NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The term "Tycoon" refers to a wealthy and powerful businessperson, and BARON shares a similar meaning, as it denotes someone who holds significant influence, often in business or industry (e.g., "business baron"). Both suggest economic power and high status, making BARON a fitting answer.

LAB is short for Labrador Retriever, a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club as one of the most friendly and outgoing dogs. Renowned for their sociable and affectionate nature, Labs are a top choice for families, making "famously friendly" a perfect description.

The answer "TEY" refers to Josephine Tey, the pen name of Scottish author Elizabeth MacKintosh. She is best known for her classic mystery novels, particularly The Daughter of Time. In crossword puzzles, her last name is often used as a succinct three-letter answer for mystery author references.

The clue "Moody hip-hop subgenre" points to EMORAP because it's a subgenre blending emotional, introspective lyrics (associated with "emo") with hip-hop beats. Artists in this style often express vulnerability and melancholic themes, fitting the "moody" descriptor perfectly.

The solution "DEMOMODE" refers to a setting commonly used on electronic floor model displays, such as TVs or appliances, to showcase features in-store. These demo settings are pre-configured to attract customers, demonstrating the product's capabilities, typically without requiring user setup. Hence, it fits the clue perfectly.

The clue "Switch to a newsperson on the scene, say" hints at broadcasting terminology. "Go live" describes transitioning to a real-time report from a correspondent at a specific location (on the scene). The phrase aligns with the shift to live, on-the-spot coverage, matching the wordplay.

The clue "Common sushi go-with" asks for something typically served alongside sushi. MISO SOUP, a traditional Japanese soup made with miso paste, is a staple accompaniment at sushi restaurants, making it the fitting solution. The answer matches the context perfectly as a well-known pairing with sushi.

The clue "Hair goop" directly refers to a styling product, commonly used to shape or hold hair in place. GEL is a well-known hair product with a gooey, "goop-like" consistency, making it a fitting answer to this straightforward clue.

The solution "THC" refers to tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive compound in marijuana. The clue specifies "for short," indicating the answer is an abbreviation. THC is the widely recognized shorthand for this marijuana component, making it the correct and fitting answer.

The answer "TOGO" fits the clue "Like many a coffee order" because it reflects how coffee is often ordered "to go" — meaning it's taken out rather than consumed on-site. This phrase aligns with the everyday practice of grabbing coffee for takeout.

ABE is the solution because it refers to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president, who was born in Hardin County, Kentucky (now LaRue County). He is the only U.S. president born in that state, making this the historically accurate answer to the clue.

SRO stands for "Standing Room Only," a term often used to indicate that all seats for an event are sold out, leaving only standing space available. This fits the clue "Letters for a sellout," as it signifies a completely sold-out event.

The clue "Whistle blower" is a pun. A referee, abbreviated as REF, uses a whistle to manage sports games, enforcing rules and signaling play actions. The play on words refers to someone literally blowing a whistle, making REF the apt solution.

The clue "I had something come up," maybe, signals wordplay. It suggests an excuse someone might give, which could involve a small lie or a FIB. A "fib" is a minor falsehood, often told to avoid an obligation, fitting the clue's tone.

The clue "Square root" uses wordplay. Mathematically, a square root involves radicals (√). Figuratively, "radical" relates to roots or origins (from Latin "radix" meaning root). Hence, RADICAL cleverly ties both meanings—mathematical and linguistic—together, making it the fitting solution for this clue.

The answer is ELF because it refers to the 2003 holiday comedy film, Elf, starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole. The title directly matches the clue, making it a straightforward reference to this popular movie.

The answer is TSA because the Transportation Security Administration prohibits items deemed unsafe or potentially dangerous on airplanes. Magic 8 Balls contain liquid, which is restricted, and baseball bats qualify as prohibited blunt objects. This aligns with the organization's airport security rules.

In Japan, tipping is not customary and can even be considered impolite in food service. Instead, exceptional service is expected and included in the price. "NOTIPS" reflects this cultural norm, directly answering the clue "Custom in Japanese food service" by highlighting the absence of tipping as the standard.

The answer "SPELT" works because it is the British English past tense of "spell," which can mean "to write out letter by letter." The clue references British usage, distinguishing it from the American English counterpart, "spelled." Hence, "SPELT" fits perfectly.

The answer is HAIKU because it is a traditional Japanese poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure. The clue's description ("Brief verse from Japan" and "seventeen syllables") directly defines a haiku. The "Illustrated here" hints the clue's layout reflects a haiku's concise form.

The grid’s O’s are arranged like the pips on a six-sided die, so the answer DIE ties everything together, an item that literally “rolls” and thematically explains the dot patterns across the puzzle.

The clue "Fixes, as a piano" refers to the process of adjusting the tension of piano strings to produce the correct pitch. This is known as "tuning" a piano. The plural "Fixes" matches the plural form of the answer, "TUNES," making it the correct solution.

ELMST is the abbreviated form of "Elm Street," the fictional setting in the horror movie franchise A Nightmare on Elm Street. Freddy Krueger is the iconic villain who haunts the dreams of residents on this street. The abbreviation "Abbr." in the clue indicates a shortened form.

The phrase "Evolutionary 'missing link'" refers to a hypothetical transitional form between apes and modern humans in evolutionary theory. APEMAN fits as it describes a figure blending human and ape traits, often depicted as an intermediary stage in human evolution. The clue's quotes suggest a symbolic or theoretical concept.

The U.F.C. (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is a major organization for Mixed Martial Arts, often abbreviated as MMA. MMA is a combat sport combining various fighting styles like boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu, aligning with the clue's focus on a "fighting style" used in U.F.C. events.

In this context, "Mole, e.g." uses wordplay. A "mole" refers to someone who secretly infiltrates an organization to gather information—essentially a spy. This dual meaning of the word makes SPY the correct answer.

The clue "Slobbery smooch" suggests a playful and wet kiss, often associated with dogs. Dogs are known for giving affectionate but slobbery licks, which are humorously referred to as "dog kisses," making DOGKISS the fitting, pun-based solution.

The answer is PAM because Pam Beesly is the name of the character who serves as the receptionist in the first season of the U.S. version of "The Office." She is a central character, known for her kind demeanor and her role at the front desk of Dunder Mifflin.

The clue "Delivers, as a baby" refers to the act of giving birth. The word "HAS" is used to describe someone who gives birth (e.g., "She has a baby"). Therefore, "HAS" aptly fits as the answer, aligning with this straightforward definition.

The answer "ERE" means "before" in older or poetic English, often used in literature and poetry. The clue specifies "poetically," signaling the use of an archaic or poetic term rather than modern language. Classic examples include its usage in Shakespeare's works.

The answer is SUE because the T. rex fossil, found in 1990, was named after Sue Hendrickson, the paleontologist who discovered it. It’s one of the most complete and well-preserved T. rex specimens ever found, housed at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The answer is ODOR because the durian fruit is infamous for its strong, pungent smell. Its distinctively overpowering odor, often described as either foul or pleasant depending on preference, is one of its most recognizable characteristics, earning it the nickname "king of fruits."

The clue references "The Big Apple," a nickname for New York City. "___ Drive" refers to Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive, commonly abbreviated as FDR Drive. This well-known roadway in NYC runs along the East River, making FDR the fitting solution.

The answer "ANI" refers to Ani DiFranco, a well-known folk and indie singer-songwriter. She is renowned for her prolific discography and impactful lyrics addressing social and political themes. The clue directly points to her last name, making ANI the straightforward solution.

In Archie Comics, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge are best friends but often rivals, particularly over Archie's affection. This love triangle dynamic makes Veronica a classic "frenemy" of Betty, fitting the clue perfectly. The crossword taps into the iconic Betty-Veronica relationship known to comic fans.

The answer "IROBOT" refers to Isaac Asimov’s classic science fiction short story collection titled I, Robot. The book, a cornerstone of Asimov's work, explores themes around robotics and the famous "Three Laws of Robotics," making it iconic in both literature and pop culture.

The clue "Boosted" directly aligns with the word "PROMOTED" as both refer to an action of raising something to a higher level or advancing it. "PROMOTED" can mean boosting someone’s position, visibility, or status, making it an exact match for the clue.

The "Five Nations" refers to the Iroquois Confederacy, which originally consisted of five Native American tribes: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. As one of these tribes, Seneca fits the clue perfectly.

The answer "SAN" solves the clue "___ Marino" because it refers to San Marino, a small independent country entirely surrounded by Italy. "San" is a common prefix for place names, especially in Italian. The clue hints explicitly at this geographical connection.

The answer is RYE because patty melts, a classic sandwich, are traditionally served on rye bread. Rye bread’s hearty, flavorful texture pairs well with the patty, cheese, and grilled onions, making it the standard choice for this dish.

COLON is the solution because many emoticons, such as :) for a smile or :( for a frown, start with a colon followed by another character (e.g., parenthesis). The colon represents eyes in the facial expression depicted by the emoticon.