NYT Down Crossword October 06, 2025 - Master All 39 Top-to-Bottom Clues
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 39 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: February 25 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | January 19 2024 NYT Clues Solutions | October 06 2022 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | October 06, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Monday |
| Total Down Clues | 39 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 39 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Closest pals always |
| 2 Down | 2. Song for a diva |
| 3 Down | 3. "Stay seated" |
| 4 Down | 4. Sunny-side-up item |
| 5 Down | 5. Place for privacy in a library |
| 6 Down | 6. ___ Croft, "Tomb Raider" character |
| 7 Down | 7. Welcoming feature of a bakery |
| 8 Down | 8. Sun phenomenon that can cause radio blackouts |
| 9 Down | 9. TV show with the most Emmy nominations of all time, familiarly (350+) |
| 10 Down | 10. Music genre for Bob Marley |
| 11 Down | 11. Nut for a squirrel |
| 12 Down | 12. Backed (away from) |
| 13 Down | 13. Beehive production |
| 14 Down | 18. Fashion designer Mode in "The Incredibles" |
| 15 Down | 22. Performed on the stage |
| 16 Down | 24. "Beowulf" or the "Iliad" |
| 17 Down | 26. Street name in the center of town |
| 18 Down | 27. Hawaiian goose |
| 19 Down | 28. Skaters who do lifts and twizzles |
| 20 Down | 30. ___ blue |
| 21 Down | 32. Language suffix |
| 22 Down | 33. Secret compartment, informally |
| 23 Down | 34. The "A" in DNA |
| 24 Down | 35. Most common English word |
| 25 Down | 37. Where pants may need patching |
| 26 Down | 38. Source of much igneous rock |
| 27 Down | 39. Left the area |
| 28 Down | 43. Steakhouse options named for a letter |
| 29 Down | 45. Fruit left on teachers' desks, perhaps |
| 30 Down | 46. Stand up |
| 31 Down | 47. Rips |
| 32 Down | 48. Protruding bellybutton type |
| 33 Down | 49. Gradually wear away, as soil |
| 34 Down | 50. Sandbar |
| 35 Down | 54. Church area next to the chancel |
| 36 Down | 56. Big name in noise-canceling headphones |
| 37 Down | 57. Stench |
| 38 Down | 59. Architect I.M. ___ |
| 39 Down | 60. Just lovely, informally |
Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues
Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:
- December 24 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- April 08 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
- August 07 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
- January 09 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Closest pals always"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: B__S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BFFS
2 Down: "2. Song for a diva"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: A__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an elaborate song for solo voice
- This is Down clue number 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARIA
3 Down: "3. "Stay seated""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'P'
- Word pattern: D_______P
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DONTGETUP
4 Down: "4. Sunny-side-up item"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'G'
- Similar words: eggs, testicle
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EGG
5 Down: "5. Place for privacy in a library"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: C____L
- Similar words: Alexis Carrel, carrell
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CARREL
6 Down: "6. ___ Croft, "Tomb Raider" character"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: L__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LARA
7 Down: "7. Welcoming feature of a bakery"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: A___A
- Similar words: perfume, smell
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: any property detected by the olfactory system
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AROMA
8 Down: "8. Sun phenomenon that can cause radio blackouts"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: S________E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SOLARFLARE
9 Down: "9. TV show with the most Emmy nominations of all time, familiarly (350+)"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'L'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SNL
10 Down: "10. Music genre for Bob Marley"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: R____E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
REGGAE
11 Down: "11. Nut for a squirrel"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: A___N
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ACORN
12 Down: "12. Backed (away from)"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: S___D
- Similar words: shy
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: start suddenly
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SHIED
13 Down: "13. Beehive production"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: H___Y
- Similar words: dear, beloved
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a sweet yellow liquid produced by bees
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HONEY
14 Down: "18. Fashion designer Mode in "The Incredibles""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: E__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EDNA
15 Down: "22. Performed on the stage"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: A___D
- Similar words: do, play
- Opposite of: refrain
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: perform an action
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ACTED
16 Down: "24. "Beowulf" or the "Iliad""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'C'
- Word pattern: E__C
- Similar words: heroic poem, epical
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EPIC
17 Down: "26. Street name in the center of town"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: M__N
- Similar words: briny, chief
- Opposite of: dependent
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: any very large body of (salt) water
- This is Down clue number 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MAIN
18 Down: "27. Hawaiian goose"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: N__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
NENE
19 Down: "28. Skaters who do lifts and twizzles"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 10 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: I________S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ICEDANCERS
20 Down: "30. ___ blue"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'Y'
- Similar words: flip, toss
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SKY
21 Down: "32. Language suffix"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Similar words: east southeast
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: the compass point midway between east and southeast
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ESE
22 Down: "33. Secret compartment, informally"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: H_______E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HIDEYHOLE
23 Down: "34. The "A" in DNA"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: A__D
- Similar words: Elvis, superman
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ACID
24 Down: "35. Most common English word"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
THE
25 Down: "37. Where pants may need patching"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'K' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: K___S
- Similar words: knee, stifle
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
KNEES
26 Down: "38. Source of much igneous rock"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'A'
- Word pattern: L__A
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LAVA
27 Down: "39. Left the area"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'W' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: W__T
- Similar words: pop off, break down
- Opposite of: come
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: change location; move
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
WENT
28 Down: "43. Steakhouse options named for a letter"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: T____S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TBONES
29 Down: "45. Fruit left on teachers' desks, perhaps"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A____S
- Similar words: Malus pumila, apple
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
APPLES
30 Down: "46. Stand up"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'R' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: R__E
- Similar words: emanation, rising slope
- Opposite of: wane
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a growth in strength or number or importance
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RISE
31 Down: "47. Rips"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: T___S
- Similar words: teardrop, rupture
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TEARS
32 Down: "48. Protruding bellybutton type"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: O___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OUTIE
33 Down: "49. Gradually wear away, as soil"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E___E
- Similar words: fret, gnaw
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: become ground down or deteriorate
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ERODE
34 Down: "50. Sandbar"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: S___L
- Similar words: shallow, school
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SHOAL
35 Down: "54. Church area next to the chancel"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: A__E
- Similar words: apsis
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
APSE
36 Down: "56. Big name in noise-canceling headphones"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: B__E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 36
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BOSE
37 Down: "57. Stench"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: O__R
- Similar words: smell, aroma
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: any property detected by the olfactory system
- This is Down clue number 37
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ODOR
38 Down: "59. Architect I.M. ___"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'I'
- Similar words: I. M. Pei, Ieoh Ming Pei
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: United States architect (born in China in 1917)
- This is Down clue number 38
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PEI
39 Down: "60. Just lovely, informally"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'B'
- Similar words: fabulous
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: extremely pleasing
- This is Down clue number 39
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
FAB
Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues
Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:
Why Start with Down Clues?
- Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
- Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
- Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
- Down answers often help solve Across clues
Down Clue Patterns to Recognize
- Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
- Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
- Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
- Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
- Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically
Time-Saving Down Techniques
| Technique | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Scan all Down first | Get a mental map of the vertical flow |
| Fill short Down words | 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors |
| Use crossing letters | Across letters help confirm Down answers |
| Look for themes | Related Down answers often share a theme |
Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues
What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?
Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.
Should I solve Down or Across clues first?
Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.
How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?
Today's NYT crossword has 39 Down clues.
Are Down clues easier than Across clues?
Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.
How do Down clues interact with Across clues?
Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.
