[Z/R]est - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is MAMBA because Kobe Bryant famously gave himself the nickname "Black Mamba," drawing inspiration from the snake known for its agility and precision. This reflected his fierce, focused playing style on the basketball court.

The answer is ATARI because it is the company that developed and released Pong, one of the earliest and most iconic video games, in 1972. ATARI was a pioneer in the video game industry, making this a direct reference to its historical accomplishment.

The answer is PIKES because it fits all elements of the clue. A "pike" is a type of long, thin fish. "Pike" can also refer to a turnpike, a type of road, and historically, a pike was a long, thin weapon used in combat.

The word "STEALTH" directly refers to the concept of sneakiness or acting in a secretive, undetectable manner. It is the perfect match for the clue as it captures the essence of being subtle, hidden, or sly in one's actions, aligning with the idea of sneakiness.

The clue "Goof" directly refers to making a mistake, which aligns with the meaning of the word "ERR." "Err" specifically means to make an error or to go astray, making it a concise and fitting answer to this straightforward clue.

The answer is LOBE because both the brain and the ear have parts referred to as lobes. In the brain, lobes (e.g., frontal, temporal) are major regions. In the ear, the lobe (earlobe) is the soft, fleshy lower part of the outer ear.

The clue "Coolness, of a sort" suggests a figurative or abstract definition. "AURA" refers to an intangible energy or vibe someone exudes, which can be perceived as a kind of "coolness" or charisma. The phrase "of a sort" signals a non-literal twist, fitting "AURA" perfectly.

The answer "PRESTO" ties to the clue "Magician's cry" because magicians often exclaim "Presto!" during performances to signal the sudden completion of a magic trick. It's a traditional and dramatic word associated with creating amazement, aligning perfectly with the magical theme of the clue.

The answer "SKATER" fits because many Winter Olympians compete in ice-based disciplines like figure skating or speed skating. These athletes are broadly referred to as skaters, making it a natural answer to describe a large group of Winter Games participants.

The clue "Holy moley!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken exclamation. "Holy moley!" expresses surprise, shock, or alarm, which aligns with the exclamation "EEK." Both are short, informal reactions to something startling or unexpected, making EEK a fitting answer.

The clue "No sweat!" is in quotes, indicating a conversational phrase. "Easy peasy" is a casual, playful expression meaning something is very simple or effortless—requiring "no sweat." It perfectly matches the tone and context of the clue, making it the correct answer.

The phrase "___ on the wrist" refers to a minor punishment or reprimand. The word "SLAP" fits perfectly as it captures the idea of a light, figurative slap on the wrist, symbolizing a minor consequence or scolding. It's a common idiomatic expression.

The answer is "PAGE" because it forms common phrases with "home" (homepage, a web page for a site) and "half" (half-page, often referring to a portion of text or advertisement). Both are familiar compound terms that fit the clue.

The clue "What cologne may mask" suggests something cologne can cover or hide. Cologne is often used to mask unpleasant smells. "Odor" directly refers to a smell, particularly one that might be undesirable, making it the fitting solution.

The word "HURT" is synonymous with "Injured." Both imply experiencing physical pain or damage. This straightforward clue does not involve wordplay or other hints, making HURT a direct and logical solution.

In pubs, a "pint" is a common serving size for beer or other drinks, especially in countries like the UK. The clue "Pub order" directly refers to what one might order in a pub, making PINT the fitting answer.

ETSY is a popular online marketplace known for selling handmade, vintage, and unique items crafted by independent artists and sellers. The clue’s emphasis on "unique and creative" aligns perfectly with ETSY’s reputation as a platform for personalized and distinctive goods.

The answer is CAT because this simile plays on cats’ behavior: they tend to approach and interact only when left undisturbed, much like sleep, which often eludes you when you actively chase it but arrives naturally when you relax and stop trying.

KMART is the correct answer because it is a well-known big-box retail chain that merged with Sears in 2005 to form Sears Holdings Corporation. This merger combined two major retailers in an attempt to strengthen their business presence in the market.

ALOE is the solution because aloe vera is a plant widely known for its soothing and healing properties, especially for skin damage like sunburns. Its gel is commonly used as a natural and effective remedy to reduce pain, redness, and inflammation caused by sunburn.

The clue "X's, sometimes" uses wordplay. "X" can represent the Roman numeral 10, so "X's, sometimes" could refer to "tens" when interpreted numerically. The use of "sometimes" hints at this alternate meaning rather than the letter X itself.

The clue "Ruler division" refers to a segment or unit measured on a ruler. The ruler is marked with divisions, the most common being inches (or centimeters). Since "division" hints at a single unit, the correct answer is INCH, a standard measurement on a ruler.

The clue "Tall story" suggests a playful or exaggerated narrative. The word "tall" often implies something far-fetched or imaginative, aligning with "TALE," which is a story, often fictional or exaggerated. It's a straightforward match between the wordplay in the clue and the definition.

The clue suggests a play on words with "reward" and dieting. A "cheat meal" refers to a planned indulgent meal, allowing dieters to momentarily break strict eating rules. The "weekly" indicates it’s occasional, and "maybe" highlights the flexibility, aligning perfectly with the dieting concept.

The clue "Keister, in Leicester" plays on regional dialects. "Keister" is an American slang term for one's rear end. In Leicester, England, the equivalent British slang is "arse." The clue links the U.S. term with its British counterpart, making ARSE the correct answer.

The answer is BOA because a "boa" is a feathered scarf or accessory often used in fashion. The clue uses wordplay with "constrict" to reference a boa constrictor snake, which does constrict. However, this feathered boa is lightweight and stylish, not constrictive, fitting the pun in the clue.

The answer is OTIS because Otis Redding was a renowned American soul singer, famously known for songs like "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay." The clue directly refers to his last name, Redding, pointing to his first name, Otis, as the solution.

The clue "First in a race?" uses wordplay. "Race" here refers to the human race, and the "first" in the human race is Adam, according to the Bible, as he is considered the first human created. Thus, the answer is ADAM.

The clue "Regards highly" is asking for a synonym of showing respect, admiration, or value. "Esteems" fits perfectly, as it means to hold someone or something in high regard or value, aligning directly with the clue's meaning without wordplay or additional layers.

The answer "OBLIGE" fits because to "do a favor" for someone means to accommodate or help them, which aligns with the definition of "oblige" as acting to fulfill a request or need. It captures the idea of assisting or being of service.

The answer "ROOFER" fits the clue "Worker overhead" as it directly describes someone who works on roofs, which are overhead structures. The clue plays on the literal idea of a worker being above us (overhead) while also referring to the profession of roofing.

The clue "Cooking fat" refers to a type of fat commonly used in cooking. LARD, which is rendered pig fat, fits perfectly as it is traditionally used in baking, frying, and other recipes. It is both a straightforward and common answer to describe cooking fat.

The answer is ISAAK because Chris Isaak is a renowned musician who released the hit song "Wicked Game" in 1991. His last name, Isaak, fits the crossword clue referencing "Chris" and his famous track. The spelling ISAAK matches the proper name precisely.

"Retro" describes something from the past that has become trendy or "cool" again, such as retro fashion or retro design. It captures the idea of old styles making a comeback, aligning cleverly with the clue.

The term "ETHER" is often used metaphorically to refer to the skies or the heavens, especially in poetic or philosophical contexts. It originates from ancient Greek, where "aether" described the upper air or celestial realm, aligning perfectly with the clue "Heavens."

Bats rest by hanging upside down from their feet, typically in caves or trees. The clue uses this biological behavior metaphorically, making "HANG" the correct answer.

The clue refers to actress Jessica Alba, who played Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman in the "Fantastic Four" movies. ALBA is her last name, making it the correct answer for the clue. This is a straightforward reference to her role and name.

The answer is FENS because "fens" are low-lying, marshy or wetland areas, typically filled with water and supporting specific vegetation. The clue "Marshy areas" directly describes these types of wetlands, making FENS the correct and precise solution.

The clue "Task on a list" directly aligns with the word TODO, as a "to-do list" is a common way to organize tasks. TODO succinctly represents a task or item awaiting completion, making it a fitting answer for this straightforward clue.

In a race, to "greatly surpass" competitors means to overtake them by completing an additional full circuit or "lap" while they are still behind. "Lap" fits perfectly as it conveys the act of going significantly ahead, figuratively and literally, in a racing context.

The clue "Raced" is a straightforward past tense action. The word "RAN" is the past tense of "run," which directly describes the action of racing or moving swiftly, making it the correct match for the clue.