December 22, 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, December 22, 2023

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 70 (35 Across, 35 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.5 letters

Master Today's Across: NYT Friday Puzzle December 22, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Numbers can be read in this	5
2A	6. Org. that offers free at-home hearing tests	4
3A	10. Scholz of German politics	4
4A	14. Spanish count	10
5A	16. Make it up?	4
6A	17. Making headlines, say	10
7A	18. Bed cover	4
8A	19. Emphatic suffix	3
9A	20. Big name in vegan cheese	5
10A	21. Like conventional music	5
11A	22. Children's TV character whose last name is Márquez	4
12A	23. Big break	6
13A	25. Some break dancers, informally	5
14A	27. Plays the wrong way	6
15A	28. Telenovela profession	5
16A	29. Rama is one, in Arthur C. Clarke's sci-fi novel "Rendezvous With Rama"	9
17A	32. Locale dubbed the "Las Vegas of the East"	5
18A	33. Knock hard	3
19A	34. Who wrote "Beauty is truth, truth beauty"	5
20A	35. Words from someone who doesn't want to be taken seriously	9
21A	37. Deservingness	5
22A	38. Elitists	6
23A	39. Riffs on, modernly	5
24A	40. Lovely, in Spanish	6
25A	41. Buds	4
26A	42. Tackles	5
27A	43. Lewis who played Grizabella on Broadway	5
28A	45. Texter's "Ta-ta!"	3
29A	48. Little bit of make-up?	4
30A	49. One working on a keynote	10
31A	51. Card-dealing casino device	4
32A	52. Last-ditch remedies for computer problems	10
33A	53. Authors	4
34A	54. Cloverleaf cluster?	4
35A	55. Fix, as a bowline	5

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. Numbers can be read in this"

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 the whole body of the jewish sacred writings and tradition including the oral tradition
• Words that mean the same thing: Pentateuch, Laws
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TORAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Org. that offers free at-home hearing tests"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens
• Words that mean the same thing: Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AARP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Scholz of German politics"

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: OLAF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Spanish count"

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: UNODOSTRES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Make it up?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a growth in strength or number or importance
• Words that mean the same thing: rebel, ascending, spring up
• The opposite would be: go to bed, descent
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Making headlines, say"

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 sufficiently interesting to be reported in a newspaper
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEWSWORTHY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Bed cover"

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 being covered with unclean things
• Words that mean the same thing: ground, begrime, dirt
• The opposite would be: clean
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Emphatic suffix"

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: fundament, fanny, 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 9 Across: "20. Big name in vegan cheese"

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: DAIYA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Like conventional music"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that employing variations in pitch to distinguish meanings of otherwise similar words
• Words that mean the same thing: tonic
• The opposite would be: atonal
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TONAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Children's TV character whose last name is Márquez"

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: DORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. Big break"

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 division of a group into opposing factions
• Words that mean the same thing: split
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCHISM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "25. Some break dancers, informally"

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: BBOYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Plays the wrong way"

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 weedy annual grass often occurs in grainfields and other cultivated land; seeds sometimes considered poisonous
• Words that mean the same thing: rig, chouse, chess
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHEATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "28. Telenovela profession"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TEAMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "29. Rama is one, in Arthur C. Clarke's sci-fi novel "Rendezvous With Rama""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ALIENSHIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Locale dubbed the "Las Vegas of the East""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a former portuguese province on the south coast of china and two islands in the south china sea; reverted to china in 1999
• Words that mean the same thing: Macao
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MACAU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "33. Knock hard"

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 cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
• Words that mean the same thing: trash, genus Pan, pan off
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "34. Who wrote "Beauty is truth, truth beauty""

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 englishman and romantic poet (1795-1821)
• Words that mean the same thing: John Keats
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KEATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "35. Words from someone who doesn't want to be taken seriously"

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: IMKIDDING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "37. Deservingness"

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 any admirable quality or attribute
• Words that mean the same thing: meritoriousness, deserve, virtue
• The opposite would be: demerit
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MERIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "38. Elitists"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
• Words that mean the same thing: beak, hooter, snob
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNOOTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "39. Riffs on, modernly"

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 cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one person to another by non-genetic means (as by imitation)
• Words that mean the same thing: meme
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MEMES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "40. Lovely, in Spanish"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BONITA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "41. Buds"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
• Words that mean the same thing: brother, buddy, pal up
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PALS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "42. Tackles"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HASAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "43. Lewis who played Grizabella on Broadway"

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: LEONA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "45. Texter's "Ta-ta!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CYA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "48. Little bit of make-up?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
• Words that mean the same thing: speck, particle, mote
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "49. One working on a keynote"

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: PIANOTUNER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "51. Card-dealing casino device"

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 footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material
• Words that mean the same thing: brake shoe, skid, horseshoe
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "52. Last-ditch remedies for computer problems"

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: HARDRESETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "53. Authors"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
• Words that mean the same thing: pen, penitentiary, write
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "54. Cloverleaf cluster?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
• Words that mean the same thing: lodge, inn, hostel
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "55. Fix, as a bowline"

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

  The answer is: RETIE

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Friday Crossword Down Clues - December 22, 2023 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Bigeye, for one	4
2D	2. Gender-neutral possessive	4
3D	3. Parts of tables	4
4D	4. Stream interrupters	3
5D	5. Question expressing amazement	12
6D	6. They may have glass ceilings	5
7D	7. Appealing to an indie audience, maybe	4
8D	8. Meeting extender	9
9D	9. ___.D (therapist's deg.)	3
10D	10. "… apparently"	11
11D	11. Largest part	10
12D	12. Exactly the way you see me	5
13D	13. Was defeated	4
14D	15. Skyrockets	5
15D	21. "Take my word for it, you're going to love this"	12
16D	22. Address components	11
17D	24. Acrylic finish?	3
18D	25. Support piece	4
19D	26. "Didn't you just leave?"	10
20D	27. Family units	5
21D	28. Letters that might make a long story short?	3
22D	29. Course that may cover Dante and Ferrante, familiarly	9
23D	30. Terse affirmation	4
24D	31. Setting for most Laker home games: Abbr.	3
25D	36. One of three in Fiji?	3
26D	39. Misselthwaite ___, setting of "The Secret Garden"	5
27D	40. Soak (in)	5
28D	41. Scummy locales	5
29D	42. Gate feature	4
30D	44. Get on the job	4
31D	45. "Your guide to a better future" website	4
32D	46. Figure in Sherpa folklore	4
33D	47. 19-Across, to a Brit	4
34D	49. Preantepenultimate letter	3
35D	50. Single-___	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. Bigeye, for one"

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 tropical american prickly pear of jamaica
• Words that mean the same thing: tuna fish, tunny, Anguilla sucklandii
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TUNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Gender-neutral possessive"

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 smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Words that mean the same thing: ace, I, one
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Parts of tables"

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 arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
• Words that mean the same thing: run-in, row, wrangle
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Stream interrupters"

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 public promotion of some product or service
• Words that mean the same thing: advertizing, advertisement, advert
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Question expressing amazement"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 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: HOWDOYOUDOIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. They may have glass ceilings"

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 7 Down: "7. Appealing to an indie audience, maybe"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that showily imitative of art or artists
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARTY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Meeting extender"

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 present or use over, with no or few changes
• Words that mean the same thing: rehash, hash over, retrograde
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REHASHING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. ___.D (therapist's deg.)"

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "… apparently""

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: ORSOITSEEMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Largest part"

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: LIONSSHARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Exactly the way you see me"

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: ASIAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Was defeated"

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 dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)
• Words that mean the same thing: flow, cut down, accrue
• The opposite would be: ascend, rise
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FELL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "15. Skyrockets"

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 the act of rising upward into the air
• Words that mean the same thing: soar up, soar upwards, soar
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. "Take my word for it, you're going to love this""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: THANKMELATER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Address components"

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: DOMAINNAMES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Acrylic finish?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Support piece"

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 signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
• Words that mean the same thing: ray, radiate, broadcast
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. "Didn't you just leave?""

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: BACKSOSOON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Family units"

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 group of people related by blood or marriage
• Words that mean the same thing: kin group, kindred, tribe
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Letters that might make a long story short?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TMI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "29. Course that may cover Dante and Ferrante, familiarly"

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: APITALIAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "30. Terse affirmation"

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: ITIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "31. Setting for most Laker home games: Abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that standard time in the 8th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 120th meridian west; used in far western states of the united states
• Words that mean the same thing: Pacific Time, Pacific Standard Time
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. One of three in Fiji?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a very small circular shape
• Words that mean the same thing: window pane, Transportation, superman
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Misselthwaite ___, setting of "The Secret Garden""

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 the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
• Words that mean the same thing: manor house
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MANOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Soak (in)"

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 act of swimming
• Words that mean the same thing: bath
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BATHE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "41. Scummy locales"

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 small lake
• Words that mean the same thing: pond, pool
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PONDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "42. Gate feature"

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 fastener for a door or lid; a hinged metal plate is fitted over a staple and is locked with a pin or padlock
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HASP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "44. Get on the job"

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 earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
• Words that mean the same thing: pull in, bring in, clear
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EARN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "45. "Your guide to a better future" website"

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: CNET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "46. Figure in Sherpa folklore"

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 large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
• Words that mean the same thing: abominable snowman
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YETI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "47. 19-Across, to a Brit"

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 fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
• Words that mean the same thing: fundament, fanny, 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: ARSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "49. Preantepenultimate letter"

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 21st letter of the greek alphabet
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PHI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "50. Single-___"

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 act of using
• Words that mean the same thing: habit, utilize, purpose
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USE

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	55	78.6%
Short Answer	9	12.9%
Literature	2	2.9%
Music	1	1.4%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%
Sports	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	35
Total Clues	70
Average Answer Length	5.5 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	12 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 28, 2025 at 07:17 PM

January 16, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (40 clues)
• Down Clues (38 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

Check out these other crossword solutions and helpful guides:

• March 20 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 23 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• Xwordhint Crossword Answers September_20
• July 23 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 19 2022 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, January 16, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (40 Across, 38 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.1 letters

Across Clues Explained - Thursday NYT Crossword January 16, 2020

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. White pizza topping	4
2A	5. Green bits of ornamentation	6
3A	11. Masala ___ (hot beverage)	4
4A	15. Bestower of the Movies for Grownups Awards	4
5A	16. Keep the beat, in a way	6
6A	17. Parts of a nuclear reactor	4
7A	18. Where Miners have majors	4
8A	19. Type of fluffy wool	6
9A	20. ___ surgeon	4
10A	21. Word following sing or play	7
11A	23. Furrowed feature	7
12A	25. Wait on	6
13A	26. Tribal leaders	6
14A	27. Language that's the source of "gesundheit"	10
15A	32. Uber alternative?	4
16A	35. Pint-size	6
17A	36. ___ Day and the Knights ("Animal House" group)	4
18A	40. Suits	5
19A	42. "___ it!" ("Hush!")	4
20A	43. Place for a bench	5
21A	44. Ancient name for Ceylon	5
22A	45. Terse rebukes	4
23A	46. Invite to the roof, say	5
24A	47. Like a desk that's a sign of genius, it's said	5
25A	49. Gobbledygook, metaphorically	5
26A	50. Flight schedule abbr.	3
27A	51. The mister, affectionately	8
28A	56. N.L. East city, on scoreboards	3
29A	58. Lithuanian, e.g.	4
30A	60. In the worst way	6
31A	61. Neighbor of an Arkansawyer	4
32A	62. It has cork and a bell	4
33A	63. 1950s-'70s football star nicknamed "The Golden Arm"	6
34A	64. Part of a pot	4
35A	65. Bra brand	4
36A	66. Stop waffling	6
37A	67. Fight protractedly	4
38A	68. E, F and G, but not H	4
39A	69. Opposite of the point?	6
40A	70. Collectors' goals	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. White pizza topping"

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: FETA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Green bits of ornamentation"

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 small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
• Words that mean the same thing: branchlet, sprig, twig
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPRIGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Masala ___ (hot beverage)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CHAI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "15. Bestower of the Movies for Grownups Awards"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens
• Words that mean the same thing: Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AARP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Keep the beat, in a way"

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: TOETAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Parts of a nuclear reactor"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a long thin implement made of metal or wood
• Words that mean the same thing: rod, rod cell, retinal rod
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RODS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Where Miners have majors"

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: UTEP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Type of fluffy wool"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the capital of turkey; located in west-central turkey; it was formerly known as angora and is the home of angora goats
• Words that mean the same thing: Angora cat, capital of Turkey, Angora rabbit
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANGORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. ___ surgeon"

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 examination conducted by spoken communication
• Words that mean the same thing: oral examination, oral exam, viva voce
• The opposite would be: aboral, anal
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Word following sing or play"

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: NIALONG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Furrowed feature"

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 junior girl scout
• Words that mean the same thing: gremlin, elf, imp
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BROWNIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Wait on"

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 be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
• Words that mean the same thing: see, pay heed, take care
• The opposite would be: miss
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATTEND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Tribal leaders"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person who is older than you are
• Words that mean the same thing: elder, elderberry bush, senior
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELDERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Language that's the source of "gesundheit""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
• Words that mean the same thing: artisan, artificer, craftsman
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JOURNEYMAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. Uber alternative?"

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: MEGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Pint-size"

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 disparaging terms for small people
• Words that mean the same thing: half-pint, peewit, pewee
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEEWEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. ___ Day and the Knights ("Animal House" group)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OTIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "40. Suits"

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 the chief executive department of the united states government
• Words that mean the same thing: EXEC, White House
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXECS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "42. "___ it!" ("Hush!")"

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

  The answer is: STOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "43. Place for a bench"

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 keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
• Words that mean the same thing: softly, pianoforte, forte-piano
• The opposite would be: forte
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PIANO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "44. Ancient name for Ceylon"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: LANKA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Terse rebukes"

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 utter `tsk,' `tut,' or `tut-tut,' as in disapproval
• Words that mean the same thing: tut-tut, tut, tsk
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TSKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Invite to the roof, say"

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: ASKUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "47. Like a desk that's a sign of genius, it's said"

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 dirty and disorderly
• Words that mean the same thing: mussy
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MESSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "49. Gobbledygook, metaphorically"

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 hellenic branch of the indo-european family of languages
• Words that mean the same thing: Grecian, Hellene, Hellenic language
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GREEK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "50. Flight schedule abbr."

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
• Words that mean the same thing: Basque Fatherland and Liberty, Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Freedom
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "51. The mister, affectionately"

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 social bee often domesticated for the honey it produces
• Words that mean the same thing: Apis mellifera
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HONEYBEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. N.L. East city, on scoreboards"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ATL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "58. Lithuanian, e.g."

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: BALT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "60. In the worst way"

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: DIRELY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "61. Neighbor of an Arkansawyer"

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: OKIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "62. It has cork and a bell"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece
• Words that mean the same thing: hautbois, hautboy
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OBOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "63. 1950s-'70s football star nicknamed "The Golden Arm""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: UNITAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "64. Part of a pot"

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 (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "65. Bra brand"

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: OLGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "66. Stop waffling"

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 reach, make, or come to a decision about something
• Words that mean the same thing: resolve, settle, determine
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DECIDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "67. Fight protractedly"

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

  The answer is: FEUD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "68. E, F and G, but not H"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
• Words that mean the same thing: Florida key, tonality, paint
• The opposite would be: atonality
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KEYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "69. Opposite of the point?"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an implement used to erase something
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERASER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Across: "70. Collectors' goals"

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

  The answer is: SETS

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Thursday Crossword Down Clues - January 16, 2020 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Animals, collectively	5
2D	2. Face-plant, say	5
3D	3. Ice cream cone, e.g.	5
4D	4. Breakfast cereal in a green box	10
5D	5. Routine activity?	7
6D	6. Beer ___	4
7D	7. On the ___ (frequently, in slang)	3
8D	8. Skater Midori	3
9D	9. Attire	4
10D	10. "I don't want to hear it"	7
11D	11. Sounds made by fans	10
12D	12. Lena of "Cabin in the Sky"	5
13D	13. Firefighter Red	5
14D	14. Lands in the sea	5
15D	22. Hawaiian fish with a palindromic name	3
16D	24. Ending with pay	3
17D	28. Squiggle on a musical score	4
18D	29. Ends up with	4
19D	30. Sci-fi forest dweller	4
20D	31. Trees with red berrylike fruit	4
21D	32. Funnyman Brooks	3
22D	33. Piece of furniture often covered with crinkly paper	9
23D	34. Study of rocks	9
24D	37. What five answers in this puzzle do phonetically, in defiance of their clues?	9
25D	38. Language of the Canadian Arctic	9
26D	39. Conciliatory gesture	3
27D	41. Window frame	4
28D	43. Trim	4
29D	48. "Sup, bro!"	6
30D	49. Yellowstone attraction	6
31D	50. Work on a tablet	5
32D	52. Bay Area athlete, for short	5
33D	53. Kane of "All My Children"	5
34D	54. Sightings in the Himalayas	5
35D	55. Oar	5
36D	57. English city where the Who once recorded a top 5 live album	5
37D	59. 11-Across and others	4
38D	61. Bumbling bunch	4

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. Animals, collectively"

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 all the animal life in a particular region or period
• Words that mean the same thing: creature, beast, animate being
• The opposite would be: flora
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FAUNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Face-plant, say"

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: EATIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Ice cream cone, 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 something considered choice to eat
• Words that mean the same thing: kickshaw, goody, handle
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TREAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Breakfast cereal in a green box"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that distilled from hard cider
• Words that mean the same thing: applejack
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: APPLEJACKS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Routine activity?"

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: STANDUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Beer ___"

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 unpleasant smell
• Words that mean the same thing: niff
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PONG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. On the ___ (frequently, in slang)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: REG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Skater Midori"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ITO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Attire"

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 clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
• Words that mean the same thing: apparel, raiment, clothe
• The opposite would be: undress
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GARB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "I don't want to hear it""

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: SPAREME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Sounds made by fans"

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: CROWDNOISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Lena of "Cabin in the Sky""

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 united states operatic mezzo-soprano (born 1934)
• Words that mean the same thing: Lena Calhoun Horne, Marilyn Horne, Lena Horne
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HORNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Firefighter Red"

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: ADAIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "14. Lands in the sea"

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 small island
• Words that mean the same thing: islet, isle
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ISLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Hawaiian fish with a palindromic 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 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 16 Down: "24. Ending with pay"

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 leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm used in india for writing paper
• Words that mean the same thing: olla
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "28. Squiggle on a musical score"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that something left after other parts have been taken away
• Words that mean the same thing: sleep, lie, residual
• The opposite would be: change, be active
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Ends up with"

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 computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the tcp/ip network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
• Words that mean the same thing: mesh, network, cyberspace
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NETS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. Sci-fi forest dweller"

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: EWOK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Trees with red berrylike fruit"

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 wood of a yew; especially the durable fine-grained light brown or red wood of the english yew valued for cabinetwork and archery bows
• Words that mean the same thing: yew
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YEWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "32. Funnyman Brooks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: MEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Piece of furniture often covered with crinkly paper"

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: EXAMTABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "34. Study of rocks"

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 successive generations of kin
• Words that mean the same thing: family tree
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GENEALOGY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. What five answers in this puzzle do phonetically, in defiance of their clues?"

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: TAKEAKNEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Language of the Canadian Arctic"

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: INUKTITUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Conciliatory gesture"

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 piece of solid food for dipping in a liquid
• Words that mean the same thing: soak through, dowse, standard operating procedure
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Window frame"

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 framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
• Words that mean the same thing: girdle, waistband, window sash
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Trim"

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 decrease gradually or bit by bit
• Words that mean the same thing: skin, pare down, whittle
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "48. "Sup, bro!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: YODUDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Yellowstone attraction"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a spring that discharges hot water and steam
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GEYSER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Work on a tablet"

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: EBOOK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "52. Bay Area athlete, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
• Words that mean the same thing: IX, 9, nine
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NINER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "53. Kane of "All My Children""

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

  The answer is: ERICA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "54. Sightings in the Himalayas"

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 large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the himalayas
• Words that mean the same thing: abominable snowman, yeti
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YETIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Oar"

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 especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
• Words that mean the same thing: brand, sword, leaf blade
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "57. English city where the Who once recorded a top 5 live album"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a city on the river aire in west yorkshire in northern england; a center of the clothing industry
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEEDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "59. 11-Across and others"

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 beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
• Words that mean the same thing: Camellia sinensis, tea leaf, tea
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "61. Bumbling bunch"

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 awkward stupid person
• Words that mean the same thing: lout, gawk, oaf
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OAFS

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	62	79.5%
Short Answer	6	7.7%
History	3	3.8%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.6%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
Geography	2	2.6%
Music	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	40
Down Clues	38
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	5.1 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	10 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 Thursday, 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!

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

Last Updated: September 27, 2025 at 04:42 PM