Today's NYT Crossword Down Clues November 20, 2025 - Complete Top-to-Bottom Answers
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 36 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: April 16 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | July 20 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | November 15 2019 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | November 20, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Thursday |
| Total Down Clues | 36 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 36 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Subtle attention-getter |
| 2 Down | 2. "Guess I'm the dummy" |
| 3 Down | 3. Dry seasons? |
| 4 Down | 4. Signs of spring |
| 5 Down | 5. Yalie |
| 6 Down | 6. Off-road rover, for short |
| 7 Down | 7. Sporting a tuft of feathers |
| 8 Down | 8. Knows the solution |
| 9 Down | 9. Restaurants' "serve yourself" features |
| 10 Down | 10. Baker of R&B |
| 11 Down | 11. Actress Sagal |
| 12 Down | 12. They make runs at the Winter Olympics |
| 13 Down | 17. Blues' grp. |
| 14 Down | 18. "I've got the answer!" |
| 15 Down | 21. Atomic number of neon |
| 16 Down | 23. Rustic wedding venue |
| 17 Down | 24. Musical with the showstopper "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" |
| 18 Down | 25. Exam for some sophs. |
| 19 Down | 29. Humor with an edge |
| 20 Down | 31. First name in cosmetics |
| 21 Down | 33. Dish that creates an explosion of rich flavors, in modern parlance |
| 22 Down | 34. Narrator/antagonist in "Hamilton" |
| 23 Down | 35. Pixel alternative |
| 24 Down | 37. Perfume compounds |
| 25 Down | 39. Most characters in Pixar's first film |
| 26 Down | 42. Bash |
| 27 Down | 45. "___ to Joy" |
| 28 Down | 48. Messing around on TV? |
| 29 Down | 49. Mars follower, in Marseille |
| 30 Down | 50. Source of the word "tiki" |
| 31 Down | 51. Sierra ___ |
| 32 Down | 52. Summer cooler |
| 33 Down | 54. Tipping points? |
| 34 Down | 55. Palindromic flour |
| 35 Down | 58. The stuff of life |
| 36 Down | 59. ___ school |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- NYT Crossword Down October 08 2025 All
- November 15 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
- November 20 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- NYT Crossword Across October 22 2025
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Subtle attention-getter"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: P__T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PSST
2 Down: "2. "Guess I'm the dummy""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'J' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: J_______E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
JOKESONME
3 Down: "3. Dry seasons?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S_______S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SPICERUBS
4 Down: "4. Signs of spring"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: B__S
- Similar words: bud
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a partially opened flower
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BUDS
5 Down: "5. Yalie"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'I'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ELI
6 Down: "6. Off-road rover, for short"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'V'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ATV
7 Down: "7. Sporting a tuft of feathers"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: C_____D
- Similar words: crest, tufted
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: lie at the top of
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CRESTED
8 Down: "8. Knows the solution"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: H___T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HASIT
9 Down: "9. Restaurants' "serve yourself" features"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S_______S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SALADBARS
10 Down: "10. Baker of R&B"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: A___A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ANITA
11 Down: "11. Actress Sagal"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'K' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: K___Y
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
KATEY
12 Down: "12. They make runs at the Winter Olympics"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S___S
- Similar words: sled, sleigh
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SLEDS
13 Down: "17. Blues' grp."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'L'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NHL
14 Down: "18. "I've got the answer!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: E____A
- Similar words: constantan
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EUREKA
15 Down: "21. Atomic number of neon"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'N'
- Similar words: decade, X
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TEN
16 Down: "23. Rustic wedding venue"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: B__N
- Similar words: b
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BARN
17 Down: "24. Musical with the showstopper "Don't Cry for Me Argentina""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: E___A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EVITA
18 Down: "25. Exam for some sophs."
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: P__T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PSAT
19 Down: "29. Humor with an edge"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: B_______T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BITINGWIT
20 Down: "31. First name in cosmetics"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ESTEE
21 Down: "33. Dish that creates an explosion of rich flavors, in modern parlance"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'U' and ends with 'B'
- Word pattern: U_______B
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
UMAMIBOMB
22 Down: "34. Narrator/antagonist in "Hamilton""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: A_______R
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AARONBURR
23 Down: "35. Pixel alternative"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: I__D
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IPAD
24 Down: "37. Perfume compounds"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: E____S
- Similar words: ester
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ESTERS
25 Down: "39. Most characters in Pixar's first film"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: T__S
- Similar words: diddle, toy
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an artifact designed to be played with
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TOYS
26 Down: "42. Bash"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'G'
- Word pattern: S_____G
- Similar words: shindy
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a large and noisy party of people
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SHINDIG
27 Down: "45. "___ to Joy""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ODE
28 Down: "48. Messing around on TV?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: D___A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DEBRA
29 Down: "49. Mars follower, in Marseille"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: A___L
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AVRIL
30 Down: "50. Source of the word "tiki""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'I'
- Word pattern: M___I
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MAORI
31 Down: "51. Sierra ___"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: L___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the basic unit of money in Sierra Leone; equal to 100 cents
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LEONE
32 Down: "52. Summer cooler"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'N'
- Similar words: winnow, devotee
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
FAN
33 Down: "54. Tipping points?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'J' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: J__S
- Similar words: jarful, collide
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
JARS
34 Down: "55. Palindromic flour"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: A__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ATTA
35 Down: "58. The stuff of life"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'A'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DNA
36 Down: "59. ___ school"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a master's degree in education
- This is Down clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MED
Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues
Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Down Clues?
- Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
- Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
- Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
- Down answers often help solve Across clues
Down Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
- Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically
Time-Saving Down Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Down first | Get a mental map of the vertical flow |
| Fill short Down words | 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors |
| Use crossing letters | Across letters help confirm Down answers |
| Look for themes | Related Down answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues
What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?
Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.
Should I solve Down or Across clues first?
Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 36 Down clues.
Are Down clues easier than Across clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.
How do Down clues interact with Across clues?
Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.
