December 09, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (33 clues)
• Down Clues (35 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Saturday, December 09, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 68 (33 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.7 letters

Across Clues Explained - Saturday NYT Crossword December 09, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. "Try not to attract attention"	10
2A	11. This and that	4
3A	15. Geographical inspiration for Strauss	10
4A	16. "Alas!'"	4
5A	17. "100% correct!"	10
6A	18. Tab, essentially	4
7A	19. Safaris, e.g.	5
8A	20. Fish also known as wahoo	3
9A	21. Play again	5
10A	22. Not std.	3
11A	23. Border region along the Rhine	6
12A	25. ___ Championship	3
13A	26. Bit of assistance	4
14A	28. Shell-inspired shade of greenish blue	7
15A	30. Run like a mouse	7
16A	33. Founder of the Shondaland production company	6
17A	34. Defiant declaration popularized by the drag queen Bianca Del Rio	13
18A	36. Most of the English force at Agincourt	6
19A	37. Itchy layers	7
20A	38. "Goddess of the loud hunt," in Homer's "Iliad"	7
21A	40. Safari destinations	4
22A	41. M.M.A. decision	3
23A	42. Pulitzer category	6
24A	44. Part of U.C.S.F.: Abbr.	3
25A	47. Northern lapwing	5
26A	49. Break down, in a way	3
27A	50. Break down, in a way	5
28A	52. Swedish actress Lena	4
29A	53. Chance to start fresh	10
30A	55. Make advances	4
31A	56. 19th-century garb completed by top hats and gloves	10
32A	57. Tense	4
33A	58. "Let's have our cake and eat it, too!"	10

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. "Try not to attract attention""

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: ACTNATURAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "11. This and that"

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 agitation resulting from active worry
• Words that mean the same thing: grudge, swither, brood
• 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: STEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "15. Geographical inspiration for Strauss"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: BLUEDANUBE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "16. "Alas!'""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AHME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "17. "100% correct!""

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: CANCONFIRM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Tab, essentially"

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 state of owing something (especially money)
• 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: DEBT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Safaris, e.g."

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 journey by ox wagon (especially an organized migration by a group of settlers)
• Words that mean the same thing: trek
• 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: TREKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Fish also known as wahoo"

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 musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
• Words that mean the same thing: Yoko Ono
• 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: ONO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Play again"

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: REAIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Not std."

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

  The answer is: VAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Border region along the Rhine"

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 region of northeastern france famous for its wines
• Words that mean the same thing: Elsass, Alsatia
• 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: ALSACE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. ___ Championship"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy 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: PGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Bit of assistance"

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 (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
• Words that mean the same thing: bridge player, pass on, paw
• 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: HAND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "28. Shell-inspired shade of greenish blue"

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: DUCKEGG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. Run like a mouse"

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 to move about or proceed hurriedly
• Words that mean the same thing: scuttle, scamper, skim
• 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: SKITTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "33. Founder of the Shondaland production company"

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: RHIMES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "34. Defiant declaration popularized by the drag queen Bianca Del Rio"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: NOTTODAYSATAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. Most of the English force at Agincourt"

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 person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
• Words that mean the same thing: bowman, archer
• 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: BOWMEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "37. Itchy layers"

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 fabric made from the hair of sheep
• Words that mean the same thing: woolen, woollen, wool
• 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: WOOLENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. "Goddess of the loud hunt," in Homer's "Iliad""

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 (greek mythology) the virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon; daughter of leto and twin sister of apollo; identified with roman diana
• Words that mean the same thing: Cynthia
• 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: ARTEMIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Safari destinations"

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 address of a web page on the world wide web
• Words that mean the same thing: URL, universal resource locator, uniform 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: URLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. M.M.A. decision"

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 knockout declared by the referee who judges one boxer unable to continue
• Words that mean the same thing: technical knockout
• 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: TKO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "42. Pulitzer category"

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 literature in metrical form
• Words that mean the same thing: verse, poesy
• 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: POETRY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "44. Part of U.C.S.F.: Abbr."

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: CAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "47. Northern lapwing"

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 small black-headed european gull
• Words that mean the same thing: pewit gull, peewee, blackcap
• 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: PEWIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "49. Break down, in a way"

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 state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor
• Words that mean the same thing: molder, moulder, bunkum
• 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: ROT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. Break down, in a way"

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 analyze syntactically by assigning a constituent structure to (a sentence)
• 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: PARSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "52. Swedish actress Lena"

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: OLIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "53. Chance to start fresh"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: TABULARASA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "55. Make advances"

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 bestow a quality on
• Words that mean the same thing: impart, loan, bring
• The opposite would be: borrow
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "56. 19th-century garb completed by top hats and gloves"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert 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: OPERACAPES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "57. Tense"

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 being in a tense state
• Words that mean the same thing: high-strung, overstrung, highly strung
• 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: EDGY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "58. "Let's have our cake and eat it, too!""

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: WHYNOTBOTH

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Saturday Crossword Down Clues - December 09, 2023 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Disney channel	5
2D	2. "The Nutcracker" role	5
3D	3. One pulling some strings	5
4D	4. Long part of a bouzouki	4
5D	5. Big deals	4
6D	6. Amy who wrote "The Kitchen God's Wife"	3
7D	7. Played out	8
8D	8. Dig locale	5
9D	9. Not here	6
10D	10. The Eagle, e.g., for short	3
11D	11. First Nigerian-born singer to win a Grammy	4
12D	12. Epithet for Tarzan	9
13D	13. Causes to grow, humorously	9
14D	14. Car-washing equipment	7
15D	21. Locale for Ping-Pong, foosball, dancing, etc.	7
16D	23. U.N. secretary general Guterres	7
17D	24. Quick	7
18D	26. What might be heard before a bust	5
19D	27. Stab	7
20D	29. Toys with strings	5
21D	30. Did some shallow breathing?	9
22D	31. Bootlicker's specialty	9
23D	32. Word with data or deal	3
24D	35. Words to end a play	8
25D	36. Pillar of the superhero community	7
26D	39. Heavenly being	6
27D	43. Maguire of 2009's "Brothers"	5
28D	44. Idaho senator Mike	5
29D	45. It's a good thing	5
30D	46. Spot check?	5
31D	48. Fictional Dr. Jones, familiarly	4
32D	50. Big deal	4
33D	51. Many a North African	4
34D	53. Use a hitch on	3
35D	54. People with a language of the same name	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. Disney channel"

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: ABCTV

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. "The Nutcracker" role"

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: CLARA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. One pulling some strings"

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 someone who tunes pianos
• Words that mean the same thing: wireless, receiving set, radio set
• 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: TUNER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Long part of a bouzouki"

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 part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
• Words that mean the same thing: neck opening, cervix, make 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: NECK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Big deals"

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 rapid active commotion
• Words that mean the same thing: stir, fuss, flurry
• 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: ADOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Amy who wrote "The Kitchen God's Wife""

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 browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
• Words that mean the same thing: burn, bronze, suntan
• 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: TAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Played out"

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 develop or come to a promising stage
• Words that mean the same thing: stretch out, blossom out, unfold
• The opposite would be: fold
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UNFOLDED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Dig locale"

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 irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
• Words that mean the same thing: smash, deflower, wrecking
• 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: RUINS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Not here"

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 in a foreign country
• Words that mean the same thing: afield, overseas
• 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: ABROAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. The Eagle, e.g., for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a spacecraft that carries astronauts from the command module to the surface of the moon and back
• Words that mean the same thing: lunar module, lunar excursion module
• 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: LEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. First Nigerian-born singer to win a Grammy"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that french soldier and writer whose descriptions of sexual perversion gave rise to the term `sadism' (1740-1814)
• Words that mean the same thing: Marquis de Sade, Comte Donatien Alphonse Francois de Sade, de Sade
• 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: SADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Epithet for Tarzan"

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: THEAPEMAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Causes to grow, humorously"

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: EMBIGGENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Car-washing equipment"

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: WETRAGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Locale for Ping-Pong, foosball, dancing, etc."

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: RECHALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. U.N. secretary general Guterres"

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Quick"

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 hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
• Words that mean the same thing: perfunctory, casual, passing
• 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: CURSORY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. What might be heard before a bust"

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: HITME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Stab"

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 earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
• Words that mean the same thing: assay, try, set about
• 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: ATTEMPT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. Toys with strings"

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 bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value
• Words that mean the same thing: kite, kit up, kit
• 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: KITES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Did some shallow breathing?"

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 dive with a snorkel
• Words that mean the same thing: snorkel
• 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: SNORKELED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "31. Bootlicker's specialty"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
• Words that mean the same thing: truckle, kotow, bootlick
• 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: KOWTOWING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. Word with data or deal"

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 informal terms for nakedness
• Words that mean the same thing: bare-ass, naked as a jaybird, naked
• The opposite would be: cooked
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Words to end a play"

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: YOURTURN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. Pillar of the superhero community"

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: BATPOLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Heavenly being"

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 an angel of the first order; usually portrayed as the winged head of a child
• 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: SERAPH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "43. Maguire of 2009's "Brothers""

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 abstract painter influenced by oriental calligraphy (1890-1976)
• Words that mean the same thing: Mark Tobey
• 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: TOBEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Idaho senator Mike"

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: CRAPO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. It's a good thing"

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 useful or valuable quality
• Words that mean the same thing: plus
• The opposite would be: liability
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASSET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Spot check?"

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 restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
• Words that mean the same thing: tether, triad, deuce-ace
• 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: LEASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "48. Fictional Dr. Jones, familiarly"

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: INDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "50. Big deal"

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 written agreement between two states or sovereigns
• Words that mean the same thing: accord, treaty
• 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: PACT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "51. Many a North African"

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 a semitic people originally from the arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks arabic and who inhabits much of the middle east and northern africa
• Words that mean the same thing: Arabian
• 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: ARAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "53. Use a hitch on"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
• Words that mean the same thing: towage
• 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: TOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "54. People with a language of the same name"

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 member of a buddhist people inhabiting the area of the mekong river in laos and thailand and speaking the lao language; related to the thais
• Words that mean the same thing: Laotian
• 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: LAO

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	52	76.5%
Short Answer	8	11.8%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	4.4%
Abbreviation	2	2.9%
History	2	2.9%
Sports	1	1.5%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	33
Down Clues	35
Total Clues	68
Average Answer Length	5.7 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	13 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 Saturday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 5 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: August 29, 2025 at 03:03 AM

October 20, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (35 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, October 20, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 70 (35 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.6 letters

October 20, 2023 Across Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Stipulation that's more common in a seller's market	4
2A	5. Centers of some centers	5
3A	10. Exchange words, in a way	4
4A	14. Stops along the way, say	10
5A	16. Lamenting words	4
6A	17. It clearly divides people	10
7A	18. Hat material for the paranoid	4
8A	19. Cry during an argument between siblings	3
9A	20. OK, in Oaxaca	5
10A	21. Like an adjustable drinking straw	5
11A	22. Active ingredient in Off!	4
12A	23. Struck down	5
13A	25. Occasions to read the Haggadah	6
14A	28. Gift for guests	8
15A	31. Setting for a battle in "Lawrence of Arabia"	5
16A	32. Spilling a drink on someone or dancing on a host's sofa	9
17A	33. Banksy work	5
18A	34. Slip	3
19A	35. A.C. converter	5
20A	36. Irreverent Christmas tune	9
21A	38. Big name in pest control	5
22A	39. Second half?	8
23A	40. Worries over small details	6
24A	41. Cousin of a wolverine	5
25A	42. What red might indicate	4
26A	43. Spikes, for example	5
27A	45. Help	5
28A	47. Preening sort	3
29A	50. Particle	4
30A	51. One with bright and dark sides	10
31A	53. Godawful	4
32A	54. Sole supporters	10
33A	55. ___ Zimmer, Oscar-winning composer for "Dune"	4
34A	56. Sharon who starred in "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill"	5
35A	57. Frontier direction during frontier times	4

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. Stipulation that's more common in a seller's market"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ASIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Centers of some centers"

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 any chamber that is connected to other chambers or passageways (especially one of the two upper chambers of the heart)
• Words that mean the same thing: atrium
• 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: ATRIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Exchange words, in a way"

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 any of various nonmetallic minerals (calcite or feldspar) that are light in color and transparent or translucent and cleavable
• Words that mean the same thing: sparring
• 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: SPAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Stops along the way, say"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: MOTELROOMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Lamenting words"

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: AHME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. It clearly divides people"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a light transparent weather resistant thermoplastic
• Words that mean the same thing: Plexiglas
• 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: PLEXIGLASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Hat material for the paranoid"

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 piece of thin and flexible sheet metal
• Words that mean the same thing: cross, queer, transparency
• 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: FOIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Cry during an argument between siblings"

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 informal terms for a mother
• Words that mean the same thing: mammy, ma, mummy
• 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: MOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. OK, in Oaxaca"

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: BUENO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Like an adjustable drinking straw"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BENDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Active ingredient in Off!"

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: DEET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. Struck down"

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 inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon
• Words that mean the same thing: afflict, smite
• 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: SMOTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Occasions to read the Haggadah"

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 (judaism) the ceremonial dinner on the first night (or both nights) of passover
• Words that mean the same thing: Seder, Passover supper
• 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: SEDERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "28. Gift for guests"

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: GOODYBAG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Setting for a battle in "Lawrence of Arabia""

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 jordan's port; located in southwestern jordan on the gulf of aqaba
• Words that mean the same thing: Akaba, Al Aqabah
• 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: AQABA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Spilling a drink on someone or dancing on a host's sofa"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert 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: PARTYFOUL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Banksy work"

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 painting that is applied to a wall surface
• Words that mean the same thing: wall painting
• 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: MURAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "34. Slip"

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 to make a mistake or be incorrect
• Words that mean the same thing: stray, mistake, slip
• 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: ERR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "35. A.C. converter"

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 thermionic tube having two electrodes; used as a rectifier
• Words that mean the same thing: semiconductor diode, rectifying valve, crystal rectifier
• 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: DIODE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "36. Irreverent Christmas tune"

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: SANTABABY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "38. Big name in pest control"

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: ORKIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "39. Second half?"

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: ALTEREGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "40. Worries over small details"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an excited state of agitation
• Words that mean the same thing: tiff, bicker, hustle
• 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: FUSSES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "41. Cousin of a wolverine"

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 fur of an otter
• 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: OTTER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "42. What red might indicate"

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 state of owing something (especially money)
• 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: DEBT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "43. Spikes, for example"

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 particular situation
• Words that mean the same thing: skid, brake shoe, place
• 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: SHOES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "45. Help"

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 means of serving
• Words that mean the same thing: help, service
• 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: AVAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "47. Preening sort"

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 man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
• Words that mean the same thing: clotheshorse, sheik, dandy
• 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: FOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "50. Particle"

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 tiny or scarcely detectable amount
• Words that mean the same thing: smidgen, smidgeon, smidgin
• 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: IOTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "51. One with bright and dark sides"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: EVILGENIUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "53. Godawful"

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 not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
• Words that mean the same thing: unappeasable, dark, low
• 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: GRIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "54. Sole supporters"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: GELINSERTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "55. ___ Zimmer, Oscar-winning composer for "Dune""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that imperial dynasty that ruled china (most of the time from 206 bc to ad 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of chinese civilization
• Words that mean the same thing: Han dynasty, Han
• 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: HANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "56. Sharon who starred in "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill""

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: GLESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "57. Frontier direction during frontier 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 the countries of (originally) europe and (now including) north america and south america
• Words that mean the same thing: due west, Dame Rebecca West, Benjamin West
• The opposite would be: east
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WEST

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Friday Crossword Down Clues - October 20, 2023 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Distinction not used in the military	4
2D	2. Eschewing help	4
3D	3. Tabloid pair	4
4D	4. Undertone of Cole Porter's "Let's Do It"	3
5D	5. Makes the case	6
6D	6. Vacancy sign	5
7D	7. Bookbinding leather	4
8D	8. "My deepest apologies"	9
9D	9. Jerk	3
10D	10. Adage for the risk-averse	11
11D	11. D.I.Y. booster seats	10
12D	12. In an atmosphere of	4
13D	13. Have faith	4
14D	15. Oh, the humanities!	11
15D	21. Some nudes	11
16D	22. Testing grounds for aspiring politicians	11
17D	24. Pithy remark	3
18D	25. Central Asian savory pastry	5
19D	26. ___ rights	5
20D	27. "Heck, yeah!"	10
21D	28. Actress Greta of "Camille"	5
22D	29. ___ Cornish, former co-host of "All Things Considered"	5
23D	30. Dales	5
24D	32. Rocky road ingredient?	9
25D	37. Stingy sort?	3
26D	40. Pretends	6
27D	42. "Venus de Milo With Drawers" and "Lobster Telephone"	5
28D	43. Sound from the satisfied	4
29D	44. Dance in a ring	4
30D	46. Nasty	4
31D	47. Awesome, in modern slang	4
32D	48. Backup plans	4
33D	49. "Hey, you!"	4
34D	51. Drive, with "on"	3
35D	52. Misoneism, n.: Hatred of anything ___	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. Distinction not used in the military"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: AMPM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Eschewing help"

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 any activity that is performed alone without assistance
• Words that mean the same thing: alone, unaccompanied
• 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: SOLO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Tabloid pair"

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 distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
• Words that mean the same thing: token, detail, particular
• 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: ITEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Undertone of Cole Porter's "Let's Do It""

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 activities associated with sexual intercourse
• Words that mean the same thing: arouse, wind up, gender
• 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: SEX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Makes the case"

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 present reasons and arguments
• Words that mean the same thing: contend, fence, reason
• 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: ARGUES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Vacancy sign"

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: TOLET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Bookbinding leather"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a soft sheepskin leather that is colored and finished to resemble morocco; used in bookbinding
• 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: ROAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. "My deepest apologies""

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: IMSOSORRY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Jerk"

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 fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: buttocks, fucking, backside
• 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: ASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Adage for the risk-averse"

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: SAFETYFIRST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. D.I.Y. booster seats"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a directory containing an alphabetical list of telephone subscribers and their telephone numbers
• Words that mean the same thing: telephone book, phone book, phonebook
• 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: PHONEBOOKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. In an atmosphere of"

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: AMID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Have faith"

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 have confidence or faith in
• Words that mean the same thing: swear, trust, bank
• The opposite would be: mistrust
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RELY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "15. Oh, the humanities!"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: LIBERALARTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Some nudes"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: BODYDOUBLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Testing grounds for aspiring politicians"

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: DEBATETEAMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Pithy remark"

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 clever remark
• Words that mean the same thing: Ministry of Transportation test, bon mot, MOT test
• 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: MOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Central Asian savory pastry"

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: SAMSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. ___ rights"

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 person who is of equal standing with another in a group
• Words that mean the same thing: be, peer, rival
• The opposite would be: inadequate, unequal
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EQUAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. "Heck, yeah!""

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: DARNTOOTIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Actress Greta of "Camille""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states film actress (born in sweden) known for her reclusiveness (1905-1990)
• Words that mean the same thing: Greta Garbo, Greta Louisa Gustafsson
• 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: GARBO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "29. ___ Cornish, former co-host of "All Things Considered""

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: AUDIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "30. Dales"

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 narrow secluded valley (in the mountains)
• Words that mean the same thing: glen
• 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: GLENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "32. Rocky road ingredient?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: PEAGRAVEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "37. Stingy sort?"

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 any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
• 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: BEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "40. Pretends"

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 make believe with the intent to deceive
• Words that mean the same thing: feign, affect, simulate
• 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: FEIGNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "42. "Venus de Milo With Drawers" and "Lobster Telephone""

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 surrealist spanish painter (1904-1989)
• Words that mean the same thing: Salvador Dali, Dali
• 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: DALIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Sound from the satisfied"

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 utterance made by exhaling audibly
• Words that mean the same thing: suspiration, suspire
• 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: SIGH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Dance in a ring"

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: HORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Nasty"

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 morally reprehensible
• Words that mean the same thing: loathsome, worthless, noisome
• 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: VILE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. Awesome, in modern slang"

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 event of something burning (often destructive)
• Words that mean the same thing: fervour, flack, blast
• The opposite would be: hire
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "48. Backup plans"

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 (baseball) a failure by a batter or runner to reach a base safely in baseball
• Words that mean the same thing: come out, come out of the closet, 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: OUTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "49. "Hey, you!""

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: PSST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "51. Drive, with "on""

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 animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
• Words that mean the same thing: eggs, testis, ballock
• 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: EGG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "52. Misoneism, n.: Hatred of anything ___"

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 not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
• Words that mean the same thing: novel, newfangled, young
• The opposite would be: worn, old
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	55	78.6%
Short Answer	9	12.9%
Food & Drink	2	2.9%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.9%
Music	1	1.4%
Literature	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	11 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: August 30, 2025 at 04:23 AM