Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 2 May 2024, Thursday (05-02-24). 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.
Actress Fisher : ISLA
Isla Fisher is an actress known for her roles in movies like "Wedding Crashers" and "Confessions of a Shopaholic." "Actress Fisher" is a clue that points to her first name, "ISLA."
Air escaping : SSS
Animal that shares its name with a Spanish 101 word : LLAMA
The word "LLAMA" is a type of animal that shares its name with the Spanish word "llama," which means flame.
Apt name for a florist or optometrist? : IRIS
The name "Iris" is apt for a florist or optometrist because an iris is both a part of the eye and a type of flower.
Aquatic : MARINE
"Marine" is the right solution because it is a term commonly used to describe things related to the sea or ocean, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Aquatic."
Banishes : EXILES
The word "exiles" means to banish someone from their home country or place. It is a synonym for banishes, making it the right solution for the clue.
Beta testers, e.g. : USERS
The answer "USERS" fits because beta testers are people who use and test software before it's released to the public.
Big battery : D CELL
The answer "D CELL" is the right solution because a D cell is a common type of battery that is larger than a AA or AAA battery, making it a big battery.
Bit of urban art : MURAL
The answer "MURAL" fits the clue "Bit of urban art" because murals are large paintings or artworks often found on the side of buildings in urban areas.
Carpenter’s wedge : SHIM
A shim is a thin wedge used by carpenters to fill gaps or level surfaces, making it the correct answer for the clue "Carpenter's wedge."
Championship trophy for the P.G.A. Tour : FEDEX CUP
The FedEx Cup is the championship trophy for the PGA Tour, awarded to the golfer who accumulates the most points throughout the season.
Chipotle choices : SALSAS
The answer "SALSAS" fits the clue "Chipotle choices" because at Chipotle, customers can choose from a variety of salsas to add to their meal, such as mild, medium, or hot salsa.
Divination aids … or a phonetic hint to the shaded squares in this puzzle : TEA LEAVES
The answer "TEA LEAVES" is the right solution because tea leaves are often used in divination practices like tasseography, where patterns formed by tea leaves in a cup are interpreted to predict the future. In this puzzle, the shaded squares likely form a pattern that, when interpreted phonetically, hints at "TEA LEAVES."
Dot in la mer : ILE
The clue "Dot in la mer" is a French phrase that translates to "island in the sea." The answer "ILE" is the French word for "island," fitting the clue perfectly.
Early Netflix offering : DVD
The answer "DVD" is the right solution because in its early days, Netflix primarily rented out DVDs by mail before transitioning to streaming services.
Eyelike openings : OCULI
"Oculi" is the plural form of the Latin word "oculus," which means "eye." In architecture, "oculi" refers to circular openings, often found in domes or ceilings.
Father of, in Arabic : ABU
In Arabic, "Abu" means "father of". Therefore, when the clue is asking for "Father of," in Arabic, the answer is "ABU".
Grunts : PEONS
"PEONS" is a term often used to refer to low-ranking workers or laborers, which can be synonymous with "Grunts" in the context of the clue.
Hitchcock film that won Best Picture : REBECCA
"Rebecca" is a Hitchcock film that won the Best Picture Oscar in 1940, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Hush-hush org. : NSA
The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) is a government organization that deals with intelligence gathering and national security issues, often in a secretive or confidential manner. Therefore, it is referred to as a "hush-hush org." in the context of the crossword clue.
Imposes, as a tax : LEVIES
"Imposes, as a tax" is a clue that indicates the action of placing a tax on something. The word "LEVIES" fits this description as it means to impose or collect a tax or fee.
It might elicit a “cha-ching” : SALE
The answer "SALE" is the right solution because a sale often involves a transaction where money is exchanged, which can elicit a "cha-ching" sound like a cash register.
Language in which “sabaidee” means “hello” : LAO
The word "sabaidee" is a common greeting in the Lao language, making "LAO" the correct answer.
Last but not least? : VERB
The answer "VERB" fits because it is the last word in the phrase "last but not least."
Like one for the books : EPIC
The phrase "one for the books" typically refers to something exceptional, remarkable, or unforgettable, which can be described as "EPIC." It fits the clue well in terms of conveying a sense of grandeur or significance.
Like roughly a quarter of the world’s population : ISLAMIC
The answer is "ISLAMIC" because roughly a quarter of the world's population practices Islam.
Lincoln and others : ABES
"ABES" is a common nickname for people with the name Abraham, such as Abraham Lincoln. So, "Lincoln and others" refers to people named Abraham, making "ABES" the correct answer.
Made it to the big leagues : GONE PRO
"GONE PRO" is the right answer because it means someone has advanced to a professional level in their career or sport, like making it to the big leagues.
Make smooth : EASE
The word "ease" can mean to make something smooth or to make something less difficult or painful. So, "ease" is the right answer for the clue "Make smooth."
Manages with delicacy : FINESSES
"Finesses" means to handle a situation with skill and delicacy, making it the right answer for "Manages with delicacy."
Martian who wears a green helmet and skirt : MARVIN
The answer "MARVIN" fits the clue because Marvin the Martian, a character from Looney Tunes, is known for wearing a green helmet and skirt.
Metroid console, for short : NES
The answer "NES" is short for Nintendo Entertainment System, which was the console on which the original Metroid game was released.
Mobile home? : SHELL
The answer to "Mobile home" is "Abbr." because "Abbr." is short for abbreviation, which is a shortened form of a word or phrase. In this case, it suggests that the answer is an abbreviated term for a mobile home.
Mullet resting places : NAPES
The "mullet" hairstyle is typically longer at the back of the head, which is known as the "nape" of the neck. Therefore, "NAPES" is the correct answer as it refers to the resting places of mullets.
Nursing ___ : BRA
The answer "BRA" fits the clue "Nursing ___" because a nursing bra is a type of bra specifically designed for breastfeeding mothers.
One might be pale : ALE
The answer "ALE" fits the clue "One might be pale" because ale is a type of beer that can be pale in color.
Online correspondent : EMAILER
"EMAILER" is the right solution because an online correspondent typically communicates through email.
Opposed (to) : AVERSE
The word "anti" means against or opposed to something, which makes it the correct answer to the clue "Opposed to."
Pickup capacity, perhaps : ONE TON
The phrase "pickup capacity" refers to the amount of weight a pickup truck can carry. A common measurement of pickup capacity is "one ton," which indicates the maximum weight the truck can handle.
Pinnacles : ACMES
Playwright Henrik : IBSEN
Henrik Ibsen is a famous Norwegian playwright known for his influential works in the theater, making "IBSEN" the correct answer.
Presidential also-ran of 1988, 2008 and 2012 : RON PAUL
Ron Paul ran for president in the years 1988, 2008, and 2012, making him the right answer to the clue "Presidential also-ran of 1988, 2008 and 2012."
Protected from the wind : ALEE
"ALEE" is a nautical term that means away from the wind. So, if something is protected from the wind, it is "ALEE."
Range for many ibex : ALPS
The Alps is a mountain range in Europe where ibex, a type of wild goat, are commonly found. So, the answer "ALPS" fits the clue "Range for many ibex" because it is the specific mountain range where ibex are often located.
Regal figure on a tarot card : EMPRESS
The Empress is a regal figure in the tarot deck, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and nurturing energy.
Ring : PEAL
The word "peal" can refer to a loud, ringing sound, often made by bells. In this context, "ring" is a clue that suggests the answer "peal" as it is a synonym for a ringing sound.
Romantic partner, casually : BAE
"BAE" is a term used to refer to a romantic partner in a casual or affectionate way, derived from the acronym for "Before Anyone Else."
Rope fiber : SISAL
SISAL is the right answer because it is a natural fiber commonly used to make ropes due to its strength and durability.
Self-titled debut album released four years before “Jagged Little Pill” : ALANIS
This is the right solution because Alanis Morissette released her self-titled debut album "Alanis" in 1991, four years before her breakthrough album "Jagged Little Pill" in 1995.
Skippable part of a streaming series : RECAP
The skippable part of a streaming series is often the recap at the beginning of each episode, as it summarizes what happened previously.
Stand-up comedian Marc : MARON
Marc Maron is a well-known stand-up comedian and podcast host, making "MARON" the correct answer for the clue.
Sticks on a table, maybe : CUES
The answer "CUES" fits the clue "Sticks on a table, maybe" because cues are long sticks used in pool or billiards, often found on a table.
T-shirt size : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." is short for abbreviation, indicating that the answer to the clue is an abbreviated form of a T-shirt size, such as S for small or XL for extra large.
The “toe” of Italy’s “boot” : CALABRIA
Calabria is the region located at the southern tip of Italy, often referred to as the "toe" of Italy's "boot" shape.
Tops : A-ONE
The word "tops" can be a synonym for "excellent" or "the best." In card games, "aces" are the highest-ranking cards, so "ACES" is a fitting answer for "tops."
Uses DoorDash, say : ORDERS IN
The answer "ORDERS IN" fits the clue because when someone uses DoorDash, they typically place an order for food delivery to their home, which can be described as "ordering in."
What has a big part in “The Ten Commandments”? : RED SEA
The Red Sea has a big part in "The Ten Commandments" because it is the body of water that Moses famously parted to lead the Israelites to safety from the pursuing Egyptian army.
Wirelessly operated toy vehicle, informally : RC CAR
The answer "RC CAR" stands for "Remote Control Car," which is a wirelessly operated toy vehicle controlled by a remote.
Word sometimes texted as its middle letter : ARE
The word "ARE" is sometimes texted as its middle letter because the middle letter of the word "ARE" is the letter "R", which can be found in the middle of the word when texting on a phone keypad.
Zapped, in a way : LASED
The answer "LASED" fits the clue "Zapped, in a way" because to lase means to cut or treat with a laser beam, which can be a way of zapping something.
Zin alternative : CAB
"Cab" is a common abbreviation for Cabernet Sauvignon, which is an alternative to Zinfandel in the world of wine.
___ Limón, first Latina U.S. poet laureate : ADA
"ADA" is the right solution because Ada Limón is the first Latina U.S. poet laureate, and the answer is a common abbreviation of her first name.
___ monster : GILA
"GILA" is the right solution because a Gila monster is a type of venomous lizard found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
“One” on a one : UNUM
The answer "UNUM" is the Latin word for "one," making it the right solution for the clue "One on a one."