July 29, 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (43 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, July 29, 2019

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (35 Across, 43 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

NYT Monday Crossword Across Clues - July 29, 2019 Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Major uncertainty	5
2A	6. Canvas for a tattoo	4
3A	10. Mae who said "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted"	4
4A	14. "You ___ Beautiful" (Joe Cocker hit)	5
5A	15. Mexican entree in a shell	4
6A	16. Large fair, informally	4
7A	17. Athlete with a mitt	10
8A	19. Bridle strap	4
9A	20. Poker stake	4
10A	21. Bill Clinton's was in the 1990s	3
11A	22. ___ Haute, Ind.	5
12A	23. One going for a stroll among urban greenery	11
13A	26. "Quit wasting time!"	7
14A	30. Abba of Israel	4
15A	31. Even a little	5
16A	32. ___-haw	3
17A	33. Plumbing woe	4
18A	37. Official hearing a case	15
19A	41. Fish that wriggle	4
20A	42. What's dropped off a cigarette	3
21A	43. Words of empathy	5
22A	44. Weights that may be "short" or "long"	4
23A	46. Tevye's occupation in "Fiddler on the Roof"	7
24A	48. Herbie Hancock or Chick Corea	11
25A	52. "Later, amigo!"	5
26A	53. Employ	3
27A	54. Bleats	4
28A	58. William with a state named after him	4
29A	59. Place where 17-, 23-, 37- and 48-Across might be found	10
30A	62. Sheltered from the wind	4
31A	63. Parks in civil rights history	4
32A	64. Language family of Africa	5
33A	65. Loch ___ monster	4
34A	66. "That's enough!"	4
35A	67. Adventurous journey	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. Major uncertainty"

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: BIGIF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Canvas for a tattoo"

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 natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
• Words that mean the same thing: shin, cutis, sputter
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SKIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Mae who said "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted""

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 countries of (originally) europe and (now including) north america and south america
• Words that mean the same thing: due west, Dame Rebecca West, Rebecca West
• The opposite would be: east
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. "You ___ Beautiful" (Joe Cocker hit)"

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: ARESO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Mexican entree in a shell"

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 (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of mexican descent
• Words that mean the same thing: greaser, wetback
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TACO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Large fair, informally"

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 collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display
• Words that mean the same thing: exposition, exhibition
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXPO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Athlete with a mitt"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an athlete who plays baseball
• Words that mean the same thing: baseball player
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BALLPLAYER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Bridle strap"

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 one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
• Words that mean the same thing: rule, rein in, harness
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Poker stake"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ANTE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Bill Clinton's was in the 1990s"

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 period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
• Words that mean the same thing: epoch, earned run average, 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: ERA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. ___ Haute, Ind."

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: TERRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "23. One going for a stroll among urban greenery"

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: PARKVISITOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. "Quit wasting time!""

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: GETBUSY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Abba of Israel"

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: EBAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Even a little"

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: ATALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "32. ___-haw"

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: HEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "33. Plumbing woe"

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 accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape
• Words that mean the same thing: wetting, escape, outflow
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEAK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Official hearing a case"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: TRIALCOURTJUDGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "41. Fish that wriggle"

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 fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
• Words that mean the same thing: eel
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EELS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "42. What's dropped off a cigarette"

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 residue that remains when something is burned
• Words that mean the same thing: ash tree
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Words of empathy"

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: ICARE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "44. Weights that may be "short" or "long""

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 large number or amount
• Words that mean the same thing: short ton, oodles, gross 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: TONS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Tevye's occupation in "Fiddler on the Roof""

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

  The answer is: MILKMAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "48. Herbie Hancock or Chick Corea"

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: JAZZPIANIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "52. "Later, amigo!""

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 farewell remark
• Words that mean the same thing: goodbye, good-by, so long
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADIOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "53. Employ"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the act of using
• Words that mean the same thing: exercise, use of goods and services, utilization
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "54. Bleats"

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 south african term for `boss'
• Words that mean the same thing: blat, blate, bleat
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "58. William with a state named after him"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that englishman and quaker who founded the colony of pennsylvania (1644-1718)
• Words that mean the same thing: William Penn, Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PENN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "59. Place where 17-, 23-, 37- and 48-Across might be found"

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: ONTHEBENCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "62. Sheltered from the wind"

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

  The answer is: ALEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "63. Parks in civil rights history"

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 large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Rosa
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "64. Language family of Africa"

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 member of any of a large number of linguistically related peoples of central and south africa
• Words that mean the same thing: Bantoid language
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BANTU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "65. Loch ___ monster"

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 strip of land projecting into a body of water
• Words that mean the same thing: cape
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "66. "That's enough!""

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 event of something ending
• Words that mean the same thing: break, terminate, occlusive
• The opposite would be: continue, continuant consonant
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "67. Adventurous journey"

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 search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
• Words that mean the same thing: pursuance, seeking, pursuit
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: QUEST

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Monday Crossword Down Clues - July 29, 2019 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. "Ali ___ and the 40 Thieves"	4
2D	2. Land with an ayatollah	4
3D	3. Hanukkah "moolah"	4
4D	4. ___ of Capri	4
5D	5. Dandyish dresser	3
6D	6. Van Gogh's "The ___ Night"	6
7D	7. Boat you might shoot rapids in	5
8D	8. What a "neat" drink doesn't come with	3
9D	9. Word paired with "neither"	3
10D	10. "How fortunate for us!"	10
11D	11. Apply, as force	5
12D	12. Former vice president Agnew	5
13D	13. Printer cartridge contents	5
14D	18. Meadows	4
15D	22. Airport screening org.	3
16D	23. Tug on	4
17D	24. Turn sharply	4
18D	25. Skeptic's sarcastic comment	4
19D	26. Racehorse's starting point	4
20D	27. Raison d'___	4
21D	28. Pin the ___ on the donkey	4
22D	29. Bomb testing areas	10
23D	32. "Come again?"	3
24D	34. Semihard Dutch cheese	4
25D	35. City that's home to the Taj Mahal	4
26D	36. Sharp-witted	4
27D	38. "Is it O.K., mom?"	4
28D	39. Peak near Olympus	4
29D	40. Leave at the altar	4
30D	45. Special ___ (military missions)	3
31D	46. Event that's an "Oops!"	6
32D	47. "Ah, makes sense"	4
33D	48. Where Honda and Mazda are headquartered	5
34D	49. Grammy-winning singer of "Hello"	5
35D	50. Fan publications, informally	5
36D	51. Bonkers	5
37D	54. Lover boy	4
38D	55. Youngest of the Brontë sisters	4
39D	56. Things passed in Congress	4
40D	57. "___ your piehole!"	4
41D	59. Surgery sites, for short	3
42D	60. Word after waste and want	3
43D	61. Cookout, briefly	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. "Ali ___ and the 40 Thieves""

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

  The answer is: BABA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Land with an ayatollah"

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 theocratic islamic republic in the middle east in western asia; iran was the core of the ancient empire that was known as persia until 1935; rich in oil
• Words that mean the same thing: Islamic Republic of Iran, Persia
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IRAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Hanukkah "moolah""

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 informal terms for money
• Words that mean the same thing: wampum, cabbage, dough
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GELT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. ___ of Capri"

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

  The answer is: ISLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Dandyish dresser"

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 man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
• Words that mean the same thing: swell, dude, gallant
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Van Gogh's "The ___ Night""

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 abounding with or resembling stars
• The opposite would be: starless
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STARRY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Boat you might shoot rapids in"

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 small canoe consisting of a light frame made watertight with animal skins; used by eskimos
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KAYAK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. What a "neat" drink doesn't come with"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that water frozen in the solid state
• Words that mean the same thing: shabu, glass, frost
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Word paired with "neither""

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: NOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "How fortunate for us!""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: WEREINLUCK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Apply, as force"

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 have and exercise
• Words that mean the same thing: wield, exercise, maintain
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXERT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Former vice president Agnew"

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: SPIRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Printer cartridge contents"

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 solution containing chemicals that can change the color of a photographic print
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TONER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Meadows"

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 unit of length of thread or yarn
• Words that mean the same thing: lea, grazing land, pastureland
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "22. Airport screening org."

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 agency established in 2001 to safeguard united states transportation systems and insure safe air travel
• Words that mean the same thing: Transportation Security Administration
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. Tug on"

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 act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
• Words that mean the same thing: perpetrate, rive, tear
• The opposite would be: push, repel
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PULL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Turn sharply"

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 turn sharply; change direction abruptly
• Words that mean the same thing: slue, cut, swerve
• The opposite would be: back
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VEER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Skeptic's sarcastic comment"

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: IBET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Racehorse's starting point"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a movable barrier in a fence or wall
• Words that mean the same thing: logic gate
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Raison d'___"

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: ETRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "28. Pin the ___ on the donkey"

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 posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
• Words that mean the same thing: can, tag, bob
• The opposite would be: head
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "29. Bomb testing areas"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: BLASTZONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "32. "Come again?""

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: HUH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Semihard Dutch cheese"

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 mild yellow dutch cheese made in balls encased in a red covering
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EDAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. City that's home to the Taj Mahal"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a city in northern india; former capital of the mogul empire; site of the taj mahal
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AGRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "36. Sharp-witted"

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 funeral lament sung with loud wailing
• Words that mean the same thing: lancinate, penetrative, knifelike
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KEEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "38. "Is it O.K., mom?""

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: CANI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "39. Peak near Olympus"

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 mouth or mouthlike opening
• Words that mean the same thing: os, osmium, atomic number 76
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OSSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "40. Leave at the altar"

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

  The answer is: JILT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "45. Special ___ (military missions)"

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 (roman mythology) goddess of abundance and fertility; wife of saturn; counterpart of greek rhea and cybele of ancient asia minor
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "46. Event that's an "Oops!""

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 an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
• Words that mean the same thing: bad luck, misadventure, mischance
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MISHAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "47. "Ah, makes sense""

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: ISEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "48. Where Honda and Mazda are headquartered"

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 string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of asia extending 1,300 miles between the sea of japan and the western pacific ocean
• Words that mean the same thing: Nippon, Japanese Islands, Japanese Archipelago
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JAPAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "49. Grammy-winning singer of "Hello""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ADELE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "50. Fan publications, informally"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: ZINES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "51. Bonkers"

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: NUTSO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "54. Lover boy"

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 man who is the lover of a girl or young woman
• Words that mean the same thing: swell, dude, boyfriend
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "55. Youngest of the Brontë sisters"

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 queen of england and scotland and ireland; daughter if james ii and the last of the stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last english ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "56. Things passed in Congress"

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 new testament book describing the development of the early church from christ's ascension to paul's sojourn at rome
• Words that mean the same thing: human action, Acts of the Apostles, enactment
• The opposite would be: refrain
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "57. "___ your piehole!""

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 move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
• Words that mean the same thing: closed, exclude, keep out
• The opposite would be: admit, open
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "59. Surgery sites, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a state in northwestern united states on the pacific
• Words that mean the same thing: Beaver State, operating room, Oregon
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 42 Down: "60. Word after waste and want"

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 negation of a word or group of words
• Words that mean the same thing: non
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 43 Down: "61. Cookout, briefly"

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

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: BBQ

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	60	76.9%
Short Answer	10	12.8%
Geography	2	2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.6%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
History	1	1.3%
Food & Drink	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	43
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 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!

More Crossword Resources

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

• December 12 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 10 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• July 17 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• March 03 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 07 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 08 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 29 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 07 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• May 04 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• April 24 2024 NYT Clues Solutions

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: October 01, 2025 at 09:42 AM

December 18, 2023 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (35 clues)
• Down Clues (41 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, December 18, 2023

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (35 Across, 41 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.0 letters

Across Clues Explained - Monday NYT Crossword December 18, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Parishioners' bench	3
2A	4. Spanish "Bye!"	5
3A	9. Unexpected plot development	5
4A	14. Before, in poetry	3
5A	15. Variety show with skits and songs	5
6A	16. Got out of bed	5
7A	17. Preliminary tournament stage	15
8A	20. Commotion	6
9A	21. Campus figure with a "list"	4
10A	22. 1960s soul singer Redding	4
11A	23. Filipino or Laotian	5
12A	26. Fig. on a college transcript	3
13A	29. "Spring forward" clock setting: Abbr.	3
14A	30. Snake oil salesman's offering	11
15A	33. Move just a little	5
16A	34. Got hitched in Vegas, perhaps	6
17A	35. Cause for a produce recall	5
18A	38. Lawyers' org.	3
19A	40. 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.	5
20A	41. 1989's "Honey, I ___ the Kids"	6
21A	43. Wonderland visitor	5
22A	45. Woman temporarily serving as monarch	11
23A	47. Ice cream amts.	3
24A	50. Disorderly bunch	3
25A	51. Beginning phase	5
26A	52. Last word in "The Twelve Days of Christmas"	4
27A	53. Actress ___ Skye	4
28A	55. Passes into law	6
29A	57. Financial statement issued every three months	15
30A	62. Railroad property in Monopoly	5
31A	63. Actress Davis of "Thelma & Louise"	5
32A	64. 20-sided game piece in Dungeons & Dragons	3
33A	65. Intelligence	5
34A	66. Important agent in bread dough and beer fermentation	5
35A	67. Guinness book suffix	3

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. Parishioners' bench"

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 long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
• Words that mean the same thing: church bench
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. Spanish "Bye!""

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 farewell remark
• Words that mean the same thing: auf wiedersehen, bye, good-by
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADIOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Unexpected plot development"

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 unforeseen development
• Words that mean the same thing: pervert, wind, wriggle
• The opposite would be: untwist, unbend
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TWIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Before, in poetry"

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: ERE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Variety show with skits and songs"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
• Words that mean the same thing: review
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REVUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Got out of bed"

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 come into existence; take on form or shape
• Words that mean the same thing: bob up, rise, grow
• The opposite would be: turn in, fall
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AROSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Preliminary tournament stage"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: QUALIFYINGROUND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Commotion"

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 state of commotion and noise and confusion
• Words that mean the same thing: tumultuousness, garboil, hubbub
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UPROAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Campus figure with a "list""

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 administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
• Words that mean the same thing: doyen, James Dean, James Byron Dean
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. 1960s soul singer Redding"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: OTIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Filipino or Laotian"

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 native or inhabitant of asia
• Words that mean the same thing: Asiatic
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASIAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "26. Fig. on a college transcript"

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 measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted
• Words that mean the same thing: grade point average
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. "Spring forward" clock setting: Abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: DST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Snake oil salesman's offering"

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: QUACKREMEDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "33. Move just a little"

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 united states tennis player who in 1938 was the first to win the australian and french and english and united states singles championship in the same year (1915-2000)
• Words that mean the same thing: stir, Don Budge, John Donald Budge
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUDGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. Got hitched in Vegas, perhaps"

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 run away secretly with one's beloved
• Words that mean the same thing: run off, elope
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELOPED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Cause for a produce recall"

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: ECOLI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "38. Lawyers' org."

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 loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by arabs
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ABA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "40. 2, 4, 6, 8, etc."

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 latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
• Words that mean the same thing: level, even out, even
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EVENS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "41. 1989's "Honey, I ___ the Kids""

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 wither, as with a loss of moisture
• Words that mean the same thing: contract, shrivel up, shrivel
• The opposite would be: stretch, expand
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHRUNK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. Wonderland visitor"

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: ALICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Woman temporarily serving as monarch"

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: QUEENREGENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "47. Ice cream amts."

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: QTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "50. Disorderly bunch"

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 disorderly crowd of people
• Words that mean the same thing: family, pile, jam
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "51. Beginning phase"

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 beginning or early stages
• Words that mean the same thing: onrush, oncoming, attack
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ONSET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "52. Last word in "The Twelve Days of Christmas""

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 tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
• Words that mean the same thing: shoetree, tree diagram, corner
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "53. Actress ___ Skye"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: IONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "55. Passes into law"

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 order by virtue of superior authority; decree
• Words that mean the same thing: enact, reenact, act 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: ENACTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Financial statement issued every three months"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a expert 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: QUARTERLYREPORT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "62. Railroad property in Monopoly"

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: BANDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "63. Actress Davis of "Thelma & Louise""

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: GEENA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "64. 20-sided game piece in Dungeons & Dragons"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
• Words that mean the same thing: fail, buy the farm, pall
• The opposite would be: be born
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "65. Intelligence"

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 general conscious awareness
• Words that mean the same thing: sentiency, feel, smell
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SENSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "66. Important agent in bread dough and beer fermentation"

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 commercial leavening agent containing yeast cells; used to raise the dough in making bread and for fermenting beer or whiskey
• Words that mean the same thing: barm
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YEAST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "67. Guinness book suffix"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
• Words that mean the same thing: Eastern Time, Eastern Standard Time
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EST

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Monday NYT Crossword December 18, 2023

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Captain Ahab's ship in "Moby-Dick"	6
2D	2. Shoots lava	6
3D	3. What to do "if the shoe fits"	6
4D	4. Prima donna's chance to shine	4
5D	5. Swindle	7
6D	6. Poison ___ (plant)	3
7D	7. French assent	3
8D	8. Maurice who wrote "Where the Wild Things Are"	6
9D	9. Olympic figure skating champion Lipinski	4
10D	10. Ill-advised maneuver	9
11D	11. Debtor's note	3
12D	12. ID with two hyphens	3
13D	13. TV's "___ Lasso"	3
14D	18. The "L" of U.C.L.A.	3
15D	19. Sci-fi or romance	5
16D	24. Story that spans generations	4
17D	25. Swelling reducers for sprains	7
18D	27. Pet name for José	4
19D	28. Gulf of ___ (waters off the coast of Yemen)	4
20D	30. Anthony who played Zorba in "Zorba the Greek"	5
21D	31. Put into power	5
22D	32. Football distances: Abbr.	3
23D	33. Colorful symbols of hope and happiness	9
24D	35. Lawyer's title: Abbr.	3
25D	36. Pal	4
26D	37. Cookie in cookies and cream	4
27D	39. Opposite of aweather, to a sailor	4
28D	42. Coin of Denmark	5
29D	44. Summer office workers	7
30D	46. Pep	6
31D	47. Scannable black-and-white square … or a hint to 17-, 30-, 45- and 57-Across	6
32D	48. Video game with falling blocks	6
33D	49. Six lines in a sonnet	6
34D	52. Percussive dance style	3
35D	54. Great Plains tribe	4
36D	56. "Super-cool!"	4
37D	57. Over half of all Super Bowl M.V.P.s, for short	3
38D	58. Dubai's country, for short	3
39D	59. ___ Arbor, Mich.	3
40D	60. Stan who co-created the Marvel Universe	3
41D	61. Vote of support	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. Captain Ahab's ship in "Moby-Dick""

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: PEQUOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Shoots lava"

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 start abruptly
• Words that mean the same thing: combust, break open, take fire
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERUPTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. What to do "if the shoe fits""

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: WEARIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Prima donna's chance to shine"

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

  The answer is: ARIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Swindle"

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 deprive of by deceit
• Words that mean the same thing: goldbrick, diddle, victimize
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEFRAUD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Poison ___ (plant)"

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 old world vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
• Words that mean the same thing: English ivy, Hedera helix, common ivy
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IVY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. French assent"

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: OUI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Maurice who wrote "Where the Wild Things Are""

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: SENDAK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Olympic figure skating champion Lipinski"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a village in eastern ireland (northwest of dublin); seat of irish kings until 6th century
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TARA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Ill-advised maneuver"

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: WRONGMOVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Debtor's note"

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 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 12 Down: "12. ID with two hyphens"

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: SSN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. TV's "___ Lasso""

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 tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing edwardian style clothes
• Words that mean the same thing: Teddy boy
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. The "L" of U.C.L.A."

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: LOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. Sci-fi or romance"

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 kind of literary or artistic work
• Words that mean the same thing: music genre, literary genre, musical style
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GENRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Story that spans generations"

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 narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family; originally (12th to 14th centuries) a story of the families that settled iceland and their descendants but now any prose narrative that resembles such an account
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Swelling reducers for sprains"

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: ICEBAGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "27. Pet name for José"

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: PEPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "28. Gulf of ___ (waters off the coast of Yemen)"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an important port of yemen; located on the gulf of aden; its strategic location has made it a major trading center of southern arabia since ancient times
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "30. Anthony who played Zorba in "Zorba the Greek""

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: QUINN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. Put into power"

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 exclusive group of people
• Words that mean the same thing: elite, chosen
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELECT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Football distances: Abbr."

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

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: YDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Colorful symbols of hope and happiness"

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 fruit-eating mostly brilliant blue songbird of the east indies
• Words that mean the same thing: fairy bluebird, bluebird
• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BLUEBIRDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "35. Lawyer's title: 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 title of respect for a member of the english gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name
• Words that mean the same thing: Esquire
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ESQ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "36. Pal"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: CHUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "37. Cookie in cookies and cream"

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

  The answer is: OREO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "39. Opposite of aweather, to a sailor"

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

  The answer is: ALEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "42. Coin of Denmark"

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 basic unit of money in norway
• Words that mean the same thing: Norwegian krone, Danish krone
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KRONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "44. Summer office workers"

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 an advanced student or graduate in medicine gaining supervised practical experience (`houseman' is a british term)
• Words that mean the same thing: houseman, medical intern, interne
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INTERNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "46. Pep"

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 (physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
• Words that mean the same thing: get-up-and-go, DOE, vitality
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENERGY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. Scannable black-and-white square … or a hint to 17-, 30-, 45- and 57-Across"

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: QRCODE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "48. Video game with falling blocks"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that 100 tetri equal 1 lari in georgia
• Words that mean the same thing: tetri
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TETRIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "49. Six lines in a sonnet"

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 cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
• Words that mean the same thing: Captain Hicks, VI, sextette
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SESTET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "52. Percussive dance style"

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 sound made by a gentle blow
• Words that mean the same thing: intercept, exploit, wiretap
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "54. Great Plains tribe"

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 member of the siouan people inhabiting the valleys of the platte and missouri rivers in nebraska
• Words that mean the same thing: Oto
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OTOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "56. "Super-cool!""

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 clean or organized
• Words that mean the same thing: smashing, slap-up, swell
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "57. Over half of all Super Bowl M.V.P.s, for short"

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

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: QBS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "58. Dubai's country, for short"

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

Here's how to solve it:

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

  The answer is: UAE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "59. ___ Arbor, Mich."

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: ANN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "60. Stan who co-created the Marvel Universe"

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 filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
• Words that mean the same thing: downwind, Lee Yuen Kam, lee side
• The opposite would be: windward
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "61. Vote of support"

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!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	45	59.2%
Short Answer	16	21.1%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	3.9%
Sports	3	3.9%
Abbreviation	3	3.9%
History	2	2.6%
Geography	2	2.6%
Music	1	1.3%
Literature	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	35
Down Clues	41
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	5.0 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 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 09:18 PM