Dreary atmosphere - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "BIN" fits the clue "Recycling container" because a bin is a common receptacle used for collecting recyclable materials like paper, plastics, or glass. The term directly refers to a practical object associated with recycling, making it a straightforward and fitting solution.

In website addresses for educational institutions, ".edu" is the domain used specifically for schools, colleges, and universities. URLs associated with campus websites often end in ".edu," making it a clear reference for "Part of a campus URL."

The answer is "ROD" because "hot rod" refers to customized high-performance cars, and a "lightning rod" is a device that protects structures by directing lightning strikes safely to the ground. "Rod" fittingly follows both "hot" and "lightning," completing these familiar compound terms.

The answer "GLIB" fits "Smooth-talking" because it describes someone who speaks easily and persuasively but often without sincerity or depth. GLIB speech is effortless and polished, making it seem smooth, yet it can lack genuine thought, perfectly matching the clue.

The answer is SATEEN because sateen is a fabric with a smooth, glossy surface, often used for making sheets. Its lustrous appearance comes from the weave, giving it a sheen similar to satin, fitting the clue "Lustrous sheet material."

The word "ACCRUE" means to grow or build up over time, particularly in terms of financial or intangible gains. In this context, "interest" refers to the money earned on savings or investments, which accumulates gradually. Thus, "Build up, as interest" points to the process of accruing.

The clue "Smallest" directly defines something of the lowest size, degree, or amount. "LEAST" is a synonym for "smallest," as it conveys the minimal or lowest possible quantity or extent, making it the perfect fit for this straightforward clue.

The answer is ELM because elms are known for their oval-shaped leaves with serrated edges. The clue directly describes the leaf shape, matching this common feature of elm trees, making ELM the precise and logical solution.

The answer "MAP" fits because weather reports often use maps to visually display weather patterns, like temperature, precipitation, or pressure systems. A map provides the graphic representation needed to convey this data, making it the perfect weather report graphic in this context.

The solution "LAPAZ" is correct because La Paz is one of Bolivia's capitals, serving as the seat of government and administrative capital. Though Sucre is the constitutional capital, La Paz is often referred to as Bolivia's main capital due to its governmental significance.

The clue "Speechifier" defines someone skilled at giving speeches. An "orator" is precisely a person who delivers formal speeches, often with eloquence and persuasiveness. The single-word clue straightforwardly matches the single-word answer, as both relate to public speaking expertise.

The clue "Catlike" directly describes something related to or resembling a cat. The word "FELINE" is the adjective used to define characteristics of cats, such as their appearance, behavior, or qualities. Thus, "FELINE" perfectly matches as the solution.

The clue "Gabbed" refers to speaking or chatting casually. "Talked" directly matches this definition, as it describes the act of conversing or chatting, often at length. Both words are past tense verbs, aligning grammatically, making "Talked" the appropriate answer.

The clue "Spotify selection" refers to items commonly chosen or played on Spotify, a music streaming platform. On Spotify, users typically select music tracks, which are often referred to as "songs." Therefore, the correct answer to this clue is SONG.

BLINI is the solution because it refers to traditional Russian pancakes made from buckwheat or wheat flour, often served with toppings like sour cream or caviar. The clue directly points to these specific pancakes, rooted in Russian cuisine, making BLINI the correct answer.

In tennis, an "Ace" is a serve that is so powerful and precise it lands inbounds and the opponent fails to touch the ball. The clue "Tennis servers' wallops" refers to these strong, unreturnable serves, making "ACES" the perfect answer.

The answer is BOGO, an acronym for "Buy One, Get One." This indicates a deal where purchasing one item grants another for free, effectively making each item half-price. The clue’s phrase "in effect" hints at this conceptual interpretation of the discount rather than a literal half-price tag.

The clue "Snail-like" refers to the defining characteristic of a snail, which is its slow pace. "Slow" directly captures this trait, as it describes something moving or acting at a low speed, just like snails typically do. This makes SLOW the fitting solution.

The answer "RUES" fits because "rues" is a verb meaning to feel regret, remorse, or sorrow about something. It directly matches the clue "Feels sorry about," as both describe the act of regretting or lamenting an action or situation.

In poker, the ANTE is a small mandatory bet that all players contribute before the game begins. This creates the initial pot, motivating players to compete for it. As "Poker pot builder" directly describes this, ANTE is the fitting answer.

The answer is OSHA, which stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It is a U.S. government agency responsible for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for employees by setting and enforcing standards and providing training. "Agcy." in the clue signals the answer is an abbreviation.

The phrase "Brownie ___ mode" refers to the dessert "Brownie à la mode," where "à la mode" means "in the style of" in French and typically refers to serving a brownie with ice cream. Hence, the answer is "ALA," taken from "à la mode."

The clue "Nile reptiles" refers to snakes commonly associated with the Nile region in Egypt. ASPS are venomous snakes, specifically small, dangerous cobras, frequently linked to ancient Egypt in history and mythology. This straightforward clue leads to ASPS as the fitting answer.

The phrase "tie the knot" refers to getting married. An ALTAR is a traditional spot in churches or ceremonial locations where wedding vows are exchanged, making it the perfect answer to "Spot to tie the knot." It connects directly to the idea of a marriage ceremony.

The answer "TEEN" fits because the "Twilight" series, with its themes of young love and vampires, primarily appeals to teenagers. The novels, part of the young adult (YA) genre, were massively popular among this age group when published. Hence, TEEN is the target reader.

The clue "Corp. bigwig" refers to a high-ranking individual in a corporation. "Corp." is a common abbreviation for corporation, and "bigwig" suggests someone important or in charge. "EXEC" is short for "executive," a term used for leaders or decision-makers in a company, fitting the clue perfectly.

The answer is NOAH because Trevor Noah is a South African comedian and author who wrote the memoir Born a Crime. It chronicles his experiences growing up under apartheid, where his mixed-race heritage was considered illegal, hence the title.

The answer is ELLA because Ella Fitzgerald, nicknamed the "Queen of Jazz," was a renowned American jazz singer known for her exceptional vocal talent, spanning a career of nearly six decades. The clue directly references her title and last name, making ELLA the precise solution.

The answer "WETS" fits the clue "Drenches" because to wet something is to soak or drench it with liquid. This clue directly defines the action described by the word "wets," making it a straightforward synonym-based solution.

The clue "Expose at a costume party?" includes a pun. At a costume party, people often wear masks as part of their disguise. To "expose" someone at such an event would involve removing their mask, hence "UNMASK" is the fitting solution.

The clue "Oaty breakfast cereal" directly describes MUESLI, which is a breakfast dish made of oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. The key term "oaty" denotes its primary ingredient, oats, making MUESLI the perfect fit for the clue. It’s a commonly recognized cereal worldwide.

The answer "PITIES" fits the clue "Feels sorry for" because "pities" is a verb that directly means to feel compassion, sympathy, or sorrow for someone else's misfortune. It aligns with the emotional context of the clue, making it a perfect match.

The clue refers to Universal, Paramount, or Disney, which are all well-known movie production companies. These companies are commonly referred to as "studios" in the film industry. Therefore, the answer "STUDIO" fits as it describes the shared characteristic of these entities.

The clue "Bald" birds refers to a pun. "Bald" here hints at the bald eagle, the iconic bird of prey. Even though bald eagles aren't truly bald, their white head feathers give them a "bald" appearance, making EAGLES the fitting answer.

The answer is AXLE because an axle is a central shaft that connects wheels and allows them to turn, typically supporting the wheel's rotation. The clue directly describes its function—"shaft" refers to the axial component, and "on which a wheel turns" specifies its role in enabling motion.

The clue "Dispatches" directly translates to "sends," as both can mean to send or transmit something, such as messages, items, or information. The plural form "dispatches" matches with "sends" in number, ensuring both align grammatically. This straightforward synonym connection explains the solution.

The answer is EBONY because ebony wood has historically been used to craft the black keys on pianos due to its dense, durable, and smooth qualities. It’s a well-known material associated with traditional piano construction, aligning perfectly with the clue description.

ESPN is the solution because "Baseball Tonight" is a popular TV program dedicated to baseball analysis, highlights, and news, which airs on ESPN. As a well-known sports channel, ESPN regularly broadcasts such sports-themed programming. The word "airer" directly refers to a network or broadcaster, confirming the match.

The clue "Opposition vote" directly refers to a vote against something, often phrased as "nay" in formal settings like legislative assemblies. "Nay" is the traditional term used to express disagreement or opposition during voting, making it the precise answer.

The clue "Yoko from Tokyo" refers to Yoko Ono, a famous Japanese artist, musician, and peace activist. The capitalized "Tokyo" in the clue hints at her origin (Japan). Her last name, Ono, is the correct and concise answer fitting the clue.

The clue "Yes, to Yves" includes the name Yves, which is French, signaling the answer will be in French. The French word for "yes" is OUI, making it the correct solution. This clue relies on recognizing the language through the name.

The answer "URN" fits because an urn is a large container designed to serve coffee to a crowd. It’s commonly used at events or gatherings where multiple servings are needed, aligning with "crowd-sized" in the clue.

The answer "PEA" refers to the fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea" by Hans Christian Andersen. In the story, a princess proves her royalty by being so sensitive she can feel a single pea under numerous mattresses, making it a source of her discomfort or "vexation."