Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 17 August 2023, Thursday (08-17-23). 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.
"Be for real!" : CMON
The answer "CMON" is short for "Come on," which is a common expression used to urge someone to be more realistic or genuine. Therefore, "CMON" is the right solution for the clue ""Be for real!""
"Can I help you with something?" : YES
The answer to ""Can I help you with something?"" is "YES" because it is a direct and straightforward response indicating willingness to assist.
"High" number? : FIVE
The word "high" in the clue is a hint to think about numbers that are elevated or above average. In this case, the answer "FIVE" fits because it is a relatively high number when compared to lower numbers like one or two.
"Huh!" : ODD
The answer "ODD" is the right solution because "Huh!" is an expression of surprise or confusion, and "ODD" is a word that can mean strange or unusual, which matches the sentiment of the clue.
"I'll give ___ read" : ITA
The phrase "I'll give it a read" is a common expression meaning that someone will take the time to read something. In this case, "it" is replaced by the abbreviation "ITA" to fit the crossword grid.
"Later!" : TATA
The answer "TATA" is the right solution for the clue "Later!" because it is a colloquial way of saying goodbye.
"This Is Us" co-star Moore : MANDY
The answer to "This Is Us" co-star Moore is "MANDY" because Mandy Moore is a well-known actress who stars in the TV show "This Is Us."
"What ___?" : THEN
The phrase "What else?" is a common way to ask for additional information or options, making "ELSE" a fitting answer to the clue.
( and ) : ARCS
157.5 degrees from N : SSE
The answer "SSE" stands for "south-southeast" which is a direction that is 157.5 degrees clockwise from north.
App store customer : USER
The answer "USER" is the right solution because an "App store customer" is someone who uses or interacts with the apps in the app store.
Arizona city : MESA
The answer to "Arizona city" is "MESA" because Mesa is a city located in the state of Arizona.
Bake-offs have them : OVENS
The answer "OVENS" is the right solution because bake-offs typically involve baking or cooking, and ovens are the essential appliances used for baking and cooking.
Baked rigatoni alla Norma, and others? : BRANDISHES
Baking ingredient used multiple times in this puzzle? : SHORTENING
The answer "SHORTENING" is the right solution because it is a common baking ingredient that is used multiple times in the puzzle. It fits the clue perfectly and is a word that is often associated with baking.
Bistate metro area : Abbr.
The answer to "Bistate metro area" is "Abbr." because "Abbr." is an abbreviation for "abbreviation," and the clue is indicating that the answer is an abbreviation.
Boots, water bottle, backpack, etc. : GEAR
The word "gear" is commonly used to refer to equipment or supplies needed for a specific activity or purpose. In this case, boots, water bottle, backpack, and other items are all examples of gear that someone might need for outdoor activities like hiking or camping. Therefore, "gear" is the correct answer to the clue.
Bud : AMIGO
"Bud" is a slang term for a close friend, and "pal" is a synonym for friend. Therefore, "pal" is the right solution for the clue "Bud."
Chicken and rice, and others? : CARFARE
Chill : EASYGOING
The answer "EASYGOING" is the right solution for the clue "Chill" because it means relaxed and laid-back, which is a synonym for being calm and not easily stressed.
Chuffed : GLAD
The word "chuffed" means pleased or delighted. The word "glad" also means pleased or delighted, making it a suitable answer for the clue.
Clean up, in a way : EDIT
The answer "EDIT" fits the clue "Clean up, in a way" because when we edit something, we typically make changes to improve or correct it, which can be seen as a form of cleaning up.
Coq au vin, and others? : CAVEATS
The answer "CAVEATS" is the right solution because "Coq au vin" is a French dish, and "others" implies that there are similar dishes from different cuisines. "CAVEATS" is a word that means warnings or conditions, which can be seen as similar to different cuisines having their own unique variations or conditions for preparing similar dishes.
Costa ___ : RICAN
The phrase "Costa ___" is a common crossword clue for the answer "RICA" because "Rica" means "rich" in Spanish, and Costa Rica translates to "Rich Coast" in English.
Covered with bryophytes : MOSSY
The word "mossy" is the right answer because bryophytes refer to a group of plants that includes mosses. Therefore, if something is covered with bryophytes, it can be described as "mossy."
Cuba, por ejemplo : ISLA
The answer "ISLA" is the right solution because "Cuba, por ejemplo" translates to "Cuba, for example" in English. Since Cuba is an island, the word "ISLA," which means "island" in Spanish, fits perfectly as the answer.
Cup of noodles, and others? : CONCOURSES
Department of labor? : OBGYN Down
Dorm leaders, in brief : RAS
The answer "RAS" stands for "Resident Assistants", which are dorm leaders in brief.
Election night list : RACES
The answer "RACES" is the right solution because on election night, the list refers to the different political contests or races that are being held, such as the presidential race or local races for various positions.
Family-friendly rating : TVG
The answer "TVG" stands for "TV General" and it is a family-friendly rating used in the television industry. It indicates that the content is suitable for all ages, making it the right solution for the clue "Family-friendly rating."
First woman in the National Baseball Hall of Fame : EFFAMANLEY
Game played on the road : ISPY
The answer "ISPY" is the right solution because it is a popular game that can be played while traveling on the road. Players take turns spotting objects or people and then give clues to others to guess what they have seen.
Gatekeeping sort : SNOB
The answer "SNOB" fits the clue "Gatekeeping sort" because a snob is someone who looks down on others and acts superior, often excluding those they deem unworthy. In this context, a gatekeeping sort refers to someone who sets themselves up as a judge or arbiter of who is allowed into a particular group or activity.
Goat group : HERD
The correct answer is "HERD" because it is a term used to describe a group of goats.
Grub, e.g. : LARVA
The answer "LARVA" is the right solution because a grub is a type of larva.
Head of une école? : TETE
The answer "TETE" is the right solution because "TETE" is the French word for "head." In the clue, "Head of une école?" is a wordplay where "école" is a French word for "school," and "TETE" is the first letter or "head" of the word "école."
Inanimate object with a tongue : SHOE
The answer to "Inanimate object with a tongue" is "SHOE" because some shoes have a tongue, which is the flap of fabric or leather that covers the top part of the foot when the shoe is laced up.
Inanimate objects with heads and feet : BEDS
The answer "BEDS" is the right solution because beds are inanimate objects that have a headboard (head) and legs (feet).
Is ill with : HAS
The answer "HAS" is the right solution because it means "possesses" or "experiences." In this context, "is ill with" implies that someone possesses or experiences an illness.
Its atomic number is this clue's number divided by three : ARGON
The atomic number of Argon is 18, and when divided by three, it equals 6. Therefore, Argon is the correct answer to the clue.
Knock 'em dead : SLAY
The answer "SLAY" is the right solution for the clue "Knock 'em dead" because "slay" is a colloquial term that means to impress or amaze someone. It fits the clue perfectly as it suggests leaving a strong and lasting impression.
Locale for a shopping cart : AISLE
Longtime show for Robin Roberts, for short : GMA
The answer "GMA" stands for "Good Morning America," which is a long-running show where Robin Roberts has been a host for a long time.
Make out sloppily in the library? : MISREAD
The answer "MISREAD" is a play on words. In the context of the clue, "make out" refers to kissing or engaging in a sloppy romantic encounter. However, in the library setting, "make out" can also mean to decipher or understand something. So, "MISREAD" fits perfectly as it means to interpret or understand something incorrectly, which can happen if you are distracted by a romantic encounter in the library.
Many a retirement residence : CONDO
The answer "CONDO" is the right solution because many retirees choose to live in condominiums as their retirement residence. Condos offer a low-maintenance lifestyle and often come with amenities that cater to the needs of retirees.
Minuscule : TINY
The word "minuscule" means extremely small or tiny. Therefore, "TINY" is the right answer because it perfectly captures the meaning of "minuscule."
Modern initialism for Black dialect : AAVE
The answer "AAVE" stands for African American Vernacular English, which is a modern initialism for Black dialect. It is commonly used to refer to the distinctive speech patterns and vocabulary associated with African American communities in the United States.
New Edition's debut single ("You look so sweet, you're a special treat") : CANDYGIRL
The answer is "CANDYGIRL" because it is the debut single by the music group New Edition, and the clue provides a lyric from the song that matches the answer.
Not liking anymore : OVER
The answer "OVER" is the right solution because it means to no longer like or be interested in something.
Paradigm movement : SHIFT
The word "shift" refers to a change or movement from one position or state to another. In the context of a paradigm, which is a set of beliefs or assumptions, a "paradigm shift" refers to a significant change in the way people think or perceive things. Therefore, "shift" is the right answer to the clue "Paradigm movement."
Part of the Hollywood monogram J.E.J. : EARL
The answer "EARL" is the right solution because the initials "J.E.J." refer to the American actor James Earl Jones, who is known for his iconic voice and roles in Hollywood. Therefore, "EARL" is the part of his monogram represented by the initials.
Participant in a "key to the city" ceremony : MAYOR
The answer "MAYOR" is the right solution because a mayor is typically the official who receives the "key to the city" in a ceremony.
Porcine "palace" : STY
The answer to "Porcine palace" is "STY" because a "sty" is a small enclosure where pigs are kept.
Prefix with liberal : NEO
The prefix "neo-" means new or modern. When combined with the word "liberal," it forms the word "neo-liberal," which refers to a modern or updated version of liberal ideology. Therefore, "NEO" is the correct answer.
Question suggested by a door knock : CANICOMEIN
The answer "CANICOMEIN" is the right solution because when someone knocks on a door, they often ask "Can I come in?" as a question.
Rebuff in Rostov : NYET
The answer "NYET" is the right solution because "NYET" is the Russian word for "no," which is a common way to rebuff or refuse something.
Response to "Don't forget!" : IWONT
The answer "IWONT" is the right solution because it is a possible response to the phrase "Don't forget!" It implies a refusal or unwillingness to comply with the request.
Row for a musical group : MICS
The answer "MICS" is short for "microphones," which are essential for a musical group to amplify their voices or instruments during a performance.
Sargasso Sea spawners : EELS
The Sargasso Sea is known for being a spawning ground for eels. Therefore, "EELS" is the right answer for "Sargasso Sea spawners".
Shrimp egg rolls, and others? : SERRATIONS
Some tape players : VCRS
The answer to "Some tape players" is "VCRS" because VCRs, or Video Cassette Recorders, were popular devices that played tapes, specifically VHS tapes.
Something highly sought after : GRAIL
The answer "GRAIL" is the right solution because the Holy Grail is often depicted as something highly sought after in legends and literature.
Something to clean up : MESS
The answer to "Something to clean up" is "MESS" because a mess refers to a state of disorder or untidiness that needs to be cleaned or tidied up.
STEM part : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." is the right solution because "STEM" is an abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Therefore, "Abbr." indicates that the answer is an abbreviation.
Sweat it : FRET
The answer to "Sweat it" is "FRET" because "sweating it" means to worry or be anxious about something, and "fret" is a synonym for worry or be anxious.
Take a Covid precaution : TEST
The answer "TEST" is the right solution because taking a Covid precaution often involves getting tested to check for the presence of the virus.
Tapped in, so to speak : AWARE
The answer "AWARE" is the right solution because being "tapped in" means being knowledgeable or informed about something. So, "AWARE" fits perfectly as it means having knowledge or being conscious of something.
Team sharing a home arena with the Liberty : NETS
The answer is "NETS" because the Brooklyn Nets share the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York with the New York Liberty, who are a professional women's basketball team.
Things with coils that can be dangerous : PYTHONS
The answer "PYTHONS" is the right solution because pythons are snakes that have coils, and they can be dangerous.
Very self-interested : VAIN
The word "vain" means being excessively concerned with one's appearance or achievements. Someone who is very self-interested is often preoccupied with themselves and their own desires, making "vain" a suitable answer for the clue.
Watering hole, maybe : DIVE
The answer "DIVE" fits the clue "Watering hole, maybe" because a dive is a slang term for a small, often seedy, bar or pub. It is commonly associated with a place where people gather to drink and socialize.
Word after Bernese or Tyrolean : ALPS
The answer is "ALPS" because both Bernese and Tyrolean are regions located in the Alps mountain range.
Wow, that's upside down! : MOM
The word "MOM" is a palindrome, which means it reads the same forwards and backwards. When we flip the word "MOM" upside down, it still looks the same. That's why it is the right solution for the clue "Wow, that's upside down!"
___ Style gel : ECO
The answer to "___ Style gel" is "ECO" because "ECO" is a brand of gel that is commonly used for hairstyling.