Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 16 June 2025, Monday (06-16-25). 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.
A 2015 Adele hit that won three Grammys : HELLO
The answer "HELLO" fits the clue because it is a 2015 Adele hit song that won three Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
A Adolescent woe : ACNE
The answer "ACNE" fits the clue "Adolescent woe" because acne is a common skin condition that often affects teenagers during puberty.
A Author Louisa May ___ : ALCOTT
The answer is "ALCOTT" because Louisa May Alcott is a well-known author famous for writing the novel "Little Women."
A Bandit at sea : PIRATE
The term "bandit" is often used to describe a pirate, especially one who operates at sea, making "PIRATE" the correct answer.
A Black Friday or Cyber Monday event : SALE
The answer "SALE" fits the clue because Black Friday and Cyber Monday are both known for having sales where items are discounted and offered at lower prices.
A Cash dispensers : ATMS
The answer "ATMS" fits the clue "A Cash dispensers" because ATMs are automated machines that allow people to withdraw cash from their bank accounts.
A Difficult air to see through : HAZE
The answer "HAZE" fits the clue "A difficult air to see through" because haze is a weather condition that reduces visibility by making the air appear misty or unclear.
A Dog biter : FLEA
"FLEA" is the right answer because fleas are tiny insects that commonly bite dogs and other animals to feed on their blood.
A Finger … or what a finger dials on a phone : DIGIT
The word "digit" can refer to a finger, as well as the numbers 0-9 that are dialed on a phone, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
A Finish : END
The word "end" can mean a finish or conclusion, making it a fitting answer for the clue "A Finish."
A Floor model : DEMO
The answer "DEMO" is short for demonstration, which is often used to refer to a floor model that is on display for customers to try out before purchasing.
A Greek theater : ODEON
"ODEON" is the right answer because an Odeon is a type of ancient Greek or Roman theater, typically used for musical performances.
A Letters before a criminal’s alias : AKA
The letters "A" and "K" come before "A" in the phrase "a criminal's alias," so the answer is "AKA," which stands for "also known as."
A Like cursive handwriting, typically : LOOPY
"Loopy" is the right solution because cursive handwriting often features continuous loops and curves in its letter formations.
A Locale for a person with a green thumb : GARDEN
The answer "GARDEN" fits the clue because a person with a green thumb is someone who is skilled at gardening, and a garden is the place where they would practice and showcase their gardening skills.
A Movie marketed toward a primarily female audience, informally : CHICK FLICK (baby chicken)
The term "chick flick" is informally used to describe a movie marketed primarily toward a female audience. "Chick" is a colloquial term for a baby chicken, hence the wordplay in the answer "CHICK FLICK (baby chicken)."
A Pitchers’ stats : ERAS
The answer "ERAS" stands for Earned Run Averages, which are important statistics for pitchers in baseball. It represents the average number of earned runs a pitcher gives up per nine innings pitched.
A Short stiletto shoe : KITTEN HEEL (baby cat)
The answer "KITTEN HEEL" fits the clue "A Short stiletto shoe" because a kitten heel is a type of low, slender heel on a woman's shoe that is short in height, resembling the playful and dainty nature of a kitten.
A Slanted edges, as on mirrors : BEVELS
The term "bevels" refers to slanted edges, commonly found on mirrors. This word accurately describes the specific feature being referenced in the clue.
A Slugger Sammy : SOSA
The answer "SOSA" fits the clue "A Slugger Sammy" because Sammy Sosa is a former professional baseball player known for his powerful hitting, making him a "slugger" in baseball.
A Small case for needles : ETUI
"ETUI" is the right answer because an etui is a small decorative case used for holding needles, especially in sewing or embroidery.
A Spot that may be affected by a charley horse : CALF MUSCLE (baby cow)
The answer "CALF MUSCLE (baby cow)" fits because a charley horse is a painful muscle spasm, often in the calf muscle, and "calf" can refer to both a baby cow and the muscle in the human leg.
A Squealed, as an informant : SANG
The word "SANG" can mean "squealed" in the context of being an informant, as informants often provide information to authorities.
A Supermarket tabloids, informally : RAGS
The term "rags" is informally used to refer to supermarket tabloids because they are often seen as sensationalist and low-quality publications.
A Swords whose points were once dipped in dye before a duel : EPEES
The answer "EPEES" fits the clue because an epee is a type of sword used in fencing, and in the past, the tips of epees were dipped in dye to mark the points scored during a duel.
A The first word of 18-, 23-, 36-, 49- or 56- is one : BABY
The first word of the five listed clues can be followed by the word "one" to form common phrases or terms: "baby one more time," "baby one more time," "baby one more time," "baby one more time," and "baby one more time."
A Three-player trick-taking game : SKAT
SKAT is a three-player trick-taking game that originated in Germany. It involves bidding, playing, and scoring, making it a popular choice for many card game enthusiasts.
A Vaccine-approving org. : FDA
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is the organization responsible for approving vaccines in the United States, making it the correct answer for "A Vaccine-approving org."
A Voice below soprano : ALTO
"Alto" is a vocal range lower than soprano, making it a voice below soprano in terms of pitch.
A Walkways : PATHS
The word "PATHS" is a synonym for walkways, as it refers to routes or trails that people can walk on to get from one place to another.
A West Point, in brief : USMA
The answer "USMA" stands for United States Military Academy, commonly known as West Point. In brief, "A West Point" refers to the academy, which is abbreviated as USMA.
A What a first crush might be dismissed as : PUPPY LOVE (baby dog)
The term "puppy love" is often used to describe a youthful infatuation or crush, especially one that is seen as trivial or fleeting. This fits the clue "A What a first crush might be dismissed as" because it suggests that a first crush may not be taken seriously, similar to how people might dismiss puppy love as childish or insignificant. Additionally, the answer includes the phrase "baby dog," which is another term for a puppy.
A Yahoo alternative : AOL
"A Yahoo alternative" refers to another popular internet service provider from the past, and AOL was a major competitor to Yahoo in the early days of the internet.
A ___ de Janeiro : RIO
"___ de Janeiro" is a common phrase referring to the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Therefore, the answer "RIO" fits perfectly in the blank.
A ___ gin fizz : SLOE Down 1D “Thar ___ blows!”
The answer to "A ___ gin fizz" is "SLOE" because "sloe gin fizz" is a popular cocktail. The answer to "1D 'Thar ___ blows!'" is "SHE" because the full phrase is "Thar she blows!" which is a traditional exclamation used to announce the sighting of a whale.
A ‘N Sync bandmate of Justin Timberlake : JOEY FATONE (baby kangaroo)
"JOEY FATONE" is the correct answer because he was a member of the boy band 'N Sync along with Justin Timberlake. Additionally, "JOEY" also refers to a baby kangaroo, making it a clever play on words in the crossword clue.
A “Affirmative!” : YES!
The answer "YES!" fits the clue "A 'Affirmative!'" because "YES!" is a common way to express agreement or confirmation.
D Beer barrel : KEG
The answer "KEG" fits the clue "Beer barrel" because a keg is a small barrel typically used to store and serve beer.
D Before, poetically : ERE
"D Before, poetically" is a clue where you need to think of a poetic way to say "before." In poetry and old-fashioned language, "ere" is commonly used to mean "before." So, the answer to the clue "D Before, poetically" is "ERE."
D Bird whose name sounds like a letter of the alphabet : JAY
The bird "JAY" sounds like the letter "J" in the alphabet.
D Boxer who “stung like a bee” : ALI
This is the right answer because the clue mentions a boxer known for his famous quote "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," which is Muhammad Ali's catchphrase.
D Bread purchase : LOAF
The answer "LOAF" fits the clue because a loaf is a common type of bread that can be purchased at a bakery or grocery store.
D Bronze statue in Rockefeller Center : ATLAS
ATLAS is the correct answer because there is a famous bronze statue of the Greek Titan Atlas holding up the celestial heavens located at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
D Colorful shrubs in the genus Rhododendron : AZALEAS
Azaleas are colorful shrubs that belong to the genus Rhododendron, making them a fitting answer to the clue "Colorful shrubs in the genus Rhododendron."
D Disengagement due to a conflict of interest : RECUSAL
"RECUSAL" is the right solution because it means withdrawing from participation in a decision or action due to a conflict of interest, which fits the clue "D Disengagement due to a conflict of interest."
D First channel to offer 24-hour reporting : CNN
CNN is the correct answer because it was the first channel to offer 24-hour reporting, revolutionizing the way news is delivered and consumed on television.
D Groundbreaking invention for ancient farmers? : HOE
The answer "HOE" fits the clue because a hoe is a groundbreaking tool used by ancient farmers to till the soil and prepare it for planting crops.
D Half-___ (coffee order) : CAF
The term "D Half-___" is a common abbreviation for "Decaf," which means decaffeinated coffee. Therefore, the answer "CAF" is the right solution as it is an abbreviation for regular caffeinated coffee.
D High-end German camera brand : LEICA
Leica is a high-end German camera brand known for its precision engineering and quality optics. It is a well-known and respected brand in the world of photography, making it the correct answer to the clue.
D In an irritable mood : TESTY
The word "testy" means being easily irritated or impatient, which fits the clue "D in an irritable mood" as it describes someone who is in a bad mood or easily annoyed.
D Left hanging between two stages : IN LIMBO
The phrase "left hanging between two stages" suggests a state of uncertainty or being in a transitional period. "In limbo" means exactly that - in a state of uncertainty or unresolved situation, making it the right solution for the clue.
D Like most first-year college students : TEENAGE
The answer "TEENAGE" fits the clue because most first-year college students are typically in their teenage years.
D Longtime sketch comedy show, in brief : SNL
"SNL" stands for "Saturday Night Live," a long-running sketch comedy show. The clue specifies "in brief," indicating that we need an abbreviation, which "SNL" fits perfectly.
D Lower one’s estimation of : DEVALUE
"Lower one's estimation of" is a clue indicating that something is losing value or worth. "Devalue" means to reduce the value or worth of something, making it the right solution for this clue.
D Lucifer : SATAN
The answer "SATAN" fits the clue "D Lucifer" because Lucifer is another name for Satan, who is often associated with darkness and evil.
D No-longer-cool way to say “cool” : HEP
"Hep" is an old-fashioned slang term that used to mean "cool." It fits the clue because it is a no-longer-cool way to say "cool."
D Not working, as a police officer : OFF DUTY
The answer "OFF DUTY" fits the clue because when a police officer is not working, they are considered to be off duty.
D Outset : GET-GO
The phrase "get-go" is a colloquial term meaning the very beginning or starting point. It is often used in expressions like "from the get-go" to indicate the start of something.
D Pack (down) : TAMP
"TAMP" means to pack down firmly. In this case, "D Pack" is a hint to abbreviate "down" to "D" and then combine it with "Pack" to get the answer "TAMP."
D Parking place : LOT
The answer "LOT" is the right solution because a "D Parking place" is typically a large area where cars can be parked, which is commonly referred to as a parking lot.
D Praiseful poem : ODE
"ODE" is the right answer because an ode is a type of poem that is usually lyrical and expressive in praising or glorifying a person, event, or thing.
D Put together, as a scrapbook : COMPILE
The word "compile" means to put together or assemble, which fits the clue "Put together, as a scrapbook" perfectly. In this case, compiling a scrapbook involves gathering and organizing various items like photos, mementos, and notes to create a cohesive collection.
D Rapper ___ Nas X : LIL
The answer "LIL" fits because it is a common prefix used by many rappers, including Lil Nas X.
D Revolutionary Guevara : CHE
The answer "CHE" is the right solution because "D" is an abbreviation for "Doctor" and "Revolutionary Guevara" refers to the famous revolutionary Che Guevara. Therefore, the answer is "CHE."
D Setting for “Make Way for Ducklings” : POND
The setting for the book "Make Way for Ducklings" is a pond in Boston's Public Garden where the duck family lives.
D Sing-along activity at a bar : KARAOKE
The answer "KARAOKE" fits the clue because it is a popular activity at bars where people can sing along to instrumental music tracks of popular songs.
D Skilled : ADEPT
The word "adept" means skilled or proficient in a particular area, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Skilled."
D Some bygone theaters : RKOS
The answer "RKOS" fits the clue "Some bygone theaters" because RKO was a famous American film production and distribution company that owned theaters in the past. The abbreviation "RKOs" refers to multiple theaters owned by RKO.
D Sticky stuff : ADHESIVE
The answer "ADHESIVE" fits the clue "Sticky stuff" because adhesive is a substance that sticks things together.
D Styled after : A LA
"A LA" is a French phrase that means "in the style of" or "according to." In this context, "styled after" is a clue that suggests something is done in a similar manner to another, making "A LA" the fitting answer.
D Things left after tearing checks out of checkbooks : STUBS
The answer "STUBS" fits because stubs are the small remaining parts of a checkbook after tearing out checks.
D Treat on a stick that you lick : POPSICLE
This is the right solution because a popsicle is a frozen treat on a stick that you lick to enjoy.
D Yiddish laments : OYS
"OYS" is a common Yiddish interjection used to express dismay or grief, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Yiddish laments."
D ___ buddy : BOSOM
The answer "BOSOM" fits the clue "D ___ buddy" because a "bosom buddy" is a close and intimate friend. The word "bosom" is often used to describe something close and intimate, making it a fitting answer for the clue.
D ___ Stadium, former D.C. sports venue : RFK
RFK Stadium is a former sports venue in Washington D.C. It is commonly referred to as RFK, which stands for Robert F. Kennedy, a U.S. Senator and former Attorney General. So, "D ___ Stadium" would be correctly filled with "RFK".
D “Affirmative!” at sea : AYE!
The answer "AYE!" is a nautical term meaning "yes" or "affirmative," commonly used at sea.