Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 21 January 2025, Tuesday (01-21-25). 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.
+ or – bits : IONS
The term "+ or – bits" refers to charged particles, which are ions. Ions can carry a positive or negative charge, making them the correct answer to this clue.
100% : ALL
The answer "ALL" is the right solution for the clue "100%" because it represents the entirety or complete amount of something.
Actor McShane : IAN
Ian McShane is a well-known actor, making "IAN" the correct answer for the clue "Actor McShane."
Annulled, as a license : REVOKED
The word "revoked" means to officially cancel or annul something, like a license. In this case, when a license is annulled, it is essentially being revoked, making "REVOKED" the correct answer.
Bagpiper’s wear : KILT
The answer to "Bagpiper's wear" is "KILT" because a kilt is a traditional Scottish garment that is often worn by bagpipers.
Big time : ERA
"Big-time" is a clue indicating something large or significant, which can be described as "mega." The word "mega" is commonly used to convey a sense of great scale or importance, making it a fitting answer for this clue.
Bit of workout apparel, informally : TEE
The answer "TEE" fits the clue because a T-shirt (informally called a "tee") is a common piece of workout apparel.
Body personified by the Greek Titan Selene : MOON
Selene is the Greek Titan personification of the Moon, making "MOON" the correct answer.
Brass component : ZINC
Canine welcomes : BARKS
The word "BARKS" refers to the sound that a canine makes, which is a common way for a dog to welcome someone.
Catches in the act : NABS
"NABS" is the right solution because it is a common slang term meaning to catch someone in the act, typically used by law enforcement.
Celery component : STALK
The answer "STALK" is the right solution because a stalk is a long, thin part of a plant, which is a component of celery.
Convenient source of tinctures and tonics : CORNER DRUGSTORE
"Corner drugstore" is a convenient place where one can find tinctures and tonics, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
Cpl. or sgt. : NCO
The answer "NCO" stands for "Non-Commissioned Officer," which is a rank held by both a Corporal (Cpl.) and a Sergeant (Sgt.) in the military.
Cultivates, in a way : PLOWS
"PLOWS" is the right solution because plowing is a common method of cultivating land for planting crops.
Dental detritus : TARTAR
TARTAR is the right answer because dental tartar is a hardened deposit that forms on teeth due to the mineralization of dental plaque. It fits the clue "Dental detritus" as it refers to the residue left on teeth.
Dish with a Cantonese counterpart called egg foo yong : OMELETTE
The dish described in the clue, egg foo yong, is a Chinese-style omelette. Therefore, the correct answer to the clue is "OMELETTE."
English pop duo with the 1984 hit “Last Christmas” : WHAM!
WHAM! is an English pop duo known for their 1984 hit "Last Christmas." The clue is asking for the name of the pop duo, and WHAM! fits the description perfectly.
Exploitative ones : USERS
"Exploitative ones" is a clue that suggests people who take advantage of others for their own benefit. The word "USERS" fits this description as it refers to individuals who exploit or manipulate others for personal gain.
Fawn’s mother : DOE
The answer to "Fawn's mother" is "DOE" because a doe is a female deer, and a fawn is a young deer. Therefore, a doe is the mother of a fawn.
Figure painted by Warhol : MAO
"Mao" is the right solution because Andy Warhol famously created a series of paintings featuring the image of Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong.
First book after the four Gospels : ACTS
The book of Acts is the first book after the four Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible. It tells the story of the early Christian church and the spread of Christianity after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Fish also called a nishikigoi : KOI
Koi is a type of fish known as nishikigoi in Japan, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Glosses : SHEENS
The word "sheens" is a synonym for glosses, as both refer to a shiny or lustrous appearance.
Gobble : SNARF
The word "gobble" is often used to describe the action of eating quickly and greedily. Therefore, the answer "EAT" fits perfectly as it means to consume food.
God whose avatars restore cosmic order : VISHNU
Vishnu is a major Hindu deity known for preserving and restoring cosmic order. He is believed to have incarnations or avatars to restore balance in the world.
Greek letter that represents summation : SIGMA
The Greek letter "sigma" is commonly used in mathematics to represent summation. It is used to denote the sum of a series of numbers or terms.
Hang with the boys, slangily : BRO-DOWN
The answer "BRO-DOWN" fits the clue "Hang with the boys, slangily" because "bro" is slang for a male friend and "down" can mean to spend time with someone in a casual and friendly way. Together, they create the term "bro-down" which means hanging out with male friends in a relaxed setting.
Have as support : RELY ON
The answer "RELY ON" fits the clue "Have as support" because relying on someone or something means depending on them for support or assistance.
Hoagie : HERO
"Hero" is another term for a sandwich that is referred to as a "hoagie" in certain regions of the United States, making it the correct answer to the clue "Hoagie."
In a bit, to a poet : ANON
The word "anon" is a poetic term meaning "in a short time" or "soon." So, when a poet says "in a bit," they might use the word "anon."
It may be a chip or two : ANTE
unknown
Item with hinged legs : CARD TABLE
The answer "CARD TABLE" fits the clue "Item with hinged legs" because a card table is a type of table that typically has legs that fold in or are hinged, making it easy to store when not in use.
Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby ___” : MCGEE
The answer "McGee" fits the clue because the full title of the song is "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin.
Kettle component : LID
The answer "LID" fits the clue "Kettle component" because a lid is a part of a kettle that covers the opening at the top. It is used to retain heat and to prevent spills while boiling water or brewing tea.
Lamb’s mother : EWE
The term "EWE" refers to a female sheep, which is the mother of a lamb. In the context of a crossword puzzle, "Lamb's mother" is a common clue used to indicate the answer "EWE."
Like Pittsburgh’s Canton Avenue, famously : STEEP Down 1 [as printed!]
The answer is "STEEP" because Canton Avenue in Pittsburgh is known for being one of the steepest streets in the United States. The clue is hinting at the steepness of Canton Avenue, making "STEEP" the correct answer.
Like some committees : AD HOC
"ADHOC" means "formed or used for a particular purpose". Committees that are formed for a specific task or purpose are often referred to as "ad hoc committees". Therefore, "Like some committees" can be answered with "ADHOC".
Mardi Gras follower : LENT
The answer to "Mardi Gras follower" is "LENT" because Mardi Gras is the day before Lent begins, making Lent the period of time that follows Mardi Gras.
Marine photographer’s aid : SCUBA
The answer "SCUBA" is the right solution because SCUBA diving is a popular activity for marine photographers to capture underwater images. The term SCUBA stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, which allows divers to stay underwater for extended periods to photograph marine life.
Military force : TROOPS
The answer "ARMY" is the right solution because it is a commonly used term to refer to a military force.
Monthly budget item : RENT
"Monthly budget item" refers to a regular expense that needs to be paid every month, and one of the most common monthly expenses is rent, which is the payment made for living in a property.
Name of Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls : MEL C
The answer is "MEL C" because Mel C is the nickname of Melanie Chisholm, who was known as Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls.
Needs for in vitro fertilization : OVA
"OVA" is the right answer because in vitro fertilization involves the fertilization of an egg (ova) outside the body.
Neither’s partner : NOR
In logic, "nor" is a logical operator meaning "neither A nor B". Therefore, "Neither's partner" clues for the word "NOR".
Net : EARN
The word "Net" can refer to the amount remaining after deductions, which is your earnings or what you "earn."
No longer burdened by : FREE OF
"Free of" means not being burdened by something, indicating a state of being without that burden.
Nuke, for one : WMD
The answer "WMD" stands for "Weapon of Mass Destruction," and a nuke is considered a type of WMD.
One vacationing in a camper, informally : RV’ER
The answer "RV'ER" is short for "recreational vehicle-er," indicating someone who is vacationing in a camper.
Piece of blackboard chalk, geometrically : CYLINDER
The answer "CYLINDER" fits the clue because a piece of blackboard chalk is often shaped like a cylinder, which is a geometric shape with a circular base and straight sides.
Playground pathogen : COOTIE
"Cootie" is a slang term for a germ or a contagious disease, often used by children. In playground settings, kids may refer to germs as "cooties," making it a fitting answer for the clue "Playground pathogen."
Popular camp activity … or, literally, what the circles are creating four times in this puzzle : SCAVENGER HUNT
The answer "SCAVENGER HUNT" fits the theme of the puzzle because the circles in the grid spell out the words "SCAVENGER HUNT" when connected.
Prefix with liberal : NEO-
The prefix "neo-" means new or modern. When combined with the word "liberal," it forms the word "neo-liberal," which refers to a modern or updated version of liberal ideology. Therefore, "NEO" is the correct answer.
Reunion attendees : ALUMNI
"Alumni" refers to former students of a particular school or college who typically attend reunions.
Rummikub piece : TILE
In Rummikub, players use tiles with numbers in different colors to create sets and runs on the game board. Therefore, the answer to "Rummikub piece" is "TILE".
Salt Lake City-to-Minneapolis dir. : ENE
The abbreviation "ENE" stands for East-Northeast, which is the direction from Salt Lake City to Minneapolis on a compass.
Singer of “Despacito,” which has more than eight billion views on YouTube : LUIS FONSI
The answer is "LUIS FONSI" because he is the singer of the song "Despacito", which has more than eight billion views on YouTube.
Sit non-ergonomically : SLOUCH
"SLOUCH" fits the clue "Sit non-ergonomically" because slouching is a common way people sit that is not ergonomic, meaning it is not in a position that is good for the body.
Skip out of a party : BAIL
"BAIL" is the right solution because in informal language, "bail" means to leave or skip out of a party or event without saying goodbye.
Slicker, as a winter road : ICIER
The word "slicker" suggests a surface that is slippery or icy. Therefore, the word that fits the clue "Slicker, as a winter road" is "ICIER," indicating that the road has become more slippery due to ice.
Snake created by Medusa’s blood, in myth : ASP
The snake created by Medusa's blood in myth is called an "ASP." This is the right solution because an ASP is a type of venomous snake often associated with ancient Egyptian mythology and Cleopatra's death.
So, so, so long : EONS
The clue "So, so, so long" is a play on the word "long," suggesting a vast amount of time. "EONS" is a word that means a very long time, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
Stir-fry accessory : WOK
The answer "WOK" is the right solution because a wok is a type of pan traditionally used in stir-frying due to its shape and ability to distribute heat evenly.
Superman foe ___ Luthor : LEX
The answer "LEX" fits because it is a common shorthand for the Superman foe's full name, Lex Luthor.
Surreptitiously let in on an email : BCC
"BCC" stands for "Blind Carbon Copy," which allows you to send an email to someone without the other recipients knowing. This fits the clue "Surreptitiously let in on an email" because it implies secretly including someone in the email communication.
Tool that may be used as a hoe : ADZ
An adz is a tool similar to a hoe, used for shaping or smoothing wood by removing small pieces of material. It can be used for similar tasks as a hoe, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
TV host Trevor with the memoir “Born a Crime” : NOAH
Trevor Noah is a TV host known for his memoir "Born a Crime," making "NOAH" the correct answer.
Union requirements : DUES
"DUES" are the regular payments required to be a member of a union. This makes it the fitting answer for the clue "Union requirements."
Use an ax on, perhaps : CLEAVE
The word "cleave" can mean both "to split with a sharp instrument like an ax" and "to adhere closely to something." So, using an ax to split something is a way to "cleave" it.
Walkie-talkie word : OVER
The word "OVER" is commonly used in walkie-talkie communication to indicate the end of one's transmission and that the other person can now respond.
Word after phone or, modernly, Zoom : … SEX
The answer "… SEX" completes the phrases "phone sex" and "Zoom sex", which are both activities that can be done remotely.
Word with open or central : … AIR
The word that can be combined with both "open" and "central" to form common phrases is "AIR," resulting in "open air" and "central air."
___ Jordan, a.k.a. the Green Lantern : HAL
Hal Jordan is a fictional character who is known as the Green Lantern in the DC Comics universe. "Hal" is the first name of this character, making "HAL" the correct answer to the clue.
“2 ___ 1” (Spice Girls song) : BECOME
unknown
“Barbie” actor Michael : CERA
Michael Cera is an actor who starred in the TV show "Barbie" as the voice of the character Ken. Therefore, the answer to the clue "“Barbie” actor Michael" is CERA.
“O.K. … moving on!” : ANYHOO!
The answer "ANYHOO" is used informally to smoothly transition to a new topic or to move on from the current one, making it a fitting response to the clue "O.K. ... moving on!"
“That’s not even the half of it …” : OH, YOU HAVE NO IDEA …
The answer "OH, YOU HAVE NO IDEA ..." fits the clue "That’s not even the half of it …" because it conveys a sense of there being much more to the story or situation than what has been revealed so far. It suggests that the speaker has additional information that would significantly change the listener's understanding.