The clue refers to the sound made when a water balloon bursts upon impact. "SPLAT" is an onomatopoeic word that mimics the noise of something soft and wet hitting a surface, perfectly describing the sound of a water balloon hitting the ground.
6NAP???✨ See Why
The clue "Down time?" ends with a question mark, indicating wordplay. "Down" can refer to laying down or resting, and "time" implies a period of rest. Together, they hint at "NAP," a brief sleep or rest, which perfectly fits the pun in the clue.
9PIECE?????✨ See Why
The solution, PIECE, refers to an essential part of most board games, such as tokens, pawns, or figurines used to represent players or aspects of the game. "Component" directly suggests an individual item that is integral to playing the game, fitting PIECE perfectly.
10ORE???✨ See Why
In "Stardew Valley," a popular farming simulation game, ORE is a vital resource mined from rocks in caves or mines. It's used to craft tools, upgrades, and structures. The clue directly references this resource, making ORE the correct answer.
11ISTHATTMI?????????✨ See Why
The clue "Am I oversharing?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay or a conversational phrasing. The answer, ISTHATTMI, mirrors a casual, self-reflective response where "TMI" stands for "Too Much Information." It matches the tone and context of questioning if one has shared too much personal detail.
13EMS???✨ See Why
The answer "EMS" stands for Emergency Medical Services, which is the system providing urgent medical care. Ambulances often display "EMS" prominently to indicate their role in emergency responses, making it the correct solution for the clue "Letters on an ambulance."
14KEY???✨ See Why
The answer is KEY because both "E" and "G" are musical notes, and they belong to specific keys in music theory. The abbreviation "e.g." signals that these letters are examples, leading to the broader musical concept of a KEY.
15SOLO????✨ See Why
The clue references Han Solo, a famous character from Star Wars. The line "Laugh it up, fuzzball" is a quote Han Solo says to Chewbacca in The Empire Strikes Back. Therefore, the answer "SOLO" directly points to the character Han Solo.
17LOIS????✨ See Why
The clue refers to Lois Lane, a well-known fictional character and reporter for the Daily Planet in the Superman comics and media. Her name, "Lois," is the answer since the clue directly hints at her as the "Daily Planet reporter Lane."
20OLA???✨ See Why
The clue "Portuguese greeting" directly hints at a common way to say "hello" in Portuguese. "Olá" (or OLA) is the most straightforward and typical greeting in Portuguese, equivalent to "hello" in English. Since the clue implies a simple translation, OLA fits perfectly.
22UNO???✨ See Why
UNO is the solution because it’s a widely popular card game known for numerous official variations, including UNO Attack and UNO Flip. Its straightforward name aligns with the clue’s brevity, and "hundreds of official versions" emphasizes the diverse spins on this classic family-friendly game.
23FOODJUTSU?????????✨ See Why
The clue references an "Anime-inspired" trend, pointing to Japanese influence. "Jutsu" is a Japanese term meaning "technique" or "art," often linked to supernatural abilities in anime. Paired with "food," "FOODJUTSU" cleverly describes the viral video trend where snacks or drinks appear magically as if by skillful anime techniques, fitting the playful tone.
26BUS???✨ See Why
The answer is BUS because Valerie Frizzle is the iconic teacher in The Magic School Bus, a popular children’s book and TV series. She drives a magical, shape-shifting school bus, making "BUS" the clear solution for this clue.
27AFOUL?????✨ See Why
The phrase "run afoul of" means to come into conflict with or violate rules, laws, or expectations. "Afoul" fits the blank perfectly, completing the common idiomatic expression, which is often used to describe trouble or obstacles encountered, making it the correct answer.
28IRE???✨ See Why
The answer "IRE" refers to intense anger or irritation—exactly the feeling one might experience when stuck behind a slow driver. The clue describes a frustrating situation, and "IRE" succinctly captures the emotional response in this context. It's a simple yet fitting synonym for such frustration.
29ROOMS?????✨ See Why
The game Clue is set in a mansion with a total of nine distinct "rooms" where players investigate the mystery. The clue refers to this game setup, making "ROOMS" the correct answer.
Down
1SPIES?????✨ See Why
The answer "SPIES" fits because "Codenames" is a popular word-association board game where players act as "spymasters" or "agents," both of which relate to spies. The clue cleverly refers to the characters within the game, who are essentially spies working with secret information.
2PISMO?????✨ See Why
Pismo Beach, California, is famously known as the "Clam Capital of the World" due to its history of abundant clamming and its annual clam festival. The clue refers to this coastal city by its nickname, making "PISMO" the correct answer.
3LETSLOOSE?????????✨ See Why
The phrase "Goes a little wild" suggests someone letting go or becoming less restrained. "LETS LOOSE" fits well, as it means to release control or act freely, often with abandon. The wording aligns naturally with the idea of allowing oneself to go a bit wild.
4ACH???✨ See Why
The clue "Oh, right, okay," in German signals a casual, spoken acknowledgment or exclamation in German. "Ach" is commonly used in German to express understanding, realization, or agreement, making it the perfect equivalent for this phrase. The quotation marks indicate it’s a spoken expression.
5TEAK????✨ See Why
TEAK is a durable, weather-resistant hardwood commonly used in outdoor furniture. Its natural oils and tight grain make it resistant to moisture, decay, and pests, making it ideal for outdoor use. The clue directly points to a material known for its strength and longevity in outdoor settings.
6NOTYOUTOO?????????✨ See Why
The clue "Et tu?" references Julius Caesar's famous phrase expressing betrayal. The question mark signals wordplay. "NOTYOUTOO" is a modern, colloquial twist, responding sarcastically: "Not you too?"—reflecting the shock or disappointment at perceived betrayal, aligning with the emotional essence of "Et tu?"
7ARM???✨ See Why
The question mark signals a pun or wordplay. "Taken on a date" can mean holding someone's arm during a romantic outing. Hence, "ARM" fits the clue as it's something figuratively or literally "taken" for support or affection while dating.
8PEI???✨ See Why
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland was designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei. His distinctive modernist style is reflected in the building's bold geometric design. The answer "PEI" refers to his last name, making it the solution to this clue.
12TEL???✨ See Why
The clue "Business-card no." refers to a commonly displayed number on business cards. "No." is short for "number," and one key piece of contact information on a business card is a telephone number, abbreviated as "TEL." This makes TEL the appropriate and concise answer.
16OLD???✨ See Why
The answer is OLD because the terms "old style" and "old-fashioned" are common phrases in English. "Old style" refers to something traditional or classic, while "old-fashioned" can describe something outdated or refer to the classic cocktail. The word "OLD" fits perfectly before both.
18INSUM?????✨ See Why
The clue "To recap ..." suggests a summarizing phrase. "In sum" is a concise way to summarize or conclude a thought, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning. The ellipsis hints at this conversational, idiomatic phrasing. Thus, INSUM is the correct answer.
19SOULS?????✨ See Why
The answer is SOULS because it refers to the "Dark Souls" video game series, a highly acclaimed fantasy-action game franchise known for its difficulty and rich lore. The blank in "Dark ___" is directly filled by "Souls," completing the title of the game.
21AJAR????✨ See Why
The clue "Letting in a little light, maybe" suggests a partial opening allowing light to enter. "Ajar" describes a door slightly open, which fits the definition, and "maybe" hints at this figurative interpretation. Therefore, "ajar" aligns perfectly with the playful, partial openness implied in the clue.
23FBI???✨ See Why
The clue "Raiders' org.?" includes a pun (indicated by the question mark). While it seems to hint at the NFL team, "Raiders," it actually refers to an organization involved in raids. The FBI conducts high-profile raids and investigations, making it the fitting answer.
24OUR???✨ See Why
The answer "OUR" completes the title of the Iron & Wine album Our Endless Numbered Days. This is a direct reference to the actual album name, making it a straightforward fill-in-the-blank clue.
25UFO???✨ See Why
The National Enquirer is known for sensational and often outlandish stories, with "UFO" (Unidentified Flying Object) frequently appearing in its photos and headlines. The clue uses "Sight" to reference the mysterious objects often depicted in tabloid imagery, perfectly aligning with the answer UFO.
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The Atlantic Crossword: Everything You Need to Know
A Daily Puzzle for Every Solver
The Atlantic Crossword is a daily digital crossword designed to challenge and delight solvers of all levels. It was launched in 2018 and has since become a standout offering among modern crosswords, with fresh clues and clever themes.
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Monday to Friday: The puzzle starts small on Monday and increases in size and difficulty throughout the week.
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Part of a Growing Puzzle Lineup
The crossword is just one part of The Atlantic’s puzzle suite. Other original games include:
Bracket City: The Atlantic’s fan-favorite game, where you solve nested clues to uncover events from that day in history. Need help solving the clues? Try our Bracket City Answers and Hints.
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Caleb’s Inferno: A monthly, high-difficulty puzzle from Caleb Madison that challenges even elite solvers.