No 27376 Mon Oct 21, 2024 NYT Crossword by Neil Padrick Wilson

Across Clues :

1. Make extremely thirsty, 6. Carvey who portrays Biden on "S.N.L.", 10. A multitasker might keep several open on a browser, 14. Love to pieces, 15. Apple product discontinued in 2022, 16. Mouth-related, 17. Disposable BBQ dish, 19. Log cabin wood, often, 20. Like many fine wines, 21. Rowboat movers, 22. In the future, 23. Drenched, 24. Doctor's office jarful, 26. Russian currency, 28. Ending with slug or snooze, 29. Direction to a newly knighted knight, 31. "Sooo tasty!", 32. Family member who usually goes by one name, 35. Elbows in a grocery store, 40. "No clue," in text shorthand, 41. Mushy food for babies, 42. String quartet instrument, 43. Hit maximum popularity, 45. Bumbling, 47. Makeshift twist-tie, 51. Green eggs go-with, 54. Spanish friend, 55. Performer prone to theatrics, 56. Move like sap from a tree, 57. Legit, 58. What a kid might use to hold 17-, 24-, 35- and 47-Across together, 60. "Citizen" played by Orson Welles, 61. "Très ___!" (French for "Very well!"), 62. Breaking news notification, 63. Kiss, in Cambridge, 64. Root vegetable often paired with goat cheese, 65. Affirmatives

Mon Oct 21, 2024 NYT Crossword 

Down Clues :

1. Oblong yellowish fruit, 2. "A rolling stone gathers no moss," e.g., 3. Cowboy's feat with a lasso, 4. Street ___ (respect), 5. That lady, 6. Widen, as pupils, 7. In separate places, 8. Unenjoyable, to put it mildly, 9. Lemon drink suffix, 10. Prop for a magician's costume, 11. "The Little Mermaid" mermaid, 12. Tired and predictable, 13. Toys used on snow days, 18. Game with solid and striped balls, 22. "Crunched" muscles, informally, 24. Truck radio user, 25. Captain in Jules Verne novels, 27. Leading medal winner at the 2024 Olympics, 29. "___ the only one seeing this?", 30. Totally wicked, 31. Pup's bark, 32. Narrative details that don't withstand scrutiny, 33. European ___ (Anguilla anguilla), 34. Org. that might have you remove your shoes, 36. Iridescent gem, 37. Obvious untruth, 38. On top of, 39. Cautionary sign indicating a low point in the road, 43. Prop for a pirate's costume, 44. "Green" prefix, 45. Dream up, 46. In the neighborhood, 47. Manages to find a spot, say, 48. "Let me clarify ...", 49. p, on sheet music, 50. Pop singer Mann, 52. Sky blue, 53. Makes, as a deadline, 56. Undress with one's eyes, 58. Flow back, 59. Remark

Break down the NYT Crosswords: October 21, 2024

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

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. Make extremely thirsty. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PARCH

  Possible Answer : sear, parch




• The clue is 6. Carvey who portrays Biden on "S.N.L.". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DANA

  Possible Answer : Danu, Dana




• The clue is 10. A multitasker might keep several open on a browser. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TABS

  Possible Answer : check, chit, lozenge, tabloid, pill, yellow_journalism, tab_key, tab, tablet




• The clue is 14. Love to pieces. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ADORE

  Possible Answer : adore




• The clue is 15. Apple product discontinued in 2022. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IPOD

  Possible Answer : iPod




• The clue is 16. Mouth-related. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ORAL

  Possible Answer : oral, viva_voce, viva, oral_examination, unwritten, oral_exam

  Possible Opposite Answer : anal, aboral




• The clue is 17. Disposable BBQ dish. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PAPERPLATE




• The clue is 19. Log cabin wood, often. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PINE

  Possible Answer : pine_tree, ache, yen, languish, true_pine, yearn, pine




• The clue is 20. Like many fine wines. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AGED

  Possible Answer : cured, elderly, maturate, aged, ripened, age, get_on, senesce, mature, of_age, senior, older

  Possible Opposite Answer : rejuvenate, young




• The clue is 21. Rowboat movers. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OARS

  Possible Answer : oar




• The clue is 22. In the future. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AHEAD

  Possible Answer : onward, ahead, forwards, in_front, in_advance, forward, beforehand, before, out_front, forrader, leading, in_the_lead, onwards

  Possible Opposite Answer : back, backward




• The clue is 23. Drenched. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: WET

  Possible Answer : sloshed, soused, stiff, smashed, crocked, plastered, besotted, squiffy, pie-eyed, slopped, moisture, blotto, pissed, wet, lactating, fuddled, cockeyed, loaded, soaked, tight, blind_drunk, pixilated, sozzled

  Possible Opposite Answer : dry




• The clue is 24. Doctor's office jarful. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: COTTONBALLS




• The clue is 26. Russian currency. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RUBLE

  Possible Answer : ruble, rouble




• The clue is 28. Ending with slug or snooze. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: FEST




• The clue is 29. Direction to a newly knighted knight. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARISE

  Possible Answer : develop, uprise, lift, arise, bob_up, come_up, move_up, rebel, rise_up, spring_up, grow, go_up, originate, stand_up, get_up, turn_out, rise

  Possible Opposite Answer : go_to_bed, sit_down, turn_in, fall




• The clue is 31. "Sooo tasty!". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: YUM




• The clue is 32. Family member who usually goes by one name. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PET

  Possible Answer : pet, dearie, best-loved, darling, PET, deary, favourite, ducky, favorite, positron_emission_tomography, favored, preferent, preferred




• The clue is 35. Elbows in a grocery store. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

  The answer: MACARONINOODLES




• The clue is 40. "No clue," in text shorthand. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IDK




• The clue is 41. Mushy food for babies. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PAP

  Possible Answer : tit, teat, pap, nipple, spoon_food, mamilla, soft_diet, pablum, mammilla




• The clue is 42. String quartet instrument. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: VIOLA

  Possible Answer : viola, genus_Viola, Viola




• The clue is 43. Hit maximum popularity. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PEAK

  Possible Answer : height, flower, bill, tip, visor, extremum, efflorescence, superlative, point, prime, apex, vertex, eyeshade, elevation, blossom, acme, bloom, peak, summit, top_out, pinnacle, flush, vizor, heyday, crest, meridian, top, crown, tiptop

  Possible Opposite Answer : bottom_out




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

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

  The answer: INEPT

  Possible Answer : ill-chosen, inapt, awkward, clumsy, cumbersome, inept, tactless, feckless




• The clue is 47. Makeshift twist-tie. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (11 letters)

  The answer: PIPECLEANER




• The clue is 51. Green eggs go-with. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HAM

  Possible Answer : ham_it_up, ham, ham_actor, overplay, gammon, overact, Ham, jambon

  Possible Opposite Answer : underact




• The clue is 54. Spanish friend. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AMIGO

  Possible Answer : amigo




• The clue is 55. Performer prone to theatrics. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DIVA

  Possible Answer : prima_donna, diva




• The clue is 56. Move like sap from a tree. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OOZE

  Possible Answer : goo, goop, gunk, ooze, oozing, seep, sludge, exudate, guck, transude, exude, gook, slime, muck, seepage, ooze_out




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

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

  The answer: REAL

  Possible Answer : existent, material, rattling, substantial, really, real_number, actual, literal, veridical, very, tangible, genuine, real

  Possible Opposite Answer : insubstantial, nominal, unreal




• The clue is 58. What a kid might use to hold 17-, 24-, 35- and 47-Across together. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ELMERSGLUE




• The clue is 60. "Citizen" played by Orson Welles. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: KANE




• The clue is 61. "Très ___!" (French for "Very well!"). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BIEN




• The clue is 62. Breaking news notification. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ALERT

  Possible Answer : watchful, merry, zippy, awake, alive, alarm, rattling, alarum, brisk, snappy, warning_signal, spanking, alert, qui_vive, alerting, lively

  Possible Opposite Answer : unalert




• The clue is 63. Kiss, in Cambridge. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SNOG

  Possible Answer : buss, kiss, snog, osculate




• The clue is 64. Root vegetable often paired with goat cheese. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BEET

  Possible Answer : beetroot, beet, Beta_vulgaris, common_beet




• The clue is 65. Affirmatives. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: YESES

  Possible Answer : yes

  Possible Opposite Answer : no

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. Oblong yellowish fruit. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PAPAW

  Possible Answer: Asimina_triloba, pawpaw, papaw, papaw_tree

• The clue is 2. "A rolling stone gathers no moss," e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ADAGE

  Possible Answer: saw, adage, proverb, byword

• The clue is 3. Cowboy's feat with a lasso. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ROPETRICK

• The clue is 4. Street ___ (respect). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CRED

  Possible Answer: street_credibility, cred, street_cred

• The clue is 5. That lady. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: HER

• The clue is 6. Widen, as pupils. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DILATE

  Possible Answer: expound, dilate, lucubrate, elaborate, exposit, expand, expatiate, distend, flesh_out, enlarge

  Possible Opposite Answer : contract

• The clue is 7. In separate places. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: APART

  Possible Answer: aside, asunder, obscure, isolated, apart

• The clue is 8. Unenjoyable, to put it mildly. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NOTSOFUN

• The clue is 9. Lemon drink suffix. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ADE

  Possible Answer: ade, fruit_drink

• The clue is 10. Prop for a magician's costume. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TOPHAT

• The clue is 11. "The Little Mermaid" mermaid. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ARIEL

• The clue is 12. Tired and predictable. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: BANAL

  Possible Answer: banal, well-worn, trite, threadbare, timeworn, tired, commonplace, hackneyed, stock, old-hat, shopworn

• The clue is 13. Toys used on snow days. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: SLEDS

  Possible Answer: sled, sledge, sleigh

• The clue is 18. Game with solid and striped balls. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: POOL

  Possible Answer: syndicate, pocket_billiards, consortium, pool, pond, puddle, kitty

• The clue is 22. "Crunched" muscles, informally. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ABS

  Possible Answer: AB, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, Bachelor_of_Arts, ABS, ab, Av, Ab, group_AB, abdominal_muscle, Artium_Baccalaurens, type_AB, BA, abdominal

• The clue is 24. Truck radio user. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: CBER

• The clue is 25. Captain in Jules Verne novels. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NEMO

• The clue is 27. Leading medal winner at the 2024 Olympics. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: USA

  Possible Answer: US, U.S.A., Army, America, United_States, US_Army, the_States, United_States_Army, USA, United_States_of_America, U.S., U._S._Army

• The clue is 29. "___ the only one seeing this?". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AMI

• The clue is 30. Totally wicked. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: RAD

  Possible Answer: radian, rad

• The clue is 31. Pup's bark. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: YIP

  Possible Answer: yelping, yip, yap, yelp

• The clue is 32. Narrative details that don't withstand scrutiny. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PLOTHOLES

• The clue is 33. European ___ (Anguilla anguilla). Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EEL

  Possible Answer: eel

• The clue is 34. Org. that might have you remove your shoes. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: TSA

  Possible Answer: Transportation_Security_Administration, TSA

• The clue is 36. Iridescent gem. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OPAL

  Possible Answer: opal

• The clue is 37. Obvious untruth. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NAKEDLIE

• The clue is 38. On top of. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OVER

  Possible Answer: terminated, all_over, o'er, complete, ended, over, concluded

• The clue is 39. Cautionary sign indicating a low point in the road. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: DIP

  Possible Answer: souse, dim, dunk, magnetic_dip, duck, sink, dip, drop, free_fall, magnetic_inclination, angle_of_dip, douse, inclination, plunge, cutpurse, pickpocket, fall

• The clue is 43. Prop for a pirate's costume. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PEGLEG

  Possible Answer: pegleg, leg, wooden_leg, peg

• The clue is 44. "Green" prefix. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: ECO

• The clue is 45. Dream up. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: INVENT

  Possible Answer: forge, make_up, fabricate, invent, cook_up, excogitate, contrive, devise, formulate, manufacture

• The clue is 46. In the neighborhood. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: NEAR

  Possible Answer: come_near, dear, cheeseparing, close, almost, approach, well-nigh, penny-pinching, most, nigh, approximate, about, virtually, near, go_up, come_on, nearly, good, draw_near, skinny, draw_close

  Possible Opposite Answer : far

• The clue is 47. Manages to find a spot, say. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PARKS

  Possible Answer: green, common, ballpark, Park, parking_lot, car_park, parking_area, park, Rosa_Parks, Parks, Mungo_Park, commons, parkland

• The clue is 48. "Let me clarify ...". Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: IMEAN

• The clue is 49. p, on sheet music. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: PIANO

  Possible Answer: pianoforte, softly, piano, soft, forte-piano, pianissimo

  Possible Opposite Answer : forte

• The clue is 50. Pop singer Mann. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AIMEE

• The clue is 52. Sky blue. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: AZURE

  Possible Answer: azure, sapphire, cerulean, lazuline, bright_blue, sky-blue

• The clue is 53. Makes, as a deadline. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: MEETS

  Possible Answer: foregather, run_across, run_into, forgather, play, contact, match, sports_meeting, fulfil, fulfill, satisfy, converge, take_on, meet, suffer, see, fit, encounter, fill, cope_with, get_together, touch, adjoin, come_across, gather, assemble, receive, conform_to

  Possible Opposite Answer : diverge

• The clue is 56. Undress with one's eyes. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: OGLE

  Possible Answer: ogle

• The clue is 58. Flow back. Can you find the Answer?

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

  The answer: EBB

  Possible Answer: ebbing, ebb_down, ebb_away, reflux, ebb_out, wane, ebb, ebb_off

  Possible Opposite Answer : tide

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

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

  The answer: SAY

  Possible Answer: order, enunciate, aver, read, enjoin, tell, articulate, say, suppose, state, sound_out, allege, pronounce, enounce

Sunday October 21 2024 crossword click here

NYT Clues Answers January 12, 2012

Monday's NYT Mini Oct 20 - All 10 Across & 10 Down Clues Decoded

Quick NYT Mini Crossword October 20, 2025 - Mobile-Friendly Solutions & Speed Tips

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: January 27 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | June 22 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | January 05 2024 NYT Clues Solutions |

Jump To Section

• Puzzle Information
• Grid Layout
• Across Clues (10 total)
• Down Clues (10 total)
• How to Solve Faster
• Common Questions

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Monday, October 20, 2025

Puzzle Statistics

Detail	Information
Date	October 20, 2025
Grid Size	5 x 5 squares
Total Clues	20 clues
Across Clues	10 clues
Down Clues	10 clues
Average Solve Time	Under 1 minute

Today's NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern

	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Row 1
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4
Row 5

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

• Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
• Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
• Best time to play: During a coffee break
• Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List

Number	Clue
1 Across	1. Apple tablet
2 Across	18. Wedding cake figurine
3 Across	44. 50 years, for Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit"
4 Across	35. Member of a convent
5 Across	45. Play a part in a play
6 Across	19. Last language alphabetically on Google Translate
7 Across	16. Singer Guthrie
8 Across	25. Welcome sights for thirsty people in deserts
9 Across	56. Filmmaker Miyazaki
10 Across	71. Alternative to a Lyft

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. Also check out these helpful guides:

• August 12 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 24 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 22 2020 NYT Clues Solutions

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1 Across: "1. Apple tablet"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'I' and ends with 'D'
• Word pattern: I__D

Answer:

Click to reveal

IPAD

---

2 Across: "18. Wedding cake figurine"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'B' and ends with 'E'
• Word pattern: B___E

Answer:

Click to reveal

BRIDE

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3 Across: "44. 50 years, for Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit""

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
• Another word like this: get on

Answer:

Click to reveal

AGE

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4 Across: "35. Member of a convent"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'N' and ends with 'N'
• This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

NUN

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5 Across: "45. Play a part in a play"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
• Another word like this: behave

Answer:

Click to reveal

ACT

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6 Across: "19. Last language alphabetically on Google Translate"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'Z' and ends with 'U'
• Word pattern: Z__U

Answer:

Click to reveal

ZULU

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7 Across: "16. Singer Guthrie"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: A__O

Answer:

Click to reveal

ARLO

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8 Across: "25. Welcome sights for thirsty people in deserts"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: O___S

Answer:

Click to reveal

OASES

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9 Across: "56. Filmmaker Miyazaki"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'H' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: H___O

Answer:

Click to reveal

HAYAO

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10 Across: "71. Alternative to a Lyft"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'U' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: U__R

Answer:

Click to reveal

UBER

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List

Number	Clue
1 Down	6. More abrupt in language
2 Down	54. Alludes (to)
3 Down	11. Occasion for a percussionist to shine
4 Down	40. Hospital area with IVs
5 Down	5. Shade of yellow
6 Down	32. Door handle
7 Down	22. Time unit aptly hidden in "paleontology"
8 Down	10. Marketplace with stalls
9 Down	21. Inuit's home
10 Down	34. Untuneful trumpet sound

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:

• August 12 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 22 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 04 2021 NYT Clues Solutions

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1 Down: "6. More abrupt in language"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 6 letters
• It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: T____R

Answer:

Click to reveal

TERSER

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2 Down: "54. Alludes (to)"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 6 letters
• It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
• Word pattern: R____S

Answer:

Click to reveal

REFERS

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3 Down: "11. Occasion for a percussionist to shine"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 8 letters
• It starts with 'D' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: D______O

Answer:

Click to reveal

DRUMSOLO

---

4 Down: "40. Hospital area with IVs"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'I' and ends with 'U'
• This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

ICU

---

5 Down: "5. Shade of yellow"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: A___R

Answer:

Click to reveal

AMBER

---

6 Down: "32. Door handle"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'K' and ends with 'B'
• Word pattern: K__B

Answer:

Click to reveal

KNOB

---

7 Down: "22. Time unit aptly hidden in "paleontology""

Helpful hints:

• This word has 3 letters
• It starts with 'E' and ends with 'N'
• Another word like this: aeon

Answer:

Click to reveal

EON

---

8 Down: "10. Marketplace with stalls"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 6 letters
• It starts with 'B' and ends with 'R'
• Word pattern: B____R

Answer:

Click to reveal

BAZAAR

---

9 Down: "21. Inuit's home"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 5 letters
• It starts with 'I' and ends with 'O'
• Word pattern: I___O

Answer:

Click to reveal

IGLOO

---

10 Down: "34. Untuneful trumpet sound"

Helpful hints:

• This word has 4 letters
• It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T'
• Word pattern: B__T

Answer:

Click to reveal

BLAT

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

• The letter E is the most common in English
• Words ending in S are often plurals
• If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
• Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time	Skill Level	What It Means
Under 30 seconds	Expert	You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds	Advanced	Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes	Good	You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes	Learning	You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers

Total Clues:	20 clues to solve
Grid Size:	5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares:	25 squares to fill
Average Time:	Most people solve in 58 seconds
Difficulty:	Normal

More Puzzle Help

If you like the NYT Mini, you might enjoy these other puzzles too:

Recent Crossword Solutions:

• August 12 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 19 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• October 10 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 27 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 07 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 22 2020 NYT Clues Solutions

Common Questions About NYT Mini Crossword

When can I play the NYT Mini?

The puzzle comes out at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before. So you can play Monday's puzzle starting Sunday at 10 PM.

How fast should I be able to solve it?

Most people solve the Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play?

No! The NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Mini solver?

Good Mini solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder on certain days?

Unlike the big NYT crossword, the Mini stays about the same difficulty every day. Sometimes Saturday might be a tiny bit harder.

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About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: October 20, 2025 at 03:59 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini, Mini crossword, today, answers, hints, October 20 2025 mini crossword

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 20, 2025 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (38 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (40 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Apple tablet	4
2A	5. Facing the pitcher	5
3A	10. Time to blow out the candles on a cake, informally	4
4A	14. Informal eatery	4
5A	15. Thanks, in France	5
6A	16. Singer Guthrie	4
7A	17. Says 2 + 2 = 5, e.g.	4
8A	18. Wedding cake figurine	5
9A	19. Last language alphabetically on Google Translate	4
10A	20. Milkshake flavor made with Oreos	13
11A	23. The "A" of I.P.A.	3
12A	24. Pitcher Maddux who won the Cy Young Award in four consecutive years	4
13A	25. Welcome sights for thirsty people in deserts	5
14A	28. Accelerator or brake	5
15A	30. Music genre that Joan Jett "loves"	9
16A	33. Arcing tennis shot	3
17A	35. Member of a convent	3
18A	36. Lavatory, in Liverpool	3
19A	37. Pasta often filled with ricotta	7
20A	41. Listing on the Billboard Hot 100	7
21A	44. 50 years, for Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit"	3
22A	45. Play a part in a play	3
23A	47. "My man!"	3
24A	48. Two-part steakhouse entree	9
25A	52. Bonus	5
26A	56. Filmmaker Miyazaki	5
27A	57. Questions	4
28A	59. Color that means "stop"	3
29A	60. Like some scented stickers	13
30A	64. Sorority's counterpart, in brief	4
31A	66. Mandarin "hello"	5
32A	67. Head ___ heels	4
33A	68. Chauffeured vehicle	4
34A	69. Message often accompanied by an exclamation point in a triangle	5
35A	70. Michelin product	4
36A	71. Alternative to a Lyft	4
37A	72. Jumps	5
38A	73. Make simpler	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Apple tablet"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IPAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Facing the pitcher"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATBAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Time to blow out the candles on a cake, informally"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BDAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Informal eatery"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small restaurant where drinks and snacks are sold
• Similar words include: coffee bar, coffee shop, coffeehouse
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CAFE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Thanks, in France"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MERCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Singer Guthrie"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ARLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Says 2 + 2 = 5, e.g."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
• Similar words include: drift, mistake, slip
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERRS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Wedding cake figurine"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a woman who has recently been married
• Similar words include: St. Bride, Saint Bride, Saint Brigid
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "19. Last language alphabetically on Google Translate"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a member of the tall negroid people of eastern south africa; some live in kwazulu-natal under the traditional clan system but many now work in the cities
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ZULU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "20. Milkshake flavor made with Oreos"

13 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: COOKIESNCREAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. The "A" of I.P.A."

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Pitcher Maddux who won the Cy Young Award in four consecutive years"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GREG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Welcome sights for thirsty people in deserts"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
• Similar words include: oasis, haven
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Accelerator or brake"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a sustained bass note
• Similar words include: bike, pedal point, treadle
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PEDAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Music genre that Joan Jett "loves""

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROCKNROLL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Arcing tennis shot"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an easy return of a tennis ball in a high arc
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Member of a convent"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a woman religious
• Similar words include: conical buoy, nun buoy
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NUN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Lavatory, in Liverpool"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a toilet in britain
• Similar words include: W.C., closet, water closet
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Pasta often filled with ricotta"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that small circular or square cases of dough with savory fillings
• Similar words include: cappelletti
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAVIOLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "41. Listing on the Billboard Hot 100"

7 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POPSONG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. 50 years, for Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that how long something has existed
• Similar words include: maturate, historic period, eld
• Opposite of: rejuvenate

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Play a part in a play"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
• Similar words include: act as, do, pretend
• Opposite of: refrain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. "My man!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Two-part steakhouse entree"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SURFNTURF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "52. Bonus"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a minor actor in crowd scenes
• Similar words include: redundant, duplicate, surplus
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EXTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "56. Filmmaker Miyazaki"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAYAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. Questions"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that inquire about
• Similar words include: need, call for, enquire
• Opposite of: obviate

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "59. Color that means "stop""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
• Similar words include: violent, bolshy, ruby-red
• Opposite of: gain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "60. Like some scented stickers"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCRATCHNSNIFF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "64. Sorority's counterpart, in brief"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a social club for male undergraduates
• Similar words include: fraternity
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FRAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "66. Mandarin "hello""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NIHAO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "67. Head ___ heels"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
• Similar words include: ended, concluded, all over
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "68. Chauffeured vehicle"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that large luxurious car; usually driven by a chauffeur
• Similar words include: limousine
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "69. Message often accompanied by an exclamation point in a triangle"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
• Similar words include: qui vive, alarm, watchful
• Opposite of: unalert

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALERT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "70. Michelin product"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that hoop that covers a wheel
• Similar words include: play out, pall, bore
• Opposite of: refresh, interest

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "71. Alternative to a Lyft"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UBER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "72. Jumps"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
• Similar words include: jump off, bound, leaping
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEAPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38A: "73. Make simpler"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
• Similar words include: allay, simpleness, comfort
• Opposite of: difficulty

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. What covers the North Pole	6
2D	2. End of some sentences	6
3D	3. Having a certain natural hairstyle	6
4D	4. Furniture piece for a talk show host	4
5D	5. Shade of yellow	5
6D	6. More abrupt in language	6
7D	7. Hire to the team	7
8D	8. Band with the aptly titled debut album "High Voltage"	4
9D	9. Stratum	4
10D	10. Marketplace with stalls	6
11D	11. Occasion for a percussionist to shine	8
12D	12. With 13-Down, "___ can eat" (restaurant come-on)	3
13D	13. See 12-Down	3
14D	21. Inuit's home	5
15D	22. Time unit aptly hidden in "paleontology"	3
16D	26. University in North Carolina	4
17D	27. Difficult, tiring work	4
18D	29. Comic actress Wong	3
19D	31. Unit of flour	3
20D	32. Door handle	4
21D	34. Untuneful trumpet sound	4
22D	37. Lacking much thought	4
23D	38. Water, in Oaxaca	4
24D	39. Aforementioned	8
25D	40. Hospital area with IVs	3
26D	42. News media	5
27D	43. Crosstown rivals of the Cubbies	3
28D	46. Windpipe	7
29D	49. Decision-making consideration	6
30D	50. Neither here ___ there	3
31D	51. Only black key in a G major scale	6
32D	53. Fodder for "Jeopardy!"	6
33D	54. Alludes (to)	6
34D	55. Not interrupted by commercials ... or shortened like the middle words of 20-, 30-, 48- and 60-Across?	6
35D	58. Ties that are hard to untie	5
36D	61. Super-uptight	4
37D	62. Bit of bathroom décor	4
38D	63. Do, re or mi	4
39D	64. It goes around every year	3
40D	65. Short ___ (beef cut)	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. What covers the North Pole"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mass of ice and snow that permanently covers a large area of land (e.g., the polar regions or a mountain peak)
• Similar words include: ice cap
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICECAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. End of some sentences"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group
• Similar words include: countersign, watchword, word of honor
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAROLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Having a certain natural hairstyle"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AFROED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Furniture piece for a talk show host"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DESK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Shade of yellow"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a deep yellow color
• Similar words include: brownish-yellow, gold, yellow-brown
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMBER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. More abrupt in language"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that brief and to the point; effectively cut short
• Similar words include: crisp, curt, terse
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TERSER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Hire to the team"

7 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BRINGON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Band with the aptly titled debut album "High Voltage""

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACDC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Stratum"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
• Similar words include: level, grade, tier up
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Marketplace with stalls"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a shop where a variety of goods are sold
• Similar words include: fair, bazar
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BAZAAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Occasion for a percussionist to shine"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRUMSOLO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. With 13-Down, "___ can eat" (restaurant come-on)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
• Similar words include: whole, totally, altogether
• Opposite of: some, partly

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. See 12-Down"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YOU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "21. Inuit's home"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an eskimo hut; usually built of blocks (of sod or snow) in the shape of a dome
• Similar words include: iglu
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IGLOO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Time unit aptly hidden in "paleontology""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the longest division of geological time
• Similar words include: aeon
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. University in North Carolina"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Difficult, tiring work"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that work doggedly or persistently
• Similar words include: footslog, keep one's nose to the grindstone, keep one's shoulder to the wheel
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SLOG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "29. Comic actress Wong"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that united states prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942)
• Similar words include: Cassius Marcellus Clay, Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "31. Unit of flour"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
• Similar words include: transfuse, loving cup, cupful
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "32. Door handle"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a circular rounded projection or protuberance
• Similar words include: thickening, boss, node
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KNOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "34. Untuneful trumpet sound"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cry plaintively
• Similar words include: bleat, baa, blate
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BLAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "37. Lacking much thought"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any red eruption of the skin
• Similar words include: roseola, blizzard, efflorescence
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "38. Water, in Oaxaca"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that largest known toad species; native to central america; valuable destroyer of insect pests
• Similar words include: Bufo marinus, agua toad
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGUA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Aforementioned"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VERYSAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Hospital area with IVs"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care
• Similar words include: intensive care unit
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "42. News media"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the state of demanding notice or attention
• Similar words include: entreat, insistency, fight
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PRESS

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27D: "43. Crosstown rivals of the Cubbies"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SOX

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28D: "46. Windpipe"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi
• Similar words include: windpipe
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRACHEA

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29D: "49. Decision-making consideration"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that anything that contributes causally to a result
• Similar words include: ingredient, gene, factor in
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FACTOR

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30D: "50. Neither here ___ there"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOR

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31D: "51. Only black key in a G major scale"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FSHARP

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32D: "53. Fodder for "Jeopardy!""

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that something of small importance
• Similar words include: trivium, trifle, small beer
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRIVIA

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33D: "54. Alludes (to)"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that make reference to
• Similar words include: refer, bring up, concern
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REFERS

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34D: "55. Not interrupted by commercials ... or shortened like the middle words of 20-, 30-, 48- and 60-Across?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADFREE

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35D: "58. Ties that are hard to untie"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a tight cluster of people or things
• Similar words include: nautical mile, mi, burl
• Opposite of: unknot, unravel

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KNOTS

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36D: "61. Super-uptight"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that of or related to the anus
• Similar words include: anal retentive
• Opposite of: oral

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANAL

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37D: "62. Bit of bathroom décor"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
• Similar words include: roofing tile
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TILE

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38D: "63. Do, re or mi"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a brief written record
• Similar words include: remark, notice, take note
• Opposite of: ignore

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOTE

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39D: "64. It goes around every year"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease
• Similar words include: grippe, influenza
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FLU

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40D: "65. Short ___ (beef cut)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that support resembling the rib of an animal
• Similar words include: poke fun, guy, blackguard
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RIB

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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

38 Across Clues

40 Down Clues

78 Total Clues

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Last updated: October 20, 2025 at 04:00 AM