Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 10 February 2025, Monday (02-10-25). 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.
18-inch figure introduced in 1986 : AMERICAN GIRL
American Girl is a popular brand of dolls that was introduced in 1986, and the dolls are typically 18 inches tall. This fits the clue "18-inch figure introduced in 1986."
Adoptable playmate introduced in 1982 : CABBAGE PATCH KID
The answer "CABBAGE PATCH KID" fits because Cabbage Patch Kids were introduced as adoptable playmates in 1982, making them a popular toy choice for children during that time.
Amazon smart speakers : ECHOS
The answer "ECHOS" fits the clue "Amazon smart speakers" because Amazon's line of smart speakers is called "Echo," and "ECHOS" is the plural form of "Echo."
Ancient Greek garment : TUNIC
The tunic was a common garment worn by Ancient Greeks, consisting of a simple knee-length shirt. It is a well-known and fitting answer to the clue "Ancient Greek garment."
Atop : ABOVE
The word "upon" means "on top of" or "in a higher position than." Therefore, it can be used to mean "atop."
Author Zola : EMILE
Emile Zola was a famous French author known for his works such as "Germinal" and "Nana". The clue "Author Zola" is a direct reference to him, making "EMILE" the correct answer.
Bandleader Shaw : ARTIE
Artie Shaw was an American clarinetist, composer, and bandleader who was popular during the swing era.
Berry often used in smoothies : ACAI
ACAI is a type of berry that is commonly used in smoothies due to its health benefits and unique flavor profile.
Big concert venue : ARENA
"ARENA" is the right answer because it is a large venue typically used for concerts and other events, accommodating a large number of people.
Bratty attitude : SASS
"SASS" is the right solution because it is a slang term that means having a disrespectful or impudent attitude, which is synonymous with being bratty.
Calendar spans : Abbr.
The clue "Calendar spans" is asking for an abbreviation. The answer "Abbr." is short for "abbreviation," making it a fitting and correct response to the clue.
Chicago high rails : ELS
"ELS" is the right solution because it is a common abbreviation for "elevated rails," which are a type of railway system found in cities like Chicago where the tracks are raised above street level.
Classic Broadway musical about an N.Y.C. matchmaker… or how one might respond to the introductions of 17-, 24-, 39- and 50- : HELLO, DOLLY!
"HELLO, DOLLY!" fits the clue because it is a classic Broadway musical about a matchmaker named Dolly Levi in New York City. The introductions of the numbered clues can be humorously likened to the enthusiastic greeting "Hello, Dolly!" when meeting someone.
Cleanup target : MESS
The answer "MESS" fits the clue "Cleanup target" because a mess is something that needs to be cleaned up or tidied.
Coloring, as the hair : DYEING
The answer "DYEING" fits the clue "Coloring, as the hair" because dyeing is the process of applying color to hair to change or enhance its color.
Communicate with : TALK TO
The answer "TALK TO" fits the clue "Communicate with" because it directly conveys the act of engaging in conversation or exchanging information with someone.
Companion ship of the Pinta and Santa Maria : NINA
The Pinta, Santa Maria, and Nina were the three ships used by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the Americas in 1492. Therefore, the correct answer to the clue is "NINA."
Competed in a marathon, say : RACED
The answer "RACED" fits the clue because participating in a marathon involves competing against other runners to finish the race in the shortest amount of time, which is essentially racing.
Consternation : DISMAY
"Dismay" is synonymous with consternation, as both words describe a feeling of distress or alarm.
Crimson Tide school, informally : BAMA
"BAMA" is the right solution because "Crimson Tide" is a nickname for the University of Alabama sports teams, and "BAMA" is a common informal term for the University of Alabama.
Debtor’s note : IOU
The answer to "Debtor's note" is "IOU" because an IOU is a written acknowledgment of a debt owed by one person to another. It is commonly used when someone borrows money or owes a favor to someone else.
Fail spectacularly, as on Broadway : BOMB
"BOMB" is the right answer because in the context of Broadway, if a show fails spectacularly, it is often referred to as a "bomb," indicating that it was not successful or well-received by audiences.
Fashionable pair introduced in 1959 and 1961, respectively : BARBIE AND KEN
Barbie was introduced in 1959 and Ken in 1961, making them a fashionable pair introduced in those respective years.
First-stringers : A-TEAMS
The term "first-stringers" refers to the top or best players in a team. The phrase "A-TEAM" is commonly used to describe a group of highly skilled individuals. Therefore, "A-TEAM" is the right answer as it represents the first-stringers in a team.
Fleur-de-___ : LYS
The answer "LIS" completes the phrase "Fleur-de-___" which refers to the stylized lily symbol. "Lis" is the French word for lily, making it the correct answer.
Footlong sandwiches : SUBMARINES
The term "submarine" is often used to refer to footlong sandwiches, particularly those made with a long roll of bread filled with various meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments. The shape and size of these sandwiches resemble a submarine, hence the name.
Fully contented : SATED
"SATED" means completely satisfied or full, which aligns with being fully contented.
Garment wrapped around the shoulders : SHAWL
The answer "SHAWL" fits the clue because a shawl is a piece of fabric worn around the shoulders for warmth or as a fashion accessory. It is commonly draped over the shoulders and can be wrapped around the upper body.
Home project inits. : DIY
The answer to "Home project inits." is "DIY" because DIY stands for "Do It Yourself," which refers to completing a project without professional help.
Hoppy brew, in brief : IPA
The answer "IPA" stands for India Pale Ale, a type of hoppy beer. So, "Hoppy brew, in brief" is a clever way of hinting at IPA as the answer.
Input for an A.I. model : DATA
The answer "DATA" fits the clue "Input for an A.I. model" because data is the information fed into an artificial intelligence model for processing and analysis.
iPod or iPad variety : MINI
The answer "MINI" fits the clue because iPod and iPad both have smaller versions called "Mini" that are more compact and portable compared to the regular-sized versions.
Items in an Easter hunt : EGGS
"Eggs" are commonly hidden and sought after in Easter hunts as part of the tradition.
Jedi’s foe in “Star Wars” films : SITH
The Sith are the antagonists of the Jedi in the "Star Wars" films, making them their foes.
Knight’s protection : ARMOR
The answer to "Knight's protection" is "ARMOR" because armor is the protective clothing worn by knights in battle. It helps shield them from weapons and other forms of attack.
Light beige : ECRU
"Ecru" is a light beige color commonly used in crossword puzzles. It is a five-letter word that fits the clue perfectly.
Like some watermelons and tournament entrants : SEEDED
The term "seeded" is used to describe watermelons with seeds and tournament entrants who are ranked or placed in a tournament bracket based on their skill level or previous performance.
Little whirlpool : EDDY
The answer "EDDY" is the right solution because a little whirlpool is often referred to as an "eddy" in crossword puzzles.
Long-running police drama : NCIS
"NCIS" is the right solution because it is a popular and long-running police drama TV series that has been on air for many seasons, making it a well-known answer in crossword puzzles.
Low introductory rate, e.g. : TEASER
The term "teaser" is commonly used to describe a low introductory rate offered by companies to attract customers. In this context, a "teaser" rate is a special, usually lower, rate that is offered for a limited time before the regular rate kicks in.
Makes void : NULLS
"Nulls" is the right answer because it means to make something void or invalid, often used in computer programming to represent a missing or invalid value.
Meh : BLAH
The word "meh" is often used to express a lack of enthusiasm or indifference. "SOSO" is a similar expression that means "neither good nor bad" or "fair to middling." Therefore, "SOSO" is an appropriate answer to the clue "Meh."
Mineral with thin sheets : MICA
Mica is a mineral that naturally occurs in thin, sheet-like form. Its structure allows it to be easily split into thin layers, making it a perfect fit for the clue "Mineral with thin sheets."
Morning droplets : DEW
DEW is the right answer because morning droplets refer to the moisture that forms on surfaces overnight due to condensation, which is commonly known as dew.
One favoring a black wardrobe : GOTH
"GOTH" is the right solution because people who favor a black wardrobe are often associated with the goth subculture, known for its dark and macabre aesthetic.
One-named singer with the 2014 hit “Chandelier” : SIA
SIA is the correct answer because Sia is a one-named singer known for her hit song "Chandelier" released in 2014.
Palindromic Parisian periodical : ELLE
The answer "ELLE" is a palindrome, meaning it reads the same forwards and backwards. In this case, it refers to a Parisian periodical, making it the correct solution to the clue.
Pig’s digs : STY
The answer "STY" fits the clue "Pig's digs" because a sty is a shelter or enclosure for pigs.
PlayStation maker : SONY
The answer to "PlayStation maker" is "SONY" because Sony is the company that created and manufactures the PlayStation gaming console.
PlayStation pro, e.g. : GAMER
"GAMER" is the right solution because a PlayStation pro is someone who plays video games on a PlayStation console, making them a gamer.
Quantity : Abbr.
"Amount" is the right solution because it is a synonym for quantity, both referring to a measurement or total of something.
Recede, as the tide : EBB
"Ebb" is the right solution because it means to recede or move away, just like how the tide recedes or moves away from the shore.
Reddish-brown coloring : HENNA
Henna is a natural dye that often produces a reddish-brown coloring when applied to hair or skin. This is why "Henna" is the right solution for the clue "Reddish-brown coloring."
Redhead introduced in 1918 : RAGGEDY ANN
"RAGGEDY ANN" is the right solution because the clue mentions a specific year, 1918, which is when the character Raggedy Ann was introduced. This makes it a clear and direct match to the clue.
Rowdy crowd sound : ROAR
"ROAR" is the right solution because it is a word that describes the sound made by a rowdy crowd, like at a sports event or concert.
Seal the deal : ICE IT
The phrase "ice it" is a colloquial expression that means to seal or finalize a deal or an agreement. In this context, "ice" is used metaphorically to convey the idea of completing or closing something decisively.
Shelley’s “___ Skylark” : TO A
The answer "TO A" is the right solution because Shelley's poem is titled "To a Skylark."
Shenanigan : ANTIC
The word "antic" is a synonym for shenanigan, meaning a playful or silly act.
Some whiskeys : RYES
"RYES" is the right solution because it refers to a type of whiskey made primarily from rye grain.
Storks have long ones : LEGS
The answer "LEGS" fits the clue because storks are known for having long legs compared to other birds.
Summation symbol, in math : SIGMA
The answer "SIGMA" is the right solution because in math, the symbol Σ is commonly used to represent summation, where you add up a series of numbers or terms.
Supermodel Campbell : NAOMI
Naomi Campbell is a well-known supermodel in the fashion industry, making "NAOMI" the correct answer for the clue "Supermodel Campbell."
Tehran resident : IRANI
The term "IRANI" refers to a person from Iran, and Tehran is the capital city of Iran. Therefore, a resident of Tehran can be correctly clued as "IRANI."
The first “O” of YOLO : ONLY
The answer is "ONLY" because it is the first letter of the word "YOLO."
The “T” of T/F : TRUE
The clue is asking for the "T" in "T/F," which stands for "True" or "False." Therefore, the answer is "TRUE."
Unlikely, as odds : SLIM
The word "slim" is commonly used to describe odds that are unlikely, making it the right solution for the clue "Unlikely, as odds."
Where Z is in the alphabet : END
The letter Z is at the end of the alphabet, so the answer "END" indicates its position.
Wood for a model airplane : BALSA
BALSA is a type of lightweight wood commonly used in model airplane construction due to its strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for creating detailed and intricate models.
___ buddy : BOSOM
The phrase "___ buddy" is a common expression meaning a close or intimate friend. The word "bosom" can be used to describe something close or intimate, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
“Great to know!” : GLAD I ASKED
The answer "GLAD I ASKED" fits the clue "Great to know!" because it implies that the speaker is happy to have inquired about something and received valuable information.
“Who’s there?” reply : IT’S ME
The phrase "Who's there?" is a common setup in a knock-knock joke. The expected reply is "It's me," indicating the identity of the person knocking.
“Your turn,” on a walkie-talkie : OVER
"OVER" is the correct solution because it is a commonly used term in walkie-talkie communication to indicate that the speaker has finished talking and is now awaiting a response.
“___ Doubtfire” : MRS
The answer "MRS" fits the clue because the title character in the movie "Mrs. Doubtfire" is a woman who goes by the title "Mrs." while in disguise as a nanny.