Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 26 February 2025, Wednesday (02-26-25). 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.
#50 on a table : TIN
The answer "TIN" is the right solution because "#50 on a table" refers to the element with atomic number 50, which is tin (Sn) on the periodic table.
1/13 or 2/13 : IDES
The 1/13 or 2/13 refers to the Ides of January (1/13) or the Ides of February (2/13). The Ides in ancient Rome fell on the 13th day of certain months, including January and February.
A bar for “Cheers” and a coffee shop for “Friends” : SETS
The answer "SETS" refers to the TV show sets for "Cheers" and "Friends," where a bar and a coffee shop were central locations in the respective shows.
Alert : WARN
Arab League member : OMAN
"OMAN" is the right solution because Oman is a member of the Arab League, which is a regional organization of Arab countries in and around North Africa and the Middle East.
Area of frenetic dancing : MOSH PIT
"MOSH PIT" is the right answer because it is an area at a concert where people engage in frenetic dancing, often involving pushing and shoving.
Award since 1956 : OBIE
The OBIE Awards have been given out annually since 1956 to recognize achievement in off-Broadway theater, making it the correct answer for "Award since 1956."
Bruins’ Bobby : ORR
"Orr" is the right solution because Bobby Orr is a famous former ice hockey player who played for the Boston Bruins.
Bun contents : HAIR
Certain trekker : HAJI
Charges : FEES
The word "charges" can be a synonym for "fees", which are payments required for a service or privilege. Therefore, "fees" is a suitable answer for the crossword clue.
City that was home for the Wright brothers : DAYTON
Dayton is the city in Ohio where the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, lived and conducted their aviation experiments, ultimately leading to the first successful powered airplane flight in 1903.
Cleverly understanding : ONTO
The word "onto" can mean having a clever understanding or awareness of something. It signifies being knowledgeable or perceptive about a situation or topic.
Competitive poker? : EPEE
Concern for a bank : LIEN
A lien is a legal right or interest that a creditor has in a debtor's property, typically as security for a debt. Therefore, a lien is a concern for a bank because it represents the bank's claim on the borrower's assets until the debt is repaid.
Contents of some shots : SERA
"Contents of some shots" is a cryptic clue where "shots" could refer to injections. The answer "SERA" is the plural form of "serum," which is a component of some injections.
Creepy crawler : DADDY LONGLEGS
The answer "DADDY LONGLEGS" fits the clue "Creepy crawler" because daddy longlegs are long-legged arachnids that are often considered creepy due to their appearance and behavior.
D to F, e.g., in music : MINOR THIRD
The answer "MINOR THIRD" fits because in music, going from D to F is a distance of a minor third interval.
Donkey Kong Country console, for short : SNES
The answer is "SNES" because it is the abbreviation for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which is the console that Donkey Kong Country was originally released for.
Eggplant is a commonly used one : EMOJI
The answer "EMOJI" fits because eggplant is commonly used to represent the emoji of an eggplant in texting and social media.
Engender : SIRE
The word "sire" can mean to be the male parent of an animal, which is a way to engender or produce offspring.
Exotic pet store offerings : IGUANAS
The answer "IGUANAS" fits the clue "Exotic pet store offerings" because iguanas are often considered exotic pets and can be found in pet stores that specialize in selling unique or non-traditional animals.
Fall to 0% battery : DIE
The term "die" can refer to a battery running out of power and reaching 0%, which is commonly associated with electronic devices losing power and shutting down.
Field of Jean-Luc Godard : CINE
The answer "CINE" is a short form of "cinema," which is a field that Jean-Luc Godard is known for working in as a famous French-Swiss film director.
Frequent filler for a po’ boy : OYSTERS
The answer "OYSTERS" is the right solution because oysters are a common filling for a po' boy sandwich, a traditional Louisiana dish.
Fruit that may be poached : PEARS Down 1 Aid in seeking a record contract
Hits up on Slack, say : IMS
The answer "IMS" stands for Instant Messages, which are commonly used on platforms like Slack for communication. So, hitting up on Slack would involve sending instant messages, making "IMS" the correct answer.
Indian tourist site : AGRA
Agra is a city in India that is home to the famous tourist site, the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is one of the most recognizable landmarks in India and a popular destination for tourists.
Inspiration for a seafood chain : LONG JOHN SILVER
The answer "LONG JOHN SILVER" is the right solution because Long John Silver is a well-known fictional pirate character from the novel "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson, and is also the name of a popular seafood restaurant chain.
It may be a handful : REIN
unknown
It may be induced : COMA
Kitten cries : MEWS
"Mews" is the right answer because it is a term commonly used to describe the high-pitched cries of kittens. It is a specific and fitting word for the clue.
Munchkin : ELF
The answer "ELF" fits the clue "Munchkin" because both refer to a small mythical creature or being. "Munchkin" is often used to describe a small and cute character, similar to an elf.
Not feel so hot : AIL
"AIL" is the right solution because it is a common synonym for feeling unwell or sick.
Not so hot : BLAH
"BLAH" is a common expression used to convey something as uninteresting or unexciting. In this context, "Not so hot" can be interpreted as something that is lackluster or unimpressive, making "BLAH" a fitting answer.
Numismatic rating : FINE
In numismatics, the rating system for the condition of a coin goes from "poor" to "perfect", with "fine" being a rating that indicates the coin has some wear but still has clear details. Therefore, "fine" is the correct answer to the clue "numismatic rating."
One who looks at slides? : UMP
unknown
Org. with the Acid Rain Program : EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the organization responsible for implementing the Acid Rain Program, making "EPA" the correct answer to the clue.
Part of a doctrine : TENET
"TENET" is the right solution because a tenet is a core belief or principle of a doctrine. It fits the clue perfectly.
Pelt : FUR
The word "pelt" is often used to refer to an animal's skin or fur. Therefore, "FUR" is the right answer as it is a type of pelt.
People in Disney’s “The Emperor’s New Groove” : INCA
The answer is "INCA" because the main characters in Disney's "The Emperor's New Groove" are based on the Inca civilization, with the main character being Emperor Kuzco.
Pixar’s Remy, for one : RAT
Remy is a rat in the Pixar movie "Ratatouille," so the answer "RAT" fits the clue.
Powerful server : ACER
Preppy fabric : SEERSUCKER
Seersucker is a type of fabric commonly associated with preppy fashion due to its lightweight, puckered texture and classic striped pattern. This makes it a fitting answer for the clue "Preppy fabric".
Quick trips by car : SPINS
Rank achieved by Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby” : MAJOR
In "The Great Gatsby," Jay Gatsby is referred to as "Major" Gatsby by some characters, indicating that "MAJOR" is the rank achieved by Jay Gatsby in the novel.
Sandwich in a soft tortilla : WRAP
The word "WRAP" is commonly used to describe a sandwich that is wrapped in a soft tortilla instead of placed between two slices of bread. This makes it the correct answer to the clue "Sandwich in a soft tortilla."
Seat of New York’s Oneida County : UTICA
The answer "UTICA" is the seat of Oneida County in New York, making it the correct solution to the clue "Seat of New York’s Oneida County."
Serious mix-up : MELEE
The answer "MELEE" fits the clue "Serious mix-up" because a melee refers to a confused fight or struggle involving a group of people. It conveys the idea of chaos and disorder, which is often associated with a mix-up.
Side dish that’s commonly fried : OKRA
"OKRA" is commonly fried and served as a side dish in many cuisines, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Side dish that’s commonly fried."
Slip (into) : EASE
"Slip into" is a phrase often used to describe putting on clothing or items easily and quickly. "Put on" is a common synonym for this action, making it the right solution for the clue.
Some OT enders : FGS
"FGS" stands for "for goodness' sake," which is a common phrase used to express frustration or exasperation. In this context, "Some OT enders" refers to the ending letters of the words "some OT," which are "FGS."
Steamed : IRATE
Stepped (on) : TROD
"TROD" is the past tense of "tread," which means to step on or walk on something. In this context, "Stepped (on)" is a clue asking for a past tense verb that means to have walked on something, making "TROD" the correct answer.
Stunt performer on “Jackass” : STEVE-O
"STEVE-O" is the right solution because Steve-O is a stunt performer who gained fame on the TV show "Jackass."
They may be dark or graphic : ARTS
The answer "ARTS" fits because dark or graphic arts can refer to various forms of creative expression, such as paintings, drawings, or sculptures, that explore intense or disturbing themes.
Title sitcom character voiced by Paul Fusco : ALF
The title sitcom character voiced by Paul Fusco is ALF because ALF is an alien puppet character from the sitcom "ALF" that aired in the late 1980s.
Tune : AIR
The word "air" can refer to a musical tune or melody, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Tune."
Warrant : MERIT
The word "entitle" means to give someone the right or authority to do something. In the context of the clue "warrant," it implies that something is justified or deserving. Therefore, "entitle" is the right solution as it aligns with the meaning of "warrant."
What a stereotypical bartender asks after a horse walks into a bar : WHY THE LONG FACE?
The answer "WHY THE LONG FACE?" is a play on words because it is a common phrase used to ask someone why they look sad or unhappy. In this context, the bartender is asking the horse why it has a long face, which is a literal interpretation of the phrase.
Word with sound or side : … EFFECT
The word "effect" can be paired with "sound" or "side" to form common phrases like "sound effect" or "side effect."
Writer’s starting point : OUTLINE
The answer "OUTLINE" is the right solution because an outline is a writer's starting point when organizing their thoughts and structure before writing a piece. It helps writers plan the direction and content of their work.
Yale Bulldogs, by another name : ELIS
"Elis" is a nickname for students and alumni of Yale University. It is derived from the name of the university's founder, Elihu Yale.
Yom Kippur War leader : MEIR
Golda Meir was the Prime Minister of Israel during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Therefore, the answer "MEIR" fits the clue "Yom Kippur War leader".
___ last resort : AS A
The phrase "as a last resort" means as a final option or when all other options have been exhausted. In this context, "as a" is followed by "last resort" to complete the phrase.
“Ammo” for a modern-day cannon : T-SHIRT
“Dune” actor Isaac : OSCAR
The actor's name is Oscar Isaac, and he appeared in the movie "Dune." So, the answer to the clue "“Dune” actor Isaac" is "OSCAR."
“For sure!” : I AGREE!
The answer "YES!" is the right solution because it is a common and emphatic way of expressing agreement or certainty, which matches the clue "For sure!"
“It’s been ages!” : LONG TIME NO SEE
The phrase "LONG TIME NO SEE" is a common informal greeting used when you haven't seen someone in a while. It fits the clue "It's been ages!" as it conveys the sentiment of a significant amount of time passing since the last encounter.
“Stan” rapper : EMINEM
Eminem is the rapper known for the song "Stan," which is why he is the correct answer to the clue "“Stan” rapper."
“Sure, you can include me” : I’M IN
"I'M IN" is a common informal way to express willingness to participate or be included in something. In this context, it conveys agreement or readiness to join in.
“Who ___?” : ELSE
The phrase "Who ___?" implies a negative response, so the correct answer is "ISN'T" as in "Who isn't?" indicating that the person in question is not present or involved.
“___ ask!” : DON’T
The phrase "___ ask!" is commonly followed by "don't" to convey a sense of urgency or emphasis in telling someone not to inquire further.
“___ Ever” (Elvis song in “G.I. Blues”) : DIDJA’
unknown