NYT Crossword Yesterday's Solution - Solve Every Puzzle!

Joan Didion was renowned for her essays, which are reflective, analytical pieces of writing. The clue, "Bit of writing from Joan Didion," directly points to her notable works in this format. "Essay" perfectly matches the description as a concise segment of her literary contributions.

The answer is SCUBA because a SCUBA diver uses Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus to explore underwater environments. The blank ("___ diver") refers to the type of diver, and SCUBA fits perfectly as the term commonly associated with this specialized diving equipment.

POMES are a type of fruit in botany with a core containing seeds, surrounded by a fleshy layer. Apples, pears, and quinces all fall under this category, making POMES the correct answer to the clue.

The clue "Dee-lish!" is in quotes, indicating the answer is likely an expression or sound. "YUM" is a common exclamation used to express enjoyment or delight when something tastes delicious, directly matching the meaning of "Dee-lish!" in a casual, spoken form.

The clue "Bacteria-free" directly points to the meaning of the word "STERILE." STERILE describes an environment or object that is completely free of bacteria or other microorganisms, often through sterilization. This makes it the perfect fit for the definition provided in the clue.

The clue "Should've listened to me!" is in quotes, indicating a conversational or spoken phrase. "TOLDYA" is an informal contraction of "Told you," which fits the tone of someone pointing out they were right. It reflects hindsight advice, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

The heckelphone and the oboe are both double-reed woodwind instruments with a similar shape and timbre. While the heckelphone has a deeper pitch (closer to a bass oboe), the oboe is its higher-pitched counterpart, making the oboe a close match to the clue's description.

The clue "Makes go 'Vroom!'" playfully hints at revving an engine, as "revving" intensifies its speed and sound, often described as "vroom." The verb "REVS" captures this action, commonly associated with vehicles or machines, making it the perfect fit for the clue's wordplay.

The answer "EYE" fits because having an "eye" for design refers to the ability to perceive and appreciate aesthetic details, shapes, and artistry. It metaphorically connects vision (the literal function of the eye) to the skill of recognizing and valuing good design.

The clue "Oh, really?" with a question mark suggests wordplay and conversational tone. "That so?" is a casual, skeptical response to surprising or doubtful information, matching the phrase "Oh, really?" stylistically and contextually, making THATSO the fitting answer.

The clue "Moral justification" seeks a word synonymous with ethical correctness or the quality of being morally right. "RIGHTNESS" captures this meaning, as it refers to adherence to moral principles or justification of what is ethically proper. Thus, it perfectly matches the clue's definition.

The phrase "IN RESERVE" means something being kept back or saved for future use, aligning perfectly with the clue "Waiting to be used." It conveys the idea of something held aside, ready to be deployed when needed, fitting the definition precisely.

The Big Dipper is an asterism made up of seven major stars in the constellation Ursa Major. The clue directly refers to one of these seven celestial objects, making "STAR" the correct answer for this straightforward description.

The clue "Jazz lick" refers to a short, repeated musical phrase or motif commonly used in jazz music, often improvised. The term "riff" perfectly matches this definition, as it signifies a catchy, repeated phrase played in various genres, including jazz. Thus, the answer is RIFF.

The clue "___ and aahs" refers to expressions of amazement or admiration. The common phrase "oohs and aahs" captures this reaction. In this case, the blank represents "OOHS," completing the phrase. The clue's structure hints at these nonverbal exclamations, making OOHS the fitting solution.

The answer is SANS because "Comic Sans" is a widely recognized font. The clue refers to the partial name of the font, where "Sans" completes "Comic" to form the popular font name, Comic Sans. This makes SANS the fitting solution.

In soccer, a referee uses cards—either yellow (warning) or red (ejection)—to indicate penalties for player misconduct. The clue directly points to this system, making "CARD" the appropriate solution for "Indicator of a penalty, in soccer."

The clue "Casual farewell" suggests an informal way of saying goodbye. "LATER" is a common, laid-back expression used to part ways, often short for "see you later," making it a fitting answer for this clue. Its casual tone aligns perfectly with the clue's phrasing.

The clue "A pox on thee!" is a dated exclamation expressing disdain or curse, often seen in literary or old-English contexts. "FIE" is an archaic interjection conveying disapproval or disgust, matching the tone and meaning of the clue. The quotation marks indicate it's a spoken phrase.

The answer "YAPS" works because it colloquially means excessive or incessant talking, similar to the clue's description, "keeps talking and talking and talking." The informal tone of the clue aligns with the casual nature of the term "yaps." This makes it a fitting and playful match.

The clue "Come off as" asks for a synonym meaning to give the impression or appear a certain way. "SEEM" fits perfectly as it means to appear or give the impression of being something, aligning directly with the phrasing of the clue.

The phrase "Avoiding the limelight, say" refers to someone who dislikes attention or publicity. "Camera-shy" literally describes someone uncomfortable or reluctant to be photographed, avoiding exposure—fitting the metaphorical idea of avoiding the "limelight" (public attention). The "say" hints at this illustrative description.

ERUDITION means deep, extensive knowledge or learning, which is a hallmark quality of a scholar. A scholar is typically someone who has devoted significant time to study and possesses intellectual depth, perfectly aligning with the meaning of "erudition." Hence, it's the fitting answer for "Quality of a scholar."

The clue "Award nominations, so to speak" uses wordplay with the phrase "nominations." A nomination is metaphorically a "nod" of approval. Additionally, "so to speak" hints at interpretive or non-literal language. Thus, "NODS" represents informal or figurative approval, paralleling the idea of nominations given for awards.

The answer is ORA because Rita Ora is a well-known pop singer and songwriter. She gained fame with hits like "How We Do (Party)" and "Anywhere." Her surname, Ora, fits perfectly as the solution to this clue, directly referencing her name.

The clue “Poverty, symbolically” points to a representation of destitution or lack of wealth. "RAGS" has long been used metaphorically to signify extreme poverty, as worn-out clothing is associated with hardship. The answer captures this symbolic connection succinctly.

In the TV show Bridgerton, characters often hold noble titles reflecting their rank in aristocracy. "Lady" is a formal title for noblewomen, such as Lady Bridgerton or Lady Danbury, making it the fitting answer for this noble title clue.

The term "ENDLESS" directly describes something "having no boundaries." It conveys the idea of infinite or unbounded extent, matching the clue perfectly. Since no trick or wordplay is indicated here, the solution is straightforward and literal—"ENDLESS" aptly signifies something without limits or endpoints.

The clue "I'll be right there" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "INASEC" phonetically sounds like "in a second," which is a common response to indicate one will arrive shortly. It's a casual, concise way to express being prompt, aligning perfectly with the clue.

The answer is LOUNGE because a lounge is a type of room specifically designed for relaxation or casual comfort. The clue directly describes the function of such a space, making it a straightforward match without any wordplay involved.

The answer is IDLI because idli is a traditional South Indian steamed rice cake made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils. It is a savory dish commonly eaten as breakfast or a snack in South Asia, fitting the description of a "Savory South Asian rice cake."

The word "Cognizant" means being knowledgeable or aware of something. Therefore, the synonym "AWARE" fits perfectly as the solution, as both words convey understanding or consciousness of a situation, fact, or condition. It's a straightforward definition clue without wordplay.

The answer is RABIN because Yitzhak Rabin served as Prime Minister of Israel twice: first from 1974 to 1977 and later from 1992 until his assassination in 1995. He was a prominent political and military leader, making him the correct fit for the clue.

The nickname "the Pharaohs" references Egypt's ancient rulers, the pharaohs, making it a fitting title for the country's national soccer team. Thus, the country associated with this nickname is Egypt, aligning with its rich history and cultural identity.

The clue "Back talk" refers to impudent or disrespectful replies, which is precisely what the term "SASS" embodies. "SASS" is informal language for cheeky or bold responses, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning. This straightforward connection makes it the correct answer.

The clue "Circus clapper" uses wordplay. A seal is an animal commonly seen in circus performances, known for clapping its flippers as part of tricks or shows. The word "clapper" refers to the action of clapping, perfectly describing a seal's behavior in this context.

The clue "Citizen ___" refers to the classic 1941 film Citizen Kane, directed by and starring Orson Welles. The movie is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in history, making "KANE" the fitting answer to complete the title.

BFF stands for "Best Friends Forever," a common abbreviation for someone you're very close to or "super-tight" with. The clue specifies "in brief," indicating the answer is an abbreviation, making BFF the perfect fit for this clue.

The answer is BCC, which stands for "Blind Carbon Copy" in email. When you BCC someone, they are secretly looped into the email conversation without other recipients knowing, fitting the "secretly loop in" phrasing of the clue. The clue suggests subtlety, aligning with how BCC functions.