New York Times Crossword Clues and Answers for 8 January 2025, Wednesday

Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 8 January 2025, Wednesday (01-08-25). 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.

Actress Skye of “Say Anything …” : IONE

Ione Skye is an actress known for her role in the movie "Say Anything...," making "IONE" the correct answer.


Ancient Chinese dynasty : HAN

The Han Dynasty was an ancient Chinese dynasty that ruled from 206 BC to 220 AD, known for its advancements in technology, culture, and governance. "HAN" is commonly used in crossword puzzles to refer to this significant period in Chinese history.


Assignment often graded with a red pen : ESSAY

The answer "ESSAY" fits because essays are commonly assigned in school and are often graded with a red pen by teachers.


Attacked, as by a tiger : CLAWED

The word "CLAWED" fits the clue "Attacked, as by a tiger" because tigers use their sharp claws to attack their prey, so being "clawed" by a tiger would accurately describe such an attack.


Big ___ (Seton Hall’s conference) : EAST

The answer is "EAST" because Seton Hall is a member of the Big East conference in college sports.


Black cat, maybe : OMEN

The answer "OMEN" fits the clue "Black cat, maybe" because black cats are often associated with bad luck or omens in superstition.


Book often shelved on its side : ATLAS Down 1 Word on a gift tag

The word "ATLAS" is often shelved on its side because of its large size and shape. This is a common practice in libraries and bookstores to save space and make it easier to locate the book.


Bread in a tandoor : NAAN

NAAN is the right answer because it is a type of bread that is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, which is a cylindrical clay oven used in Indian and Pakistani cooking.


Burst of energy : POWER SURGE (SPIKE)

The answer "POWER SURGE (SPIKE)" fits the clue "Burst of energy" because a power surge is a sudden increase in electrical power, which can be seen as a burst of energy. The term "spike" is often used synonymously with surge in this context.


Casserole topped with guacamole or sour cream : TACO PIE

"TACO PIE" fits the clue because it is a type of casserole that is often topped with guacamole or sour cream, making it a suitable answer for the crossword clue.


Catch in a sting : ENTRAP

ENTRAP is the right solution because it means to catch someone in a trap or a sting operation, which fits the clue "Catch in a sting."


Chicago paper, familiarly, with “the” : … TRIB

The answer is "… TRIB" because "Chicago paper, familiarly" is a common nickname for the Chicago Tribune, and "TRIB" is a shortened form of Tribune.


Comedian’s stage performance : STAND-UP ACT (SET)

The answer "STAND-UP ACT (SET)" fits the clue "Comedian's stage performance" because stand-up comedy is a type of comedic performance where the comedian performs on stage, typically delivering a monologue of jokes and stories. The term "set" is often used to refer to a comedian's performance or routine.


Common volleyball combo … or 20-, 34- and 41- together : BUMP, SET, SPIKE

The terms "BUMP," "SET," and "SPIKE" are common volleyball maneuvers performed in succession to return the ball over the net effectively. In this crossword clue, the numbers 20, 34, and 41 refer to the positions in the grid where the words "BUMP," "SET," and "SPIKE" can be found when put together.


Corridor : HALLWAY

The word "hall" is a synonym for corridor, typically referring to a long passage in a building with rooms on either side.


Cross-country runner’s asset : STAMINA

STAMINA is the right answer because cross-country runners need endurance and lasting power to complete long races.


Dad humor, perhaps : CORN

The answer "CORN" is a play on words, as "corny" is a term often used to describe dad jokes or humor. So, "Dad humor, perhaps" hints at the word "corn" as a humorous and fitting answer.


Earl of food storage fame : TUPPER

Tupperware is a popular brand of food storage containers, and Earl Tupper is the inventor and founder of Tupperware. Therefore, the "Earl of food storage fame" refers to Earl Tupper, making "TUPPER" the correct answer.


Element named after the Greek word for “sun” : HELIUM

Helium is the element named after the Greek word for "sun" because it was first discovered in the spectrum of the sun during a solar eclipse in 1868.


Flight board posting : Abbr.

The answer "Abbr." stands for abbreviation, which is commonly used in flight boards to indicate the status or information about flights.


Héloise’s lover : ABELARD

Abelard was a French philosopher and theologian who had a famous love affair with Héloise, a nun. They are known for their tragic romance in the 12th century.


Hiccup : MINOR PROBLEM (BUMP)

The answer "MINOR PROBLEM (BUMP)" fits the clue "Hiccup" because a hiccup is a minor problem or issue, which can be represented by the term "BUMP" in this context.


Hole near a sole : EYELET

The answer "EYELET" fits because an eyelet is a small hole or metal ring used to reinforce a hole in fabric, often found near the sole of a shoe.


Home plate is the “fourth” one : BASE

The answer is "BASE" because in baseball, home plate is considered the "fourth" base in the sequence of bases that a runner must touch to score a run.


In plain sight : OVERT

The word "overt" means something that is done or shown openly or clearly, making it visible or obvious. Therefore, "in plain sight" can be described as something that is overt.


It’s not one of the five W’s : HOW

The answer "HOW" is correct because "HOW" is not one of the five W's (Who, What, Where, When, Why) typically used in questioning.


Japanese noodle : SOBA

The answer to "Japanese noodle" is "UDON" because Udon is a type of thick wheat noodle commonly used in Japanese cuisine.


Japanese noodle soup : RAMEN

"Ramen" is the right answer because it is a popular Japanese noodle soup dish made with wheat noodles served in a meat or fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso.


Like tres and cuatro relative to uno and dos : MAS

The word "mas" is Spanish for "more," so "Like tres and cuatro relative to uno and dos" is comparing the numbers in Spanish, where "tres" and "cuatro" are more than "uno" and "dos."


Loops in, in a way : CCS

The answer "CCS" stands for "Carbon Capture and Storage," which involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions and storing them underground. This process can be seen as "looping in" or incorporating carbon emissions in a different way to reduce their impact on the environment.


Michelle Obama, to Craig Robinson, for short : SIS

The answer "SIS" is short for "sister," which is a common term used to refer to a female sibling. In this case, Michelle Obama is Craig Robinson's sister, so the answer "SIS" fits the clue.


Most tacky : CHEESIEST

The word "cheesiest" means the most tacky or in poor taste. It is a common expression to describe something as overly sentimental or lacking in sophistication, making it the correct answer to the clue "Most tacky."


Mountain above Vulcan’s forge : ETNA

The clue "Mountain above Vulcan’s forge" is referring to Mount Etna, a volcano in Italy which is associated with Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and volcanoes.


Mysterious knowledge : ARCANA

"ARCANA" refers to secret or mysterious knowledge, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Mysterious knowledge."


Near : NIGH

"NIGH" is a synonym for "near," meaning close in distance or time. It fits the clue perfectly.


Noneternal flames? : EXES

The term "exes" refers to former flames or past romantic partners. The clue "Noneternal flames?" is a play on words, suggesting that these flames are not eternal or long-lasting, hence the answer "EXES" fits the clue.


Not quite broken, say : BENT

The word "BENT" means not quite broken, as something that is bent is not completely broken but still not straight.


Nut that’s a source of caffeine : KOLA

Kola nuts contain caffeine, making them a source of caffeine. The answer "KOLA" fits the clue perfectly.


Papal vestment : ORALE


Party pooper : SPOILSPORT

The term "party pooper" is slang for someone who ruins the fun or excitement at a party. In this context, "pill" is a metaphorical term for a person who is a killjoy or a downer, hence the answer "PILL" fits the clue.


Pasture sound : MAA!

The answer "BAA!" is the sound that a sheep makes, and it is commonly associated with pastures.


Personification of darkness, in Greek myth : EREBUS

Erebus is the personification of darkness in Greek mythology, often depicted as a primordial deity representing the darkness before time. This makes it the correct answer to the clue.


Pitchfork-shaped letters : PSIS

"PSIS" is the right solution because it refers to the Greek letter "psi," which is shaped like a pitchfork with two prongs.


Place to pick daisies : MEADOW

The answer "MEADOW" fits the clue because a meadow is a field or area where daisies and other wildflowers can typically be found growing.


Portugal’s capital, in Portugal : LISBOA

The answer "LISBOA" fits the clue because it is the Portuguese name for the capital of Portugal, which is Lisbon. It is a common practice in crosswords to provide the answer in the language relevant to the clue.


Pronoun that’s falling into disuse : WHOM

"Whom" is a pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. It is falling into disuse because in modern English, "whom" is often replaced with "who" in casual conversation.


Relating to form : MODAL

"Modal" is the right solution because it means relating to form or mode in grammar or logic. It is a term commonly used in these contexts, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Relating to form."


Rick of Rickrolling fame : ASTLEY

Rick Astley is a British singer known for his song "Never Gonna Give You Up," which became popular as part of the internet meme "Rickrolling." Therefore, the answer to "Rick of Rickrolling fame" is "ASTLEY."


Right-leaning type? : Abbr.

The answer "Abbr." is short for "abbreviation," and in this clue, "Right-leaning type?" is hinting at a political abbreviation, which is typically associated with the political right.


Sacrifice a fly? : SWAT

The term "sacrifice fly" is a baseball reference where a batter hits a fly ball deep enough to allow a runner to score from third base. "SWAT" is a term often used in baseball to describe hitting a fly ball with force, making it the correct answer to the clue.


Sept. and Oct. : MOS


Shade of black : COAL

The answer "ONYX" is a shade of black that is often used in jewelry and stone work.


Shakespearean dying words : ET TU?

The phrase "Et tu?" is Latin for "And you?" It is famously known as the last words spoken by Julius Caesar in Shakespeare's play as he is betrayed by his friend Brutus.


Shankar who performed at Woodstock : RAVI

Ravi Shankar was a musician who performed at the Woodstock music festival in 1969, making "RAVI" the correct answer.


Shire resident : BILBO

Bilbo is a resident of the Shire in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" series.


Soup recipe instruction : STIR

The answer "STIR" fits the clue "Soup recipe instruction" because when making soup, one of the common steps is to stir the ingredients together in the pot to ensure even cooking and distribution of flavors.


Southwestern gully : ARROYO

"Arroyo" is the right solution because it is a Spanish word commonly used in the southwestern United States to refer to a steep-sided gully or ravine, typically dry except after heavy rain. It fits the description of a Southwestern gully.


State leader? : TRI-

"State leader?" is a cryptic clue where "State" refers to a state in the US and "leader" indicates the first letter of a word. Therefore, "TRI-" is the right answer as it is the first part of the word "Triangle," which is a type of state in the US.


Suddenly stopped moving : FROZE

The word "froze" means to suddenly stop moving or become immobile, making it the correct answer to the clue "Suddenly stopped moving."


Surgeon, informally : OR DOC

"OR DOC" is the right solution because "OR" is a common abbreviation for Operating Room, where surgeons work, and "DOC" is a colloquial term for doctor. So, "Surgeon, informally" can be referred to as "OR DOC" in a crossword puzzle.


Surveyor’s measure : ROD

A rod is a unit of length used by surveyors to measure land.


Talk excessively : PRATE

"PRATE" means to talk excessively or pointlessly, making it the right solution for the clue "Talk excessively."


The devil’s workshop, it’s said : IDLE HANDS

This phrase "Idle hands are the devil's workshop" means that when someone is not busy or occupied, they are more likely to get into trouble or do something bad. "Idle hands" refers to hands that are not doing anything productive, which can lead to mischief or wrongdoing.


The “E” of B.C.E. : ERA

The abbreviation "B.C.E." stands for "Before Common Era," and the "E" in this abbreviation refers to "Era." Therefore, the answer to the clue is "ERA."


They elevate a choir’s performance : RISERS

RISERS are platforms that choir members stand on to be seen and heard better, therefore elevating the choir's performance.


Virtue signal? : HALO

The term "virtue signal" is often used to describe when someone publicly displays their moral values. A halo is a symbolic representation of goodness or virtue, often depicted above the head of a saint or angel in religious art. Therefore, "HALO" is the right answer as it represents a symbol of virtue.


Warrior’s weapon : SPEAR

A spear is a traditional weapon used by warriors throughout history, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Warrior's weapon."


Word with style or fashioned : OLD-

The word "OLD-" can be combined with "style" to form the word "old-style" and with "fashioned" to form the word "old-fashioned".


Wrinkle remover : BOTOX

The answer to "Wrinkle remover" is "IRON" because ironing clothes helps to remove wrinkles and make them smooth.


www addresses : URLS

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, which is the address of a webpage on the internet. Therefore, "www" addresses are commonly referred to as URLs, making "URLS" the correct answer to the crossword clue.


Younger Stark daughter on “Game of Thrones” : ARYA

ARYA is the younger Stark daughter on "Game of Thrones" because she is the third child of Eddard and Catelyn Stark in the popular TV series and book series.


“Fiddler on the Roof” star : ZERO MOSTEL

"Zero Mostel" is the right answer because Zero Mostel was a famous actor who starred in the original Broadway production of the musical "Fiddler on the Roof."


“Kapow!” : WHAM!

The answer "BAM!" is the right solution because it is an onomatopoeic word often used in comic books to represent a sudden impact or loud noise, similar to the sound of an explosion or punch.


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