NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

A "MASK" is a common element of many Halloween costumes, often used to cover the face for disguise or to embody characters or creatures. As the clue refers to "Part of a Halloween costume," MASK fits perfectly as it is a quintessential accessory for the holiday.

The answer is EDIE because Edie Falco is the actress who portrayed Carmela Soprano, a central character in the acclaimed TV series The Sopranos. The clue directly references her role, making EDIE the logical solution.

HOTBUTTON is the solution because it describes a topic or issue that provokes strong emotional reactions, often sparking intense debate or conflict. The term "hot-button" specifically refers to something that triggers immediate, passionate responses, perfectly aligning with the clue "Emotionally charged, as an issue."

Bruce Springsteen is widely known by the nickname "The Boss" among fans and in popular culture due to his commanding presence and leadership in music. This nickname reflects his iconic status and influence in rock 'n' roll. Hence, the answer "THEBOSS" fits perfectly.

HOA stands for Homeowners Association, a group typically responsible for creating and enforcing rules in residential communities. The clue references a "rule-making group" for such areas, directly aligning with what an HOA does, making it the correct and logical answer.

The clue "Goes (for)" implies the act of making a choice or selecting something. "Opts" is a verb that means to choose or decide in favor of something, fitting the context perfectly as the answer.

The clue "18-wheeler" refers to a type of large truck commonly seen on highways. These trucks are often called "semi-trailers" or simply "semis" for short. "SEMI" is the solution because it directly describes this type of vehicle, emphasizing efficiency and common usage.

The answer is EDYS because this ice cream brand is marketed as "Edy's" in most of the U.S., but on the West Coast, it’s sold under the name "Dreyer's" to avoid confusion with Breyers. Both names refer to the same company and products.

The word "COHABIT" directly means to live together, especially in the context of sharing a residence. This aligns perfectly with the clue's straightforward meaning. No tricky wordplay or alternate meanings here—COHABIT is the precise term for living together, often implying sharing a home as a couple or roommates.

The answer "ARO" refers to "aromantic," a term for individuals who experience little to no romantic attraction and often prefer platonic relationships. "Informally" in the clue signals the abbreviation of "aromantic" to "ARO." This matches the clue's focus on non-romantic preferences.

The answer is CIRCE because, in Greek mythology, Circe is a sorceress who famously transformed Odysseus' men into pigs using magic. The clue uses wordplay with "men are pigs" to reference this literal transformation, making CIRCE the fitting solution.

The answer "TOTAL" works because "smash to smithereens" conveys complete destruction, which aligns with the meaning of "total" as completely wrecked or demolished. In this sense, "total" refers to utterly rendering something useless, as in the case of a totaled car.

The answer "INSTA" is a familiar, shortened term for Instagram, a social media platform known for its Reels and Stories features. The clue asks for a "familiarly" used term, signaling a casual nickname, which makes "INSTA" the perfect fit.

"Superfan, in slang" is STAN because "stan" is a modern slang term derived from Eminem's song "Stan," describing an obsessive fan. Over time, it became a colloquial term for an ardent, dedicated supporter of someone or something. The clue specifies slang, aligning perfectly with this usage.

The answer "ADA" stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark U.S. accessibility law enacted in 1990. It prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensures their equal rights in areas like employment, public services, and accommodations, making "Accessibility law inits." a fitting clue.

The clue "Negatory" is synonymous with a form of refusal or denial. Since the clue is in quotes, it implies a conversational or informal response. "NOPE" is a casual, spoken way to say "no" or to reject something, making it the fitting answer for "Negatory."

UTAH is the solution because its capital is Salt Lake City, the only U.S. state capital with a three-word name. This unique feature makes Utah the correct answer to the clue.

The clue references the classic fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears. PAPA bear is the father in the story, known for having hard furniture (his bed) and hot porridge. The description points specifically to traits associated with PAPA bear, making it the fitting answer.

The clue references the famous opening line from Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven": "Once upon a midnight dreary…". The word "upon" fits the poetic phrase, completing the excerpt accurately. Being a direct literary reference, the answer is a precise match to the context.

The answer "CRAFT" fits the clue "Make by hand" because crafting refers to creating or making something manually, often with skill or artistry. It directly aligns with the idea of handmade work, such as sewing, woodworking, or other creative activities performed by hand.

The answer is KIRBY because Kirby is a popular pink character from the Nintendo franchise, known as the hero of Planet Popstar. He’s a small, round creature with the ability to inhale enemies and copy their powers, making him iconic in video games.

The solution "IGLOO" refers to a type of home traditionally made of ice and snow, often shown in ABC books to represent the letter "I" for teaching purposes. Its distinctive structure and association with the Arctic make it a memorable and educational example for young readers.

The clue "Out of the picture, maybe?" uses wordplay with the phrase "out of the picture" implying avoidance of being photographed. Someone who is "camera-shy" avoids being in pictures, making CAMERASHY a fitting answer. The question mark signals the playful interpretation.

Though the Crab Nebula's name evokes the idea of a crab with intricate, spindly legs, astronomically, its actual shape is more simple and "disappointingly" elliptical or OVAL, lacking the dramatic structure its name suggests. This contrast makes "OVAL" the fitting answer.

"Feudal underling" refers to a low-ranking person in the medieval feudal system. A SERF was a peasant tied to the land, serving a lord in exchange for protection. They were the quintessential underlings in a feudal society, making SERF the appropriate answer.

The clue uses wordplay with "Short" and temper. A "short fuse" is a metaphor for someone who gets angry quickly, referencing the literal idea of a fuse on explosives burning fast and exploding. "Fuse" directly ties to the expression, fitting the answer perfectly.

The term "high-and-mighty" refers to someone who is conceited or self-important. "SMUG" perfectly captures this attitude, describing someone who is overly self-satisfied or arrogant, often looking down on others. It's a concise synonym that fits the clue's tone and meaning.

The clue "Snacks (on)" hints at the action of eating lightly or casually, which is exactly what "munches" means. The parenthetical "on" suggests the act of consuming something, aligning perfectly with "munches" as a verb describing eating snacks.

The clue "Beermaking establishment" directly refers to a place where beer is produced. A "brewery" is the term for a facility where beer is brewed on a commercial scale, aligning perfectly with the definition provided in the clue, making BREWERY the correct answer.

The term "lollygag" means to waste time or be lazy. "Idle" is synonymous with being inactive, not working, or lounging around, aligning perfectly with the meaning of "lollygag." Hence, "IDLE" is the correct answer to the clue.

The clue "Here's a thought …" in quotes suggests conversational phrasing, which often leads to a dialogue-related answer. "Say" fits perfectly as it can mean "for example" or "let me suggest," aligning with offering a thought or idea in conversation. It captures the casual tone of the clue.

The answer "ANCHO" refers to a type of dried chili used in Mexican cuisine. It is the dried form of the poblano pepper, known for its mild heat and slightly sweet, smoky flavor. The clue specifies "Mexican cuisine," strongly tying the answer to this traditional ingredient.

The answer is SOLAR because solar power is generated by converting sunlight into electricity using solar panels, which are often installed on rooftops. The clue directly references the type of panels commonly associated with harvesting this renewable energy source.

The answer is CROWE because Russell Crowe is a well-known actor, and his surname "Crowe" sounds like "crow," which is a type of bird. The clue uses wordplay by referencing the bird-like sound of his last name.

The answer is ASPS because asps are venomous snakes native to regions near the Nile River. The clue uses "vile" to emphasize their dangerous nature, and "Nile reptiles" accurately describes these infamous snakes commonly associated with ancient Egypt and the Nile area.

The clue "Piggy bank opening" refers to the physical opening or slit in a piggy bank where coins are inserted. The word "SLOT" perfectly describes this narrow opening designed for dropping in coins, aligning directly with the clue.

The answer "SILO" fits because silos are tall, cylindrical structures commonly found on farms, used to store grain or silage. These structures are a prominent and recognizable feature of rural landscapes, often visible alongside farm country roads. Hence, they are a typical "sight" in such areas.

The answer is THOU because the film title "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" directly mirrors a line from literature (Shakespeare-style English) using "thou," a formal, archaic term for "you." The title borrows this phrase to reflect the film's tone and thematic nods to classical works.

The word "Abound" means to exist in large numbers or be filled with something. "TEEM" aligns perfectly because it means to be full of or swarming with. For example, "The garden teems with butterflies" indicates it abounds in butterflies, directly linking the definitions.

The clue "Ring result, in brief" refers to a result in boxing, which occurs in a ring. TKO stands for "technical knockout," a decision made by a referee to stop a fight when one boxer can't continue safely. "In brief" hints at the abbreviation TKO.

The clue "Grandma, in Glasgow" points to Scotland, where "Nan" is a commonly used term for grandmother. Glasgow is a Scottish city, signaling the regional usage of "Nan" as the answer. This is a cultural clue reflecting local vernacular.