January 01, 2024 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (37 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, January 01, 2024

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (37 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.0 letters

NYT Monday Crossword Across Clues - January 01, 2024 Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Take on, as debt	5
2A	6. Got on in years	4
3A	10. Part to play in a play	4
4A	14. Get a run or a goal	5
5A	15. Remedy	4
6A	16. Taylor Swift's 2023-24 ___ Tour	4
7A	17. Accord, Civic or CR-V	5
8A	18. Part of the eye that shares its name with a rainbow goddess	4
9A	19. Suffix for a celebration	4
10A	20. Kids' chasing game with head taps	13
11A	23. "Rugrats" dad ___ Pickles	3
12A	25. You, in French	3
13A	26. Midsections of the human bodies	6
14A	27. Off Broadway musical made into a 2021 film directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda	12
15A	31. Proportion	5
16A	32. Joints exercised by a 56-Across dancer	4
17A	33. "Kapow!"	3
18A	36. Steel component	4
19A	37. Paint layers	5
20A	39. Warsaw native	4
21A	40. Average, in golf	3
22A	41. Chess piece shaped like a battlement	4
23A	42. Leader of a meeting … or that leader's seat	5
24A	43. Reply to "Three cheers!"	12
25A	46. Without a doubt	6
26A	49. Note acknowledging a debt	3
27A	50. Broadband hookup initials	3
28A	51. Soothing words	13
29A	55. Fixed price	4
30A	56. Hawaiian dance style	4
31A	57. Scratches (at)	5
32A	60. Yours and mine	4
33A	61. Very much	4
34A	62. Ice house	5
35A	63. Devious scheme	4
36A	64. Something to whistle	4
37A	65. Superior and Victoria, for two	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. Take on, as debt"

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 make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
• Words that mean the same thing: find, obtain, receive
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INCUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Got on in years"

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 people who are old collectively
• Words that mean the same thing: senior, senesce, elderly
• The opposite would be: rejuvenate, young
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Part to play in a play"

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 the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
• Words that mean the same thing: purpose, function, use
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Get a run or a goal"

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 number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
• Words that mean the same thing: nock, scotch, hit
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SCORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Remedy"

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 medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
• Words that mean the same thing: bring around, curative, heal
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CURE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Taylor Swift's 2023-24 ___ Tour"

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 period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Words that mean the same thing: ERA, era, geological era
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Accord, Civic or CR-V"

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: HONDA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Part of the eye that shares its name with a rainbow goddess"

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 plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals
• Words that mean the same thing: sword lily, fleur-de-lis, iris diaphragm
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IRIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Suffix for a celebration"

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: FEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Kids' chasing game with head taps"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 letters. It's a expert clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: DUCKDUCKGOOSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. "Rugrats" dad ___ Pickles"

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: STU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. You, in French"

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: TOI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Midsections of the human bodies"

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 body excluding the head and neck and limbs
• Words that mean the same thing: trunk, torso, body
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TORSOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Off Broadway musical made into a 2021 film directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda"

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

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: TICKTICKBOOM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Proportion"

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 relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient)
• Words that mean the same thing: proportion
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RATIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Joints exercised by a 56-Across dancer"

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 either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
• Words that mean the same thing: pelvis, articulatio coxae, pelvic arch
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HIPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. "Kapow!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an ancient city in southeastern iran; destroyed by an earthquake in 2003
• Words that mean the same thing: eruption, bang, clap
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. Steel component"

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 heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
• Words that mean the same thing: branding iron, smoothing iron, press
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IRON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "37. Paint layers"

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 outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
• Words that mean the same thing: coat, cake, pelage
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. Warsaw native"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
• Words that mean the same thing: rod, perch, celestial pole
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "40. Average, in golf"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course
• Words that mean the same thing: equation, equality, equivalence
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. Chess piece shaped like a battlement"

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 (chess) the piece that can move any number of unoccupied squares in a direction parallel to the sides of the chessboard
• Words that mean the same thing: victimize, mulct, con
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROOK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "42. Leader of a meeting … or that leader's seat"

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 seat for one person, with a support for the back
• Words that mean the same thing: chairman, hot seat, lead
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHAIR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "43. Reply to "Three cheers!""

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: HIPHIPHOORAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "46. Without a doubt"

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 definitely or positively (`sure' is sometimes used informally for `surely')
• Words that mean the same thing: for certain, sure as shooting, for sure
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SURELY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "49. Note acknowledging a debt"

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

  The answer is: IOU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. Broadband hookup initials"

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 generic name for digital lines that are provided by telephone companies to their local subscribers and that carry data at high speeds
• Words that mean the same thing: digital subscriber line
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DSL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "51. Soothing words"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: THERETHERENOW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "55. Fixed price"

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 magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
• Words that mean the same thing: value, charge per unit, order
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "56. Hawaiian dance style"

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 polynesian rain dance performed by a woman
• Words that mean the same thing: hula-hula, Hawaiian dancing
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HULA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "57. Scratches (at)"

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 sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles
• Words that mean the same thing: chela, claw, hook
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLAWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "60. Yours and mine"

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: OURS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "61. Very much"

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: ALOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "62. Ice house"

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 eskimo hut; usually built of blocks (of sod or snow) in the shape of a dome
• Words that mean the same thing: iglu
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IGLOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "63. Devious scheme"

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 opening remark intended to secure an advantage for the speaker
• Words that mean the same thing: gambit, stratagem
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLOY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "64. Something to whistle"

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 succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
• Words that mean the same thing: melodic phrase, air, melodic line
• The opposite would be: untune
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TUNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "65. Superior and Victoria, for two"

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 body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
• Words that mean the same thing: lake
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAKES

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Monday Crossword Down Clues - January 01, 2024 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. " ... or just about"	3
2D	2. Sgt. or cpl.	3
3D	3. Official on a train … or for an orchestra	9
4D	4. Language of Pakistan	4
5D	5. Be visibly affected by	7
6D	6. Opposite of basic, in chemistry	6
7D	7. Revered expert	4
8D	8. Prince beloved by Ariel in "The Little Mermaid"	4
9D	9. Many office computers	8
10D	10. Turn over a new leaf, say	6
11D	11. Popular creme-filled cookies	5
12D	12. Rope weapon for Wonder Woman	5
13D	13. ___ Park, Colo.	5
14D	21. Fish in a Japanese water garden	3
15D	22. Sticky, drippy substances	4
16D	23. Bacon slice	5
17D	24. Pageant crown	5
18D	28. Extended family	3
19D	29. Military fabric shade	5
20D	30. Chomped down on	3
21D	33. Property next to Go in Monopoly	9
22D	34. Pseudonym	5
23D	35. Streep with an A.F.I. Life Achievement Award	5
24D	37. Relative of "Roger," in radio transmissions	8
25D	38. "___-la-la!"	3
26D	39. Brothy noodle dish in Vietnamese cuisine	3
27D	41. Make angry	4
28D	42. Advisory committee	7
29D	43. Charge of religious unorthodoxy	6
30D	44. Villain on the high seas	6
31D	45. Gardener's sod-chopper	3
32D	46. Barber's razor sharpener	5
33D	47. Big name in moving vans	5
34D	48. Old-school chic	5
35D	52. Netflix competitor	4
36D	53. Musk of Tesla	4
37D	54. Tokarczuk who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature	4
38D	58. Deep sorrow	3
39D	59. "Rescue us!"	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. " ... or just about""

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: ISH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Sgt. or cpl."

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: NCO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Official on a train … or for an orchestra"

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 the person who leads a musical group
• Words that mean the same thing: music director, director
• The opposite would be: insulator
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CONDUCTOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Language of Pakistan"

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 official literary language of pakistan, closely related to hindi; widely used in india (mostly by moslems); written in arabic script
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: URDU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Be visibly affected by"

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: REACTTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Opposite of basic, in chemistry"

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 being or containing an acid; of a solution having an excess of hydrogen atoms (having a ph of less than 7)
• Words that mean the same thing: acidulous, acid, acidulent
• The opposite would be: alkaline
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACIDIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Revered expert"

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 hindu or buddhist religious leader and spiritual teacher
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GURU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Prince beloved by Ariel in "The Little Mermaid""

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: ERIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Many office computers"

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 the top of a desk
• Words that mean the same thing: desktop, screen background, background
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DESKTOPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Turn over a new leaf, say"

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 change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
• Words that mean the same thing: regenerate, reclaim, straighten 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: REFORM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Popular creme-filled cookies"

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

  The answer is: OREOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Rope weapon for Wonder Woman"

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 belgian composer (1532-1594)
• Words that mean the same thing: Orlando di Lasso, lariat, riata
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LASSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. ___ Park, Colo."

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: ESTES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "21. Fish in a Japanese water garden"

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: KOI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Sticky, drippy substances"

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 thick, viscous matter
• Words that mean the same thing: muck, goo, gunk
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GOOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Bacon slice"

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 relatively long narrow piece of something
• Words that mean the same thing: discase, flight strip, foray
• The opposite would be: dress
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STRIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Pageant crown"

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 jeweled headdress worn by women on formal occasions
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIARA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "28. Extended family"

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 person having kinship with another or others
• Words that mean the same thing: akin, cognate, clan
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "29. Military fabric shade"

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 sturdy twilled cloth of a yellowish brown color used especially for military uniforms
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KHAKI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Chomped down 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 a small piece or quantity of something
• Words that mean the same thing: chip, act, burn
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. Property next to Go in Monopoly"

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 a walkway made of wooden boards; usually at seaside
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOARDWALK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "34. Pseudonym"

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 name that has been assumed temporarily
• Words that mean the same thing: false name, assumed name, also known as
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALIAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Streep with an A.F.I. Life Achievement Award"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: MERYL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "37. Relative of "Roger," in radio transmissions"

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: COPYTHAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. "___-la-la!""

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 express admiration and pleasure by uttering `ooh' or `aah'
• Words that mean the same thing: aah
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OOH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Brothy noodle dish in Vietnamese cuisine"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: PHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Make angry"

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 cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
• Words that mean the same thing: devil, get to, bother
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RILE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Advisory committee"

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 body serving in an administrative capacity
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COUNCIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "43. Charge of religious unorthodoxy"

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 any opinions or doctrines at variance with the official or orthodox position
• Words that mean the same thing: unorthodoxy, heterodoxy
• The opposite would be: orthodoxy
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HERESY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "44. Villain on the high seas"

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 someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
• Words that mean the same thing: pirate ship, plagiarizer, commandeer
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PIRATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "45. Gardener's sod-chopper"

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 tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long 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: HOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "46. Barber's razor sharpener"

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

  The answer is: STROP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "47. Big name in moving vans"

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: UHAUL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "48. Old-school chic"

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 fashion reminiscent of the past
• Words that mean the same thing: retroactive, ex post facto
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RETRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "52. Netflix competitor"

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: HULU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "53. Musk of Tesla"

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: ELON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "54. Tokarczuk who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: OLGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "58. Deep sorrow"

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 misery resulting from affliction
• Words that mean the same thing: suffering, woefulness
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "59. "Rescue us!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an internationally recognized distress signal in radio code
• Words that mean the same thing: sol, so, soh
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	55	72.4%
Short Answer	14	18.4%
History	4	5.3%
Sports	1	1.3%
Music	1	1.3%
Food & Drink	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	37
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	5.0 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 Monday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: August 28, 2025 at 02:44 PM

December 20, 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (37 clues)
• Down Clues (41 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, December 20, 2021

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (37 Across, 41 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.7 letters

Across Clues Explained - Monday NYT Crossword December 20, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Actress Raquel	5
2A	6. Slightly wet	4
3A	10. ___-retentive	4
4A	14. Nebraska city nicknamed the "Gateway to the West"	5
5A	15. Female French friend	4
6A	16. It's good for what ails you	4
7A	17. Prince or princess	5
8A	18. Held in high esteem	9
9A	20. Prompt action when things are unraveling	12
10A	22. Number of provinces in Canada	3
11A	23. Nay's opposite	3
12A	24. Rear end, in slang	6
13A	28. Ground-breaking tool	3
14A	29. Watery expanse	3
15A	31. In the mail	4
16A	32. Beat around the bush	9
17A	36. "Well, ___-di-dah!"	3
18A	37. Cry of pity	4
19A	38. Shoe bottoms	5
20A	40. "The ___ Duckling" (fairy tale)	4
21A	41. Relieved (of)	3
22A	42. "Oh, blast!"	9
23A	44. One of three in Orion's belt	4
24A	46. Bundle of money	3
25A	47. Poetic praise	3
26A	48. Prefix meaning "different"	6
27A	50. "A work of ___ that did not begin in emotion is not ___": Cézanne	3
28A	51. Letter before chi	3
29A	54. What ties everything together, including 20-, 32- and 42-Across?	12
30A	58. Pulsating	9
31A	61. Like coincidences that make you go "hmm"	5
32A	62. The "h" in m.p.h.	4
33A	63. Brewed beverages in bottles	4
34A	64. Fauna's partner	5
35A	65. Piece with a view	4
36A	66. Exam	4
37A	67. Annual theater awards	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. Actress Raquel"

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 cheat by avoiding payment of a gambling debt
• Words that mean the same thing: welsh
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WELCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Slightly wet"

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 slight wetness
• Words that mean the same thing: dampen, dull, tone down
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DAMP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. ___-retentive"

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 of or related to the anus
• Words that mean the same thing: anal retentive
• The opposite would be: oral
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Nebraska city nicknamed the "Gateway to the West""

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 member of the siouan people formerly living in the missouri river valley in northeastern nebraska
• Words that mean the same thing: Maha
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OMAHA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Female French friend"

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: AMIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. It's good for what ails you"

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 medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
• Words that mean the same thing: curative, therapeutic, heal
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CURE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Prince or princess"

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 sail set next above the topgallant on a royal mast
• Words that mean the same thing: imperial, royal stag, purple
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROYAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Held in high esteem"

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 regard highly; think much of
• Words that mean the same thing: well-thought-of, prize, esteem
• The opposite would be: disrespect, disesteem
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RESPECTED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Prompt action when things are unraveling"

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: STITCHINTIME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Number of provinces in Canada"

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 cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
• Words that mean the same thing: tenner, X, x
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Nay's opposite"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: YEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Rear end, in slang"

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: TUSHIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. Ground-breaking tool"

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 tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long 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: HOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "29. Watery expanse"

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 division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
• Words that mean the same thing: ocean
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. In the mail"

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 100 senti equal 1 kroon in estonia
• Words that mean the same thing: mail, transport, send off
• The opposite would be: unsent
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. Beat around the bush"

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: HEMANDHAW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. "Well, ___-di-dah!""

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 syllable naming the sixth (submediant) note of a major or minor scale in solmization
• Words that mean the same thing: la
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Cry of pity"

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 flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
• Words that mean the same thing: unfortunately, ala, unluckily
• The opposite would be: luckily, fortunately
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. Shoe bottoms"

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 colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid
• Words that mean the same thing: colloidal suspension, sol, Sol
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. "The ___ Duckling" (fairy tale)"

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 displeasing to the senses
• Words that mean the same thing: despicable, unworthy, worthless
• The opposite would be: beautiful
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UGLY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. Relieved (of)"

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 relieve from
• Words that mean the same thing: disembarrass, free
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. "Oh, blast!""

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: DARNITALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. One of three in Orion's belt"

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 (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
• Words that mean the same thing: prima, sensation, leading
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "46. Bundle of money"

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 small mass of soft material
• Words that mean the same thing: tidy sum, chaw, spate
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "47. Poetic praise"

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

  The answer is: ODE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. Prefix meaning "different""

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: HETERO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. "A work of ___ that did not begin in emotion is not ___": Cézanne"

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 products of human creativity; works of art collectively
• Words that mean the same thing: artistry, artistic creation, prowess
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "51. Letter before chi"

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 29 Across: "54. What ties everything together, including 20-, 32- and 42-Across?"

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: COMMONTHREAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "58. Pulsating"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)
• Words that mean the same thing: pulsate, shudder, throb
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THROBBING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "61. Like coincidences that make you go "hmm""

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 suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
• Words that mean the same thing: eery
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EERIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "62. The "h" in m.p.h."

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 period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
• Words that mean the same thing: hr, 60 minutes, time of day
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HOUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "63. Brewed beverages in bottles"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the united states an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
• Words that mean the same thing: ale
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "64. Fauna's partner"

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 plant life in a particular region or period
• Words that mean the same thing: botany, plant life, plant
• The opposite would be: fauna
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FLORA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "65. Piece with a view"

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: OPED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "66. Exam"

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 trying something to find out about it
• Words that mean the same thing: run, screen, prove
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "67. Annual theater awards"

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: TONYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Monday NYT Crossword December 20, 2021

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Lowest of the low	5
2D	2. Act poorly?	5
3D	3. Stockpile	5
4D	4. Chew the fat	4
5D	5. Like the good old days	7
6D	6. Title girl in a bygone MTV cartoon	5
7D	7. "You said it!"	4
8D	8. Fine spray	4
9D	9. Pumpkin seed	6
10D	10. Means of entry	6
11D	11. Hexagonal bit of hardware	3
12D	12. "___ we cool?"	3
13D	13. Was in first place	3
14D	19. Outback bird	3
15D	21. Obeys	5
16D	25. Andrew Wyeth portrait subject	5
17D	26. Counting everything together	5
18D	27. Antiknock fluid	5
19D	28. Contains	3
20D	29. One getting dressed for lunch?	5
21D	30. Wide-mouthed jug	4
22D	32. Caustic	5
23D	33. Of the highest standard	5
24D	34. Angry with	5
25D	35. Host Kotb of morning TV	4
26D	39. Sound from a pug	5
27D	40. Salt Lake City athlete	3
28D	43. Goal of phishing schemes, informally	7
29D	45. "Let the ___ show ..."	6
30D	46. Outback animal	6
31D	49. Burgle	3
32D	50. Frequent teenage sensation	5
33D	51. The Evita of "Evita"	5
34D	52. Opposite of clean-shaven	5
35D	53. They're symbolized by light bulbs in cartoons	5
36D	55. One of about 93 million between Earth and the sun	4
37D	56. Change for a five	4
38D	57. Move, in real estate lingo	4
39D	58. Howe'er	3
40D	59. You might do it after stubbing a toe	3
41D	60. Feel sorry about	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. Lowest of the low"

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 least favorable outcome
• Words that mean the same thing: speculative, tough, spoiled
• The opposite would be: best, good
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WORST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Act poorly?"

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 give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EMOTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Stockpile"

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: LAYIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Chew the fat"

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 informal conversation
• Words that mean the same thing: chew the fat, confabulation, Old World chat
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Like the good old days"

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) a woman who was turned into a kingfisher
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Halcyon, prosperous, golden
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HALCYON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Title girl in a bygone MTV cartoon"

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: DARIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. "You said it!""

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 primeval egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at thebes
• Words that mean the same thing: Amon, Amun
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AMEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Fine spray"

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 thin fog with condensation near the ground
• Words that mean the same thing: cloud, fog, obscure
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Pumpkin seed"

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: PEPITA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Means of entry"

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 the right to enter
• Words that mean the same thing: admittance, get at, admission
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACCESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Hexagonal bit of hardware"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that usually large hard-shelled seed
• Words that mean the same thing: screwball, testis, en
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. "___ we cool?""

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 unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters
• Words that mean the same thing: represent, equal, be
• The opposite would be: differ
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Was in first place"

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 diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
• Words that mean the same thing: conduct, take, leave
• The opposite would be: follow
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "19. Outback bird"

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 any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
• Words that mean the same thing: electromagnetic unit, Emu novaehollandiae, Dromaius novaehollandiae
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EMU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Obeys"

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 paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
• Words that mean the same thing: mind, heed, attentiveness
• The opposite would be: inattentiveness
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEEDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. Andrew Wyeth portrait subject"

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: HELGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Counting everything together"

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: INALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Antiknock fluid"

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 univalent hydrocarbon radical c2h5 derived from ethane by the removal of one hydrogen atom
• Words that mean the same thing: ethyl radical, ethyl group
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETHYL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Contains"

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 (astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day
• Words that mean the same thing: feature, get, throw
• The opposite would be: abstain, refuse
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "29. One getting dressed for lunch?"

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 food mixtures either arranged on a plate or tossed and served with a moist dressing; usually consisting of or including greens
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "30. Wide-mouthed jug"

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 open vessel with a handle and a spout for pouring
• Words that mean the same thing: pitcher
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EWER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Caustic"

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 unpleasantly stern
• Words that mean the same thing: rough, abrasive, coarse
• The opposite would be: fine
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HARSH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Of the highest standard"

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 group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status
• Words that mean the same thing: elect, elite group
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Angry with"

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: MADAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. Host Kotb of morning TV"

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: HODA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. Sound from a pug"

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 disrespectful laugh
• Words that mean the same thing: bird, razz, snigger
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNORT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Salt Lake City athlete"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of the shoshonean people of utah and colorado and new mexico
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Goal of phishing schemes, informally"

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: IDTHEFT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "45. "Let the ___ show ...""

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 anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
• Words that mean the same thing: platter, put down, phonograph recording
• The opposite would be: erase
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RECORD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Outback animal"

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 burrowing herbivorous australian marsupials about the size of a badger
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WOMBAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. Burgle"

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 take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
• Words that mean the same thing: gazump, soak, surcharge
• The opposite would be: undercharge
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "50. Frequent teenage sensation"

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 acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety; usually reserved for philosophical anxiety about the world or about personal 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: ANGST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "51. The Evita of "Evita""

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 argentine soldier who became president of argentina (1895-1974)
• Words that mean the same thing: Juan Domingo Peron
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PERON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "52. Opposite of clean-shaven"

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 having or covered with hair
• Words that mean the same thing: hirsute, haired
• The opposite would be: hairless
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HAIRY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "53. They're symbolized by light bulbs in cartoons"

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 content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
• Words that mean the same thing: mind, estimate, idea
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IDEAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "55. One of about 93 million between Earth and the sun"

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 unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
• Words that mean the same thing: nautical mile, air mile, statute mile
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MILE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "56. Change for a five"

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: I, single, 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: ONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "57. Move, in real estate lingo"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: RELO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "58. Howe'er"

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

  The answer is: THO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "59. You might do it after stubbing a toe"

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 hopping; jumping upward or forward (especially on one foot)
• Words that mean the same thing: hops, hop-skip, skip
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "60. Feel sorry about"

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 european strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
• Words that mean the same thing: sorrow, repent, herb of grace
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	53	67.9%
Short Answer	18	23.1%
Geography	3	3.8%
History	3	3.8%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	37
Down Clues	41
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.7 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 Monday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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

Last Updated: September 13, 2025 at 02:34 AM