Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 28 March 2025, Friday (03-28-25). 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.
Append : ANNEX
The word "append" means to add something to the end of a document or text. In this context, "ADD" is the right answer as it means to include something to a preexisting item or list.
Apple variety : MAC
The answer "MAC" is the right solution for the clue "Apple variety?" because "MAC" is a commonly known abbreviation for McIntosh, which is a popular type of apple.
Be easily victorious : WIN BY A MILE
The phrase "win by a mile" is a common expression that means to easily defeat someone or something. It is often used to describe a situation where one party is far ahead of the competition, similar to winning a race by a large margin.
Brings together : WEDS
"Brings together" is a clue for the word "WEDS" because "WEDS" means to unite two people in marriage, which is a way of bringing them together in a formal and lasting way.
Bundle in an office : REAM
The word "REAM" is a bundle of paper commonly used in an office setting.
Carbon compound suffix : -ENE
The suffix "-ENE" is commonly used in chemistry to indicate a carbon compound with a double bond between two carbon atoms. This makes it a fitting answer for the clue "Carbon compound suffix."
Ceremonial piles : PYRES
The answer "PYRES" fits because pyres are ceremonial piles of wood used for burning bodies in funeral rites.
Certain touchdown scorers, for short : RBS
"RBS" stands for "running backs," which are certain players in American football who often score touchdowns by running the ball into the end zone. The abbreviation "RBS" is commonly used in football discussions, making it the right solution for the clue.
Checked out : EYED
The word "eyed" can mean to look at or examine closely, which fits the clue "Checked out."
Cheer from a fútbol fan : GOL!
"GOL!" is the cheer commonly shouted by fútbol fans when a goal is scored. It is a popular exclamation in Spanish-speaking countries to celebrate a goal in soccer.
Chest beater : APE
The term "chest beater" is often used to describe someone who is boastful or aggressive, similar to how apes are sometimes portrayed in popular culture. Apes are known to beat their chests as a display of dominance or aggression, making "APE" a fitting answer for this clue.
Component of an exfoliator, often : ACID
The answer "ACID" fits because it is a common component in exfoliators that helps to remove dead skin cells and reveal smoother skin.
Cooler cousin : ICE BUCKET
The answer "ICE BUCKET" fits the clue "Cooler cousin" because an ice bucket is a container used to hold ice, similar to a cooler but on a smaller scale.
Country with 14,125 islands (and only 260 inhabited!) : JAPAN
Entertainment centers : ARENAS
The word "Entertainment centers" is a clue that suggests a large venue for various kinds of performances or events. "Arenas" are typically large, open spaces designed to hold concerts, sporting events, and other forms of entertainment, making it the right solution for the clue.
Food specialty that might be topped with Creole mustard : PO’BOY
The food specialty "Po'boy" is a sandwich that is often topped with Creole mustard, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
Formal turndown from the fearful : I DARE NOT
The answer "I DARE NOT" fits the clue because it means refusing to do something out of fear, which is a formal way of expressing reluctance or refusal.
Genre for only two Song of the Year winners in Grammy history : RAP
RAP is the right solution because only two songs in the history of the Grammy Awards have won the Song of the Year award in the RAP genre. This makes RAP a unique and specific genre for this clue.
Get-togethers arranged by parents : PLAYDATES
The answer "PLAYDATES" fits because it refers to social gatherings for children that are typically arranged by parents for them to play together.
Hiding place : LAIR
LAIR is the right answer because it is a hiding place typically used by animals, especially predators, to conceal themselves and their young.
Hybrid team sport that uses kayaks : CANOE POLO
"CANOE POLO" is the right solution because it is a hybrid team sport that combines elements of canoeing and polo, where players in kayaks try to score goals by throwing a ball into the opposing team's goal.
Junk, say : BOAT
Like good gossip : JUICY
The word "juicy" is often used to describe gossip that is interesting, scandalous, or exciting, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Like good gossip."
Like Lord Byron’s “She Walks in Beauty” : ROMANTIC
The poem "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron is a classic example of Romantic poetry, known for its emphasis on emotion, nature, and individualism. Therefore, the answer "ROMANTIC" fits the clue well as it describes the style and themes of the poem accurately.
Like the 314th digit of pi : ODD
The 314th digit of pi is an odd number, so the answer is "ODD".
Locales of small ports : PCS
unknown
Many a divorcée : SINGLE MOM
"Many a divorcée" refers to a woman who has gone through a divorce and is now raising children on her own, making her a single mom.
Menacing words : OR ELSE!
"OR ELSE!" is a phrase that is often used to threaten consequences if a demand is not met. It fits the clue "Menacing words" because it implies a threat or warning if certain actions are not taken.
Nolan Ryan had seven of them in his career : NO-HIT GAMES
Nolan Ryan, a famous baseball player, achieved the feat of pitching seven games where the opposing team did not get a single hit, known as no-hit games.
Nonsense word akin to “blah” : YADA
The word "YADA" is a nonsense word similar to "blah," often used to represent meaningless or unimportant speech.
North Carolina college town : ELON
Elon is a small town in North Carolina that is home to Elon University, a private liberal arts college. Therefore, "North Carolina college town" refers to Elon.
Not-so-light reading : TOME
"TOME" is the right solution because a tome is a large, heavy, or scholarly book, which is the opposite of "light reading."
Oh, brothers, where art thou? : ABBEYS
The answer "ABBEYS" fits the clue "Oh, brothers, where art thou?" because the word "brothers" in the clue is a hint to look for a term related to religious brotherhood, which leads to "ABBEYS" as a group of religious buildings where monks or nuns live and work together.
Ones wise on Weizenbocks, perhaps : BEER SNOBS
The answer "BEER SNOBS" fits because Weizenbocks are a type of beer, and those who are knowledgeable and particular about beer are often referred to as "beer snobs."
Out, in a way : ABED
The answer "ABED" is a term meaning "in bed," which is a way to be out of a location or situation.
People have a variety of positions on these : YOGA MATS
unknown
Poke bowl condiment : WASABI MAYO
The answer "WASABI MAYO" is the right solution because it is a common condiment often used in poke bowls, combining the spicy kick of wasabi with the creamy texture of mayonnaise.
Rental at a beach club : CABANA
The answer "CABANA" fits the clue "Rental at a beach club" because a cabana is a small, temporary shelter often rented out at beach clubs for guests to relax in or change clothes.
Roaring Twenties look, informally : DECO
"DECO" is the right solution because it is a shortened form of "Art Deco," which was a popular design style in the 1920s, also known as the Roaring Twenties. The clue is asking for a term related to the fashion or style of that era, making "DECO" a fitting answer.
Running shoe brand : AVIA
AVIA is a well-known brand that specializes in running shoes, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Running shoe brand."
San Diego County beach town with a racetrack : DEL MAR
"DEL MAR" is the right solution because Del Mar is a beach town located in San Diego County, California, and it is known for its famous Del Mar Racetrack.
Sarcastic response to a rude comment : STAY CLASSY Down 1 Nashville-to-Memphis dir.
Short day soon after the winter solstice? : XMAS
This clue is referring to Christmas, which occurs shortly after the winter solstice. "XMAS" is a common abbreviation for Christmas, making it the right solution.
Show of respect : BOW
"BOW" is the right answer because a bow is a common gesture to show respect, often done by bending the body forward at the waist.
Sinks one’s teeth into? : SAWS UP
The phrase "Sinks one's teeth into" is a figurative expression meaning to fully engage with or tackle a problem. The answer "SAWS UP" fits this clue as it suggests actively engaging with something by cutting or sawing it up, similar to how one would tackle a problem.
Skin-care product applied with a cotton pad : TONER
Toner is a skin-care product that is typically applied with a cotton pad to help remove any remaining impurities or traces of makeup after cleansing. It helps to balance the skin's pH levels and tighten pores.
Sort whose business is going way down? : SCUBA DIVER
The answer "SCUBA DIVER" fits the clue because a SCUBA DIVER's business is going way down as they descend deeper into the water.
Sound relative : BAY
The answer "BAY" is the right solution because it is a homophone for the word "bae," which is a slang term for a loved one or significant other. The clue "Sound relative" is hinting at a word that sounds like a family member, leading to the answer "BAY."
Spanish for “amateur” : AFICIONADO
The Spanish word "aficionado" translates to "amateur" in English.
Spanish uncle? : NO MAS
The answer "NO MAS" is the right solution because "no más" means "no more" in Spanish, and an uncle in Spanish is "tío." So, "Spanish uncle?" is a play on words hinting at the Spanish phrase "no más."
Stats for pitchers and race car drivers : TOP SPEEDS
The answer "TOP SPEEDS" fits the clue because both pitchers and race car drivers are measured by their highest achievable speeds in their respective activities.
Stopped dreaming, say : AWOKE
This clue is a wordplay hinting at waking up from a dream. "Stopped dreaming" suggests the end of a dream, and "say" is a signal to look for a word that means waking up, which is "awoke."
Story of a lifetime? : OBIT
The answer "OBIT" is a play on words, as an obituary is a written account of someone's life after they have died, making it a "story of a lifetime."
Strong ties : BONDS
The answer "BONDS" fits the clue "Strong ties" because bonds are strong connections or relationships between people or things.
The crack of dawn : SUNUP
"Sunup" is a term that refers to the time of day when the sun rises, which is typically at the crack of dawn. In crossword puzzles, "sunup" is commonly used as a synonym for dawn or daybreak, making it the right answer for this clue.
They go around the block : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." is short for abbreviation, which means it goes around the word "block" in the clue.
Three, in Chinese : SAN
The word "SAN" means "Three" in Chinese. In this case, the clue is asking for the Chinese word for the number three, which is "SAN."
Top story, maybe : LOFT
"LOFT" is the right answer because a top story in a building is often referred to as a loft, which is a space located directly under the roof.
Traditional wearers of black-and-white face paint : MIMES
Mimes are known for wearing black-and-white face paint as part of their traditional performance attire.
Water from a sippy cup : WAWA
unknown
Word often followed by a date : DUE
The word "DUE" is often followed by a date to indicate when something is expected or required to be completed or paid.
Word with six or sea : DEEP-
The answer "DEEP-" fits the clue "Word with six or sea" because it can be combined with "six" to form "six-deep" and with "sea" to form "sea-deep," both of which are common phrases.
Worker’s performance that informs the colony of a nearby nectar source : BEE DANCE
Bees perform a dance known as the "waggle dance" to communicate the location of a food source to other bees in the colony. This behavior is essential for informing other workers about the nearby nectar source. The answer "BEE DANCE" accurately describes this behavior.
Zaydism and Isma’ilism are sects of this : SHIA
"Shia" is the right answer because Zaydism and Isma'ilism are both branches of Shia Islam, which is one of the two main sects of Islam, the other being Sunni Islam. Shia Muslims believe that Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, should have been his rightful successor.
___ Blue (dandruff shampoo brand) : SELSUN
The answer is "SELSUN" because it is a well-known dandruff shampoo brand.
___ sauce : SOY
Soy sauce is a commonly used condiment in many Asian cuisines, making it a fitting answer to the clue "___ sauce".
“Oh, yeah?” : REALLY?
This is the right solution because "Oh, yeah?" is a phrase used to express skepticism or disbelief, to which "REALLY?" is a fitting response that conveys a similar sentiment.
“___ people!” : SOME
The phrase "___ people!" is commonly used to refer to a group of individuals, so the answer "SOME" fits well in this context as it indicates an unspecified number or portion of people.