Friday's NYT Down Nov 28 - Full Vertical Grid Solutions
Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 35 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!
Related Puzzles: January 27 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | Xwordhint Crossword Answers September_19 | July 08 2023 NYT Clues Solutions |
About Today's Down Clues
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | November 28, 2025 |
| Day of Week | Friday |
| Total Down Clues | 35 clues |
| Direction | Vertical (Top to Bottom) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
All Down Clues - Complete List
Here are all 35 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.
| Number | Clue |
|---|---|
| 1 Down | 1. Words of affirmation |
| 2 Down | 2. Sam's wife in "The Lord of the Rings" |
| 3 Down | 3. Setting of the 1888 painting "Café Terrace at Night" |
| 4 Down | 4. Genre for Toots and the Maytals |
| 5 Down | 5. Bishop for whom a neighborhood in Paris is named |
| 6 Down | 6. Junk food that, ironically, has an exercise in its name |
| 7 Down | 7. Runs |
| 8 Down | 8. Rap figures, for short |
| 9 Down | 9. Similarly |
| 10 Down | 10. Flash mob group, perhaps |
| 11 Down | 11. Decide where to stay |
| 12 Down | 12. One wearing the Star of Life emblem, for short |
| 13 Down | 13. "Quite so" |
| 14 Down | 15. Back in the race? |
| 15 Down | 21. French name meaning "born again" |
| 16 Down | 23. "Mind your own beeswax!" |
| 17 Down | 24. It's not constructive |
| 18 Down | 25. Game division |
| 19 Down | 26. "I saw that!" |
| 20 Down | 28. Eccentric |
| 21 Down | 29. Colorful capsule that splatters |
| 22 Down | 31. Like samples |
| 23 Down | 33. Appetizer |
| 24 Down | 34. Anchors might be seen on them |
| 25 Down | 35. ___-Latino |
| 26 Down | 36. Funny Fred |
| 27 Down | 38. Picks up |
| 28 Down | 41. Literary protagonist who "generally gave herself very good advice (though she very seldom followed it)" |
| 29 Down | 42. Some hailstone "souvenirs" |
| 30 Down | 43. "Oof, sounds terrible!" |
| 31 Down | 45. Top-tier |
| 32 Down | 47. Softball question |
| 33 Down | 48. José ___ (Mexican food brand) |
| 34 Down | 49. Humble dwelling |
| 35 Down | 50. Served as |
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:
- July 08 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
- March 16 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
- October 21 2019 NYT Clues Solutions
- Xwordhint Crossword Answers September_19
Complete Down Solutions:
1 Down: "1. Words of affirmation"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: I___L
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 1
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
IWILL
2 Down: "2. Sam's wife in "The Lord of the Rings""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 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 2
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ROSIE
3 Down: "3. Setting of the 1888 painting "Café Terrace at Night""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A___S
- Similar words: earnest money
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract
- This is Down clue number 3
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARLES
4 Down: "4. Genre for Toots and the Maytals"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'A'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 4
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SKA
5 Down: "5. Bishop for whom a neighborhood in Paris is named"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S_____S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 5
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STDENIS
6 Down: "6. Junk food that, ironically, has an exercise in its name"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 11 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: C_________S
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 6
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
CHEESECURLS
7 Down: "7. Runs"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: A__S
- Similar words: vent, air out
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: affected manners intended to impress others
- This is Down clue number 7
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AIRS
8 Down: "8. Rap figures, for short"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'M' and ends with 'S'
- Similar words: megahertz, Mc
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: one million periods per second
- This is Down clue number 8
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
MCS
9 Down: "9. Similarly"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'I' and ends with 'D'
- Word pattern: I____D
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 9
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
INKIND
10 Down: "10. Flash mob group, perhaps"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 11 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: D_________E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 10
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DANCETROUPE
11 Down: "11. Decide where to stay"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'B' and ends with 'M'
- Word pattern: B_______M
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 11
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BOOKAROOM
12 Down: "12. One wearing the Star of Life emblem, for short"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 12
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
EMT
13 Down: "13. "Quite so""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
- Similar words: si, te
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 13
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TIS
14 Down: "15. Back in the race?"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: E_____E
- Similar words: second, certify
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: be behind; approve of
- This is Down clue number 14
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ENDORSE
15 Down: "21. French name meaning "born again""
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
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 15
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
RENE
16 Down: "23. "Mind your own beeswax!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 11 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
- Word pattern: S_________T
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 16
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STAYOUTOFIT
17 Down: "24. It's not constructive"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 11 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 17
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
BADATTITUDE
18 Down: "25. Game division"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'N'
- Word pattern: T__N
- Similar words: wrench, call on
- Opposite of: unbend
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a circular segment of a curve
- This is Down clue number 18
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TURN
19 Down: "26. "I saw that!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'Y'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 19
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HEY
20 Down: "28. Eccentric"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'Y'
- Word pattern: D___Y
- Similar words: nuts, batty
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
- This is Down clue number 20
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DOTTY
21 Down: "29. Colorful capsule that splatters"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'P' and ends with 'L'
- Word pattern: P_______L
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 21
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
PAINTBALL
22 Down: "31. Like samples"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'F' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: F__E
- Similar words: justify, innocent
- Opposite of: obstruct
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: people who are free
- This is Down clue number 22
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
FREE
23 Down: "33. Appetizer"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'R'
- Word pattern: S_____R
- Similar words: starter motor, newcomer
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an electric motor for starting an engine
- This is Down clue number 23
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
STARTER
24 Down: "34. Anchors might be seen on them"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
- Similar words: television set, boob tube
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 24
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
TVS
25 Down: "35. ___-Latino"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
- Word pattern: A__O
- Similar words: Afro hairdo
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a rounded thickly curled hairdo
- This is Down clue number 25
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AFRO
26 Down: "36. Funny Fred"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 7 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 26
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ARMISEN
27 Down: "38. Picks up"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 6 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: S____S
- Similar words: Mary Jane, locoweed
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a general conscious awareness
- This is Down clue number 27
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
SENSES
28 Down: "41. Literary protagonist who "generally gave herself very good advice (though she very seldom followed it)""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
- Word pattern: A___E
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 28
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
ALICE
29 Down: "42. Some hailstone "souvenirs""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
- Word pattern: D___S
- Similar words: slit, ding
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening)
- This is Down clue number 29
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
DENTS
30 Down: "43. "Oof, sounds terrible!""
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'H'
- Word pattern: Y___H
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 30
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
YEESH
31 Down: "45. Top-tier"
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
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 31
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
AONE
32 Down: "47. Softball question"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'L' and ends with 'B'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: an easy return of a tennis ball in a high arc
- This is Down clue number 32
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
LOB
33 Down: "48. José ___ (Mexican food brand)"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- This is Down clue number 33
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
OLE
34 Down: "49. Humble dwelling"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'H' and ends with 'T'
- Similar words: shack, field hut
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: temporary military shelter
- This is Down clue number 34
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
HUT
35 Down: "50. Served as"
Helpful hints for this Down clue:
- This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
- It starts with 'W' and ends with 'S'
- Similar words: personify, follow
- Opposite of: differ
- This is an abbreviation or acronym
- Definition: a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific
- This is Down clue number 35
Answer: Click to reveal the Down answer
WAS
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 35 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.
