Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 15 March 2024, Friday (03-15-24). 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.
17-, for one : POET
The answer "POET" fits the clue "17-, for one" because a poet is someone who writes poems, and "17-" is a prefix indicating something related to poetry or literature.
After Brazil, the world’s second-largest producer of coffee : VIETNAM
Vietnam is the world's second-largest producer of coffee after Brazil, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Alters the narrative, in a way : REWRITES HISTORY
"Alters the narrative, in a way" is a clue that suggests changing the way a story is told. "Rewrites history" fits this clue because it means changing the way historical events are recorded or understood.
Bacteriologist Walter who conducted yellow fever research : REED
Walter Reed was a bacteriologist known for his research on yellow fever, making "REED" the correct answer.
Battle site in Tennessee : SHILOH
"Shiloh" is the right answer because it is a famous battle site in Tennessee where a significant Civil War battle took place in 1862.
Bill originating in Texas : PECOS
The Pecos River originates in Texas, making "PECOS" the right answer.
Bit of deductive reasoning? : TAX TIP
The answer "TAX TIP" fits the clue "Bit of deductive reasoning?" because deductive reasoning is often associated with taxes, and a tip can refer to a small piece of advice or information, which can be related to taxes.
Campaign platforms, perhaps : ROSTRA
"Rostra" refers to platforms or platforms for speakers in ancient Rome, often used for political speeches or campaigns.
Can’t stand the heat, say : WILTS
"WILTS" is the right solution because when something can't stand the heat, it wilts or becomes limp and droopy.
Cocktail with caffeine : ESPRESSO MARTINI
The answer "ESPRESSO MARTINI" fits the clue "Cocktail with caffeine" because an espresso martini is a cocktail made with espresso, which contains caffeine, making it a caffeinated cocktail.
Common additive to white rice : TALC
Components of some sports broadcasts : HALFTIME REPORTS
The answer "HALFTIME REPORTS" fits the clue because during halftime in sports broadcasts, there are typically segments where analysts discuss the game so far, show highlights, and provide insights into the teams' performance.
Courses : WAYS
unknown
Decks and floors, informally? : KOS
"KOS" is a slang term for "knocks out" which means to finish or complete something, like finishing a deck or floor. So, "Decks and floors, informally?" clue is looking for a term that means finishing something, which makes "KOS" the right answer.
Dom maker : MOET
The answer "MOET" is the right solution because Moët & Chandon is a well-known champagne producer, and "Dom" is a common nickname for their premium champagne "Dom Pérignon."
Familiar (with) : AT HOME
"AT HOME" is the right solution because the phrase "familiar with" is commonly used to mean knowledgeable or comfortable with something, which can be described as being "at home" with it.
Fish named for a weapon : PIKE
The fish named "pike" is a type of freshwater fish known for its long, slender body and sharp teeth, resembling a weapon like a pikestaff or spear.
Forgetting to finish this clue, for examp : CARELESS MISTAKE
The answer "CARELESS MISTAKE" fits the clue because it describes the act of forgetting to finish something, like a crossword clue, due to being careless.
Foul smell : REEK
The clue "foul smell" is a description of something that smells unpleasant. "Bad" is a synonym for unpleasant or foul, and "odor" refers to a smell. Therefore, "BADODOR" is the right solution for this crossword clue.
Fuji, for one : RED APPLE
Gets ready to fly : TAXIES
The answer "TAXIES" is the right solution because when a plane "taxies," it moves slowly on the ground in preparation for takeoff.
Give a hand? : SLAP
"Give a hand?" is a play on words suggesting a literal action of giving a hand, which can be interpreted as a slap.
Got taken for a ride, in a way : UBERED
The answer "UBERED" fits the clue because it refers to being taken for a ride in a car, which is a common experience when using the ride-sharing service Uber.
grimaces, sticks out tongue : EWW!
The answer "EWW!" fits the clue "grimaces, sticks out tongue" because it is an expression of disgust or distaste often accompanied by such facial expressions.
Ground rule? : NO TV
The answer "NO TV" fits the clue "Ground rule?" because it suggests a rule that prohibits watching television, which is commonly referred to as a ground rule in various settings.
Indie output : ZINES
The answer "ZINES" is the right solution because indie output refers to independent publications, which are often referred to as zines in the indie community.
iPhone command : SYNC
The answer "SYNC" is the right solution because it is a common command used to synchronize data between an iPhone and a computer or other devices.
It has its standards, for short : OSHA
The answer "OSHA" stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which sets and enforces workplace safety standards. So, "It has its standards, for short" refers to OSHA.
Kind of fixation : ORAL
The answer "ORAL" is the right solution because "oral fixation" refers to a psychological concept where a person has a strong need to put objects in their mouth or to have something in their mouth for comfort or stress relief.
Laphroaig flavorer : PEAT
The answer is "PEAT" because peat is used to flavor Laphroaig whiskey during the distillation process, giving it a distinct smoky taste.
Left for the country? : WEST
The clue is asking for the direction opposite of "left," which is "WEST."
Milquetoast : WIMP
"WIMP" is a synonym for "milquetoast," which means a timid or weak person. Both words convey the idea of someone lacking in courage or strength.
More trifling : MERER
"More trifling" is a comparison, indicating that something is even more insignificant or unimportant. The word "MERER" is the comparative form of "mere," meaning even smaller or more trivial, making it the right solution.
Name that’s a homophone of 24- : ABEL
The number 24 sounds like "twenty-four." The name "Abel" sounds like "able," which is a homophone of "24."
Nobody else can take it : SELFIE
"Nobody else can take it" is a clue hinting at a "SELFIE" because a selfie is a self-portrait photograph typically taken with a smartphone camera by the person in the photograph themselves.
Occasion to ask the Four Questions : SEDER
"Seder" is the traditional Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of Passover, during which the Four Questions are asked. So, "Occasion to ask the Four Questions" is a clear reference to the Seder.
Opposite of rubicund : ASHEN
The opposite of "rubicund," which means red or ruddy in complexion, is a pale or grayish color. "Ashen" refers to a pale or gray complexion, making it the correct answer.
Pages on the left side : VERSOS
"Versos" are the left-hand pages in a book, with the right-hand pages being called "rectos." This term is commonly used in publishing and book design to refer to the different sides of a page.
Preserver’s purchase : MASON JAR
The answer "MASON JAR" fits the clue "Preserver's purchase" because mason jars are commonly used for canning and preserving food.
Profession : METIER
"Metier" is a synonym for profession in French, making it the correct answer to the clue "Profession."
Proportion of customers that make a purchase, in business-speak : HIT RATE
The term "hit rate" in business refers to the proportion of customers who make a purchase out of the total number of customers. It is a common metric used to measure sales effectiveness.
Put on blast : BASH
The word "bash" can mean to criticize or speak negatively about someone, which fits the clue "put on blast" as it means to publicly criticize or expose someone.
Raise : EXALT
The word "exalt" can mean to raise someone or something in rank, power, or character. This makes it a suitable answer for the clue "Raise."
Real prat : ARSE Down 1 Catchy tunes
Region of Italy that lends its name to a pepper : CALABRIA
The region of Italy known as Calabria is famous for producing the spicy Calabrian pepper, which is why "CALABRIA" is the correct answer.
Rip (from) : WREST
Roy Lichtenstein’s “Drowning Girl,” e.g. : POP ART
"POP ART" is the right solution because Roy Lichtenstein was a prominent figure in the Pop Art movement, known for his comic strip-inspired artworks like "Drowning Girl."
Salon offering : TINT
"TINT" is a salon offering because salons often provide hair coloring services, which involve applying tint to change or enhance the color of hair.
Scream for a team : OLE!
The word "OLE!" is often shouted to show support and excitement for a team, especially in sports like soccer.
Source of the words “plaid” and “trousers” : ERSE
"ERSE" is the source of the words "plaid" and "trousers" because it is a language spoken in Scotland, where these words originate from.
Suffix that turns a verb into an adjective : -ABLE
The suffix "-ABLE" is added to verbs to form adjectives indicating that something can be done or is capable of being done. For example, "read" becomes "readable" to mean something that can be read.
Swear : CUSS
The answer "CUSS" is the right solution because it is a synonym for "swear" in the sense of using profane or offensive language.
Swing-era bandleader ___ Cates : OPIE
unknown
Threat to crops : PEST
The answer "PEST" is the right solution because pests are organisms that can cause harm to crops by feeding on them or spreading diseases. They are a common threat to agricultural production.
Unlikely gift : ESP
The answer "ESP" is the right solution because ESP, which stands for extrasensory perception, is an unlikely gift as it refers to the ability to perceive information through means other than the known senses.
Vegetable whose name comes from Igbo : OKRA
The word "okra" is of Igbo origin, as it comes from the Igbo language in Nigeria. This makes it the correct answer to the clue "Vegetable whose name comes from Igbo."
Vichyssoise ingredient : LEEK
The answer is "LEEK" because leeks are a common ingredient in Vichyssoise, which is a creamy potato and leek soup.
What Charlotte lives above in “Charlotte’s Web” : STY
The answer "STY" is correct because a sty is a pen or enclosure for pigs, and Charlotte, the spider, lives above Wilbur the pig in the book "Charlotte's Web."
Words from a paper pusher? : EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!
The answer "EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!" refers to the traditional call of a newspaper seller announcing breaking news or special editions, making it a fitting response to the clue "Words from a paper pusher?" as it suggests the idea of someone pushing papers with exciting news.
Your ___ : HONOR
The phrase "Your ___" is commonly followed by the word "HONOR" to refer to something that is important to someone.
“And She ___” (Talking Heads hit) : WAS
The Talking Heads hit song is titled "And She Was," so the missing word in the clue is "WAS."
“My goodness!” : JEEZ!
The answer to "My goodness!" is "MERCY" because "My goodness!" is an exclamation used to express surprise or astonishment, and "MERCY" is a common interjection used in similar contexts.
“On Being Brought From Africa to America” writer, 1768 : PHILLIS WHEATLEY
Phillis Wheatley was a writer born in 1768 and known for her poem "On Being Brought From Africa to America," making her the correct answer to the clue.
“The Lord of the Rings” actress : LIV TYLER
Liv Tyler is the actress who played the character Arwen in "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy.
“Which one of Arthur’s knights built the Round Table? ___ Cumference!” (groaner) : SIR
The answer "SIR" is the right solution because it is a title given to knights, and the clue is referencing one of King Arthur's knights who built the Round Table, making "SIR" a fitting answer.