NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The clue "Passed out cards" refers to the act of distributing cards during a card game. The past tense "Passed out" aligns with the past tense "DEALT," which means distributed or handed out, specifically in the context of cards. Therefore, the answer is DEALT.

The clue "I'm leaving now!" is in quotation marks, signaling conversational language. "OKBYE" is a casual, spoken phrase people use when announcing their departure, aligning perfectly with the tone and context of the clue. It captures the informal, concise goodbye sentiment conveyed here.

The clue "What a schemer schemes" straightforwardly hints at the actions or creations of a schemer—someone who creates deceitful or underhanded plots. A "schemer" is likely to devise a "SECRET PLAN," as such plans are typically hidden and calculated, aligning perfectly with the definition of scheming.

The answer "MATCHA" fits the clue "Green tea variety" because matcha is a specific type of powdered green tea made from finely ground shade-grown tea leaves. It's vibrant green in color, popular in Japanese tea ceremonies, and widely recognized as its own distinct variety of green tea.

The clue "What makes a pan a pain?" is a play on words. Here, "pan" refers to criticism or negative reviews. The answer "ANI" comes from the word "paIN," with "AN" inserted—highlighting that "a 'pan' contains 'an' leading to pain," cleverly connecting to the pun.

SET is part of a standard volleyball sequence: bump (pass), set (position the ball for attack), and spike (attack). The clue lists this trio in order, with SET fitting the blank as the critical middle action in this play progression.

The answer is TWANG because it describes a distinctive nasal or resonant sound often associated with Southern accents in the United States. This vocal quality is characteristic of the way many Southerners pronounce words, making it a fitting part of their accent.

RAISIN is the solution because granola often includes dried fruit for flavor and texture, and raisins are a common ingredient. The term "morsel" refers to a small piece, perfectly describing the size of a raisin within granola. Thus, RAISIN fits both the literal and culinary context of the clue.

The clue "___ Dhabi" refers to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The blank is filled with "Abu," completing the city’s name. It’s a straightforward geographical reference and a commonly used clue for crossword puzzles.

The answer is MOMAGER, a blend of "mom" and "manager." It’s a showbiz term for a parent (typically a mother) who manages their child's career, often seen in entertainment circles. The clue’s phrasing emphasizes a parent's dual role, hinting at the playful portmanteau.

AARP stands for the American Association of Retired Persons, a nonprofit organization focused on addressing the needs and interests of people aged 50 and older. The clue specifies "Org. for senior citizens," directly pointing to AARP as it advocates and provides benefits for this demographic.

The answer "DROP" fits the clue "Roller coaster element" because a "drop" is a key feature of roller coasters, referring to the thrilling descent where the track plunges downward, often causing excitement or fear for riders. It's an essential and iconic part of roller coaster design.

The clue "Does some math" straightforwardly refers to performing a basic mathematical operation. To "add" numbers is one of the fundamental math operations. The plural verb "does" suggests the present tense action, aligning with "adds," making it the correct answer.

NORI is the thin, edible seaweed commonly used as a wrap for sushi and onigiri in Japanese cuisine. It has a distinctive umami flavor and is specifically processed and dried for this purpose, making it the perfect answer for "Seaweed for sushi."

The clue "Just doing my best" is a quoted phrase, signaling a spoken response. "I TRY" fits naturally as a straightforward, humble expression someone might say to indicate they're making an effort, aligning perfectly with the sentiment of "doing my best."

The solution "ICER" refers to a bakery worker who ices cakes, cookies, or other baked goods by spreading frosting or glaze. It's a specific task within a bakery, making "ICER" an appropriate, concise answer for this clue.

The Hawaiian goose, called "nēnē" (pronounced nay-nay), is Hawaii’s state bird. Native to the islands, it’s derived from the Hawaiian language. As the clue refers specifically to a "Hawaiian" goose, the correct answer, fitting the description and crossword format, is NENE.

The answer "NEAL" refers to Neal Shusterman, a well-known author of young adult novels. He is recognized for popular series like Arc of a Scythe and Unwind. The clue directly names him as the author, so the solution is simply his first name.

The clue "Fights" leads to the phrase DUKES IT OUT, which colloquially means to physically or verbally fight or settle a dispute, often involving "dukes" as slang for fists. It's a playful way of describing fights, fitting both the literal and figurative sense of the word.

The solution "IBIS" fits the clue "Long-legged wader" because an ibis is a type of bird known for its long legs and wading behavior in shallow waters. This aligns perfectly with the description in the clue.

The clue "Sunbathes" refers to the act of exposing oneself to the sun, often resulting in a change in skin color. The answer, TANS, describes what happens to the skin when it darkens due to sun exposure, perfectly aligning with the clue's meaning.

The answer "ELIS" refers to students or alumni of Yale University, as Yale is often historically and informally nicknamed "Eli," a reference to its benefactor Elihu Yale. "Some Ivy Leaguers" clues this indirectly, as Yale is one of the Ivy League schools.

The answer "SINE" fits because a sine wave is a smooth, periodic oscillation commonly found in mathematics, physics, and engineering. It’s a fundamental type of wave often associated with trigonometry, describing the graph of the sine function. "Kind of wave" directly refers to this mathematical concept.

The clue "Tiebreaker periods, in brief" refers to extra game time used to break ties in sports. "OTS" is short for "overtimes," commonly abbreviated in sports contexts. The plural "periods" aligns with "overtimes," making "OTS" the fitting, concise answer.

The Andes mountain range runs through several South American countries, including Peru. As a notable Andean nation, Peru's geography, culture, and history are strongly tied to the Andes, making it the correct answer to the clue "Andean nation."

ZARA is the correct answer because it is a well-known global fashion retailer founded in 1974 and headquartered in Arteixo, Spain. As a prominent Spanish brand under the Inditex Group, it aligns perfectly with the clue's description of a "Fashion retailer headquartered in Spain."

The answer is ELON because Elon University is a well-known private university located in Elon, North Carolina. The clue directly references the state and specifies a university, making ELON the correct and fitting solution.

The clue "Try earnestly to get" suggests putting in significant effort to obtain something. "WORKFOR" fits because it implies striving or laboring to achieve or attain a goal, such as working for a promotion, recognition, or result. It's a direct interpretation of the phrase.

The answer "NEWT" is correct because a newt is a type of small salamander, belonging to the amphibian family. The clue is straightforward, with no wordplay or alternate hints, directly describing the animal. This fits perfectly with the biological classification of newts as small salamanders.

The clue "Climb" and the answer "ASCEND" are directly synonymous. To ascend means to move upward or climb, whether referring to physical elevation or advancement in position or status. This straightforward relationship between the clue and answer makes ASCEND the correct solution.

The solution "SSNS" stands for Social Security Numbers, which are used as unique identifiers on W-2 tax forms. Employers include employees’ SSNs on W-2s to report wages and tax withholdings to the IRS, making it a perfect fit for "IDs on W-2s."

The answer "STOKED" fits "Enthusiastic, informally" because "stoked" is a casual, slang term often used to express excitement or eagerness. The clue specifies "informally," signaling the use of a colloquial word rather than a formal synonym like "excited" or "thrilled."

The clue "Spy's gathering" hints at what spies collect. "Gathering" refers to the collection of information. In the context of espionage, this information is often called "INTEL," short for intelligence. This answer plays on a spy's key activity: gathering crucial details or secrets.

The clue "Perceive" directly aligns with the definition of SENSE, as both involve identifying or becoming aware of something through physical sensations or intuition. "To sense" is synonymous with "to perceive," making it a fitting and straightforward match for the clue.

The clue "Reward for Rover" suggests a prize or compensation given to a dog, commonly Rover. "TREAT" is a common reward given to dogs for good behavior, aligning perfectly with the clue’s context.

ISIS is the correct answer because she is a prominent Egyptian goddess known for her association with healing, magic, and protection. As a central figure in Egyptian mythology, Isis was revered for her ability to heal and revive, often depicted as a nurturing and powerful deity.

NEMO is the correct answer because Dory and Nemo are characters from the Pixar animated films Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. Dory is the supportive and forgetful fish who helps Marlin search for his son, Nemo, making Nemo a key friend of hers in the story.

The answer is ULTA because Ulta Beauty is a well-known retail chain specializing in beauty products and cosmetics that also features in-store salons offering services like haircuts, coloring, and skincare treatments. The clue directly describes the business model of ULTA, making it the perfect fit.

The answer "IRE" fits the clue "Rage" as both words are synonyms expressing extreme anger or fury. This clue is straightforward, with no wordplay, and relies purely on their shared meaning. IRE is a concise term often used in crosswords for anger.

The clue "Martinique, par exemple" is in French, indicating the answer will also be in French. Martinique is an island, and the French word for "island" is île. Therefore, the answer is ILE.

The answer "CIA" fits because the Central Intelligence Agency, a U.S. government organization, is known for its stringent hiring process, which includes mandatory polygraph tests. These tests are used to assess honesty and loyalty, critical traits for working in national security and intelligence operations.