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Eudora ___, Pulitzer winner for "The Optimist's Daughter" - NYT The Crossword Clue
Across
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The clue "Near" and the answer "NIGH" are synonyms. "NIGH" is an old-fashioned or poetic term meaning "close to" or "near," which directly matches the definition provided in the clue. The simplicity of the clue suggests a straightforward synonymic relationship.
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The answer is CHOO because Jimmy Choo is a renowned fashion designer known for his luxury shoe brand. The clue uses wordplay, noting that his surname "aptly rhymes with 'shoe'," directly pointing to CHOO—a clever nod to his connection with footwear.
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LUBE is the solution because lubricants, often referred to as "lube," are used to reduce friction between surfaces, which eliminates squeaking. Squeaking typically occurs when parts are dry or moving harshly against one another, and applying lube resolves this issue effectively.
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The question mark in "Look bad?" signals wordplay. "Look" refers to gaze or stare, and "bad" suggests inappropriate or unwanted attention. To "OGLE" means to stare at someone in a way that is often considered improper or lecherous, fitting the pun intended in the clue.
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The clue "Not his" implies possession and opposes "his." The possessive pronoun "HERS" fits as it directly contrasts "his," indicating ownership by a female.
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The clue "By Jove!" is a phrase that conveys surprise or emphasis, often in old-fashioned or playful speech. Such exclamatory expressions are parallel to "I say!"—a common, similarly styled phrase used to express astonishment or reaction. Hence, the answer is ISAY.
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The word "Offset" suggests something that counteracts or balances out an effect. On a scale, a "COUNTERBALANCE" is a weight added to offset another weight, maintaining equilibrium. This fits the clue perfectly, as it describes a means of achieving balance by offsetting forces.
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The clue "It might be swiped for cash" hints at something you use to access money by swiping. An ATM card allows you to withdraw cash from an automated teller machine, often requiring a swipe for the transaction. The pun lies in "swiped," referring to the physical card motion.
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KGB is the solution because it refers to the Soviet Union's intelligence agency, the Committee for State Security. As a frequent adversary in James Bond films set during the Cold War era, the KGB fits the clue perfectly as a notable antagonist organization.
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The clue “Mo. setting” refers to the abbreviation for Missouri (Mo.) and its time zone. Missouri is located in the Central Time Zone, abbreviated as CST (Central Standard Time). Thus, CST is the correct answer for Missouri's “setting” in terms of time.
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The New York Mets (abbreviated as NYMET) are an MLB team known for their blue-and-orange uniforms. The "blue-and-orange" colors refer to their team branding, making "NYMET" the appropriate answer to the clue.
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The clue "Gad about at a banquet" plays on the idea of moving around or socializing. "Tablehop" refers to someone moving from table to table, mingling or chatting, often at an event like a banquet. "Gad about" here cleverly alludes to roaming or hopping between tables.
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The answer "DOE" refers to "John Doe" or "Jane Doe," generic names used in legal or anonymous contexts to refer to unidentified or unspecified individuals. These placeholders are specifically tied to anonymity, aligning perfectly with the clue's description of "John or Jane of anonymity."
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The clue "Bite at a bar" refers to a small snack typically served at bars, especially in Spanish-speaking countries. "TAPA" is a Spanish word meaning "lid" but also refers to small appetizers or bites served with drinks at bars in Spain, perfectly fitting the clue.
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The answer "TENURE" fits because it refers to a position of permanent employment, often granted to professors or other professionals, ensuring job security. The phrase "for some" in the clue highlights that not everyone has tenure, making it a specific type of job protection.
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The clue "Not just my" suggests possession involving more than one person. "My" indicates singular possession, while "our" expands it to include a group or collective possession, making "OUR" the correct answer.
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The clue "Mind-boggling designs" hints at optical illusions that trick the eye, which directly relates to OPART (short for "optical art"). OP art features visually striking patterns that create an illusion of movement or depth, making them "mind-boggling." Perfect fit for the clue!
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The clue "Like hand-me-downs" indicates something previously owned or secondhand. Hand-me-downs are items passed from one person to another, typically not new. The word "USED" directly describes such items, as they have been utilized before being handed down.
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COUCHSURF fits because it refers to staying on friends' or acquaintances' couches instead of paying for accommodation. The term "surf" implies casually moving from one place to another, supported by friends' hospitality. The clue captures the informal, budget-friendly nature of this lodging method.
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The answer is JAWA because Jawas are a species in the Star Wars universe native to Tatooine. They are small, hooded scavengers known for their glowing eyes and habit of collecting and selling droids and scrap. This perfectly matches the clue description.
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The clue includes "el Día de San Valentín" and is in Spanish, signaling the answer is also in Spanish. "Te amo" translates to "I love you," a common romantic sentiment expressed on Valentine's Day, making TEAMO the correct answer.
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The clue "Card" and the answer "WIT" relies on a play on words. A "card" can informally describe someone who is amusing or clever, much like a jokester. "WIT" reflects this idea, as it refers to quick, sharp humor or cleverness, making it the fitting solution.
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The answer "ADOLPH" refers to Adolph Coors, the founder of the Coors Brewing Company, established in 1873. The clue uses "Brewer Coors" as a straightforward indication of the founder’s first name, making "ADOLPH" the correct solution.
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The clue "Once, once" refers to the archaic word "erst," meaning "formerly" or "in the past." "Once" is repeated to emphasize its older, poetic tone, aligning perfectly with "erst." It fits the style often used in historical or literary contexts.
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In tennis, a "perfect serve" refers to a serve that the opponent cannot touch or return, which is called an ACE. It’s both accurate and powerful, fitting the clue perfectly. Additionally, ACE can indicate excellence, tying into the idea of "perfect."
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The clue "Hit the pubs" uses a pun. "Hit" suggests visiting multiple locations, and "pubs" refers to bars. A "BARCRAWL" is the activity of visiting several bars or pubs in one outing, making it a perfect match for the clue's playful phrasing.
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The clue "Had" implies possession or ownership in the past. "OWNED" aligns with this as it is a past-tense verb meaning to possess or have something. The straightforward nature of the clue corresponds directly to the meaning of the answer.
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The answer "SST" refers to a Supersonic Transport, such as the Concorde, which was a high-speed passenger plane. These jets, now discontinued ("bygone"), frequently operated at JFK Airport before being retired in the early 2000s. Hence, "Bygone initials at JFK" aptly leads to SST.
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ELO is the abbreviation for Electric Light Orchestra, the band behind the famous song "Mr. Blue Sky." The clue says "in brief," signaling the answer is a shortened form of the band's name. This 1970s rock band is well-known for its orchestral rock sound.
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The clue "Be afraid to" suggests hesitation or lack of courage to act. The phrase "dare not" directly means being too afraid or unwilling to do something due to fear or uncertainty, making it a perfect fit for the clue.
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THE FLOOR IS LAVA is a perfect revealer for this set of punny theme answers, all describing ways to stay off the ground. A classic children’s game is reimagined in grown-up terms — COUNTERBALANCE, TABLEHOP, COUCHSURF, and BARCRAWL — keeping the floor (and lava!) completely avoided.
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RIGA is the capital of Latvia, a country that lies along the Baltic Sea. It is one of the prominent cities on the sea's coast and fits the clue perfectly as a Baltic capital. Geography confirms Latvia’s position as a key Baltic nation, with Riga as its center.
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The clue "Went through channels?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. "Channels" refers to waterways or passages, and "went through" suggests movement in water. The playful answer is SWAM, as swimming is a way to physically move through channels of water.
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T/Gel is a medicinal shampoo brand by Neutrogena, commonly found in the shampoo aisle. Its active ingredient, coal tar, is used to treat scalp conditions like dandruff and psoriasis, aligning with the "medicinal" clue. The distinctive name "T/Gel" fits the puzzle's solution.
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The clue "Short first step" hints at the phrase "from A to B," representing a starting move or simple step in a process. "Short" in the clue suggests an abbreviation, making the concise answer ATOB, capturing the idea of moving from point A to point B.
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The clue "Takes up, as some new pants" refers to shortening or adjusting the length of pants, making them shorter. The term for this tailoring process is "HEMS." To "hem" is to fold and sew the edge of fabric, explaining why HEMS fits here as the answer.
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The answer is YORK because York is both a city and the name of a county in Pennsylvania. This straightforward clue asks for a place name fitting both criteria, and York, known for its historical significance, matches perfectly.
Down
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The clue "Impossible!" suggests an informal or spoken response. "No can do" is a colloquial phrase meaning something is not possible or feasible, perfectly aligning with "Impossible!" as the answer reflects this meaning in conversational language.
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The clue "Ha ha ha!," on April Fools' Day suggests a playful, spoken reaction after tricking someone. The answer, IGOTYOU, captures that moment when a prankster reveals the joke to their target, with the phrase typically said in a light-hearted, teasing way.
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The clue "Not so happy" suggests a comparative form of unhappiness. The comparative form of "glum" (meaning sad or dejected) is "glummer." Thus, GLUMMER is the correct answer, as it directly means "less happy" or "more glum."
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The word "hence" is a synonym for "therefore," as both indicate a logical consequence or result. For example, "It rained, hence the roads are wet." This direct relationship makes "HENCE" the correct answer to the clue "Therefore."
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The answer is CHER because she is both an acclaimed actress and music icon. She won an Acting Oscar for Moonstruck (1987) and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, recognizing her influential music career. Both honors align perfectly with the clue.
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The clue "What's rounded up in a roundup" refers to gathering animals, specifically livestock like cattle, which is commonly done in a "roundup." These animals typically form a group or HERD, making HERD the correct answer. The pun lies in "rounding up" both physically and as a phrase.
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The clue "Earth or sun, for example" describes celestial objects that are round or spherical in shape. An "ORB" is a synonym for a sphere or globe, fitting perfectly as a poetic or descriptive term for both Earth and the sun.
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OSAKA is the solution because it is home to Shitennō-ji, the oldest officially recognized Buddhist temple in Japan, built in A.D. 593 by Prince Shōtoku. This temple is a cultural and historical landmark, aligning with the clue's description of the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan.
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The word "liable" means "likely to" or "prone to," making it a direct synonym of the clue. For example, if someone is "liable to forget," they are "likely to forget," perfectly aligning with the clue's meaning.
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USN is the solution because it stands for the United States Navy, the organization to which Navy SEALs belong. Navy SEALs are an elite military unit specializing in sea, air, and land operations, and "SEAL" itself is an acronym derived from these environments.
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The answer is BACCHUS because in Roman mythology, Bacchus is the god of wine, revelry, and festivities. He is equivalent to the Greek god Dionysus, who is also associated with wine and celebration. The clue directly references a "wine god," fitting Bacchus perfectly.
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The term "EYESORE" refers to something visually unpleasant or unattractive. A house with a long-unmowed lawn could be considered unsightly by neighbors or passersby, making it an "EYESORE." The "e.g." in the clue indicates this is one example of such an unattractive sight.
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The clue "Anchor or heart, maybe" hints at designs often depicted as tattoos. Both an anchor and a heart are popular tattoo motifs. The "maybe" indicates that not all anchors or hearts are tattoos, but they commonly serve as inspiration for them, leading to the answer TATTOO.
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The clue "Letters before Q, sometimes" refers to the LGBTQ+ acronym, which represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. The "Q" in the acronym sometimes follows "LGBT," making LGBT the correct answer. The "sometimes" indicates the varying forms of the acronym's usage.
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The clue uses wordplay. "Decorated," in this case, refers to the prank of throwing toilet paper ("TP") over a house, often done around Halloween. The suffix "-ED" indicates the past tense, describing the house as having been "TPED" or decorated with toilet paper.
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The University of North Carolina's sports teams are known as the Tar Heels. "Tarheel" historically refers to North Carolinians and is the nickname for their athletes, stemming from the state's history in tar and pitch production. Hence, a North Carolina athlete is a TARHEEL.
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The answer "ENUF" is a phonetic spelling of "enough," reflecting the style and tone of the title from the Broadway play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf." It mirrors the unique and expressive language of Ntozake Shange's powerful work.
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APU is the answer because Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is the shopkeeper who owns and runs the Kwik-E-Mart on The Simpsons. He is a recurring character known for his catchphrase "Thank you, come again!" and his role as a convenience store operator in the iconic animated series.
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In common usage, a handshake often symbolizes agreement or sealing a deal. The word "PACT" refers to a formal agreement or treaty. Thus, the clue "What a handshake may lead to" aligns perfectly with "PACT," as handshakes typically signify mutual commitments or agreements.
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The answer "TSAR" refers to the imperial title adopted by Russian rulers, which originates from "Caesar," a term used for Roman and Byzantine emperors. This title reflects the continuation of the Byzantine tradition of supreme rule and dates back to the empire's influence on Russian governance.
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The clue references academic courses. "Trig" is short for trigonometry, which is often followed by calculus in a typical math sequence. "Calc" is a common abbreviation for calculus, making it the logical answer.
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The clue "Verbal hesitations" refers to common filler sounds people make when pausing to think or hesitate while speaking. "UMS" is one of these verbal fillers, used universally to signal hesitation, making it the correct answer.
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The clue "Chopper parts" refers to a helicopter, often nicknamed a "chopper." Key components of a helicopter are its ROTORS, which spin to generate lift and allow the chopper to fly. This makes ROTORS the correct answer for "Chopper parts."
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The clue "Pokes in the ring" uses wordplay with "ring" referring to a boxing ring. In boxing, "pokes" are quick, sharp punches — commonly called JABS. This perfectly matches the definition and context, making JABS the solution.
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The answer "AD ASTRA" refers to the 2019 Brad Pitt sci-fi thriller of the same name. In Latin, "Ad Astra" means "To the Stars," fitting the film's space exploration theme where Brad Pitt's character embarks on a mission to the outer reaches of the solar system.
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The clue, "I don't care what that cost!", suggests a dismissive attitude toward the price because the value received outweighs the concern. The phrase "WORTH IT" perfectly conveys this sentiment, commonly used when something is deemed valuable regardless of its expense. It's a spoken expression, aligning with the clue's quotation marks.
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The clue "You in?" is conversational and ends with a question mark. It mimics casual speech, asking if someone wants to join an activity. "WANNAGO" is a shortened, informal way of saying "Want to go?"—a common response to such an invitation, fitting the tone perfectly.
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The answer "ICEOVER" fits the clue "Freeze up" because it describes the process of a surface, like a road or lake, being completely covered with ice, effectively freezing over. The term directly captures the idea of a freezing process leading to a solid state.
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The answer is TEDTALK because the very first TED Talk was delivered in 1984 when the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference was founded. These talks are now widely recognized for spreading ideas through engaging presentations. The clue directly refers to this historical event.
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The clue uses wordplay, hinted by "say." A "PREFAB" (short for prefabricated) house is constructed from pre-made sections assembled quickly, often in a day. The "built in a day" phrase aligns with the speed and efficiency of prefab construction, making it the fitting answer.
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The clue "Long way to go?" uses wordplay with a pun. A "hall" is a long corridor, often a physical space one might "go" through. The question mark signals the playful interpretation, making "hall" a fitting answer to the clue.
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The clue, "Sound" of a point sailing over someone's head, includes quotes, signaling a nonverbal sound. "WOOSH" represents the swift, airy sound of something quickly moving past—metaphorically a "point" flying over someone's head, as in missing the meaning or understanding. A playful, punny interpretation fits here.
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The answer is WELTY because Eudora Welty was a celebrated American author who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1973 for her novel The Optimist's Daughter. Her last name completes the clue referencing this literary achievement.
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The answer "DRAM" refers to a traditional Scottish unit of measurement for a small amount of liquid, commonly used to describe a small serving of whiskey. It's a succinct term often associated with whiskey drinking, making it a fitting solution for "Small amount of whiskey."
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The clue "Goals" refers to objectives or targets one strives to achieve. "AIMS" is a synonym for goals, as both terms describe intentions or purposes to reach. The straightforward nature of the clue aligns perfectly with the definition of "AIMS".
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The phrase "It's not you, it's me" often implies self-reflection or self-centeredness, which ties to "ego," representing one's sense of self or self-importance. The clue suggests a focus inward, making EGO the fitting solution.
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The clue "You ___ me!" suggests a phrase where someone might express being owed something, like money or a favor. The word "owe" fits naturally here, completing the phrase as "You owe me!"—a common expression indicating indebtedness.
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Solving today’s NYT The Crossword Puzzle and stuck on the 5-letter answer to the Eudora ___, Pulitzer winner for "The Optimist's Daughter" clue? Don’t worry—Lady Puzzle Pro is here to help! Whether you need the answer right away, want to reveal it letter by letter, or just can’t figure out a tricky clue, we’ve got you. You can even solve the whole Crossword puzzle of the day right here!
Eudora ___, Pulitzer winner for "The Optimist's Daughter" Answer Explained
The answer is WELTY.
The clue “Eudora blank” refers to the celebrated American author Eudora WELTY, who won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel The Optimist’s Daughter in 1973. Her writing is known for vivid portrayals of life in the American South, and she’s widely taught in literature courses. The clue signals a surname you might need to recall from reading lists or literary trivia. If “Eudora” rings a bell, “WELTY” likely completes it for seasoned solvers or book lovers, especially with the help of crossings. This is a solid literary clue that offers both name recognition and cultural depth.
Now that you've cracked the 53D Eudora ___, Pulitzer winner for "The Optimist's Daughter" clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s Mini Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry—we've got you covered. Explore more NYT Crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the NYT The Mini, Connections, or Strands.
Today’s NYT The Crossword Highlights
A clever and playful Wednesday theme from Eli Cotham! THE FLOOR IS LAVA makes for a great revealer, and each theme entry, COUNTERBALANCE, TABLEHOP, COUCHSURF, BARCRAWL, hilariously doubles as a way to keep your feet off the floor. It’s fun to see childhood imagination turned into wordplay, especially with such strong themers that all work naturally in the grid. This is Eli’s third NYT puzzle, and he keeps delivering inventive, clean, and genuinely entertaining themes. Loved the light tone with solid construction throughout. I’d love to hear other “lava avoidance” strategies, too; swing from a chandelier?
Here’s what caught our attention today:
- Mind-boggling designs
- Rainy-day game for children, whose play is punnily suggested by 16-, 24-, 35- and 50-Across
- Medicinal name in the shampoo aisle
- Short first step
- "Impossible!"
- Not so happy
- Broadway's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is ___"
NYT Crossword - All You Need To Know
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Fill the white squares with letters to form words or phrases that cross each other by solving clues in the Across and Down columns. The puzzles increase in difficulty from Monday to Saturday, with the Sunday puzzle being similar in difficulty to Wednesday or Thursday but larger in size.
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