Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 31 March 2025, Monday (03-31-25). 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.
B-___ (rare blood type, informally) : NEG
The answer "NEG" is short for "negative," which is a common way to refer to a rare blood type in crosswords.
Basketball shot made while leaning backward : FADEAWAY
The answer "FADEAWAY" fits the clue because a fadeaway is a basketball shot where the shooter leans backward while jumping to create space from the defender. This type of shot is known for its difficulty and style, making it a distinctive move in basketball.
Bigheadedness : EGO
"Ego" is the right answer because bigheadedness is often associated with having a strong sense of self-importance or self-esteem, which is captured by the concept of "ego."
Bird that’s the U.S.’s national symbol : BALD EAGLE
The Bald Eagle is the national symbol of the United States, making it the correct answer to the clue "Bird that’s the U.S.’s national symbol."
Bovine call : MOO!
"Moo" is the sound that a cow makes, so it is the correct answer to the clue "Bovine call."
Bowlers and sombreros : HATS
The clue "Bowlers and sombreros" is a wordplay clue where "Bowlers" and "sombreros" are types of hats. Therefore, the answer "HATS" fits the clue as it is a general term that encompasses both types of hats.
Boy on “The Andy Griffith Show” : OPIE
Opie is the name of the boy character played by Ron Howard on "The Andy Griffith Show."
Cars that typically accommodate five people : SEDANS
The answer "SEDANS" fits because sedans are a type of car that usually has seating for five people, with a front and rear seat.
Citrus peel : ZEST
ZEST is the answer because it refers to the outer, colored part of citrus fruit peel, which is often used to add flavor to dishes.
Currency of Mexico : PESO
The currency used in Mexico is the peso, therefore "PESO" is the correct answer to the clue "Currency of Mexico."
Debbie Downer : BUZZKILL
The term "Debbie Downer" refers to someone who dampens the mood or brings negativity to a situation. "Buzzkill" is a slang term that means the same thing - someone or something that ruins the fun or excitement. So, "Buzzkill" is the right answer for "Debbie Downer" because they both describe a person who brings negativity to a situation.
Defense org. since 1949 : NATO
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was established in 1949 as a defense alliance among North American and European countries. It fits the clue "Defense org. since 1949" perfectly.
Family group : CLAN
"CLAN" is the right answer because a clan is a group of people with a common ancestor or shared characteristics, often forming a close-knit community or family unit.
Feels sorry for : PITIES
"PITIES" is the right answer because it means to feel sorry or compassion for someone or something. It fits the clue "Feels sorry for" perfectly.
Finance channel : CNBC
CNBC is a popular television channel that focuses on finance and business news, making it the correct answer for "Finance channel."
King of the gods, in Egyptian myth : AMON
"Amon" is the right answer because in Egyptian mythology, Amon was indeed considered the king of the gods, often associated with the sun and air.
Like conga or mambo music : AFRO-CUBAN
The term "Afro-Cuban" refers to music styles that blend African and Cuban influences, such as conga and mambo music.
Like good knives and pupils : SHARP
The word "sharp" can describe both good knives and pupils because they are both keen, precise, and well-defined. Knives need to be sharp to cut well, and pupils need to be sharp to understand and learn effectively.
Make into a wad : BALL UP
"BALL UP" is the right answer because to "make into a wad" means to gather or roll something into a compact, rounded shape, like a ball.
Make official : ORDAIN
"ORDAIN" means to make official, especially in a religious context, by a ceremony or decree. In this case, the clue "Make official" is a direct synonym for the word "ORDAIN."
Mark over the “n” in “mañana” : TILDE
A tilde is a diacritical mark that appears over the "n" in the Spanish word "mañana." It indicates a change in pronunciation, making "mañana" sound like "ma-nyah-na."
Not together : APART
The answer "APART" fits the clue "Not together" because it means being separated or at a distance from each other.
Observes Ramadan, in a way : FASTS
This is the right solution because fasting is a common practice during Ramadan in which Muslims refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset.
Org. at airports : TSA
The answer "TSA" fits the clue "Org. at airports" because TSA stands for Transportation Security Administration, which is the organization responsible for security screening at airports.
Paving gunk : TAR
The answer to "Paving gunk" is "TAR" because it is a sticky substance commonly used in road construction and paving.
Ponzi scheme, e.g. : SCAM
The answer "SCAM" fits the clue "Ponzi scheme, e.g." because a Ponzi scheme is a type of scam where returns are paid to earlier investors using the capital of newer investors, rather than from profit earned by the operation of a legitimate business.
Scout’s shelter : TENT
"TENT" is the right answer because a tent is a portable shelter typically used by scouts during camping trips or outdoor activities.
Section of a tennis match : SET
In tennis, a set is a unit of play consisting of games that determines the winner of that set. It is a common term used in tennis matches, making "SET" the correct answer to the clue "Section of a tennis match."
Some toothpastes and hair goops : GELS
The answer "GELS" fits the clue because toothpastes and hair goops are both commonly found in gel form.
Step on a ladder : RUNG
The answer "RUNG" fits the clue "Step on a ladder" because a rung is a horizontal support on a ladder that you step on.
Summer zodiac sign : LEO
The summer zodiac sign is Leo because Leo's dates fall between July 23 and August 22, which corresponds to the summer season.
Thrice three : NINE
The clue "Thrice three" suggests multiplying 3 by 3, which equals 9. Therefore, the answer is "NINE."
Tough part of a cross-country race : HILL
"HILL" is the right answer because a hill is a challenging and difficult part of a cross-country race that requires extra effort and stamina to overcome.
U-turn from WSW : ENE
The clue "U-turn from WSW" is asking for a direction that is a U-turn, or 180 degrees, from WSW (West-Southwest). Going 180 degrees from WSW would lead you to ENE (East-Northeast), making "ENE" the correct answer.
Whole bunch : SLEW Down 1 So-called “king of the road”
"Slew" is a synonym for "a large amount" or "a whole bunch", making it the right solution for the clue.
Wife of Jacob in the Bible : LEAH
Leah is the wife of Jacob in the Bible as described in the Book of Genesis. She is one of the four matriarchs of the Israelites.
Word after poison or bull : -PEN
The word that comes after "poison" or "bull" is "pen," forming the words "poison pen" and "bullpen."
Work hard : TOIL
The answer to "Work hard" is "TOIL" because "toil" means to work strenuously or laboriously. It is a concise and appropriate word that fits the clue.
Yap : GAB
"Yap" is a synonym for chattering or talking, and "GAB" is a word that means to talk informally or chat. So, "GAB" is the right solution to the clue "Yap."
__-Its : CHEEZ
The answer "CHEEZ" fits the clue "__-Its" because "CHEEZ-Its" is a popular brand of cheese crackers.
___ Raton, Fla. : BOCA
The answer "BOCA" fits the clue "___ Raton, Fla." because Boca Raton is a city in Florida, and "Boca" is the first part of the city's name.
___ trap (part of a dryer) : LINT
Lint is the buildup of fibers and debris that collects in the filter of a dryer, which is commonly referred to as a lint trap.
“I’m starting to like this” … or a hint to the starts of 16-, 24-, 47- and 58-, in order : IT’S GROWING ON ME
The phrase "IT'S GROWING ON ME" means to start liking something more over time, which fits with the idea of something starting to be liked. The starts of the answers at 16-, 24-, 47-, and 58- spell out "IT'S GROWING ON ME" when put together, making it the correct solution.
“That ___ be expected” : IS TO
The phrase "That ___ be expected" is a common expression where the missing word is "IS TO." It fits grammatically and completes the sentence meaningfully.