dean, James Byron Dean
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. 1960s soul singer Redding"

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 united states inventor who manufactured the first elevator with a safety device (1811-1861)
  • Words that mean the same thing: genus Otis, Elisha Graves Otis
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OTIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Filipino or Laotian"

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 native or inhabitant of asia
  • Words that mean the same thing: Asiatic
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ASIAN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Fig. on a college transcript"

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 measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted
  • Words that mean the same thing: grade point average
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GPA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. "Spring forward" clock setting: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: DST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Snake oil salesman's offering"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: QUACKREMEDY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "33. Move just a little"

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 united states tennis player who in 1938 was the first to win the australian and french and english and united states singles championship in the same year (1915-2000)
  • Words that mean the same thing: stir, Don Budge, John Donald Budge
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BUDGE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. Got hitched in Vegas, perhaps"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that run away secretly with one's beloved
  • Words that mean the same thing: run off, elope
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ELOPED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Cause for a produce recall"

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: ECOLI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. Lawyers' org."

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 loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by arabs
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ABA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. 2, 4, 6, 8, etc."

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
  • Words that mean the same thing: level, even out, even
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EVENS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. 1989's "Honey, I ___ the Kids""

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 wither, as with a loss of moisture
  • Words that mean the same thing: contract, shrivel up, shrivel
  • The opposite would be: stretch, expand
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SHRUNK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Wonderland visitor"

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: ALICE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Woman temporarily serving as monarch"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: QUEENREGENT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "47. Ice cream amts."

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: QTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "50. Disorderly bunch"

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 disorderly crowd of people
  • Words that mean the same thing: family, pile, jam
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: MOB

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "51. Beginning phase"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the beginning or early stages
  • Words that mean the same thing: onrush, oncoming, attack
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ONSET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "52. Last word in "The Twelve Days of Christmas""

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 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 27 Across: "53. Actress ___ Skye"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: IONE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "55. Passes into law"

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 order by virtue of superior authority; decree
  • Words that mean the same thing: enact, reenact, act out
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ENACTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Financial statement issued every three months"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert 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: QUARTERLYREPORT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "62. Railroad property in Monopoly"

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: BANDO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "63. Actress Davis of "Thelma & Louise""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: GEENA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "64. 20-sided game piece in Dungeons & Dragons"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
  • Words that mean the same thing: fail, buy the farm, pall
  • The opposite would be: be born
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DIE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "65. Intelligence"

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: sentiency, feel, smell
  • The 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 34 Across: "66. Important agent in bread dough and beer fermentation"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a commercial leavening agent containing yeast cells; used to raise the dough in making bread and for fermenting beer or whiskey
  • Words that mean the same thing: barm
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: YEAST

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "67. Guinness book suffix"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
  • Words that mean the same thing: Eastern Time, Eastern Standard Time
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: EST

    Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Monday NYT Crossword December 18, 2023

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Captain Ahab's ship in "Moby-Dick" 6
2D 2. Shoots lava 6
3D 3. What to do "if the shoe fits" 6
4D 4. Prima donna's chance to shine 4
5D 5. Swindle 7
6D 6. Poison ___ (plant) 3
7D 7. French assent 3
8D 8. Maurice who wrote "Where the Wild Things Are" 6
9D 9. Olympic figure skating champion Lipinski 4
10D 10. Ill-advised maneuver 9
11D 11. Debtor's note 3
12D 12. ID with two hyphens 3
13D 13. TV's "___ Lasso" 3
14D 18. The "L" of U.C.L.A. 3
15D 19. Sci-fi or romance 5
16D 24. Story that spans generations 4
17D 25. Swelling reducers for sprains 7
18D 27. Pet name for José 4
19D 28. Gulf of ___ (waters off the coast of Yemen) 4
20D 30. Anthony who played Zorba in "Zorba the Greek" 5
21D 31. Put into power 5
22D 32. Football distances: Abbr. 3
23D 33. Colorful symbols of hope and happiness 9
24D 35. Lawyer's title: Abbr. 3
25D 36. Pal 4
26D 37. Cookie in cookies and cream 4
27D 39. Opposite of aweather, to a sailor 4
28D 42. Coin of Denmark 5
29D 44. Summer office workers 7
30D 46. Pep 6
31D 47. Scannable black-and-white square … or a hint to 17-, 30-, 45- and 57-Across 6
32D 48. Video game with falling blocks 6
33D 49. Six lines in a sonnet 6
34D 52. Percussive dance style 3
35D 54. Great Plains tribe 4
36D 56. "Super-cool!" 4
37D 57. Over half of all Super Bowl M.V.P.s, for short 3
38D 58. Dubai's country, for short 3
39D 59. ___ Arbor, Mich. 3
40D 60. Stan who co-created the Marvel Universe 3
41D 61. Vote of support 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. Captain Ahab's ship in "Moby-Dick""

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: PEQUOD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Shoots lava"

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 start abruptly
  • Words that mean the same thing: combust, break open, take fire
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ERUPTS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. What to do "if the shoe fits""

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: WEARIT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Prima donna's chance to shine"

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

    The answer is: ARIA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Swindle"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that deprive of by deceit
  • Words that mean the same thing: goldbrick, diddle, victimize
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: DEFRAUD

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Poison ___ (plant)"

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 old world vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
  • Words that mean the same thing: English ivy, Hedera helix, common ivy
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IVY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. French assent"

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: OUI

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Maurice who wrote "Where the Wild Things Are""

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: SENDAK

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Olympic figure skating champion Lipinski"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a village in eastern ireland (northwest of dublin); seat of irish kings until 6th century
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TARA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Ill-advised maneuver"

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: WRONGMOVE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Debtor's note"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an informal debt instrument; representing `i owe you'
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: IOU

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. ID with two hyphens"

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: SSN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. TV's "___ Lasso""

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 tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing edwardian style clothes
  • Words that mean the same thing: Teddy boy
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TED

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. The "L" of U.C.L.A."

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: LOS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. Sci-fi or romance"

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 kind of literary or artistic work
  • Words that mean the same thing: music genre, literary genre, musical style
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: GENRE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Story that spans generations"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that a narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family; originally (12th to 14th centuries) a story of the families that settled iceland and their descendants but now any prose narrative that resembles such an account
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SAGA

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Swelling reducers for sprains"

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: ICEBAGS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Pet name for José"

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: PEPE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Gulf of ___ (waters off the coast of Yemen)"

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

    The answer is: ADEN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Anthony who played Zorba in "Zorba the Greek""

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: QUINN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. Put into power"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an exclusive group of people
  • Words that mean the same thing: elite, chosen
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ELECT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Football distances: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: YDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Colorful symbols of hope and happiness"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that fruit-eating mostly brilliant blue songbird of the east indies
  • Words that mean the same thing: fairy bluebird, bluebird
  • The word looks like this: _________
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: BLUEBIRDS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Lawyer's title: 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 title of respect for a member of the english gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name
  • Words that mean the same thing: Esquire
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ESQ

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. Pal"

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 close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
  • Words that mean the same thing: Oncorhynchus keta, crony, pal
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: CHUM

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. Cookie in cookies and cream"

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 chocolate cookie with white cream filling
  • Words that mean the same thing: oreo cookie
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OREO

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "39. Opposite of aweather, to a sailor"

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

    The answer is: ALEE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Coin of Denmark"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the basic unit of money in norway
  • Words that mean the same thing: Norwegian krone, Danish krone
  • The word looks like this: _____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: KRONE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Summer office workers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an advanced student or graduate in medicine gaining supervised practical experience (`houseman' is a british term)
  • Words that mean the same thing: houseman, medical intern, interne
  • The word looks like this: _______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: INTERNS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Pep"

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 (physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
  • Words that mean the same thing: get-up-and-go, DOE, vitality
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: ENERGY

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. Scannable black-and-white square … or a hint to 17-, 30-, 45- and 57-Across"

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: QRCODE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "48. Video game with falling blocks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that 100 tetri equal 1 lari in georgia
  • Words that mean the same thing: tetri
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TETRIS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "49. Six lines in a sonnet"

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 the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
  • Words that mean the same thing: Captain Hicks, VI, sextette
  • The word looks like this: ______
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: SESTET

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "52. Percussive dance style"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that the sound made by a gentle blow
  • Words that mean the same thing: intercept, exploit, wiretap
  • The word looks like this: ___
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: TAP

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "54. Great Plains tribe"

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 member of the siouan people inhabiting the valleys of the platte and missouri rivers in nebraska
  • Words that mean the same thing: Oto
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: OTOE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "56. "Super-cool!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that clean or organized
  • Words that mean the same thing: smashing, slap-up, swell
  • The word looks like this: ____
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: NEAT

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "57. Over half of all Super Bowl M.V.P.s, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

    The answer is: QBS

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "58. Dubai's country, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: UAE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "59. ___ Arbor, Mich."

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: ANN

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "60. Stan who co-created the Marvel Universe"

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 united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
  • Words that mean the same thing: downwind, Lee Yuen Kam, lee side
  • The opposite would be: windward
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: LEE

    Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "61. Vote of support"

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

Here's how to solve it:

  • This could be something that an affirmative
  • Words that mean the same thing: yeah
  • The opposite would be: nay
  • Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
  • Ready for the answer? Click here!

    The answer is: YEA

    Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category Number of Clues Percentage
General Knowledge 45 59.2%
Short Answer 16 21.1%
Celebrity/Entertainment 3 3.9%
Sports 3 3.9%
Abbreviation 3 3.9%
History 2 2.6%
Geography 2 2.6%
Music 1 1.3%
Literature 1 1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric Value
Across Clues 35
Down Clues 41
Total Clues 76
Average Answer Length 5.0 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 Monday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
  • Most clues today are about general knowledge
  • The average word today has about 4 letters
  • Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
  • Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: August 28, 2025 at 09:18 PM