Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 13 December 2024, Friday (12-13-24). 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.
1972 Gilbert O’Sullivan hit with a melancholy title : ALONE AGAIN
The 1972 Gilbert O'Sullivan hit with a melancholy title is "Alone Again" because it is a well-known song by Gilbert O'Sullivan released in 1972 and the title reflects the theme of loneliness and heartbreak in the lyrics.
Achilles, e.g. : TENDON
The Achilles tendon is a well-known tendon in the human body, named after the Greek hero Achilles. Therefore, the answer "TENDON" fits the clue "Achilles, e.g." as it refers to the body part associated with Achilles.
Antarctic penguin : ADELIE
The Adelie penguin is a species of penguin native to Antarctica, making it the correct answer for "Antarctic penguin."
Attacked from the sides : FLANKED
"Flanked" is the right solution because when something is attacked from the sides, it is being flanked by the attackers. "Flank" means the side of something, so to be attacked from the sides is to be flanked.
Away for a while : ON LEAVE
"ON LEAVE" is the right solution because when someone is "on leave," they are away from their usual duties or responsibilities for a period of time, such as taking a break from work or school.
Bean on the screen : SEAN
The clue "Bean on the screen" is a play on words, referring to actor Sean Bean, whose first name is Sean.
Book identifier, often : SPINE
"SPINE" is the right answer because the spine of a book often contains important information such as the title, author, and publisher, making it a key identifier for a book.
Cars known as Vauxhalls in the U.K. : OPELS
"OPELS" is the right solution because Vauxhall is a British car brand that is a subsidiary of Opel, a German car manufacturer. In the U.K., cars sold under the Vauxhall brand are essentially rebadged versions of Opel cars.
Chance meeting greeting : OH, HELLO!
The answer "OH, HELLO!" is a common phrase used to greet someone unexpectedly or by chance, making it a fitting response to a chance meeting.
Chargeable conveyances : E-SCOOTERS
The answer "E-SCOOTERS" fits the clue "Chargeable conveyances" because e-scooters are electric scooters that need to be charged to operate, making them chargeable conveyances.
Cheesy casserole : BAKED ZITI
"Baked ziti" is a type of cheesy casserole dish made with ziti pasta, tomato sauce, and melted cheese, typically baked in the oven. The answer fits the clue perfectly as it describes a specific type of cheesy casserole.
Compound formed from an alcohol and an acid : ESTER
An ester is a compound formed by the reaction between an alcohol and an acid. This chemical reaction is known as esterification.
Contribute to a company, say : ACT
The word "act" can mean to perform a task or contribute in a specific way, such as contributing to a company.
Count ___, a.k.a. Nosferatu : ORLOK
"Count ___, a.k.a. Nosferatu" is a clue referring to the character Count Orlok from the 1922 silent film "Nosferatu." The answer "ORLOK" fits the blank and is the correct solution.
Dessert made with a double boiler : FLAN
The dessert FLAN is made by cooking a custard mixture in a double boiler to achieve a smooth and creamy texture.
Dorothea who documented the Great Depression : LANGE
Dorothea Lange was a famous photographer known for documenting the Great Depression. Therefore, the answer to the clue "Dorothea who documented the Great Depression" is "LANGE."
Draining issue : CLOG
The answer "CLOG" fits the clue "Draining issue" because a clog in a pipe or drain can cause water to not flow properly, leading to a draining issue.
Drift : MEANDER
Drink similar to Champagne : CAVA
Cava is a sparkling wine from Spain, made using the same traditional method as Champagne. It is a popular alternative to Champagne due to its similar taste and quality, making it the right answer for the clue "Drink similar to Champagne."
Elevated pitches : SHARPS
"SHARPS" is the right solution because in music notation, a sharp symbol (#) indicates a pitch that is raised by a half step. So, "Elevated pitches" refers to musical notes that are sharped, making "SHARPS" the correct answer.
Features of work boots : TOE CAPS
The answer "TOE CAPS" fits the clue "Features of work boots" because toe caps are protective coverings at the front of the boots that help protect the toes from injury.
First airline to fly a jumbo jet : PAN AM
The answer is "PAN AM" because Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the first airline to operate a jumbo jet, specifically the Boeing 747, in commercial service.
Garden-variety poker? : THORN
The answer "THORN" fits the clue "Garden-variety poker?" because a thorn is a small sharp-pointed outgrowth on the stem of a plant, which could be likened to a poker used in a garden setting.
Hallmark of a hypocrite : INSINCERITY
The word "insincerity" means lacking honesty or genuineness, which is a key characteristic of a hypocrite who pretends to be something they are not.
Lodge : BURY
The answer "INN" is the right solution for the clue "Lodge" because an inn is a type of lodging establishment where people can stay overnight.
Main course? : SEA-LANE
The answer to "Main course" is "ENTREE" because in French cuisine, the term "entree" refers to the main course of a meal.
Major product of Jordan : SNEAKER Down 1 W, for one
The major product of Jordan is sneakers, as the country is known for its production of athletic shoes, especially those associated with basketball legend Michael Jordan. "SNEAKER" fits the clue "Major product of Jordan" as it is a common product associated with the country. "1 W, for one" refers to the letter "W" which is one example of a consonant. Therefore, the answer "SNEAKER" fits the clue "1 W, for one" as it contains the consonant "W".
Makeup of a sleeve : TATTOO ART
unknown
Nacre on a nice guitar, say : INLAY
The word "inlay" refers to a decorative technique where pieces of material are set into the surface of an object for ornamentation. Nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, is a material often used in inlay work on high-quality guitars.
Now, in Spanish : AHORA
The Spanish word for "now" is "ahora," making it the correct answer to the clue "Now, in Spanish."
Office lackey : GOFER
The term "gofer" is slang for an office assistant or lackey who runs errands. It is commonly used to describe someone who performs menial tasks in a workplace setting.
Open, as a compressed file : UNZIP
"UNZIP" is the right solution because when you open a compressed file, you often need to "unzip" or extract its contents in order to access the files within.
Performers of note? : MUSICIANS
The clue "Performers of note?" is a play on words that suggests musicians, who are performers, are skilled at playing musical notes. Therefore, the answer "MUSICIANS" fits the clue perfectly.
Place for an ornament : HOOD
Pronouncing “pronunciation” as “pronounciation,” e.g. : ERRING
The answer "ERRING" fits because it means making a mistake in pronunciation, like pronouncing "pronunciation" incorrectly as "pronounciation."
Put a lid on it! : HAT RACK
The phrase "Put a lid on it!" is a colloquial way of saying "put a hat on". A hat rack is a place where you can store or hang your hats, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
Question after an untimely joke : TOO SOON?
The answer "TOO SOON?" is the right solution because it is a common phrase used when someone makes a joke that is considered insensitive due to timing, such as making a joke about a recent tragedy.
Question that one is tricked into asking, in a classic gag : UNDER WHERE?
The answer "UNDER WHERE?" is the right solution because it sounds like the phrase "underwear" when spoken aloud, which is a classic gag in which someone is tricked into asking about their undergarments.
Recurring quirk : TIC
"TIC" is the right solution because a "tic" is a recurring quirk or habit, especially one that is difficult to control. It fits the clue perfectly.
Scatterbrained : SPACY
"DITSY" is the right solution because it is a synonym for scatterbrained, meaning someone is silly or eccentric in a lighthearted way.
Sexually charged title track of a hit 1973 album : LET’S GET IT ON
The answer "LET’S GET IT ON" fits the clue because it is the sexually charged title track of a hit 1973 album by Marvin Gaye.
Singer with the 2009 double-platinum album “Rated R” : RIHANNA
Rihanna released the album "Rated R" in 2009, which was certified double platinum, making her the correct answer to the clue.
Slack alternative, in brief : MS TEAMS
The answer "MS TEAMS" is the right solution because it is a popular alternative to Slack and is often referred to by its initials in brief.
Soeur de la mère : TANTE
"TANTE" is the right solution because it translates to "aunt" in English, and an aunt is the sister of one's mother.
Something to show for a tow : AAA CARD
The AAA card is something you can show to receive help with a tow, making it the right answer to the clue.
Spanish pronoun : ESA
Stars are big ones : NAMES
The word "big" can mean important or famous. "Stars" can refer to famous people. So, "Stars are big ones" clues for the answer "NAMES" as famous individuals.
Statistics calculation : MEAN
The answer "MEAN" is correct because it is a common statistical calculation that represents the average of a set of numbers.
Steps down : RESIGNS
"Steps down" is a common clue for the word "RESIGNS" because when someone resigns from a job or position, they are essentially stepping down or leaving that role.
Struck (out) : XED
The answer "XED" is short for "crossed," which is a term often used in crossword puzzles to indicate that something has been removed or eliminated. In this case, "Struck (out)" is a clue hinting at the word "crossed" being abbreviated to "XED."
Tech entrepreneur Altman : SAM
Sam Altman is a well-known tech entrepreneur, best known for his work as the former president of Y Combinator. Therefore, the answer to "Tech entrepreneur Altman" is "SAM."
Test releases : BETAS
"BETAS" are versions of software or products that are released to a select group of users for testing before the final release. This fits the clue "Test releases" well.
Title princess in a Gilbert and Sullivan opera : IDA
The title princess in the Gilbert and Sullivan opera "Princess Ida" is indeed "IDA."
To which a “To/From” label might be attached : GIFT BOX
The answer "GIFT BOX" fits because a "To/From" label is commonly attached to a gift box to indicate the giver and recipient of the gift.
Touchdown, e.g. : ARRIVAL
The answer "ARRIVAL" fits the clue "Touchdown, e.g." because both "touchdown" and "arrival" refer to reaching a destination or a final point, making them synonymous in this context.
Trig ratio : COTAN
The answer to "Trig ratio" is "SINE" because sine is one of the fundamental trigonometric ratios used to calculate the relationship between the sides and angles of a right triangle. It represents the ratio of the length of the side opposite an angle to the length of the hypotenuse.
Went too far : OVERDID IT
"Overdid it" is the right solution because it means to go beyond the acceptable or desired limit, which matches the clue "Went too far."
What Han Solo never wants to be told : ODDS
In the "Star Wars" universe, Han Solo famously says "Never tell me the odds" when faced with challenging situations. Therefore, the answer "ODDS" fits the clue "What Han Solo never wants to be told."
Without exception : BAR NONE
"Without exception" is a phrase that means nothing is excluded. The term "bar none" is an idiom that means without exception, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
___ shock (Japan’s term for the video game crash of 1983) : ATARI
The video game crash of 1983 was largely attributed to the oversaturation of low-quality games flooding the market. Atari was a major player in the video game industry at that time, and their poor-selling games contributed to the crash. Therefore, "ATARI" is the right answer for this clue.
___Mari (organization method) : KON
“American Dad!” airer : TBS
The answer to "American Dad!" airer is "TBS" because TBS is the television network that airs the show "American Dad!".
“My heart is like a singing bird / ___ nest is in a water’d shoot” : Christina Rossetti
unknown
“The Fault in Our Stars” genre, informally : TEENLIT
The answer "TEENLIT" is the right solution because it is a common informal term used to refer to literature written for teenagers, which is the genre of the book "The Fault in Our Stars."