Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 11 November 2024, Monday (11-11-24). 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.
Aardvark’s fare : ANTS
The answer "ANTS" is the right solution because aardvarks primarily feed on ants.
Active ingredient in marijuana, for short : THC
"THC" is the right solution because it is the abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active ingredient in marijuana responsible for its psychoactive effects.
Ancient Mexican : AZTEC
The term "Ancient Mexican" refers to a civilization that existed in what is now Mexico. The Aztec civilization was one of the most well-known ancient Mexican civilizations, making "AZTEC" the correct answer.
App also called “the Gram,” informally : INSTA
The answer "INSTA" is the right solution because "the Gram" is a common nickname for Instagram, which is informally referred to as "Insta."
Breaks off : DETACHES
The word "DETACHES" means to break off or separate something from a larger whole. In the context of the clue "Breaks off," "DETACHES" fits perfectly as it conveys the idea of separating or disconnecting.
Burglar’s booty : HAUL
The word "haul" in this context refers to the stolen goods or loot that a burglar has taken from a robbery.
Busy bee in Apr. : CPA
The answer "CPA" stands for Certified Public Accountant, a profession that is typically busy in April due to tax season.
Cake decorator : ICER
The answer "ICER" is commonly used in crossword puzzles to refer to someone who decorates cakes with icing. It fits the clue "Cake decorator" because an "icer" is a person who applies icing to cakes.
Chemistry building block : ATOM
An atom is the basic unit of a chemical element, making it a fundamental building block in chemistry. Each element is made up of atoms, which combine to form molecules and compounds.
Confident : SURE
"SURE" is the right answer because it is a synonym for "confident," meaning having no doubt or uncertainty.
Dentist’s “Just a little more” : WIDER
The answer "WIDER" fits because when a dentist says "Just a little more," they may be asking the patient to open their mouth wider for better access to their teeth.
Disney’s follow-up to “Dumbo” : BAMBI
"BAMBI" is the right answer because it is a Disney animated film that was released after "Dumbo," making it the follow-up to "Dumbo."
Dub : NAME
The word "Dub" can mean to give a name to someone or something. Therefore, the answer "NAME" fits the clue.
Early Ron Howard role : OPIE
Opie is the name of the character played by Ron Howard in the TV show "The Andy Griffith Show." This is considered an early role for Ron Howard in his acting career.
Europe’s highest active volcano : ETNA
Mount Etna is located in Sicily, Italy, and is the highest and most active volcano in Europe. Therefore, the answer "ETNA" fits the clue "Europe’s highest active volcano."
Expire, as a subscription : LAPSE
"LAPSE" means to expire or come to an end, which fits the clue "Expire, as a subscription" as subscriptions often lapse or expire when not renewed.
Fall flower : ASTER
The answer "ASTER" is a fall flower that blooms in the autumn season, making it the correct solution for the clue "Fall flower."
Final authority : SAY-SO Down 1 Ancient Peruvian
The answer "SAY-SO" is the right solution because it means having the final authority or the power to make a decision. It is a colloquial term that implies having the last word or the ultimate say in a matter.
Hairdo that might be combed with a pick : AFRO
The answer is "AFRO" because an afro is a hairstyle that is often combed with a pick to maintain its shape and volume.
Huffer and puffer in a classic fairy tale : BIG BAD WOLF (giving “Dick Wolf”)
The clue "Huffer and puffer in a classic fairy tale" is referring to the character in the fairy tale "The Three Little Pigs" who huffs and puffs to blow down the pigs' houses. The answer "BIG BAD WOLF" fits this description and also gives the letters "Dick Wolf" as an extra hint.
Insect flitting around a flame : MOTH
The answer "MOTH" fits the clue because moths are insects known to be attracted to flames and often seen flitting around them.
Island-hopping vacation that might start and end in Miami : CARIBBEAN CRUISE (giving “Tom Cruise”)
The answer "CARIBBEAN CRUISE" fits because it is an island-hopping vacation that can start and end in Miami, and the wordplay hint "giving 'Tom Cruise'" suggests a play on words with the actor's name.
Islet : CAY
"CAY" is the right solution because a cay is a small low island or bank of sand or coral. The word "CAY" is commonly used in crossword puzzles to refer to an islet.
Its capital is Kathmandu : NEPAL
The answer is "NEPAL" because Nepal is a country and its capital city is Kathmandu.
Kinda borderline : IFFY
"IFFY" means uncertain or questionable, which fits the clue "Kinda borderline" as it suggests something that is not clearly defined or decided.
Kooky : ZANY
The word "ZANY" is a synonym for "kooky", meaning eccentric or unconventional.
Kylo ___ of “Star Wars” films : REN
Kylo Ren is a character in the "Star Wars" films, so the answer to "Kylo ___ of 'Star Wars' films" is "REN".
Laundry product that was once the subject of a viral internet challenge : TIDE POD
The answer "TIDE POD" fits because Tide Pods were involved in a viral internet challenge where people were daring each other to eat them, which led to safety warnings and public concern.
Letter-shaped girder : I-BAR
The term "I-BAR" refers to a type of girder that is shaped like the letter "I". It is commonly used in construction to provide structural support.
Mardi ___ : GRAS
"Mardi Gras" is a French term that translates to "Fat Tuesday" in English. "Gras" means "fat" in French, so "Mardi Gras" is the correct answer to the clue "Mardi ___".
Michelob ___ (light beer) : ULTRA
The answer is "ULTRA" because Michelob Ultra is a popular light beer brand.
MSNBC host Melber : ARI
"Ari" is the first name of the MSNBC host Melber.
Nabokov novel : ADA
"ADA" is the title of a novel written by Vladimir Nabokov. It is a well-known work by the author, making it the correct answer to the clue "Nabokov novel."
Ole Miss rival : BAMA
"BAMA" is the right solution because "Ole Miss" is a nickname for the University of Mississippi, and "BAMA" is a common nickname for the University of Alabama, which is a rival of Ole Miss in college sports.
Own (up) : FESS
The clue "Own (up)" is a play on words for confessing or admitting to something, which is commonly referred to as "fessing up". Therefore, the answer is "FESS".
Painter’s propper-upper : EASEL
The answer "EASEL" is the right solution because an easel is a stand used by painters to support and display their artwork while they are working on it.
Pita sandwich : GYRO
The answer "GYRO" is a pita sandwich filled with roasted meat, typically lamb or beef, and topped with vegetables and sauce. It is a popular Greek dish served in a pita bread, making it the correct solution to the clue "Pita sandwich."
Places to play Pac-Man and Skee-Ball : ARCADES
"ARCADES" is the right solution because it fits the clue "Places to play Pac-Man and Skee-Ball" as arcades are establishments where people can play a variety of video games and arcade games like Pac-Man and Skee-Ball.
Popular sans-serif font : ARIAL
Arial is a popular sans-serif font that is widely used in various applications, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Popular sans-serif font."
Pub purchase : PINT
The answer "PINT" is a common purchase at a pub, referring to a serving size of beer.
Put money (on) : BET
The answer to "Put money (on)" is "BET" because when you "bet" on something, you are placing money on the outcome of a particular event or situation.
Ran, as colors : BLED
The answer "BLED" fits the clue "Ran, as colors" because colors can bleed and run together when they get wet or are mixed.
Raps off the cuff : FREESTYLES (giving “Harry Styles”)
"Raps off the cuff" is a clue hinting at the term "freestyles," which refers to the act of improvising or making up raps on the spot without pre-written lyrics. The wordplay in the clue suggests "Harry Styles," a popular singer, to lead solvers to the answer "FREESTYLES."
Reason to use sunflower butter in a PB&J : NUT ALLERGY
The answer "NUT ALLERGY" fits the clue because people with nut allergies cannot consume peanut butter, so they would use sunflower butter as a safe alternative in a PB&J sandwich.
Related (to) : AKIN
"Akin" means related by blood or by similarity in nature or character. Therefore, it is the appropriate answer to the clue "Related (to)".
Religious offshoots : SECTS
"Sects" refers to religious offshoots or divisions that have broken away from a larger religious group or organization. It is commonly used in the context of various religious movements or groups that have distinct beliefs or practices from the main body of a religion.
Remove, as a layer : SHED
The word "shed" can mean to remove or get rid of something, like how a snake sheds its skin. So, "remove, as a layer" can be represented by the word "SHED."
Rightmost president on Mount Rushmore, familiarly : ABE
The rightmost president on Mount Rushmore is Abraham Lincoln, whose nickname is "Abe."
Sch. whose campus includes Washington Square and Union Square : NYU
NYU stands for New York University, which is a school located in New York City with campuses that include Washington Square and Union Square.
See 37- : … TAI
The answer "… THROUGH" is the right solution because it is a continuation from the clue given in 37-Down. This type of clue structure is common in crosswords, where one clue is dependent on another for the full answer.
Seize : GRAB
The word "usurp" means to take over or seize power or authority without the right to do so. Therefore, it is an appropriate answer for the clue "seize."
Store with a mazelike layout : IKEA
IKEA is known for its large stores with a maze-like layout that can be confusing to navigate, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
The second O of O-O-O : TAC
The answer "TAC" fits the clue because in the phrase "O-O-O", the second "O" is represented by the letter "A" in the NATO phonetic alphabet, and when you add the letter "C" after "A", you get "TAC".
The “M” in Y.M.C.A. : MEN’S
The "M" in Y.M.C.A. stands for Men's, as the organization is known for providing services primarily for young men.
Tiny amount : TRACE
The word "trace" can mean a very small amount or a barely detectable quantity, making it a suitable answer for the clue "Tiny amount."
Trio of average guys, as seen at the ends of 16-, 25- and 48- : TOM, DICK AND HARRY
The phrase "Tom, Dick, and Harry" is a common expression used to refer to average or ordinary men. In this crossword clue, the words "Tom," "Dick," and "Harry" are found at the ends of the words "Tomboy," "Dickens," and "Harry Potter," indicating that they are indeed a trio of average guys.
Tropical lizards : IGUANAS
The answer "IGUANAS" fits the clue "Tropical lizards" because iguanas are a type of lizard commonly found in tropical regions.
Tug-of-war equipment : ROPE
The answer "ROPE" fits the clue "Tug-of-war equipment" because a rope is the essential equipment used in the game of tug-of-war, where two teams compete by pulling on opposite ends of the rope.
Very overweight : OBESE
"OBESE" is the right answer because it is a synonym for "very overweight." It accurately describes someone who is significantly above a healthy weight.
Visual accompaniment to a musical release : ALBUM ART
The answer "ALBUM ART" fits because it refers to the visual design or illustration that accompanies a music album, often found on the cover.
When cherry blossoms bloom : SPRINGTIME
It's the right solution because cherry blossoms typically bloom during the spring season.
Wild pig : BOAR
"BOAR" is the right solution because a boar is a male wild pig, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Wild pig."
With 4-Down, island-themed cocktail : MAI …
The answer is "MAI TAI" because "island-themed cocktail" is a common clue for this drink, and the "With 4-Down" part indicates that the answer is a combination of two words, with "MAI" being the first word.
Within earshot : NEAR
"Within earshot" means within the range of hearing distance, which is close or near. So, the answer "NEAR" fits the clue.
Writer ___ Allan Poe : EDGAR
Edgar Allan Poe is a well-known writer, so the answer to the clue "Writer ___ Allan Poe" is "EDGAR" as it completes the full name of the writer.
___ Baba : ALI
The clue "___ Baba" is a reference to Ali Baba, a character from the folk tale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." "Ali" is the correct answer because it is the first name of the character.
___ McMuffin (fast-food sandwich) : EGG
The answer is "EGG" because an Egg McMuffin is a fast-food sandwich served at McDonald's that contains an egg as one of its main ingredients.
“Momager” of the Kardashians : KRIS
The answer "KRIS" fits the clue because Kris Jenner is known as the "momager" of the Kardashian family, managing her children's careers.
“Pick a card, ___ card!” : ANY
The phrase "Pick a card, ___ card!" is asking for any card to be chosen, so the correct answer is "ANY."
“Raggedy” doll : ANN
"ANN" is the right answer because "Raggedy" is a clue that suggests the name of the popular doll character "Raggedy Ann."