Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 12 May 2025, Monday (05-12-25). 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.
10-12-year-old : TWEEN
"TWEEN" is the right solution because it is a term used to describe a person who is between the ages of 10 and 12, bridging the gap between childhood and adolescence.
1983 musical starring Barbra Streisand : YENTL
"YENTL" is the correct answer because it is a 1983 musical film starring Barbra Streisand in the title role. It is based on a play by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer.
Alternative to bottled : ON TAP
"ON TAP" is the right solution because it refers to beverages served directly from a keg or container, as opposed to being bottled.
Art with tiles in fancy styles (that might produce smiles) : MOSAIC
Mosaic art is created by arranging small colored tiles in fancy patterns, often depicting images or designs. The wordplay in the clue suggests that this art form can produce smiles due to its beauty and creativity.
Battery for some small toys : AAA
The answer "AAA" is the right solution because it is a common type of small battery used in many toys and electronic devices.
Beatles song with the lyric “Should five percent appear too small, be thankful I don’t take it all” : TAXMAN
The clue mentions a lyric about taking a percentage, which refers to taxes. The Beatles song that fits this description is "Taxman," making it the correct answer.
Black-and-white cookie : OREO
The Oreo is a popular sandwich cookie that is black on one side and white on the other, resembling a black-and-white cookie.
Boy’s name … or how you might describe 17-, 34-, 42- or 59-? : ANDY or AND-Y
The clue suggests that the answer is a boy's name that can also be split into "AND" and "Y." The name "Andy" fits this description as it can be split into "AND" and "Y."
Brunch or lunch : MEAL
The answer "MEAL" fits the clue "Brunch or lunch" because both brunch and lunch are types of meals, making "MEAL" the correct answer.
Classic board game with the Peppermint Forest and Lollipop Lane : CANDY LAND
The answer "CANDY LAND" fits the clue because it is a classic board game that features locations like the Peppermint Forest and Lollipop Lane, making it the correct solution.
Common destination for a field trip : MUSEUM
The answer "MUSEUM" fits the clue "Common destination for a field trip" because museums are often visited by students on educational field trips to learn about art, history, science, and more.
Competitor of Petro-Canada : ESSO
"Competitor of Petro-Canada" is a clue looking for a company that competes with Petro-Canada in the oil and gas industry. ESSO is a well-known brand in the industry and a direct competitor of Petro-Canada, making it the correct answer.
Contacted using a beeper : PAGED
The answer "PAGED" fits the clue because in the past, beepers were commonly used to send short messages or notifications to someone, which is also known as paging.
Contempt : SCORN
The word "scorn" is a suitable answer for the clue "contempt" because it means feeling or showing disdain, disrespect, or contempt towards someone or something.
Cowboy’s rope : LASSO
The answer to "Cowboy's rope" is "LASSO" because a lasso is a type of rope commonly used by cowboys to catch and control livestock.
Created, as yarn or a spider web : SPUN
"Spun" is the right answer because both yarn and spider webs are created by twisting fibers together, which is the process known as spinning.
Defense Against the Dark ___ (“Harry Potter” class) : ARTS
The Defense Against the Dark Arts class in "Harry Potter" teaches students how to defend themselves against dark magic and creatures. Therefore, the correct answer to the clue is "ARTS."
Dessert cocktail with crème de cacao : BRANDY ALEXANDER
Brandy Alexander is a dessert cocktail made with crème de cacao, brandy, and cream. It is a classic cocktail that fits the description provided in the clue.
Dig (out) : GOUGE
"Dig (out)" is a wordplay clue where "Dig" is a synonym for "Gouge" and "out" indicates that the answer is a verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "GOUGE."
Director Kazan who helped popularize Method acting : ELIA
Elia Kazan was a director known for his work in popularizing Method acting in American cinema. Therefore, the answer "ELIA" fits the clue.
Falco of “The Sopranos” : EDIE
The answer "EDIE" is correct because Edie Falco is the actress who portrayed the character Carmela Soprano on the TV show "The Sopranos."
Farmland unit : ACRE
The answer "ACRE" is the right solution to the clue "Farmland unit" because an acre is a common unit of measurement used in agriculture to quantify land area.
Figure (out) : SUSS
The word "suss" is a slang term meaning to figure out or understand something. Therefore, it is the right solution for the clue "Figure (out)".
Food label inits. : RDA
RDA stands for Recommended Dietary Allowance, which is a common term found on food labels to indicate the recommended daily intake of nutrients.
Formal ceremony : RITE
"Formal ceremony" typically refers to a solemn or formal event, which is often called a "rite." It is a common term used to describe a formal religious or traditional ceremony.
Four years, for a president : TERM
The answer "TERM" fits the clue because in the United States, a president serves a four-year term in office before facing re-election.
Free items that come with drinks : STRAWS
The answer "STRAWS" fits the clue because straws are commonly provided for free with drinks at restaurants and cafes.
Funeral vessel : URN
The term "URN" is commonly used to refer to a vessel that holds cremated remains, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Funeral vessel."
Gives stars to, say : RATES
When you "rate" something, you are giving it a score or a number of stars to express your opinion or evaluation of it.
Go until : END AT
The phrase "Go until" indicates reaching a specific point or destination, which can be described as "END AT."
Hybrid Chevys : VOLTS
The answer "VOLTS" fits the clue "Hybrid Chevys" because the Chevrolet Volt is a hybrid electric car model produced by Chevrolet.
Jazz singer’s improvised syllables : SCAT
"SCAT" is the right solution because in jazz music, "scat" refers to a vocal improvisation where the singer uses nonsense syllables and sounds rather than actual lyrics. This fits the clue "Jazz singer’s improvised syllables" perfectly.
Kind of diet inspired by hunters and gatherers : PALEO
The answer is "PALEO" because the Paleo diet is inspired by the diet of ancient hunters and gatherers, focusing on whole foods like lean meats, fruits, and vegetables.
Loosened, as a knot : UNDID
"Undid" means to loosen or untie a knot, making it the correct answer for the clue "Loosened, as a knot."
Magicians’ cries : TADAS
The answer "TADAS" is a play on the word "tada," which magicians often say at the end of a trick to reveal something surprising or impressive. The plural form "TADAS" suggests multiple magicians all saying "tada" at once.
Montana is the only U.S. state with one in Spanish : MOTTO
The word "motto" means "saying" or "phrase" in Spanish, and Montana's state motto is the only one in Spanish among all U.S. states.
Mosque toppers : DOMES
The answer "DOMES" is correct because mosques often have dome-shaped roofs as architectural features.
Move from an acrobat or breakdancer : HANDSTAND
The answer "HANDSTAND" fits because it is a move performed by both acrobats and breakdancers where the performer supports their body upside down with hands on the ground.
NaCl : SALT
The chemical formula for common table salt is NaCl, where Na represents sodium and Cl represents chlorine. So, "NaCl" is a common abbreviation for salt.
Negative conjunction : NOR
"NOR" is a negative conjunction because it is used to express the idea that something is not true and neither is something else. For example, "I don't like coffee nor tea."
Nitpicker : PEDANT
The word "pedant" refers to someone who is overly concerned with minor details and rules, making them a nitpicker.
Noted painter of soup cans : WARHOL
Andy Warhol is a noted painter famous for his iconic works featuring soup cans, making "WARHOL" the correct answer for the clue "Noted painter of soup cans."
Oboe accessories that are often carved by the oboist : REEDS
Reeds are thin strips of material that are inserted into the mouthpiece of an oboe to produce sound when the player blows air through them. Oboists often carve and adjust reeds to suit their preferences and playing styles.
Org. with the Knicks and Clippers : NBA
NBA stands for National Basketball Association, which is the organization that oversees professional basketball teams, including the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Parental authority : SAY-SO Down 1 Arcing tennis shots
The term "say-so" is often used to refer to someone's authority or power to make decisions or give orders. In the context of the clue "parental authority," "say-so" accurately represents the control or influence that parents have over their children.
Poetic tributes : ODES
The answer to "Poetic tributes" is "ODES" because an ode is a type of poem that is typically written to praise or honor someone or something.
Relative of a milkshake : MALT
The answer "MALT" is correct because a malt is a type of milkshake that includes malted milk powder as an ingredient, making it a relative of a milkshake.
Scottish archipelago west of Norway : SHETLAND ISLANDS
The Scottish archipelago west of Norway is the Shetland Islands because they are located to the northeast of Scotland and to the north of the Scottish mainland, making them west of Norway in relation to their position in the North Sea.
Sept. preceder : AUG
The answer "AUG" is correct because September comes after August in the calendar year.
Serpentine swimmers : EELS
Eels are known for their sinuous, serpentine-like movements when swimming, making them a fitting answer to the clue "Serpentine swimmers."
Show up to a gala in a T-shirt, say : UNDERDRESS
"Underdress" is the right solution because it means to dress less formally or less extravagantly than expected for a particular occasion, like showing up to a gala in a T-shirt instead of formal attire.
Smartphone predecessors, in brief : PDAS
"PDA" stands for "personal digital assistant," which were handheld devices used before smartphones for tasks like scheduling, contacts, and note-taking. So, "PDAs" are indeed smartphone predecessors, making it the right answer.
Social worker’s assignment : CASE
The answer "CASE" fits the clue "Social worker's assignment" because social workers often work on individual cases, helping people with their specific problems and situations.
Source of extra sweetness : ADDED SUGAR
The answer "ADDED SUGAR" fits the clue because it refers to sugar that is added to food or drinks to make them sweeter beyond what naturally occurs in the ingredients.
Standout athlete, for short : MVP
The answer "MVP" stands for Most Valuable Player, which is a term commonly used to refer to a standout athlete who is considered the best player in their sport.
Stead : LIEU
"Lieu" is a French word that means "place" or "stead." In English, it is often used as a synonym for "stead" and can be used to indicate a position or place where someone or something is located. Therefore, "Stead" is a suitable clue for the answer "LIEU."
Stereotypical bookworms : NERDS
The answer "NERDS" fits the clue "Stereotypical bookworms" because nerds are often associated with being bookish, intellectual, and studious individuals who enjoy reading and learning.
Strings with the pattern XXX-XX-XXXX, in brief : SSNS
The answer "SSNs" stands for Social Security Numbers, which are strings with the pattern XXX-XX-XXXX. "SSNs" is the abbreviation for Social Security Numbers, making it the right solution for the clue.
Take place : OCCUR
"Take place" is a phrase that means to happen or happen at a particular time or location. The word "OCCUR" is a synonym for happen, making it the right solution for this clue.
Touch or taste : SENSE
SENSE is the right answer because touch and taste are both senses that allow us to perceive the world around us.
What a baby’s bib might protect a onesie from : DROOL
The answer "DROOL" fits the clue because a baby's bib is used to protect a onesie from the drool that comes out of a baby's mouth, especially when they are teething or feeding.
What some people confuse with a monkey : APE
The answer is "APE" because apes are often confused with monkeys due to their similar appearance, but they are actually different types of primates.
What spectacles perch on : NOSE
The answer "NOSE" fits because spectacles are worn on the nose.
What the circle on the Japanese flag represents : SUN
The circle on the Japanese flag represents the sun because the sun has been a symbol of Japan for centuries and is often associated with the country's national identity and culture.
What you might “fill ‘er up” with : GAS
The answer "GAS" fits the clue "What you might 'fill 'er up' with" because when you fill up a car at a gas station, you are typically putting gasoline (gas) into the tank.
Who might help an author get a book deal : AGENT
An agent is a professional who represents an author in negotiations with publishers and helps secure book deals. They have industry connections and expertise to navigate the publishing world on behalf of the author.
Word that would be more grammatical in the title “Lay, Lady, Lay” : LIE
"Lay" is the incorrect verb in the title, as it should be "Lie, Lady, Lie" to be grammatically correct. Therefore, the correct word that would be more grammatical in the title is "LIE."
___ Francisco : SAN
The answer "SAN" is the right solution because "San" is a common prefix in Spanish place names, including "San Francisco."
“Can I take your __?” (server’s question) : ORDER
The answer is "ORDER" because when a server asks "Can I take your __?", they are asking for your food or drink request, which is your order.
“Goodie” on classic radio : OLDIE
This answer fits the clue because on classic radio, old songs are often referred to as "oldies."
“Inside Out” emotion who says “We should lock the door and scream that curse word we know. It’s a good one!” : ANGER
The answer is "ANGER" because Anger is the emotion from the movie "Inside Out" who suggests locking the door and screaming a curse word.
“Oh, uh-huh, sure” : I BET
"I BET" is a common phrase used to express skepticism or disbelief, which fits the tone of the clue "Oh, uh-huh, sure."
“Ready, __, go!” : SET
The phrase "Ready, SET, go!" is a common expression used to start a race or competition, making "SET" the correct answer.
“__ shalt not …” : THOU
The phrase "Thou shalt not" is a common way of starting a commandment in the Bible, making "THOU" the correct answer.
“__ well that ends well!” : ALL’S
The phrase "All's well that ends well" is a well-known saying that means if a situation turns out well in the end, then everything is good. In this case, "ALL'S" is a shortened form of "All is," which fits perfectly in the blank space in the clue.