NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The answer is AKA because "AKA" stands for "also known as," which fits the clue. Stefani Germanotta is the real name of the singer and performer widely recognized as Lady Gaga, making Lady Gaga her popular pseudonym or stage name.

The clue "That's very unfortunate" describes something that elicits sorrow or disappointment. "SAD" fits as it directly conveys an emotional response to an unfortunate situation. The quotation marks in the clue imply conversational language, matching "SAD" as a spoken reaction to bad news.

The answer "SHORT TON" refers to a weight measurement typically shortened to just "ton," its "second part." A short ton equals 2,000 pounds, commonly used in the U.S. This clue plays on the fact that people rarely say "short ton," defaulting to simply "ton."

The answer is ELBA because North Elba is a town in New York that encompasses Lake Placid, famous for hosting the Winter Olympics. The clue references this specific geographical area within New York State.

The answer "TOETAP" fits because it describes a simple, low-effort movement often used for light exercise or warming up. It involves standing in place and tapping your toes up and down, making it a straightforward activity done without requiring special equipment or significant exertion.

The clue references Woody Guthrie's famous song "This Land Is Your Land," which is about the United States. "Informally" hints at a casual way of referring to the country, leading to THE US (short for "The United States"). This fits both the theme and tone of the song.

Hawaii is known for its tropical climate, heavy rainfall, and lush landscapes, making it the wettest state in the U.S. Mauna Kea and other areas receive significant precipitation, earning Hawaii this distinction among the 50 states. The clue highlights this ranking succinctly.

The clue "Secondary social media acct." hints at a secondary or alternate account, often referred to as an "ALT." This term is commonly used in social media context for accounts created for different purposes, like anonymity or experimentation, making "ALT" the fitting answer.

The term "self-congratulatory" describes someone overly satisfied with themselves or acting superior. SMUG perfectly encapsulates this meaning, as it refers to a person displaying excessive pride or self-satisfaction. The characteristic condescending attitude aligns directly with being self-congratulatory.

The clue "Silent marching band position" leads to the punny answer PARADEREST. In marching bands, "parade rest" is a position where members stand silently and at ease, often during pauses. The play on words combines "parade" (marching context) and "rest" (silence). Clever wordplay connects both ideas.

The clue "Trumpeted" refers to promoting or praising something loudly or enthusiastically, much like the sound of a trumpet commands attention. "TOUTED" means publicly praised or promoted, matching the definition and tone of the clue. It encapsulates the idea of calling attention to something.

The answer "ANTES" refers to the poker term where players make mandatory, upfront payments (antes) into the pot before the cards are dealt. This ensures money is in play and represents the "upfront payments" mentioned in the clue. It aligns with the context of pre-payments.

The answer "SEER" fits because a seer is someone who claims to have the ability to foresee the future. If they can predict what’s coming, it would indeed be impossible to catch them off guard or surprise them, making this a fitting, slightly playful answer to the clue.

The answer "BROKER" fits the clue "Intermediary" because a broker is someone who acts as a middleman, negotiating or facilitating agreements, transactions, or deals between two parties, such as in finance, real estate, or other business contexts. This aligns directly with the definition of "intermediary."

The answer is OPI because it's a popular nail polish brand known for its fun, pun-filled shade names. "I Just Can't Cope-acabana" is a real OPI shade, referencing its signature witty naming style. The clue directly points to a brand with such naming characteristics, making OPI the solution.

The answer is LOAF because a loaf, often of bread, is a common item sold in bakeries. The clue "Bakery purchase" directly refers to this, as bakeries frequently sell whole loaves of bread as a staple product. It seamlessly fits the context.

In the musical Wicked, "Defying Gravity" is a pivotal number performed by Elphaba during Act I, just before intermission. The clue refers to this placement in the show's structure, making ACT I the correct answer.

The clue "Like a dog in the middle of a bath" uses a playful, metaphorical description. When giving a dog a bath, they become covered in soap and suds. Hence, the adjective “SOAPY” perfectly describes the state of a dog under such circumstances.

The phrase "Creates some opportunities" aligns metaphorically with "OPENS DOORS," as opening doors often symbolizes providing access or possibilities. This is a common idiom used to describe enabling new chances or pathways, perfectly matching the clue's intent.

CLE is the abbreviation for Cleveland, the city where the Cleveland Cavaliers, an NBA basketball team, are based. On scoreboards, teams are often represented by three-letter abbreviations, and CLE is used for the Cavaliers.

The answer is SERRA because Richard Serra is a renowned American sculptor known for his large-scale minimalist works. "Fulcrum" is one of his significant sculptures, created in 1987 and located in London. This clue refers directly to his famous artwork, making SERRA the fitting answer.

"Sets in" means something is starting to take effect or become more apparent, aligning with "begins to feel real." For example, realization or emotions "set in" as they gradually become noticeable and real. The phrase perfectly captures this process.

The answer "SAO" refers to "São Gonçalo," a city in Brazil. "São" means "Saint" in Portuguese and is often used in Brazilian city names, such as São Paulo or São Luís. The blank in the clue corresponds to this common prefix in Portuguese geography.

The answer is TESTPREP because many high school (H.S.) juniors prepare for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT, which are crucial for college admissions. The activity specifically refers to studying, practice tests, and workbooks aimed at improving scores, making “test prep” a common and fitting term.

The answer is TAIO because Taio Cruz is a British singer and songwriter who released the global hit "Dynamite" in 2010. This chart-topping song made him widely known, linking his name directly to the clue.

"Teensy" means something very small or tiny. The word "itty" (often seen in "itty-bitty") is a playful, shortened term used to describe something diminutive. Its informal, cutesy tone matches the clue's suggestion of smallness, making ITTY the perfect fit for "Teensy."

The answer is BMXBIKE because BMX bikes are specifically designed for stunts and tricks, often used in extreme sports and motocross-style activities. The term "two-wheeler" refers to a bicycle, and "stuntperson" highlights the connection to the performing of daring maneuvers, making BMXBIKE the perfect fit.

The clue "Heavily inked" refers to being heavily tattooed. "TATTED" is slang for having tattoos, making it a fitting answer for this phrase. The informal tone aligns with the clue's style, connecting "inked" as a colloquial reference to tattoos.

The word "Each" often implies a per-item or per-unit basis, such as "each unit" or "per instance." Therefore, "PER" is the fitting answer, as it conveys this same meaning of distribution or allocation on an individual basis.

The clue "F equivalent?" contains wordplay due to the question mark. In music, the note F has an equivalent: E#. This is because E# (E-sharp) is enharmonically the same as F in Western musical notation. The answer, ESHARP, directly represents this equivalent musical note.

The clue "Had the wheel" refers to being in control of a vehicle by driving. To "have the wheel" commonly means to be driving. The past tense "had" matches the past tense answer, DROVE, which means operated or steered a vehicle.

The answer is LATEX because it is a material commonly used in both disposable gloves (like medical gloves) and as a base ingredient in many types of paint, including latex paint. This ties the clue's reference to gloves and paint together effectively.

The clue "From the start" refers to beginning something again or afresh. The word ANEW means "once more" or "afresh," aligning perfectly with the idea of starting over or starting from the beginning. Thus, ANEW is an appropriate answer.

The answer "SEMI" works as a prefix with "sweet" and "soft," creating "semisweet" (partially sweet, as in chocolate) and "semisoft" (partially soft, often describing certain cheeses). It fits the clue's structure, which specifically asks for a prefix that pairs with both words.

The answer is OREO because the iconic cookie is marketed for its unique design, encouraging consumers to "twist" the two chocolate wafers apart to reveal the cream filling. The word "twistable" directly references this playful action associated with enjoying an Oreo.

The answer "BIB" fits "Chest guard" because a bib is a protective garment worn over the chest to shield clothes from spills, especially during eating. It metaphorically "guards" the chest area, making it a clever and concise solution to the clue.

The clue "Sun Devils' sch." refers to Arizona State University (ASU). The "Sun Devils" is the nickname for the sports teams of ASU, a major university located in Tempe, Arizona. "Sch." is an abbreviation for "school," confirming ASU as the correct answer.

The clue "Okey-dokey" is framed in quotes, signaling a conversational or informal phrase. "YEP" is a casual, spoken affirmation or agreement, synonymous with "okay" or "alright," making it the correct answer. It matches the tone and meaning of "Okey-dokey" perfectly.