Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 25 October 2023, Wednesday (10-25-23). 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.
1982 sci-fi film with a 2010 sequel : TRON
The 1982 sci-fi film "TRON" is the right answer because it fits the clue of a sci-fi film from that year. The mention of a 2010 sequel further confirms the answer.
Ancient Greek theater : ODEUM
The answer to "Ancient Greek theater" is "ODEUM" because an odeum was a specific type of theater in ancient Greece where musical performances and recitations of poetry took place.
Badly hurt : MAIM
The word "maim" means to badly hurt or injure someone, often resulting in a permanent disability. Therefore, "maim" is the right solution for the clue "badly hurt."
Ballpark fare served with raspberries? : JEERING
Basketball great Erving, to fans : DR J
The answer "DR J" is the right solution because it is a commonly used nickname for basketball great Julius Erving.
Boring person : DRIP
The term "drip" is often used to describe someone who is dull, uninteresting, or lacking in excitement. It can refer to a person who is boring or uneventful, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Boring person."
Carried along : BORNE
The word "borne" means to be carried or transported. It is the past participle of the verb "bear." In the context of the clue "carried along," "borne" fits perfectly as it indicates something being moved or transported.
Carve (away) : WHITTLE
The answer to "Carve (away)" is "WHITTLE" because whittling refers to the act of carving or shaping wood by cutting small, thin slices or shavings from it.
Church fixture : ORGAN
The answer to "Church fixture" is "ORGAN" because an organ is a musical instrument commonly found in churches.
Deal breakers, informally? : NARCS
The answer "NARCS" is the right solution because "deal breakers" refers to things that can ruin a deal or agreement, and "NARCS" is a slang term for informants or undercover police officers who can disrupt illegal deals.
Director Jean-___ Godard : LUC
The answer is "LUC" because Jean-___ Godard is referring to the renowned French film director Jean-Luc Godard.
Display of skill one might request from 17- and 8- and 28-Down … depicted literally four times in this puzzle : DRUM ROLL
The answer "DRUM ROLL" is the right solution because it is a display of skill that can be requested, and it is depicted literally four times in this puzzle.
Doctor who lent his name to a therapeutic system : MESMER
The answer "MESMER" is the right solution because Dr. Franz Mesmer was a physician who developed a therapeutic system called mesmerism.
Dreamy sleep stage : REM
The answer "REM" stands for Rapid Eye Movement, which is a stage of sleep characterized by vivid dreaming and rapid eye movements. It is the correct solution because it fits the clue "Dreamy sleep stage" accurately.
Dress (up) : GUSSY
"To dress up" is a phrasal verb that means to put on special clothes or a costume. "Tog" is a verb that means to put clothes on, especially in a particular way. Therefore, "Tog" is a suitable answer for the clue "Dress (up)".
Drug that’s “dropped” : LSD
The answer to "Drug that's 'dropped'" is "LSD" because "dropped" is a slang term often used to describe taking LSD, which is a hallucinogenic drug commonly taken by placing a small paper square containing the drug on the tongue.
Duane ___ (drugstore chain) : READE
The answer is "READE" because Duane Reade is a well-known drugstore chain in the United States.
Dwarfs’ representative in the Fellowship of the Ring : GIMLI
The answer is "GIMLI" because Gimli is a dwarf character from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" series, and he is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring.
Extended form of surveillance : STAKEOUT
The answer "STAKEOUT" is the right solution because it refers to a period of extended surveillance where law enforcement officers closely monitor a location or person, typically in order to gather evidence or gather information.
Fastens with string : TIES
The answer "TIES" is the right solution because when we fasten something with string, we typically tie it.
Fender blemish : DING
The answer to "Fender blemish" is "DING" because a ding is a small dent or blemish that can occur on a car's fender.
Fiddling (with) : TOYING
The answer "TOYING" fits the clue "Fiddling (with)" because it means to play or tinker with something in a casual or non-serious manner.
First name in “wabbit” hunting : ELMER
The answer "ELMER" is the right solution because Elmer Fudd is a well-known character in Looney Tunes cartoons who is often seen hunting rabbits, hence the clue "First name in 'wabbit' hunting."
Flowering plant that lent its name to a lane on “Desperate Housewives” : WISTERIA
The answer is "WISTERIA" because Wisteria is a type of flowering plant that is known for its beautiful clusters of fragrant flowers. In the TV show "Desperate Housewives," there is a lane called Wisteria Lane, named after the abundance of Wisteria plants growing there.
Gave prompt attention? : CUED
The answer "CUED" is the right solution because it fits the clue "Gave prompt attention?". In this context, "cue" means to give a signal or prompt, which aligns with the clue. Therefore, "CUED" is the correct answer.
Genial boatswain in “Peter Pan” : SMEE
The answer to the clue "Genial boatswain in 'Peter Pan'" is "SMEE" because Smee is the name of a friendly boatswain character in the play and novel "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie.
German 53- : OMA
The answer "OMA" is the right solution for the clue "German 53-" because "OMA" is the German word for "grandmother."
Half of a 1990s-2000s rock duo with six Grammys : MEG WHITE
The answer is "Meg White" because she was half of the rock duo "The White Stripes" which was active in the 1990s-2000s and won six Grammy Awards.
Hearty draft pick : STOUT
The word "hearty" in the clue suggests a strong or robust type of draft pick. "Stout" is a type of beer known for its rich and full-bodied flavor, making it a fitting answer for a "hearty" draft pick.
Helper : Abbr.
The word "aide" means a person who assists or helps someone else. Therefore, it is an appropriate answer for the clue "helper".
Hit hard : HAMMER
The word "hammer" is the right solution because it is a verb that means to hit hard with a tool called a hammer.
It’s a must : NEED Down 1 Channel for vintage film buffs
The answer to "Channel for vintage film buffs" is TCM. TCM stands for Turner Classic Movies, which is a television channel that airs classic and vintage films.
John Wayne and Ian Fleming, for two : AIRPORTS
The answer "AIRPORTS" fits the clue because both John Wayne and Ian Fleming have airports named after them. John Wayne Airport is located in Orange County, California, and Ian Fleming International Airport is located in Jamaica.
Leader prominent in the 1956 Suez Crisis : NASSER
The right answer is "NASSER" because Gamal Abdel Nasser was the leader of Egypt during the 1956 Suez Crisis.
Lemonlike fruit : CITRON
The answer to "Lemonlike fruit" is "CITRON" because the citron is a fruit that is similar to a lemon in appearance and taste.
Letters in the corner of a phone screen : LTE
The answer "LTE" stands for Long-Term Evolution, which is a standard for high-speed wireless communication on mobile devices. It refers to the letters that are displayed in the corner of a phone screen to indicate that the device is connected to an LTE network.
Lingo : JARGON
The word "jargon" is the right answer for "lingo" because it refers to specialized vocabulary or language used by a particular group or profession.
Many M.I.T. grads : Abbr.
The answer to "Many M.I.T. grads" is "Abbr." because "Abbr." is short for "abbreviation," indicating that the answer is an abbreviation. In this case, M.I.T. stands for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, so the answer is referring to the fact that many graduates from M.I.T. have abbreviations associated with their degrees or fields of study.
Materialize : COME TRUE
The answer "COME TRUE" is the right solution because when something materializes, it means that it becomes a reality or comes into existence.
Member of Led Zeppelin : JOHN BONHAM
The answer "JOHN BONHAM" is the right solution because John Bonham was the drummer and a member of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin.
Mine yield : ORE
The answer to "Mine yield" is "ORE" because mines typically produce raw materials such as minerals or metals, which are commonly referred to as ore.
Nana : GRAMMA
The answer "GRAMMA" is the right solution because "Nana" is a common informal term for a grandmother, and "GRAMMA" is a variant spelling of "GRANDMA."
Nickname for singer Justin, with “the” : … BIEB
The answer "BIEB" is the right solution because it is a common nickname for singer Justin Bieber, often referred to as "the Bieb."
Not just mine : OURS
The answer to "Not just mine" is "OURS" because it refers to something that belongs to multiple people, indicating possession by more than one person.
Number one focus? : EGOTISM
The answer "EGOTISM" is the right solution because it refers to someone who is excessively self-centered and self-absorbed. In the context of the clue "Number one focus?", "number one" implies someone who is primarily focused on themselves, which aligns with the concept of egotism.
Olds, Keats or Shelley : ODIST
The answer "ODIST" is the right solution because Olds, Keats, and Shelley are all famous poets, and an "ODIST" is a term used to describe a poet.
One of the Fab Four : RINGO STARR
The answer "RINGO STARR" is the right solution because Ringo Starr was one of the members of the famous band "The Beatles," often referred to as the "Fab Four."
One sharing school drop-off duties, maybe : CO-PARENT
The answer "CO-PARENT" is the right solution because it refers to someone who shares the responsibility of dropping off their child at school with another parent or guardian.
Online news aggregator founded in 2004 : DIGG
The answer "DIGG" is the right solution because it is an online news aggregator that was founded in 2004.
Petrol measure : LITRE
The answer "LITRE" is the right solution for the clue "Petrol measure" because a litre is a commonly used unit of measurement for petrol or gasoline in many countries.
Poetic form featuring lexical repetition rather than rhyme : SESTINA
The answer to the clue "Poetic form featuring lexical repetition rather than rhyme" is "SESTINA" because a sestina is a specific form of poetry that consists of six stanzas, each with six lines, and a final triplet. In a sestina, the end words of the first stanza are repeated in a specific pattern throughout the poem, creating a form of lexical repetition. Rhyme is not a defining feature of a sestina.
Purposes : AIMS
The word "uses" is a synonym for "purposes," meaning it describes the intended or desired function or reason for something.
Read-a-___ : THON
The answer to "Read-a-___" is "THON" because "thon" is a common suffix used to describe a long and intense event or activity, such as a telethon or a dance marathon. In this case, "Read-a-thon" refers to an event where people read for an extended period of time.
Return payments? : RANSOMS
The answer "RANSOMS" fits the clue "Return payments?" because it refers to payments made in exchange for the return of something or someone, usually kidnapped or held captive.
Scandal, to a career, say : UNDOER
The word "UNDOER" fits the clue because a scandal can be detrimental to a career, and an undoer is someone or something that causes harm or ruins something.
Setting for “The King and I” : SIAM
The answer is "SIAM" because "The King and I" is a musical set in the country of Siam, which is now known as Thailand.
Short time off work : SICK DAY
The answer to "Short time off work" is "SICK DAY" because a sick day refers to a brief period of time when an employee is absent from work due to illness. It is a common term used to describe taking a short break from work due to health reasons.
Six Nations people : ONEIDA
The answer "ONEIDA" is the right solution because the Oneida people are one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.
Some summer cookouts, informally : BBQS
The answer "BBQS" is the right solution because it is a common abbreviation for "barbecues," which are often held during summer cookouts.
Something “spilled” by a gossip : TEA
The answer to "Something 'spilled' by a gossip" is "TEA" because in slang terms, "spilling tea" means sharing gossip or revealing secrets.
Splinter group : SECT
The answer "SECT" fits the clue "Splinter group" because a sect refers to a small religious or political group that has broken away from a larger organization.
Star-crossed Montague : ROMEO
The answer to "Star-crossed Montague" is "ROMEO" because Romeo is a well-known character from Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet." He is a Montague and his love affair with Juliet, a Capulet, is described as "star-crossed" due to the feuding between their families.
Stereotypical game show prize : NEW CAR
The answer "NEW CAR" is the right solution because it is a common prize often featured on game shows. It is a stereotypical and highly sought-after prize that contestants hope to win.
Stereotypical word in a heart tattoo : MOM
The word "MOM" is often used in heart tattoos as a stereotypical representation of love and affection towards one's mother.
Sugar serving : LUMP
The answer "LUMP" is the right solution for the clue "Sugar serving" because sugar is often sold in the form of lumps or cubes, making "LUMP" a fitting answer.
Targets of squats, informally : QUADS
The answer "QUADS" is the right solution because when doing squats, you primarily target and work out your quadriceps muscles, which are commonly referred to as "quads" informally.
Unsmiling in demeanor : DOUR
The word "dour" means having a stern or gloomy expression, which matches the clue "unsmiling in demeanor."
Vegetable with a purple top : RUTABAGA
The answer to "Vegetable with a purple top" is "RUTABAGA" because rutabaga is a root vegetable that has a purple-colored top portion.
Vet school subj. : ANAT
The answer "ANAT" is short for "anatomy," which is a subject taught in veterinary schools.
WeChat chats, in brief : IMS
The answer "IMS" stands for Instant Messaging Service, which is a common feature in messaging apps like WeChat. Therefore, "IMS" is the right solution for the clue "WeChat chats, in brief."
“I mean it!”, quaintly : BY GUM!
The phrase "by gum" is an old-fashioned expression that means "I mean it!" This makes it the right solution for the clue "“I mean it!”, quaintly."
“WHOA!” : OMG!
The answer "OMG!" is the right solution because it is a common expression used to convey surprise or astonishment, which is similar to the meaning of "WHOA!"
“___ queen!” : YAS
The term "YAS" is a slang expression commonly used to show enthusiasm or agreement, particularly in LGBTQ+ communities. In this context, "___ queen!" is an exclamation of praise or admiration for someone who embodies a particular quality or identity. Therefore, "YAS" is the right answer as it perfectly fits the clue's colloquial and enthusiastic tone.
“___ rock!” : YOU
The term "acid rock" refers to a genre of music that emerged in the 1960s and is characterized by distorted guitar sounds and lyrics that often deal with drug use and countercultural themes. Therefore, "ACID" is a fitting answer for the crossword clue "___ rock".