LA Times Crossword Answers & Hints – Solve Today’s Puzzle

WASHI is a traditional Japanese paper commonly used in origami. Made from fibers of shrubs like mulberry, it is thin yet durable, perfect for intricate folding. The clue references origami, a Japanese art form, making WASHI the ideal answer due to its cultural and practical association with origami.

The clue "Unfinished story, perhaps" uses wordplay. "Story" can refer to a level of a building, and "unfinished" suggests the topmost level, often an undeveloped space—the ATTIC. The question mark signals a pun or metaphor, leading to this clever architectural twist!

The answer is REEVE because Christopher Reeve, the actor famously known for playing Superman, authored the memoir Still Me. The memoir reflects on his life before and after the accident that left him paralyzed, sharing his struggles and resilience.

The clue "Wore a long face" refers to showing sadness or gloom. The answer "MOPED" is a play on words — it means to sulk or brood (feeling sad) and also cleverly hints at "moped," implying moving slowly or sadly, which aligns metaphorically with the clue.

The clue "Addresses with dots" refers to web addresses, which often include dots as part of their structure (e.g., www.example.com). These are known as URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), the standard way to identify locations of resources on the internet. Hence, the answer is "URLS."

The clue uses wordplay with "excellent drivers." It refers to drivers in golf, known for hitting long distances. The PGA (Professional Golfers' Association) is an organization of professional golfers, many of whom excel at using drivers. Thus, PGA fits perfectly as the solution.

The clue "Big scoops" plays on the double meaning. Literally, ladles are large utensils used for scooping and serving liquids like soup. Figuratively, "big scoops" might also hint at large servings or portions, which ladles are designed to handle, making LADLES the perfect fit.

The answer "AND YET HERE WE ARE" reflects a phrase signaling resignation or irony about an unchanged situation despite circumstances suggesting otherwise. The ellipsis ("...") in the clue mirrors the conversational tone, and "somehow nothing has changed" aligns with this phrase's meaning of persistence amidst expectations of change.

The answer "PIER" refers to the Huntington Beach Pier, an iconic and famous landmark in Huntington Beach, California. It is a well-known structure extending into the Pacific Ocean, popular for sightseeing, fishing, and sunsets, making it an instantly recognizable feature of the area.

The clue "Item that's often turned in" includes a pun, signaled by the question mark. A SCREW is literally an item that is turned (twisted) to secure it into place. The wordplay here plays on the dual meaning of "turned in," referring to the physical action of twisting.

"Our food's getting cold!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase/context. The answer, LETSDIGIN, is a conversational expression urging everyone to start eating quickly, which fits the urgency implied by the food getting cold. It’s a casual phrase, aligning with the clue's tone.

The clue "One who might crunch numbers for fun" hints at someone who enjoys analyzing data or statistics. "Crunch numbers" refers to working with numerical data, and a "geek" often describes someone passionate about a niche interest. Thus, STATSGEEK fits perfectly as the answer.

The answer "ACRE" makes sense because an orchard is typically measured by its land area. An acre is a standard unit of measurement for land, often used in agriculture and farming contexts, including orchards. This connects directly to the clue, as "unit" refers to a land measurement.

The clue "Spring break?" includes a question mark, signaling wordplay. Here, "Spring" refers to the season. A "break" in spring could be the melting or "breaking" of ice as temperatures rise. This process is called a "thaw," making it the perfect answer for the pun-based clue.

The term "Trifled (with)" means to treat something in a casual or unserious manner. "TOYED" aligns perfectly as it captures the sense of playing with or handling something nonchalantly, often without seriousness or commitment, just like trifling with it.

The answer is ASHTON because Ashton Jeanty is the name of a college football running back who gained recognition as the runner-up for the 2024 Heisman Trophy, an award given to the best player in college football. The clue directly references his name and achievement.

The clue "Tough puzzles?" includes a question mark, indicating wordplay. "Tough puzzles" can describe challenging questions or situations that "pose" difficulty. Thus, the answer "POSERS" refers to challenging questions (as in "What a poser!") or individuals who "pose" as something they’re not, tying back to the tricky nature of the clue.

The clue "Nurse" involves wordplay. To nurse a drink means to consume it slowly, taking small amounts at a time. A "sip" is a small mouthful of liquid, aligning with this meaning. Thus, "SIP" fits as the answer for this playful interpretation of "Nurse."

The answer "MANE" fits the clue "Thick hair" because a mane specifically refers to the long, thick hair around the neck of animals like lions or horses. Figuratively, it can also describe a person’s thick, luscious hair, matching the clue perfectly.

The answer "ARTY" fits because many indie movies are known for their artistic, unconventional, and creative styles, often prioritizing unique expression over mainstream appeal. The term "arty" is shorthand for being art-focused or pretentiously artistic, which aligns with the characteristic style of many independent films.

The clue "Cal. entry" refers to an entry in a "calendar," often abbreviated in shorthand as "Cal." APPT, short for "appointment," is a common item you’d find noted or scheduled in a calendar, making it the solution.

The answer is CLAY because Roland Garros is the venue for the French Open, a renowned tennis tournament. Its courts are famously made of clay, distinguishing it from other Grand Slam surfaces like grass or hard courts. The surface influences the game's speed and play style.

The clue, in quotes, signals a spoken phrase. "I can't wait for an answer!" expresses impatience or urgency, matching the direct demand "TELL ME NOW." The answer fits the tone and meaning perfectly as a phrase someone would say when they need an immediate response.

The phrase "CAME UP DRY" is often used metaphorically to describe attempting something but finding no success, akin to leaving empty-handed. The clue's "in a way" signals a figurative interpretation, perfectly matching the idiom for failing to obtain or achieve anything.

The clue "Fortnite streamer, e.g." refers to someone who streams gameplay of the video game Fortnite. Streamers play online games and broadcast them to an audience, making them gamers. "GAMER" is the general term for someone who plays video games, making it the fitting solution.

The clue "Little dude" refers to a young male, with "little" emphasizing youth or smallness and "dude" meaning a casual term for a male. The word that matches this description is "BOY," a straightforward fit as it signifies a young male person.

The answer is MASLOW because Abraham Maslow was a psychologist who developed the famous "Maslow's hierarchy of needs." This theory outlines levels of human needs, starting from basic physiological needs to self-actualization, forming a pyramid-like hierarchy. The clue directly refers to this influential concept in psychology.

The answer "HIREE" fits because "new team member" refers to someone recently hired. A "hiree" is the individual who has been hired by an employer, making them the new addition to the team. The word directly aligns with the clue's description of a new recruit.

The phrase "suddenly come up with" means to unexpectedly think of or realize something. "Hit on" is a common expression that describes this exact scenario, such as having a sudden idea or inspiration. Hence, "HITON" fits perfectly as the answer.

The answer "EXUDE" fits the clue "Radiate" because to exude means to emit or ooze out, often strongly, which aligns with the idea of radiating (like spreading or giving off an aura, emotion, or substance). Both convey a sense of outward emanation.

The clue "Some stable parents?" includes a pun with "stable," referring to where horses are kept. MARES are adult female horses, often seen as "parents" in stables because they can give birth to foals. Thus, MARES fits both the stable and parent themes of the clue.

The clue "Iron" refers to the action of smoothing clothes, which is often done by using a pressing tool, also called an iron. The answer "PRESS" works as a synonym for ironing, capturing the process of applying pressure to remove wrinkles from fabric.

The answer PROD fits the clue "Nudge" because "prod" means to poke or push gently, matching the definition of "nudge." Both terms involve a slight push, usually intended to prompt or encourage action. This straightforward synonym makes PROD the correct solution.

The clue "Wheels" is a casual way to refer to a car or vehicle, often associated with transportation. "RIDE" is slang for a vehicle or the act of being transported, fitting both the playful tone and context of the clue.

The clue "VIP member?" uses wordplay as indicated by the question mark. "VIP" stands for "Very Important Person." Here, "Very" is being extracted as the key part of "Very Important." Thus, a "VIP member" cleverly hints at "Very" as the answer.

The answer "PACT" fits the clue "Formal agreement" because a pact is a formal, binding agreement or treaty between parties, often used in legal, political, or diplomatic contexts. It aligns precisely with the definition of a formal agreement, making it the correct solution.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a medical scan that provides detailed images of soft tissues, such as ligaments. A torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the knee is a soft tissue injury, and an MRI is commonly used to diagnose and assess such damage accurately.