Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 19 March 2024, Tuesday (03-19-24). 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.
Achy : SORE
The word "sore" is often used to describe a physical discomfort or pain, which can be synonymous with the word "achy". Therefore, "sore" is a fitting answer for the clue "achy".
Alan of “Bridge of Spies” : ALDA
The answer "ALDA" fits the clue because Alan Alda is an actor who appeared in the movie "Bridge of Spies."
Alliance that Ukraine seeks to join, in brief : NATO
NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which is the alliance that Ukraine seeks to join.
Architectural diagram : FLOOR PLAN
The answer "FLOOR PLAN" fits the clue "Architectural diagram" because a floor plan is a detailed diagram or drawing that shows the layout of a building, typically viewed from above. It is a common architectural tool used to represent the arrangement of spaces within a structure.
Bear’s lair : DEN
The word "DEN" is commonly used to refer to a bear's lair or home in the wilderness. It is a simple and straightforward answer that fits the clue well.
Booth alternative at a diner : COUNTER
The answer "COUNTER" is the right solution because at a diner, customers have the option to sit at a booth or at the counter to enjoy their meal.
Bowls over : AWES
The word "STUNS" fits the clue "Bowls over" because it means to surprise or shock someone so much that they are temporarily unable to react or think clearly.
Capitol wheeler-dealer, informally : POL
"Capitol wheeler-dealer, informally" is a clue for the word "POL" because in informal language, "POL" is often used to refer to a politician, especially one who is skilled at making deals or negotiating.
Chef’s creation : DISH
The answer "DISH" is the right solution because a chef's creation is typically a prepared food served on a plate or in a bowl, which can be referred to as a dish.
Choice between a haircut and manicure? : DO OR NAILS (from “doornails”)
"DO OR NAILS" is a play on the phrase "dead as a doornail," which means completely lifeless or finished. In this context, the answer is a choice between two options, just like choosing between a haircut and a manicure.
Cold War power, for short : USSR
The answer "USSR" is the right solution because during the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR) were the two major superpowers competing for global influence. "USSR" is the abbreviation for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which was a key player in the Cold War.
Come back in : REENTER
The answer "REENTER" fits the clue "Come back in" because "REENTER" means to enter again, which is another way of saying to come back in.
Common car rentals : SEDANS
The answer "SEDANS" fits the clue "Common car rentals" because sedans are a popular type of car that is often rented by people for everyday use or travel. Sedans are widely available from car rental companies, making them a common choice for renters.
Crunch of cereal? : CAP’N
"Crunch of cereal?" is a wordplay clue where "Crunch" refers to the sound that cereal makes when eaten and "cereal" hints at a specific brand. "CAP’N" is short for "Cap'n Crunch," a popular cereal known for its crunchy texture.
Cryptographer’s creation : CODE
The answer "CODE" fits because a cryptographer creates codes to encrypt or decrypt messages.
Eats between meals : NOSHES
"NOSHES" is the right solution because it is a slang term that means to eat between meals, typically something light or snack-like. It fits the clue perfectly.
Erotica : PORN
The answer "PORN" fits the clue "Erotica" because erotica is a term often used to describe explicit or sexually suggestive material, which is commonly referred to as "pornography" or "porn" for short.
Farm enclosures : PENS Down 1 Gargantuan
The answer to "Farm enclosures" is PENS because pens are commonly used to enclose animals on a farm.
Features of bucks, but not does : ANTLERS
"ANTLERS" are features of bucks, which are male deer, but not does, which are female deer. Antlers are typically only found on male deer and are used for fighting and display purposes.
Game break … or a hint to interpreting the first parts of 17-, 26-, 36-, and 52-? : HALFTIME
The word "HALFTIME" can be interpreted as "half time," indicating that the first parts of the answers to the clues at 17-, 26-, 36-, and 52- can be split in half to reveal the full answer.
Go kaput : DIE
"DIE" is the right solution because it is a common informal term meaning to stop working or functioning, which is synonymous with "go kaput."
Good day for a hunt : EASTER
EASTER is a good day for a hunt because of Easter egg hunts traditionally held on Easter Sunday.
Highbrow : ARTY
"Arty" is a synonym for highbrow as it refers to something that is characterized by a sophisticated or artistic quality, appealing to those with refined taste or cultural interests.
Highlighted path on Google Maps : Abbr.
The answer is "Rte" because it is the abbreviation for "route," which is a highlighted path on Google Maps.
Implore : BEG
The word "beg" means to implore or ask earnestly. It is a synonym for "implore," making it the correct answer to the clue.
Keyboard key next to Q : TAB
The keyboard key next to the letter Q on a standard QWERTY keyboard is the TAB key. It is located to the left of the letter Q and is commonly used to move the cursor to the next tab stop or field.
Kids’ guessing game : I SPY
"I SPY" is a popular guessing game played by children where one player selects an object within sight and gives the other players a clue by saying "I spy with my little eye, something that is..." followed by a description of the object. Players then take turns guessing the object.
Kind of PC port : USB
"USB" stands for Universal Serial Bus, which is a common type of port found on personal computers for connecting peripherals like keyboards, mice, and external drives.
Lentils, on an Indian menu : DAL
The answer "DAL" is correct because dal is a common Indian dish made from lentils. The clue is hinting at the Indian cuisine association with lentils, making "DAL" the fitting answer.
Llama habitat : ANDES
The Andes is a mountain range in South America where llamas are commonly found.
Low mil. rank : CPL
The answer "CPL" stands for Corporal, which is a low military rank.
Maker of Aspire laptops : ACER
ACER is a well-known brand that produces Aspire laptops, making it the right answer for the clue.
Marine mammal that barks : SEA LION
"SEA LION" is the right solution because sea lions are marine mammals known for their loud barking sounds, which they use to communicate with each other.
Milk curdler in cheesemaking : RENNET
Rennet is an enzyme used in cheesemaking to coagulate milk and separate it into curds and whey. This makes it the correct answer for the clue "Milk curdler in cheesemaking."
Musical based on a comic strip : ANNIE
"Annie" is a well-known musical that is based on the popular comic strip "Little Orphan Annie" by Harold Gray. The musical follows the story of a young orphan girl named Annie and her adventures.
Oklahoma city named for a Tennyson character : ENID
The city of Enid, Oklahoma, was named after a character in one of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poems.
Org. with a lot of returns : IRS
The IRS is the Internal Revenue Service, which deals with tax returns, making it an organization with a lot of returns.
Parent dressed up at a pride parade, perhaps? : MA IN DRAG (from “main drag”)
The answer "MA IN DRAG" is a play on words, combining "MA" for parent and "DRAG" for dressing up in clothes typically worn by the opposite gender, often seen at pride parades. "Main drag" is a slang term for the main street in a town, which is why it is indicated in parentheses.
Part of a record player or pine tree : NEEDLE
The word "needle" is a part of a record player that reads the grooves on a vinyl record to produce sound. It is also a sharp, pointed object found on a pine tree's branches. Therefore, "needle" fits both parts of the clue "Part of a record player or pine tree."
Pointy-eared being : ELF
"ELF" is the right solution because elves are commonly depicted in folklore and fantasy as having pointy ears.
Prefix with -metric or -logic : GEO-
The prefix "GEO-" is commonly used with words like "metric" and "logic" to refer to Earth-related topics, such as geography or geology.
Purpose : INTENT
"End" can refer to the purpose or goal of something. For example, "What is the end of this project?" means "What is the purpose/goal of this project?"
Recipe meas. : TSP
"TSP" is the abbreviation for teaspoon, which is a common measurement used in recipes.
Reverberation : ECHO
The word "reverberation" refers to sound waves bouncing off surfaces and returning. An "echo" is a specific type of reverberation where the sound is heard again after bouncing off a surface, making it the right solution.
Savings for the golden yrs. : IRA
The answer "IRA" fits because an IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is a common way to save for retirement.
Scottish king murdered by Macbeth : DUNCAN
"DUNCAN" is the correct answer because King Duncan is the Scottish king who is murdered by Macbeth in William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth."
Shining brightly : AGLARE
"AGLARE" means shining brightly, making it the correct solution to the clue.
Shopper’s aid : LIST
The answer "LIST" is the right solution because a shopper often makes a list of items they need to buy before going to the store.
Skilled writer, say : WORDSMITH
The term "wordsmith" is often used to describe someone who is skilled in using words and writing effectively, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Skilled writer, say."
Slices of history : ERAS
The term "eras" refers to distinct periods of time in history, making it a fitting answer for "Slices of history." Each era represents a specific time frame with its own defining characteristics and events.
Soldier’s shoulder adornment : EPAULET
"Epaulet" is the right solution because it is a decorative shoulder piece on a military uniform, commonly worn by soldiers.
Some family reunion attendees : NIECES
The answer "NIECES" fits the clue "Some family reunion attendees" because nieces are family members who might attend a family reunion.
Spider’s spot : WEB
"WEB" is the right answer because spiders are known for creating intricate webs to catch their prey.
Starchy tropical root : TARO
"TARO" is the right solution because it is a starchy tropical root vegetable commonly used in cooking in many parts of the world.
Sticks (to) : ADHERES
"Sticks (to)" is a clue indicating that the answer should mean sticking to something. "Adheres" means to stick firmly to a surface or an object, making it the correct solution to the clue.
Strong desire : YEN
"Strong desire" is a definition of the word "urge", which means to have a strong desire or impulse to do something.
T.S.A. requirements : IDS
The answer "IDS" refers to identification documents, which are required by the Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.) for travel.
Tender cut of beef : PRIME RIB
"Prime rib" is a tender cut of beef that comes from the primal rib section of the cow. It is known for its rich flavor and juiciness, making it a popular choice for roasting and serving as a main course.
The “Q” in L.G.B.T.Q. : QUEER
The answer is "QUEER" because it represents the Q in LGBTQ, which stands for queer. It is a term used to describe sexual orientations and gender identities that are not exclusively heterosexual or cisgender.
Thirst quencher in Québec : EAU
"Eau" is the French word for "water," and Québec is a French-speaking province in Canada. Therefore, "EAU" is the right solution as it is a common thirst quencher in Québec.
Toward the rear : AFT
"AFT" is a nautical term that means toward the rear of a ship or aircraft. In crossword puzzles, it is commonly used to indicate a direction or location behind a specific point on a vessel.
Trifling : MERE
"MERE" means something that is considered small, slight, or insignificant, which fits the definition of "trifling" as something of little value or importance.
Vein contents : ORE
The answer "ORES" is the right solution because veins are mineral deposits found within rocks, and "ORES" refers to naturally occurring minerals that can be mined for valuable metals.
Vietnamese noodle soup : PHO
"Pho" is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup dish made with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat (usually beef or chicken). It is a popular dish in Vietnamese cuisine known for its flavorful broth and fresh ingredients.
What an accent mark indicates : STRESS
The answer "STRESS" is correct because an accent mark in linguistics indicates the stress or emphasis on a particular syllable in a word.
Wild animal’s trail : SPOOR
The word "spoor" refers to the tracks or trail left by a wild animal, making it the correct answer for the clue "Wild animal’s trail."
Word after black or before box : MAIL
The word "MAIL" can follow "black" to form "blackmail" or precede "box" to form "mailbox".
Yukon gold rush site : KLONDIKE
The Klondike is a region in the Yukon territory of Canada where a gold rush occurred in the late 19th century, making it the site of the Yukon gold rush.
“Continue with your routine, cheerleaders”? : GO ON, SQUAD (from “goon squad”)
"GO ON, SQUAD" is the right solution because it is a play on the phrase "goon squad," which is a term for a group of intimidating or violent people. In this context, the cheerleaders are being referred to as a squad, so "GO ON, SQUAD" is a fun and playful way to tell them to continue with their routine.
“Curiously strong” mint : ALTOID
The answer "ALTOID" fits because it is a well-known brand of mints that are famously described as "curiously strong."
“Holy cow!” : EGAD!
The answer "BOY!" is the right solution because it is a common exclamation used to express surprise or astonishment, similar to the phrase "Holy cow!"
“I’m completely at a loss” : NO IDEA
This is the right solution because "NO IDEA" is a common phrase used to express being clueless or completely unaware.
“Meet me under Big Ben”? : BE AT THE CLOCK (from “beat the clock”)
The answer "BE AT THE CLOCK" is a play on the phrase "beat the clock," which means to finish something before a deadline. So, "Meet me under Big Ben" is hinting at being at the clock tower, which is Big Ben, before a certain time.
“Slippery” tree : ELM
The answer "ELM" is the right solution because the elm tree is known for having a slippery or smooth bark.
“You wish!” : DREAM ON!
"DREAM ON!" is a phrase used to dismiss someone's hopes or desires, essentially saying "You wish!" in a more emphatic way.
“___ bother?” : WHY
The phrase "Why bother?" is a common expression used to question the necessity or point of doing something. In this context, "Why" is the correct answer to the clue "___ bother?" as it completes the phrase.