Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 12 July 2023, Wednesday (07-12-23). 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.
"Big Little Lies" actress Nicole : KIDMAN
The answer is "KIDMAN" because Nicole Kidman is the actress who starred in the TV series "Big Little Lies."
"Come ___!" : ONIN
The answer "ONIN" fits the clue "Come ___!" because it is a common phrase used to invite someone to enter or join.
"Er … I suppose that works" : UHOKAY
The answer "UHOKAY" is the right solution because it is a colloquial expression that combines "uh" and "okay" to convey a hesitant agreement or acceptance. It fits the clue "Er ... I suppose that works" as it captures the uncertain and somewhat reluctant response to a suggestion or proposal.
"Nope," "I'm innocent" and "Huh-uh" : DENIALS
The answer is "DENIALS" because the clue is asking for different ways of saying "no" or refusing something. "Nope," "I'm innocent," and "Huh-uh" are all examples of denials.
"Queen of Drag" with 12 Emmys : RUPAUL
The answer is "RUPAUL" because RuPaul is a famous drag queen who has won 12 Emmys.
"Yippee for us!" [4th of 7] : WEDIDIT
The phrase "Yippee for us!" expresses excitement and accomplishment. The answer "WEDIDIT" is a common phrase used to celebrate completing a task or achieving a goal. It fits perfectly with the given clue and has the right number of letters.
*shrug* : MEH
The answer to "[Shrug]" is "IDUNNO" because "IDUNNO" is a shortened version of "I don't know", which is a common response to a question or statement that one is unsure about.
About 10%-15% of Muslims, globally : SHIA
The answer "SHIA" is the right solution because Shia Muslims make up about 10%-15% of the global Muslim population.
About 85%-90% of Muslims, globally [1st of 7] : SUNNI
The answer is "SUNNI" because Sunni Muslims make up about 85%-90% of the Muslim population worldwide.
Actor Idris of "The Wire" : ELBA
The answer to "Actor Idris of "The Wire"" is "ELBA" because Idris Elba is the actor who portrayed the character Stringer Bell in the TV series "The Wire."
Application info, often : SSN
The abbreviation "SSN" stands for Social Security Number. It is commonly required on various applications, such as job applications or loan applications, to authenticate and verify an individual's identity. Therefore, "SSN" is the right answer for "Application info, often."
Archaeologist's find : URN
The answer to "Archaeologist's find" is "URN" because urns are often discovered by archaeologists during excavations. Urns are ancient vessels used for storing ashes or burial purposes, making them a common find in archaeological digs.
Bother and bother : NAG
The word "NAG" fits the clue because it is a verb that means to bother or annoy persistently.
Brings home : EARNS
The word "earns" fits the clue "brings home" because it means to receive money or income for work or services rendered. It is a common phrase used to describe the act of bringing in money through one's efforts.
Buckeye : OHIOAN
The term "Buckeye" is commonly used to refer to someone from the state of Ohio. Therefore, the correct answer is "OHIOAN."
Come from behind : RALLY
The word "rally" means to make a comeback or to come from behind, which is exactly what the clue is asking for.
Conjecture's lack : PROOF
The answer to "Conjecture's lack" is "PROOF" because proof is evidence or a logical demonstration that confirms the truth of a conjecture or hypothesis. It provides certainty and removes any doubt.
Cousin of a tres leches cake : FLAN
The answer is "FLAN" because it is a popular dessert that is similar to a tres leches cake. Both desserts are made with milk and eggs, but flan has a caramelized sugar topping while tres leches cake is soaked in three different types of milk.
Deflect, as an insult or a sword : PARRY
The word "parry" means to deflect or block, whether it's an insult or a sword. It is commonly used in fencing to describe the act of deflecting an opponent's attack.
Digital confrontations? [5th of 7] : THUMBWARS
The answer "THUMBWARS" is the right solution because it combines the word "digital" (referring to fingers or thumbs) with "confrontations" to create a playful term for battles or competitions involving thumb movements.
End result : UPSHOT
The answer "UPSHOT" is the right solution because it means the final outcome or conclusion of something. It fits the clue "End result" perfectly.
English suffix equivalent to Spanish's -ando and -iendo : ING
The answer "ING" is the right solution because it is the English suffix that is equivalent to the Spanish suffixes "-ando" and "-iendo." It is used to form the present participle of verbs in English, indicating an ongoing action.
Flutter, as eyelashes : BAT
The word "bat" can be used as a verb to mean fluttering, as in the action of batting one's eyelashes.
French for "You are beautiful!" [3rd of 7] : TUESBELLE
Frosts : ICES
The word "ices" is the right solution because it is a verb that means to cover or coat something with ice. In the context of the clue "Frosts," it is a synonym for freezing or covering with a layer of ice.
Give sustenance : NOURISH
The word "NOURISH" is the right solution because it means to provide sustenance or nourishment to someone or something. It fits perfectly with the clue "Give sustenance" as it directly implies the action of providing nourishment.
Go here and there : ROAM
The answer "ROAM" fits the clue "Go here and there" because it means to move around without a specific destination or purpose.
Goal of a bedtime story reading : SLEEP
The goal of reading a bedtime story is to help someone fall asleep. Therefore, the answer "SLEEP" is the right solution.
Government program heads, informally : CZARS
The term "CZARS" is often used informally to refer to heads of government programs.
Heaven knows where, for short : MIA
The answer "MIA" is the right solution because it stands for "Missing in Action," which is a term often used to describe someone who cannot be located or whose whereabouts are unknown. In the context of the clue, "Heaven knows where" implies that the location is uncertain or unknown, making "MIA" an appropriate abbreviation to represent that idea.
Holiday quaff : NOG
The answer "NOG" is the right solution because it is a popular holiday drink made with eggs, milk, and spices.
Hollywood's Ricardo or Paolo [2nd of 7] : MONTALBAN
The answer "MONTALBAN" is the right solution because both Ricardo Montalban and Paolo Montalban are actors in Hollywood. The clue indicates that the answer is the second name out of seven letters.
In that case : IFSO
The phrase "if so" is often used to introduce a consequence or conclusion based on a previous statement. It is a common way to indicate that the following statement is a result of or related to the preceding statement. Therefore, "if so" is an appropriate answer to the clue "In that case...".
Jacqueline du Pré's instrument : CELLO
The answer to "Jacqueline du Pré's instrument" is "CELLO" because Jacqueline du Pré was a renowned cellist, and the cello is the instrument she played.
Like a snow globe scene : WINTRY
The answer "WINTRY" is the right solution because it describes the characteristic of a snow globe scene. It is a simple and concise way to convey the cold and wintery atmosphere often depicted in snow globes.
Like some drills and vacuums : HANDHELD
The answer "HANDHELD" is the right solution because it describes drills and vacuums that can be held and operated with one hand.
Load of information all at once : DATADUMP
The answer "DATADUMP" is the right solution because it accurately describes a large amount of information being transferred or presented all at once.
Looked up to : ADMIRED
The word "admired" fits the clue "looked up to" because when we admire someone, we hold them in high regard and respect them.
Lunar New Year : TET
The answer to "Lunar New Year" is "TET" because TET is the Vietnamese term for the Lunar New Year celebration.
Major ordeals : SAGAS
The answer "SAGAS" fits the clue "Major ordeals" because sagas refer to long, epic stories or tales that often involve challenging and difficult experiences.
Modern vaccine base : RNA
The answer is "RNA" because many modern vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccines, are based on the use of RNA to trigger an immune response in the body. RNA is a molecule that carries genetic information and can be used to instruct cells to produce specific proteins, which in turn stimulate an immune response.
Mortar's partner in food prep and chemistry : PESTLE
The answer is "PESTLE" because it is the tool that is used in conjunction with a mortar for grinding and crushing ingredients in both food preparation and chemistry.
Natural hairstyle : AFRO
The answer to "Natural hairstyle" is "AFRO" because an afro is a hairstyle that is naturally curly and voluminous, commonly associated with African-American hair.
One of Robin Hood's Merry Men [6th of 7] : FRIARTUCK
The answer "FRIARTUCK" is the right solution because Friar Tuck is one of Robin Hood's Merry Men.
One with horns [7th of 7] : SATAN Down
The answer "SATAN" fits the clue "One with horns" because in various mythologies and religious beliefs, Satan is often depicted as having horns. The clue also mentions that it is the "7th of 7" in a Down direction, indicating that "SATAN" is the seventh letter of a seven-letter word going downwards in the crossword grid.
Oodles : TONS
"Heaps" is a synonym for "oodles," meaning a large amount or quantity.
Oom-pah-pah boomers : TUBAS
The answer is "TUBAS" because "Oom-pah-pah" is a rhythmic sound associated with the tuba, and "boomers" refers to the deep booming sound produced by tubas.
People for whom two states are named : DAKOTA
The answer to "People for whom two states are named" is "DAKOTA" because both North Dakota and South Dakota are named after the Dakota people, who are Native American tribes that historically inhabited the region.
Place for garage sale receipts : CASHBOX
The answer "CASHBOX" is the right solution because it is a common item used to store and organize money, including receipts from garage sales.
Place to unplug : SPA
The answer to "Place to unplug" is "SPA" because a spa is a location where people go to relax, unwind, and disconnect from the outside world. It is a place where individuals can detach from their daily routines and take a break from technology, allowing them to "unplug" both physically and mentally.
Punk subculture : EMO
The answer to "Punk subculture" is "EMO" because EMO is a subculture that emerged from punk rock in the 1980s and is characterized by emotional and introspective lyrics, fashion, and attitudes.
Requests kibble, say : MEOWS
The clue "Requests kibble, say" is a hint that we are looking for a word related to requesting food. In this case, "MEOWS" is the right answer because it represents the sound a cat makes when it wants to be fed.
Ricochet : CAROM
The answer to "Ricochet" is "CAROM" because it is a term used in billiards and pool to describe the rebound of a ball off a cushion or another ball.
Rocky Mountain National Park sight : ELK
The answer to "Rocky Mountain National Park sight" is "ELK" because elk are commonly found in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Scary roller coaster twists : HELIXES
The answer "HELIXES" is the right solution because "helixes" refers to the twists and turns that are commonly found in scary roller coasters.
Sch. in Troy, N.Y. : RPI
The answer "RPI" is the right solution because it is the abbreviation for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which is a school located in Troy, New York.
Scottish cattle breed : ANGUS
The Scottish cattle breed that is commonly associated with Scotland is Angus. It is a well-known breed that originated in Scotland and is known for its black color and high-quality meat.
Setting for a "Rubber Duckie" singalong : TUB
The answer is "TUB" because a "Rubber Duckie" singalong typically takes place in a bathtub, where one might play with a rubber duck.
Some December lawn decorations : SLEIGHS
The answer "SLEIGHS" is the right solution because sleighs are often used as lawn decorations during the month of December, especially during the holiday season. They are commonly associated with winter and are a festive symbol of the Christmas season.
Spiky fruits with a noxious odor : DURIANS
The answer to "Spiky fruits with a noxious odor" is "DURIANS" because durians are known for their spiky exterior and their distinctive and pungent smell.
Stick for a 15-Across player : BOW
The answer "BOW" is the right solution because a bow is the stick used by a violin player, who is often referred to as a 15-Across player.
Structure historically found by a river : MILL
The answer "MILL" is the right solution because historically, mills were commonly built near rivers. Rivers provided a source of power for operating the mill machinery, such as grinding grains or sawing wood.
Subject of the 2008 documentary "The Black Candle" : KWANZAA
The answer is "KWANZAA" because "The Black Candle" is a documentary that explores the history and significance of Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of African-American culture.
Suffer the consequences : PAY
The word "pay" is a suitable answer because it means to give something in return for something received, often in the form of money. In the context of the clue "Suffer the consequences," it implies that one must face the negative outcomes or repercussions of their actions. Therefore, "pay" is an appropriate fit.
Surveillance org. : CIA
The answer to "Surveillance org." is "CIA" because the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is known for its role in gathering intelligence and conducting surveillance activities.
Symbols of wisdom : OWLS
The answer to "Symbols of wisdom" is "OWLS" because owls have long been associated with wisdom and knowledge in various cultures and folklore.
This, that or whichever : ANY
The word "any" is a pronoun that is used to refer to one or more unspecified things or people. It can be used to represent "this, that, or whichever" option, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Tie : DRAW
The answer to "Tie" is "DRAW" because in many sports or games, when the scores of two teams or players are equal, the result is called a draw.
Warm-blooded sort : MAMMAL
The answer "MAMMAL" is the right solution because mammals are warm-blooded creatures. They regulate their body temperature internally, which distinguishes them from cold-blooded animals like reptiles and amphibians.
What Ctrl+T might open : TAB
The answer "TAB" is correct because when you press Ctrl+T on a computer, it typically opens a new tab in a web browser.
Winning blackjack combo : ACETEN
The answer "ACETEN" is the right solution because in blackjack, an Ace and a Ten together make up a winning combination called a blackjack.
Word in a traditional New Year's Eve song : AULD
The word "AULD" is the right solution because it is a common word used in the traditional New Year's Eve song called "Auld Lang Syne."
Word with fine or folk : ART
The word "ART" is the right solution because it can be combined with the words "fine" and "folk" to form common phrases: "fine art" and "folk art."
___ Bedingfield, 2000s pop star with the hits "Unwritten" and "Pocketful of Sunshine" : NATASHA
The answer is "NATASHA" because it is the first name of the 2000s pop star Bedingfield, who is known for hits like "Unwritten" and "Pocketful of Sunshine".