May 06, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (31 clues)
• Down Clues (33 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Friday, May 06, 2022

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 64 (31 Across, 33 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.8 letters

Across Clues Explained - Friday NYT Crossword May 06, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Blue print?	6
2A	7. Water wings, for example	6
3A	13. Toasted treat	7
4A	15. Japanese for "teacher"	6
5A	16. Skating expos	8
6A	18. Bearing	6
7A	19. Paragon	3
8A	20. Suck up, in a way	6
9A	22. Author of "The Kitchen God's Wife" (1991)	3
10A	23. There's no coming back from this	10
11A	26. Initialism that might have a ring to it?	3
12A	27. 1000 hrs.	5
13A	28. Scale notes	3
14A	29. Agent of immunity	5
15A	31. "Did I just hear him say that?!"	11
16A	34. Principle indicating "No second chances"	11
17A	35. Outer border for 36-Across	11
18A	36. See-through items	5
19A	37. Two-time Olympic gymnast Raisman	3
20A	38. Male's name hidden backward in this clue	5
21A	42. Barely make, with "out"	3
22A	43. Whet bar?	10
23A	45. Make lace	3
24A	46. Longtime Disney chief Michael	6
25A	47. Big ___	3
26A	48. Hair holders	6
27A	50. Descriptor for a champion	8
28A	53. Half-page, perhaps	6
29A	54. Fatherly tips, to use a portmanteau coinage	7
30A	55. Decks with major and minor arcana	6
31A	56. Lean against	6

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. Blue print?"

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: SEAMAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "7. Water wings, for example"

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 time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
• Words that mean the same thing: swim bladder, ice-cream float, swim
• The opposite would be: sink
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FLOATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "13. Toasted treat"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: POPTART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "15. Japanese for "teacher""

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: SENSEI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. Skating expos"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ICESHOWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "18. Bearing"

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 carry with difficulty
• Words that mean the same thing: lug, sum, tote
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOTING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "19. Paragon"

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 art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
• Words that mean the same thing: treasure, stone, muffin
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Suck up, in a 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 a tube running from the liquid in a vessel to a lower level outside the vessel so that atmospheric pressure forces the liquid through the tube
• Words that mean the same thing: syphon, siphon 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: SIPHON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "22. Author of "The Kitchen God's Wife" (1991)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
• Words that mean the same thing: topaz, bronze, 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: TAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "23. There's no coming back from this"

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: ONEWAYTRIP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "26. Initialism that might have a ring to it?"

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: WBA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "27. 1000 hrs."

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: TENAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "28. Scale notes"

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 light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
• Words that mean the same thing: Ti, atomic number 22, ti
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "29. Agent of immunity"

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: TCELL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. "Did I just hear him say that?!""

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HEWENTTHERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. Principle indicating "No second chances""

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WINORGOHOME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Outer border for 36-Across"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WINDOWFRAME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. See-through items"

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 sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
• Words that mean the same thing: Elvis, window pane, loony toons
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PANES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "37. Two-time Olympic gymnast Raisman"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium 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: ALY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. Male's name hidden backward in this clue"

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: ANSEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "42. Barely make, with "out""

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: EKE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "43. Whet bar?"

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 revolving stone shaped like a disk; used to grind or sharpen or polish edge tools
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GRINDSTONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "45. Make lace"

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 tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
• Words that mean the same thing: Thematic Apperception Test, cheapness, sleaze
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "46. Longtime Disney chief Michael"

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: EISNER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "47. Big ___"

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

  The answer is: BEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. Hair holders"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an ornamental net in the shape of a bag that confines a woman's hair; pins or ties at the back of the head
• Words that mean the same thing: snood
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNOODS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. Descriptor for a champion"

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 highest in quality
• Words that mean the same thing: peachy, heavy, great
• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GREATEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Half-page, perhaps"

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: ADUNIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "54. Fatherly tips, to use a portmanteau coinage"

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: DADVICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "55. Decks with major and minor arcana"

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 of a set of (usually 72) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used by fortunetellers
• Words that mean the same thing: tarot card, tarot
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAROTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "56. Lean against"

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: RESTON

  Great job if you got it right!

May 06, 2022 Down Hints: NYT Friday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Turn-on for a bartender?	6
2D	2. Big epoch for mammals	6
3D	3. Hypothetical missing links	6
4D	4. Chain parts: Abbr.	3
5D	5. "This is the life!"	3
6D	6. Lacking literary sparkle	5
7D	7. Setting for a shot	5
8D	8. Historic kingdom of Spain	4
9D	9. Most populous Canadian prov.	3
10D	10. So to speak	8
11D	11. Sound	7
12D	12. Traffic light	6
13D	14. Some social media back-and-forths	11
14D	17. Short relationship	11
15D	21. One who loves to bring up the past	11
16D	24. Surfer girl	6
17D	25. Doctors	6
18D	29. Poet who wrote "A Child's Christmas in Wales"	6
19D	30. Firmly bond	6
20D	32. Court	3
21D	33. "___ Carter III" (best-selling Lil Wayne album)	3
22D	34. Napa excursion	8
23D	35. Fictional African country of film	7
24D	36. Took care of a dog or cat, maybe	6
25D	39. "Alrighty then"	6
26D	40. "Romanian Rhapsodies" composer	6
27D	41. Like the days following Mardi Gras	6
28D	43. Cruxes	5
29D	44. Gloomy, poetically	5
30D	46. Sub text, maybe	4
31D	49. Hawaiian fish also called the wahoo	3
32D	51. Juice suffix	3
33D	52. Some Best Buy buys	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. Turn-on for a bartender?"

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 a plug for a bunghole in a cask
• Words that mean the same thing: faucet, tap
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPIGOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Big epoch for mammals"

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 from 58 million to 40 million years ago; presence of modern mammals
• Words that mean the same thing: Eocene epoch
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EOCENE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Hypothetical missing links"

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: APEMEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Chain parts: 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 radioactive transuranic element
• Words that mean the same thing: t, machine translation, metric ton
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. "This is the life!""

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

  The answer is: AAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Lacking literary sparkle"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that lacking wit or imagination
• Words that mean the same thing: earthbound, prosaic, pedestrian
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PROSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Setting for a shot"

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: FSTOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Historic kingdom of Spain"

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 historical area and former kingdom in northwestern spain
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Most populous Canadian prov."

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: ONT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. So to speak"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ASITWERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Sound"

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 based on sound reasoning or evidence
• Words that mean the same thing: well-founded
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TENABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Traffic light"

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 any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
• Words that mean the same thing: bespeak, signalise, sign
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SIGNAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. Some social media back-and-forths"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: TWITTERWARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "17. Short relationship"

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: SPRINGFLING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. One who loves to bring up the past"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: HISTORYNERD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Surfer girl"

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: WAHINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Doctors"

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 sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
• Words that mean the same thing: repair, restitution, damages
• The opposite would be: worsen
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AMENDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Poet who wrote "A Child's Christmas in Wales""

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 united states clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)
• Words that mean the same thing: Dylan Marlais Thomas, Norman Thomas, Lowell Thomas
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THOMAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. Firmly bond"

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 concrete pavement is sometimes referred to as cement
• Words that mean the same thing: cementum
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CEMENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "32. Court"

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 seek someone's favor
• Words that mean the same thing: romance, solicit, court
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "33. "___ Carter III" (best-selling Lil Wayne album)"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium 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: THA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "34. Napa excursion"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WINETOUR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Fictional African country of film"

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "36. Took care of a dog or cat, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: PETSAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. "Alrighty then""

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: SOBEIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "40. "Romanian Rhapsodies" composer"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that romanian violinist and composer (1881-1955)
• Words that mean the same thing: Georges Enesco, George Enescu
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENESCO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "41. Like the days following Mardi Gras"

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

  The answer is: LENTEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "43. Cruxes"

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 central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
• Words that mean the same thing: essence, substance, heart and soul
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GISTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Gloomy, poetically"

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 causing dejection
• Words that mean the same thing: dreary, blue, gloomy
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DREAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Sub text, maybe"

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 prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
• Words that mean the same thing: blue-pencil, edit out, cut
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EDIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "49. Hawaiian fish also called the wahoo"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states musician (born in japan) who married john lennon and collaborated with him on recordings (born in 1933)
• Words that mean the same thing: Yoko Ono
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ONO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Juice 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 a sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice
• Words that mean the same thing: fruit drink
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "52. Some Best Buy buys"

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 broadcasting visual images of stationary or moving objects; ; - ernie kovacs
• Words that mean the same thing: video, tv set, TV
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TVS

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	44	68.8%
Short Answer	12	18.8%
History	2	3.1%
Music	2	3.1%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.6%
Sports	1	1.6%
Abbreviation	1	1.6%
Geography	1	1.6%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	31
Down Clues	33
Total Clues	64
Average Answer Length	5.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	11 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

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

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

Last Updated: September 10, 2025 at 06:31 AM

XWordHint Crossword Answers March 30, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (37 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (41 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Print, Copy, ___, Fax (printer selections)	4
2A	5. Former Giants QB Manning	3
3A	8. Element discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie	6
4A	14. Sparkling wine of Italy, familiarly	4
5A	15. Odd ___ out (misfit)	3
6A	16. "In spite of all that ..."	6
7A	17. Endless TikTok scrolling or Tetris playing, e.g.	8
8A	19. Rented	6
9A	20. Wastebasket, jokingly	12
10A	22. Only U.S. president from Delaware	5
11A	25. Grand production	4
12A	26. ___ Plaines, Ill.	3
13A	27. Smelter's material	3
14A	28. Popular sushi fish	3
15A	30. Like the Mariana Trench among all the world's underwater places	7
16A	33. Guy who goes a-courting	4
17A	35. "You've ___ this!"	3
18A	37. Rodeo rope	5
19A	38. Illegal distribution of narcotics	11
20A	42. Whimpers	5
21A	44. Right-angled shape	3
22A	45. Corner piece on a chessboard	4
23A	48. Top placement in a bracket, for a March Madness team	7
24A	51. Caustic paint stripper	3
25A	53. Be in arrears	3
26A	54. Onetime AT&T competitor	3
27A	55. Tiny amount	4
28A	57. Answer	5
29A	59. Where to pick up luggage at an airport	12
30A	63. Regrettably unfortunate	6
31A	64. Went into reverse ... or what the ends of 17-, 20-, 38- and 59-Across might be	8
32A	68. Word after Irish or jet	6
33A	69. Longtime record label or Beastie Boy	3
34A	70. Valentine's Day flower	4
35A	71. Size up	6
36A	72. Glide down a slope	3
37A	73. ___ of the Horse (2026 in the Chinese zodiac)	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Print, Copy, ___, Fax (printer selections)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
• Similar words include: skim, read, CAT scan
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SCAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Former Giants QB Manning"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "8. Element discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores
• Similar words include: atomic number 88, Ra
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RADIUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Sparkling wine of Italy, familiarly"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASTI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Odd ___ out (misfit)"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
• Similar words include: human, Isle of Man, valet
• Opposite of: civilian, woman

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "In spite of all that ...""

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EVENSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Endless TikTok scrolling or Tetris playing, e.g."

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIMESINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Rented"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that let for money
• Similar words include: charter, hired, let
• Opposite of: unchartered

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LEASED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Wastebasket, jokingly"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CIRCULARFILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. Only U.S. president from Delaware"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BIDEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "25. Grand production"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
• Similar words include: larger-than-life, heroic, epical
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. ___ Plaines, Ill."

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a potent estrogen used in medicine and in feed for livestock and poultry
• Similar words include: stilboestrol, diethylstilboestrol, stilbestrol
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Smelter's material"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Popular sushi fish"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Like the Mariana Trench among all the world's underwater places"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
• Similar words include: cryptical, abstruse, cryptic
• Opposite of: shallow

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEEPEST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Guy who goes a-courting"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman
• Similar words include: fellow, gallant, dude
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BEAU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. "You've ___ this!""

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
• Similar words include: catch, gravel, contract
• Opposite of: leave, end

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Rodeo rope"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that belgian composer (1532-1594)
• Similar words include: Orlando di Lasso, lariat, riata
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LASSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "38. Illegal distribution of narcotics"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRUGTRAFFIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Whimpers"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that cry weakly or softly
• Similar words include: wail, whimper, pule
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MEWLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Right-angled shape"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an extension at the end and at right angles to the main building
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Corner piece on a chessboard"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (chess) the piece that can move any number of unoccupied squares in a direction parallel to the sides of the chessboard
• Similar words include: mulct, victimize, hornswoggle
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "48. Top placement in a bracket, for a March Madness team"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ONESEED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "51. Caustic paint stripper"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "53. Be in arrears"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that be obliged to pay or repay
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Onetime AT&T competitor"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "55. Tiny amount"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a small indefinite quantity (especially of a liquid); ; ; ; --kipling
• Similar words include: driblet, drop
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "57. Answer"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
• Similar words include: response, answer, respond
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: REPLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Where to pick up luggage at an airport"

12 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BAGGAGECLAIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "63. Regrettably unfortunate"

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASHAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. Went into reverse ... or what the ends of 17-, 20-, 38- and 59-Across might be"

8 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BACKEDUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "68. Word after Irish or jet"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one who sets written material into type
• Similar words include: typesetter, typographer, compositor
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SETTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "69. Longtime record label or Beastie Boy"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MCA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "70. Valentine's Day flower"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of many shrubs of the genus rosa that bear roses
• Similar words include: rear, spring up, grow
• Opposite of: go to bed, turn in

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "71. Size up"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of
• Similar words include: tax, value, valuate
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASSESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "72. Glide down a slope"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SKI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "73. ___ of the Horse (2026 in the Chinese zodiac)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
• Similar words include: twelvemonth, yr, class
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Stayed on the bench	3
2D	2. Long-running CBS procedural with spinoffs	3
3D	3. Fixture at a "cash only" establishment	3
4D	4. Nephew's sister	5
5D	5. Dubai dignitary	4
6D	6. Round Table knight who betrayed King Arthur	8
7D	7. Cover with tattoos, colloquially	5
8D	8. Equip with new shoestrings	6
9D	9. State with certainty	4
10D	10. Like many users of sign language	4
11D	11. News exclusive from someone in the know	11
12D	12. Of no help	7
13D	13. California city with a humble-sounding name	7
14D	18. Basic trig ratio	4
15D	21. Box top	3
16D	22. Go up and down in the water	3
17D	23. Livid feeling	3
18D	24. Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically	11
19D	29. Item in an Easter hunt	3
20D	31. Sprite	3
21D	32. Team of two	4
22D	34. Internet addresses, for short	4
23D	36. Uno + due	3
24D	39. Take advantage of	3
25D	40. Like the original Broadway cast of "The Wiz"	8
26D	41. Travel by air	3
27D	42. Kenya's second-largest city	7
28D	43. Boxes up securely	7
29D	46. "Wise" bird	3
30D	47. F sharp major, for one	3
31D	49. Lawn-neatening tools	6
32D	50. Rap's Dr. ___	3
33D	52. Actor Estrada of "CHiPs"	4
34D	56. Warhead weapons, for short	5
35D	58. Manicurist's board	5
36D	60. Bit of boarding pass info	4
37D	61. Iowa college town	4
38D	62. "Superfood" berry	4
39D	65. Stag's mate	3
40D	66. Team for Olympians Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin	3
41D	67. ___ capita	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Stayed on the bench"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the sabbath by jews and some christians
• Similar words include: seat, posture, sit
• Opposite of: arise, stand

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Long-running CBS procedural with spinoffs"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CSI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Fixture at a "cash only" establishment"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade
• Similar words include: automatic teller, automated teller machine, automatic teller machine
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ATM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Nephew's sister"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a daughter of your brother or sister
• Opposite of: nephew
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NIECE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Dubai dignitary"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an independent ruler or chieftain (especially in africa or arabia)
• Similar words include: emeer, amir, ameer
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Round Table knight who betrayed King Arthur"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (arthurian legend) one of the knights of the round table; friend of king arthur until (according to some versions of the legend) he became the lover of arthur's wife guinevere
• Similar words include: Sir Lancelot
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LANCELOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Cover with tattoos, colloquially"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INKUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Equip with new shoestrings"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RELACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. State with certainty"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that report or maintain
• Similar words include: allege, avow, affirm
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Like many users of sign language"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that people who have severe hearing impairments
• Similar words include: deafen, indifferent
• Opposite of: hearing

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEAF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. News exclusive from someone in the know"

11 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INSIDESCOOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Of no help"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
• Opposite of: useful
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USELESS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. California city with a humble-sounding name"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MODESTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Basic trig ratio"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that ratio of the length of the side opposite the given angle to the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
• Similar words include: sin
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Box top"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
• Similar words include: hat, chapeau, palpebra
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "22. Go up and down in the water"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a former monetary unit in great britain
• Similar words include: bobsleigh, bobber, dock
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BOB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "23. Livid feeling"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
• Similar words include: anger, wrath, ira
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "24. Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically"

11 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEADWEIGHTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Item in an Easter hunt"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
• Similar words include: nut, bollock, testis
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EGG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Sprite"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
• Similar words include: pixie, imp, gremlin
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Team of two"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a set of two similar things considered as a unit
• Similar words include: yoke, dyad, couplet
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PAIR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Internet addresses, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the address of a web page on the world wide web
• Similar words include: uniform resource locator, universal resource locator, URL
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: URLS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Uno + due"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "39. Take advantage of"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the act of using
• Similar words include: expend, apply, habituate
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "40. Like the original Broadway cast of "The Wiz""

8 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALLBLACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. Travel by air"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that two-winged insects characterized by active flight
• Similar words include: take flight, vaporize, vanish
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FLY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Kenya's second-largest city"

7 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a port city in southern kenya on a coral island in a bay of the indian ocean
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOMBASA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Boxes up securely"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that enclose in, or as if in, a case
• Similar words include: incase, encase, case
• Pattern: _______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ENCASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. "Wise" bird"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
• Similar words include: hooter, bird of Minerva, bird of night
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OWL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "47. F sharp major, for one"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of 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
• Similar words include: fundamental, identify, cay
• Opposite of: atonality

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Lawn-neatening tools"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a person who puts finishing edges on a garment
• Similar words include: edger
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDGERS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Rap's Dr. ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DRE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Actor Estrada of "CHiPs""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERIK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "56. Warhead weapons, for short"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a ballistic missile that is capable of traveling from one continent to another
• Similar words include: ICBM, intercontinental ballistic missile
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICBMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "58. Manicurist's board"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a hard grey-black mineral consisting of corundum and either hematite or magnetite; used as an abrasive (especially as a coating on paper)
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EMERY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "60. Bit of boarding pass info"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a movable barrier in a fence or wall
• Similar words include: logic gate
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "61. Iowa college town"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "62. "Superfood" berry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "65. Stag's mate"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the united states; created in 1977
• Similar words include: Energy, Energy Department, Department of Energy
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "66. Team for Olympians Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that north american republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in north america plus alaska in northwest north america and the hawaiian islands in the pacific ocean; achieved independence in 1776
• Similar words include: America, Army, United States
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: USA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "67. ___ capita"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues

41 Down Clues

78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

• Complete NYT Crossword Archive
• Advanced Solving Techniques
• Common Crossword Words

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: March 30, 2026 at 05:38 AM