Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 21 September 2024, Saturday (09-21-24). 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.
A whole bunch of people in a row : MELEE
Actor Malek : RAMI
The clue is asking for the name of an actor and the answer is "Malek". The actor referred to in the clue is Rami Malek, so the answer is "RAMI".
Appealing outcome, perhaps : RETRIAL
The answer "RETRIAL" fits the clue "Appealing outcome, perhaps" because in a legal context, a retrial is a possible outcome if the original trial's result is challenged or appealed.
Belongs : FITS IN
The answer "FITS IN" works for "Belongs" because when something fits in, it is suitable or appropriate for a particular place or situation, indicating that it belongs there.
Box office? : CUBICLE
The answer "CUBICLE" fits the clue "Box office?" because a cubicle is a small partitioned-off area in an office, which is a play on words with "box office" referring to where tickets are sold in a theater or cinema.
Business with the stock symbol WOOF : PETCO
The stock symbol "WOOF" belongs to the company Petco, a major pet retailer.
Classic party game : TELEPHONE
Commercial ending : -ESE
The answer to "Commercial ending" being "-ESE" is because many commercials end with this suffix to indicate the origin or style of the product being advertised, such as Japanese or Chinese.
Country name that’s also the Portuguese word for “turkey” : PERU
The country name "PERU" is also the Portuguese word for "turkey," making it the correct answer to the clue.
Country with “kreyòl” as an official language : HAITI
"Haiti" is the right answer because "kreyòl" is a recognized official language of Haiti.
Custardy French dessert : POT DE CREME
"POT DE CREME" is a custardy French dessert that is typically served in small pots or cups. The clue "Custardy French dessert" is a direct description of this specific dessert, making "POT DE CREME" the correct answer.
Difficult figure-skating jump : QUAD
The answer "QUAD" is the right solution because a quadruple jump, or quad, is a difficult figure-skating jump involving four revolutions in the air.
Fills : SATES
"SATES" means to satisfy fully. In the context of the clue "Fills," "SATES" fits as it means to fill or satisfy completely.
Florida city where the “The Greatest Show on Earth” was once headquartered : SARASOTA
Sarasota is the correct answer because it is a city in Florida where the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, known as "The Greatest Show on Earth," was once headquartered.
Food often served with wet wipes : RIBS
Ribs are often messy to eat with your hands, so wet wipes are commonly provided to clean up afterward.
Go quickly (past) : SAIL
The word "sail" can mean to move swiftly or smoothly, which fits the clue "Go quickly (past)".
Golfer Thompson who qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at age 12 : LEXI
Lexi Thompson is a professional golfer who gained fame for qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open at the young age of 12. Therefore, "Golfer Thompson who qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at age 12" refers to Lexi Thompson.
Half a South American capital name : BUENOS
The clue is asking for half of a South American capital name, and "Buenos" is the first half of the capital name "Buenos Aires" in Argentina.
Health class topic, for short : STDS
The answer "STDS" is the right solution because it is a common abbreviation for sexually transmitted diseases, which are often discussed in health classes.
How a truck may descend a hill : IN LOW
The answer "IN LOW" refers to a truck descending a hill in a lower gear to control speed and braking. This term is commonly used in driving to describe the gear setting for descending steep slopes safely.
Inn range? : STAY
The clue "Inn range?" is a play on words, suggesting a range of accommodations found at an inn. The answer "STAY" fits this clue as it is a common activity associated with inns - people stay at inns for lodging.
Instruments with movable frets : SITARS
The answer "SITARS" fits the clue because sitars are stringed musical instruments from India that have movable frets, allowing for different pitches to be played.
It is said : UTTERANCE
The answer "UTTERANCE" fits the clue "It is said" because an utterance refers to something that is spoken or expressed verbally, which aligns with the idea of something being said.
Jamaican folk song about overnight labor : DAY-O
The Jamaican folk song being referred to in the clue is "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" by Harry Belafonte. The song is about dock workers loading bananas onto ships overnight, hence the reference to overnight labor. Therefore, the answer "DAY-O" fits the clue.
Key of Beethoven’s Sixth : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." indicates that the key of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony is abbreviated. In this case, the key is F (for "F major"), which is commonly abbreviated as "Ab."
Like next-gen devices : HI-TECH
The answer "HI-TECH" fits the clue "Like next-gen devices" because next-gen devices are typically advanced and incorporate high technology, making them hi-tech.
Lover : AFICIONADO
"AFICIONADO" is the right solution for "Lover" because an aficionado is a person who is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about a particular subject or activity, showing a deep love and passion for it.
Major League Soccer team with pink home jerseys : INTER MIAMI
"Inter Miami" is the Major League Soccer team with pink home jerseys. The team's official colors are black, pink, and white, and they are known for their distinctive pink jerseys.
Miles ___, Spider-Man’s alter ego in the “Spider-Verse” movies : MORALES
The answer is "MORALES" because Miles Morales is the name of the character who becomes Spider-Man in the "Spider-Verse" movies.
Namesake of the channel separating Madagascar from the African mainland : MOZAMBIQUE
The channel separating Madagascar from the African mainland is called the Mozambique Channel, making "MOZAMBIQUE" the correct answer.
Newspaper section : ARTS
The "Arts" section is a common section found in many newspapers that covers topics such as music, theater, movies, and other forms of artistic expression.
Nickname for Alexander, in Slavic cultures : SACHA
"SACHA" is the right solution because it is a common Slavic nickname for Alexander, derived from the name's Russian form, "Aleksandr."
Osiris or Isis, e.g. : TWIN
"TWIN" is the right solution because Osiris and Isis are Egyptian mythology figures who are commonly referred to as twin siblings.
Part of a pod : ORCA
The answer "ORCA" is the right solution because orcas are also known as killer whales, which travel in pods.
Poor resolution, say : ANTICLIMAX
The phrase "Poor resolution, say" suggests a disappointing or underwhelming outcome. "Anticlimax" is a term that specifically describes a disappointing end to a series of events, making it the right solution to the clue.
Put on an unconvincing accent or laugh way too hard, perhaps : HAM IT UP
The phrase "ham it up" means to exaggerate or overact in a theatrical manner, which fits the description of putting on an unconvincing accent or laughing too hard.
Releaser of electrons : ANODE
The "anode" is the positively charged electrode in a device like a battery or an electron tube. It releases electrons during a chemical reaction or when current flows through a circuit.
Sault ___ Marie International Bridge (Michigan-Ontario connector) : STE
Sci-fi awards : HUGOS
The Hugo Awards, often referred to as the "Hugos," are prestigious awards given for achievement in science fiction and fantasy writing. So, "Hugos" is the right answer for the clue "Sci-fi awards."
Sharp, in a way : TANGY
"TANGY" is the right solution because something that is tangy has a sharp, pungent taste or flavor, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Sharp, in a way."
Shows compassion : HAS A HEART
The phrase "has a heart" is commonly used to describe someone who shows compassion or empathy towards others. In this context, the answer "HAS A HEART" fits the clue "Shows compassion" because having a heart is often associated with being compassionate.
Sky-high prices? : AIRFARES
The clue "Sky-high prices?" is a play on words, hinting at prices related to the sky. "Airfares" are prices for flights, which are indeed sky-high in the sense that they pertain to air travel.
Small songbirds : TITS
The answer "TITS" fits the clue "Small songbirds" because tits are a type of small bird commonly found in gardens and woodlands.
So absurd, in slang : RIDIC
The word "RIDIC" is a slang abbreviation for "ridiculous," which means absurd.
Something invoked in an emergency : MARTIAL LAW
The answer "MARTIAL LAW" is the right solution because it is a system in which the military takes control of civilian functions in an emergency situation, allowing for more direct and immediate action to be taken.
Spoiler alert : He’s found in Sydney Harbour
unknown
Start a family, or finish a game : MATE
The word "mate" can mean both "start a family" as in finding a partner to have children with, and "finish a game" as in a chess move where the opponent's king is in checkmate, signifying the end of the game.
That being the case : IF SO
The phrase "if so" is often used to introduce a conclusion or consequence based on a previous statement or situation, making it a fitting answer to the clue "That being the case."
The W.N.B.A.’s Wings, on scoreboards : DAL
The W.N.B.A. team "Wings" is based in Dallas, Texas, and the abbreviation for Dallas is "DAL."
They might bite the dust : MITES
"Mites" are tiny arachnids that can be found in dust, hence the phrase "bite the dust" is a play on words suggesting that mites might be found in dust.
They might have bones to pick : DOGS
"Dogs" is the right answer because the phrase "bones to pick" is a common idiom that means having an issue or grievance to discuss or settle. Dogs are known for chewing on bones, so they would literally have bones to pick.
Tire holder : RIM
The answer "RIM" is the right solution because a tire is typically held in place on a vehicle's wheel by the rim.
Top-tier : ELITE
The term "top-tier" refers to something of the highest quality or ranking. In this case, "CLASS-A" is the right answer because it signifies the highest or best level, often used to describe top-tier products, services, or individuals.
Two o’ clock? : HANDS
The answer "HANDS" refers to the hands of a clock, which point to two o'clock on the clock face.
U.S. city with the motto “Where Discoveries are Made” : LOS ALAMOS
Los Alamos is the right answer because it is a U.S. city known for its role in scientific discoveries, particularly for being the site of the Manhattan Project during World War II. The motto "Where Discoveries are Made" reflects the city's history and reputation for scientific innovation.
What Los Angeles and New York are represented in twice : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." is short for "abbreviation." Los Angeles is often abbreviated as "LA" and New York as "NY," so they are represented in the answer "Abbr."
Word on a construction sign : SLOW
"SLOW" is the right answer because it is a common word found on construction signs to indicate that drivers should reduce their speed.
Works on a loop, say : CODES
The answer "CODES" is the right solution because "Works on a loop" refers to computer programming, where lines of code are written and executed in a loop to perform a specific task.
___ smear : PAP
The answer "PAP" is correct because a Pap smear is a medical test used to detect cervical cancer. The term "Pap" is commonly used to refer to this specific type of test.
“Apocalypse Now” setting, informally : ‘NAM
The answer "‘NAM" is the right solution because "‘NAM" is a common informal term used to refer to Vietnam, where the movie "Apocalypse Now" is set.
“Been there” : I CAN RELATE
The phrase "I can relate" is often used to express understanding or empathy towards someone else's experience, indicating that the speaker has been in a similar situation. This makes it a fitting answer for the clue "Been there."
“So, you’re saying you’re in?” : IS THAT A YES?
The answer "IS THAT A YES?" fits the clue "So, you're saying you're in?" because it is a common way to confirm if someone is agreeing to participate or join in on something.
“Stuff happens” : ALAS
"ALAS" is an expression used to show regret or sadness about something that has happened, similar to saying "stuff happens."
“What a crazy thing to do!” : ARE YOU NUTS?!
The answer "ARE YOU NUTS?!" fits the clue "What a crazy thing to do!" because it is a colloquial expression that conveys disbelief or astonishment at someone's actions, emphasizing the idea of doing something crazy or irrational.