NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The word "ASTRAL" relates to stars or the spiritual realm. "Astral plane" refers to a metaphysical level of existence, and "astral projection" describes the supposed out-of-body experience of traveling through this plane. The clue points to this adjective often preceding "plane" or "projection."

The clue "Uncommon thing" directly points to something rare or not often encountered. The word "RARITY" perfectly captures this meaning as it denotes something uncommon, unusual, or infrequent. The connection is straightforward without any wordplay involved.

The clue "Oozes, as charm" suggests an action that metaphorically "flows out" abundantly. "Exudes" fits perfectly as it means to display or emit strongly, often used in the context of traits like charm. It directly matches the figurative sense of "oozes" in this clue.

The clue "Basketball goals" refers to NETS because in basketball, the ball is aimed at a hoop with a net attached, symbolizing the "goal" of the game. Additionally, it nods to the Brooklyn Nets, an NBA team, playing on the proper noun hint.

The clue "Cigarette byproduct" refers to something produced as a result of smoking a cigarette. When a cigarette burns, it leaves behind ASH, the residue of burned tobacco and paper. ASH directly fits the definition of a byproduct in this context, making it the correct answer.

The answer is HINDU because Holi is a major festival in Hinduism, celebrated predominantly by Hindus. Known as the "Festival of Colors," it marks the arrival of spring and signifies the triumph of good over evil, a key tenet in Hindu culture and traditions.

The clue "Rumor has it …" suggests a conversational phrase often used to introduce hearsay or unverified information. "I HEAR" is a common way to express this in speech, matching the informal tone of the clue. The quotation marks signal a spoken phrase.

The clue "Uno x 2" combines the Spanish word "Uno" (meaning "one") with a multiplication operation. In Spanish, doubling "one" (1 x 2) equals "two," which translates to "Dos." The clue uses Spanish language context, so the correct answer is DOS.

"EPS" is the abbreviation for "extended plays," which are music releases longer than a single but shorter than a full album, often termed "mini-albums." The clue specifies "for short," directly hinting at the use of an abbreviation like "EPS." Hence, this is the correct answer.

The clue "Cost for a commercial" directly refers to the fee charged for airing an advertisement. "AD" is short for advertisement, and "FEE" represents the cost. Combined, "AD FEE" perfectly answers the clue as it explains the financial aspect related to a commercial.

The answer "BRODATES" comes from combining "bro" (a casual term for a male friend or brother) and "dates" (planned events or hangouts). The clue hints at a playful or pun-like description of two male friends spending time together, such as outings or bonding activities, hence "BRODATES."

The solution "BARGRAPH" fits the clue as it is a widely used chart to compare data visually. Bar graphs use rectangular bars of varying lengths proportional to data values, making them easy to read and perfect for comparing categories or groups. It's a common and straightforward tool for this purpose.

The answer "ATTESTS" works because to "swear (to)" something means to affirm or declare it as true, especially under oath. "ATTESTS" carries a similar meaning, as it refers to providing confirmation or evidence of truth, often formally or officially.

The answer "IPO" stands for "Initial Public Offering," which is when a company first offers its stock to the public on the stock market. The phrase "for short" in the clue signals the solution is an abbreviation, making IPO the correct fit.

The answer "LYE" is correct because lye, a highly caustic substance (sodium hydroxide), is commonly used in drain cleaners to dissolve grease, hair, and other blockages. Its caustic nature aligns with the clue's descriptor, making it an effective solution for unclogging drains.

The clue "Made a quick retreat" describes the action of leaving swiftly or escaping. "FLED" is the past tense of "flee," which means to run away quickly, often in urgent or dangerous situations. Thus, "FLED" directly fits the clue as the correct verb describing this action.

The answer is TBONE because T-bone steak is named for the T-shaped bone found in the cut. The clue cleverly references the "T" as a letter of the alphabet, connecting the steak's name to its distinct bone shape. This makes the answer both literal and fitting.

The clue "Chillaxes with friends" suggests a casual, relaxed activity with others. "Chillaxes" combines "chill" and "relax," hinting at informal time spent hanging out. "HANGS" is a slang term for spending time casually with friends, making it the perfect fit for the clue.

The clue "Ye ___ Shoppe" refers to the deliberately old-fashioned or "pseudo-archaic" style of English often used to evoke a medieval or antique vibe. "Ye Olde Shoppe" is a common phrase designed to mimic historical English, where "Olde" is a playful variant of "Old." Hence, the answer is OLDE.

The clue "Arabic for God" directly points to the Arabic term for God, which is "ALLAH." In Islam and Arabic-speaking cultures, Allah is the term used to refer to the one supreme deity. Since the clue specifies Arabic, the language indicator confirms the answer is in Arabic: ALLAH.

The answer "DEAGE" comes from breaking down the wordplay in the clue. "Digitally make to look younger" refers to editing techniques, such as in photos or videos, that reverse signs of aging. "DE-" means to reverse or undo, and "-AGE" relates to aging. Combined, "DEAGE" means to digitally remove age.

The answer "SEC" is short for "second," which is the smallest standard unit of time commonly used. A "brief moment" directly suggests a very short duration, perfectly aligning with "SEC" as shorthand for a second.

The clue "Ready to eat, as fruit" refers to fruit's stage of maturity. The word "RIPE" is used to describe fruit that has developed fully, reached its peak flavor, and is ready to be eaten. It’s a direct and fitting description for the clue.

The answer is MICRODOT because a "microdot" refers to a technique used in spycraft where an image or document is reduced to a minuscule size, often undetectable to the naked eye, enabling covert transmission of information. The clue's "minuscule picture" directly describes this spy technology.

The word "INHERENT" means something that exists as a natural and permanent quality or characteristic of something. This aligns with the clue "Essential to the character of something," as it describes traits that are intrinsic and fundamental, forming the essence of that thing.

In the comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles Schulz, Lucy is infamous for holding the football for Charlie Brown, only to pull it away at the last moment, causing him to fall. This recurring gag makes Lucy the "football holder" in the context of the clue.

The clue "Cheese-loving test subjects" includes a pun. LABMICE is the answer as lab mice are test subjects commonly used in scientific experiments, and mice are stereotypically depicted as loving cheese, blending both meanings into a playful, fitting response.

The clue "Pigpen" refers to where pigs are typically kept, which is called a "sty." A sty is a small, muddy enclosure for pigs, making it a direct and fitting answer to the clue.

The clue "Downpour" directly refers to an extreme rainstorm. A DELUGE is a term used to describe a heavy, overwhelming rain or flood, perfectly fitting the definition of a "downpour." It’s a literal match without requiring wordplay or additional interpretation.

The clue "Wipes out" directly refers to removing or eliminating something, which aligns with the action of "erases" (as in erasing text, marks, or errors). Both phrases signify the act of clearing or obliterating something, making ERASES a fitting solution.

The clue "Spinners in laundromats" refers to machines that "spin" to remove water from clothes. In laundromats, this describes dryers, which use spinning motion and heat to dry clothing. The plural "Spinners" matches with "DRYERS," making this the fitting answer.

The phrase "On the ocean" directly refers to being on a body of water. "At sea" is a common expression that literally describes being on the ocean. This makes ATSEA the perfect fit for the clue, as it aligns both idiomatically and literally.

The answer is EAGLE because eagles are famously sharp-eyed birds, possessing extremely keen vision that allows them to spot prey from great distances. This aligns perfectly with the clue “Sharp-eyed bird,” as it describes their primary distinguishing trait.

The clue "Felt sore" directly refers to experiencing physical or emotional pain, which is expressed by the word "ACHED." The past tense "felt" matches the past tense of "ached," making it a perfect fit. It describes the state of discomfort or soreness effectively.

The phrase "Quiet on the ___!" is commonly used on film sets, where "SET" refers to the filming location. It's a directive for everyone to stay silent so filming can proceed, making "SET" the fitting answer.

The answer "SOAR" fits the clue "Fly high" because "soar" means to ascend or rise quickly and smoothly, typically through the air, precisely describing a way of "flying high." It's a direct synonym for the given clue without any wordplay or additional context.

The clue "Young feller" refers to an informal term for a young boy or male. "LAD" is a commonly used word, especially in British English, to describe a young boy, fitting the definition perfectly. Both clue and answer match in tone and meaning.

IBM is nicknamed "Big Blue" due to its blue logo and branding, as well as its longstanding reputation as a dominant technology company. The nickname reflects the company's prominence in the field of computing and corporate identity. It’s a well-known moniker in the tech industry.

The answer "HEP" refers to being "with it" or hip, a slang term popular in the mid-20th century. It described someone who was fashionable, in-the-know, or tuned into trends. This phrasing has since evolved to "hip," but "HEP" captures the older slang usage.