Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 1 January 2025, Wednesday (01-01-25). Find all answers and solutions here.
We've also tries to explain why the answer is the correct solution for each clue.
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Clues and answers
Clues followed by answers and an explanation underneath.
12/31 : NYE
The answer "NYE" stands for New Year's Eve, which is on December 31st.
1990s sitcom featuring a bookstore : ELLEN
"Ellen" is the correct answer because it was a popular 1990s sitcom starring Ellen DeGeneres as a woman who worked at a bookstore.
Actress Hatcher : TERI
The answer to "Actress Hatcher" is "TERI" because Teri Hatcher is a well-known actress who has appeared in popular TV shows like "Desperate Housewives."
Airport near the intersection of I-90 and I-294 : O’HARE
The airport near the intersection of I-90 and I-294 is O'Hare because O'Hare International Airport is located in Chicago, Illinois, near the junction of Interstates 90 and 294.
Ape or monkey : SIMIAN
The word "simian" is a general term that refers to both apes and monkeys. It encompasses all primates that are part of the infraorder Simiiformes, making it the correct answer to the clue "Ape or monkey."
Arrogant sort : SNOT Down 1 Worked for the C.I.A., perhaps
The answer "SNOT" fits the clue "Arrogant sort" because "snot" is a slang term used to describe a person who is conceited or snobbish.
Candymaker Wonka : WILLY
The answer "WILLY" fits because the candymaker's full name is Willy Wonka, a character from the famous book and movie "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Certain tankful : GAS
The answer "GAS" fits the clue "Certain tankful" because a tankful of gas refers to a full tank of gasoline in a vehicle.
Chauvinist or racist : BIGOT
The answer "BIGOT" fits the clue "Chauvinist or racist" because a bigot is a person who is intolerant or prejudiced towards those who are different from themselves, which can include being chauvinistic or racist.
Chinese greeting : NI HAO
"NI HAO" is a common Chinese greeting that translates to "hello" in English. It is widely recognized and fits the clue "Chinese greeting" perfectly.
Chocolate money won or lost in this puzzle’s game : GELT
"GELT" is a term for money that is often associated with the Jewish tradition of giving chocolate coins as gifts during Hanukkah. In this context, "GELT" refers to the chocolate money won or lost in the puzzle's game.
Christopher who directed “Oppenheimer” : NOLAN
Christopher Nolan is a well-known film director, and one of his projects is the upcoming film "Oppenheimer." Therefore, the answer to the clue "Christopher who directed 'Oppenheimer'" is "NOLAN."
Cider unit : GALLON
The answer "GALLON" is a unit of measurement often used to quantify liquids like cider. A gallon is a common unit in recipes and beverage production, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Cider unit."
Coral island : CAY
"Cay" is a small, low-lying island composed largely of coral or sand. It fits the clue "Coral island" perfectly.
Cousin of a croc : GATOR
The answer "GATOR" is the right solution because a gator is a common term for an alligator, which is a cousin of a crocodile in the animal kingdom.
Cove : INLET
An inlet is a small body of water extending into the land from a larger body of water, which fits the definition of a cove.
Deposit, as an egg : LAY
"LAY" is the right answer because it means to deposit or place an egg, which fits the clue "Deposit, as an egg."
Dickens’s “The Mystery of ___ Drood” : EDWIN
The answer is "EDWIN" because Edwin Drood is the main character in Charles Dickens's unfinished novel "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."
Exclamation from Homer : D’OH
The answer "D’OH" is the right solution because it is a famous exclamation used by the character Homer Simpson in the TV show "The Simpsons" whenever he makes a mistake or something goes wrong.
Flowery necklace : LEI
The answer "LEI" is the right solution because a "LEI" is a type of flowery necklace commonly worn in Hawaiian culture.
Hero of “The Matrix” : NEO
Neo is the hero of "The Matrix" because he is the main protagonist of the movie and is portrayed by actor Keanu Reeves.
Hopping mad : IRATE
The term "hopping mad" is an idiom that means extremely angry or furious. The word "irate" is a synonym for angry, making it the correct answer for this clue.
In a prim and proper way : DECOROUSLY
The word "decorously" means in a prim and proper way, making it the right solution for the clue.
In the dark about something nefarious : NONE THE WISER
The phrase "none the wiser" means being unaware or uninformed about something, especially something deceitful or dishonest. It fits the clue "In the dark about something nefarious" because it conveys the idea of not knowing about a sinister or dishonest situation.
In the style of : A LA
"ALA" is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "a la" which means "in the style of". Therefore, "ALA" is the right solution for the crossword clue "In the style of".
Kind of game that’s a pitcher’s dream : NO-HIT
The answer "NO-HIT" is the right solution because in baseball, a "no-hit" game is when a pitcher prevents the opposing team from getting any hits throughout the entire game, making it a pitcher's dream achievement.
Last words? : OBIT
The clue "Last words?" is a play on words, suggesting the final words someone might say. "Obit" is short for obituary, which typically includes information about a person's life after their passing, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
Like a yenta : NOSY
The word "yenta" is often used to describe a gossip or busybody. Therefore, someone who is "like a yenta" would be NOSY, meaning overly curious or prying into other people's affairs.
Like the breeds Shetland and merino : OVINE
"Ovine" means relating to sheep, and both Shetland and merino are breeds of sheep.
Material used to make the object “illustrated” here, in a seasonal song : CLAY
The answer "CLAY" fits because in the seasonal song "Frosty the Snowman," Frosty is depicted as a snowman brought to life with a magic hat, and the material used to make him come to life is clay.
Micronesian island that was the setting for a season of “Survivor” : PALAU
Palau is a Micronesian island that was the setting for the 10th season of the reality TV show "Survivor," making it the correct answer to the clue.
Multisport race, in short : TRI
"TRI" is the right solution because it is the common abbreviation for a triathlon, which is a multisport race consisting of swimming, cycling, and running.
N.B.A. 1-pointers : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." stands for abbreviation, which indicates that the clue "N.B.A. 1-pointers" is looking for a shortened form or abbreviation. In basketball, a free throw is worth one point in the NBA, making it the correct answer to the clue.
On the ___ : LAM
"On the lam" is a phrase that means to be on the run or in hiding, usually from the law. Therefore, the answer to "On the ___" is "LAM".
Oscar-winning Jared : LETO
Jared Leto is an actor and musician who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie "Dallas Buyers Club" in 2014. Therefore, the answer "LETO" fits the clue "Oscar-winning Jared."
Part of U.C.L.A. : Abbr.
The answer is "Abbr." because it indicates that the answer is an abbreviation, and "U.C.L.A." is an abbreviation for the University of California, Los Angeles.
Past, present or future : TENSE
The word "tense" can refer to past, present, or future tenses in grammar. It is a linguistic term used to indicate the time of an action or state.
Patrick Stewart and Elton John, for two : SIRS
The answer "SIRS" is the right solution because both Patrick Stewart and Elton John have been knighted by the British monarchy, giving them the title "Sir."
Place to see J.F.K. : HALF-DOLLAR
The answer "HALF-DOLLAR" fits the clue "Place to see J.F.K." because John F. Kennedy's profile is featured on the half-dollar coin.
Playground retort : CAN SO!
The playground retort "Are not!" is a common response to someone's statement. In this case, the clue is asking for the actual retort, which is "ARENOT".
Policy nerd : WONK
"WONK" is a slang term for someone who is very interested in and knowledgeable about a particular subject, especially one related to policy or politics. So, a "policy nerd" would be referred to as a "wonk" in this context.
Props for close-up magicians : DECKS
The answer "DECKS" is the right solution because "DECKS" is a common term for a set of playing cards, which are props often used by close-up magicians in their performances.
Puts to sleep, say : BORES
The answer "BORES" fits the clue "Puts to sleep, say" because when something is boring, it can make someone feel sleepy or tired, hence putting them to sleep.
Rapscallion : SCAMP
"Rapscallion" is a term used to describe a mischievous or dishonest person, often with a sense of charm. "Rogue" is a synonym for this type of person, making it the right solution for the clue.
Rating for junk bonds : CCC
The answer "CCC" is the rating for junk bonds given by credit rating agencies. It indicates a high risk of default for the bond issuer.
Set down on paper : PUT IN WRITING
"Put in writing" means to physically write something down on paper, making it a suitable answer for the clue "Set down on paper."
Sheds, with “off” : SLOUGHS …
The word "sloughs" can mean to shed or remove, especially in reference to skin or a layer of dead tissue. So, "Sheds, with 'off'" is a clue hinting at this meaning, making "SLOUGHS" the correct answer.
Singer Guthrie : ARLO
ARLO is the right solution because Arlo Guthrie is a well-known American singer and songwriter.
Singer on “Give Peace a Chance” : ONO
The answer "ONO" is correct because Yoko Ono is the singer who performed on the song "Give Peace a Chance."
Singer with the #1 albums “As I Am” and “Girl on Fire” : ALICIA KEYS
Alicia Keys is the correct answer because she is a singer who has released albums titled "As I Am" and "Girl on Fire" that both reached #1 on the charts.
Slangy suffix with “most” : -EST
The suffix "-est" is slangy and is added to "most" to form superlatives, such as "most funnest" or "most awesomest."
Starbuck’s higher-up? : AHAB
The answer "AHAB" is a reference to the character Captain Ahab from the novel "Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville. In the novel, Ahab is the captain of the ship Pequod, and Starbuck is his first mate, making Ahab Starbuck's higher-up.
Start of Caesar’s boast : I CAME …
The answer "I CAME ..." fits the clue "Start of Caesar’s boast" because Julius Caesar famously said "Veni, vidi, vici" which translates to "I came, I saw, I conquered" in Latin. The phrase highlights Caesar's successful military campaign in Pontus.
Stylish tote for an executive : WORKBAG
The answer "WORKBAG" fits the clue "Stylish tote for an executive" because a workbag is a type of tote bag that is often used by professionals to carry work-related items in a stylish and professional manner.
Super-trendy : ALL THE RAGE
The answer "ALL THE RAGE" fits the clue "Super-trendy" because it means something that is extremely popular or fashionable at a particular time.
Symbols of wisdom : ELMS
The answer to "Symbols of wisdom" is "OWLS" because owls have long been associated with wisdom and knowledge in various cultures and folklore.
Take a turn with the object illustrated by the central black squares in this puzzle (leading to one of the four circled results) : SPIN
The word "SPIN" means to take a turn, and in this puzzle, the central black squares represent a spinning object. So, "SPIN" is the right solution because it fits both the clue and the puzzle design.
TALK LIKE THIS! : YELL
"YELL" is the right solution because the clue "TALK LIKE THIS!" suggests speaking loudly or shouting, which is what yelling is.
The Emerald Isle : EIRE
EIRE is the Irish name for Ireland, often referred to as "The Emerald Isle" due to its lush green landscapes.
Tool for a pineapple : CORER
A corer is a tool specifically designed to remove the core of a pineapple, making it the correct answer for the clue "Tool for a pineapple."
Tuna type : AHI
The answer to "Tuna type" is "AHI" because Ahi is a type of tuna that is commonly used in sushi and has a rich, flavorful taste.
West who said “Men are my life, diamonds are my career” : MAE
Mae West is the person being referred to in the clue, and "MAE" is the first name of Mae West.
What you might call a tipsy friend : CAB
"CAB" is the right solution because it is a common slang term for a taxi, which you might call for a tipsy friend who needs a ride home.
Word processing command : SAVE
The word processing command "SAVE" is used to store a document or file onto a computer's storage device, ensuring that any changes made are preserved.
Worshiping rows : PEWS
The answer "PEWS" fits the clue "Worshiping rows" because pews are the rows of benches in a church where people sit during a religious service.
You can count on them : ABACI
The answer "ABACI" refers to the plural form of "abacus," which is a counting tool. So, you can count on abaci to help with calculations.
___-tac-toe : TIC
The game "___-tac-toe" is commonly known as "Tic-tac-toe," where players place either X or O in a grid to win. Therefore, the correct answer is "TIC."
“A work of ___ that isn’t based on feeling isn’t ___ at all” : Cézanne
The quote is by Paul Cézanne, a French artist known for his contributions to modern art. The word "Cézanne" completes the quote and makes sense in the context of art and feeling.
“Golden Girls” actress Arthur : BEA
BEA is the correct answer because Bea Arthur was an actress who starred in the TV show "The Golden Girls." The clue is asking for the actress's name, and BEA fits.
“Look at Me, I’m Sandra ___” (“Grease” song) : DEE
The answer is "DEE" because Sandra Dee is the actress who played the character Sandy in the movie "Grease." The clue is referencing her name in the song.
“OK … tell me” : … I’LL BITE
The phrase "I'll bite" is a colloquial expression meaning "I'm interested" or "I'm intrigued" which fits the context of someone saying "OK ... tell me."
“Très ___” : BIEN
The phrase "Très ___!" is French for "Very ___!" and the word that fits in the blank is "bien," which means "good" or "well" in French.
“Well, lookee there!” : OHO!
"OHO!" is an exclamation used to express surprise or realization, similar to saying "Well, lookee there!" in a playful or excited manner.
“Yikes!” : OH GOD!
"Yikes!" is an exclamation used to express surprise or alarm. Similarly, "EEK" is an exclamation used to express surprise, fear, or disgust, making it a suitable answer for the clue.
“___ have to do” : IT’LL
The phrase "___ have to do" suggests a future action or obligation, making "IT'LL" a fitting contraction for "it will", indicating a future event.