Cryptic crosswords are great fun but they have quite a steep initial learning curve. One particularly challenging aspect for newcomers is the use of a word to mean a specific letter or series of letters. Often these are not intuitive and require an explanation to clarify how and why the clue and answer are linked – e.g. ‘sailor’ = ‘able-bodied seaman’ = AB.
This reference guide can be quickly accessed to help work out what some of the more common clues might mean. We will soon be adding a ‘how to’ section that will provide more detailed instructions to help solve cryptic crosswords.
| Clue | Answer | Explanation |
| 1 | I | Roman numeral, appearance |
| 5 | V | Roman numeral |
| 10 | X | Roman numeral |
| 50 | L | Roman numeral |
| 100 | C | Roman numeral |
| 1,000 | M | Roman numeral |
| A follower | B | Alphabet (B follows A) |
| About | C, CA, RE | Circa, regarding (re:) |
| Academic | DD, PROF | Doctor of Divinity, professor |
| Acceleration | G | Gravity |
| Account | AC | Abbreviation |
| Accountant | CA | Chartered accountant |
| Ace | A | Abbreviation |
| Advert | AD | Abbreviation |
| Afternoon | PM | Post meridiem |
| Against | V, VS | Versus (vs.) |
| Agent | REP | Representative |
| Agricultural | AG | Abbreviation |
| Air conditioning | AC | Abbreviation |
| Airman | AC | Aircraftman |
| Alien | ET | Extra-terrestrial |
| Also known as | AKA | Abbreviation |
| Aluminium | AL | Chemical symbol |
| Ambassador | HE | Her/his excellency |
| America | AM, US, USA | Abbreviation (United States of America) |
| American ship | USS | United StatesShip |
| American soldier | GI | GI |
| Amnesty | AI | Amnesty International |
| Ancient city | UR | Ur |
| Ancient times | BC | Before Christ |
| And French | et | et |
| Anglican | CE | Church of England |
| Anglo-Saxon | AS | Abbreviation |
| Answer | AY, AYE | Aye |
| Arabic | AR | Abbreviation |
| Arbiter | REF | Referee |
| Area | A | Abbreviation |
| Army cop | MP | Military policeman |
| Army corps | REME | Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers |
| Artificial intelligence | AI | Abbreviation |
| Artillery | RA | Royal Artillery |
| Artist | RA | Royal Academy |
| Asian | E | Eastern |
| At home | IN | Definition (e.g. to eat in) |
| Attorney | DA, PA | District Attorney, Practicing Attorney |
| Australia | AUS, OZ | Abbreviation, slang |
| Avenue | AVE | Abbreviation |
| Bachelor of Arts | BA | Bachelor of Arts |
| Bachelor of Arts | BM | Bachelor of Medicine |
| Basque nationalists | ETA | Euskadi Ta Askatasuna |
| Bearing | N, E, S, W | Compass |
| Beginner | L | Learner (e.g. L-plate) |
| Bend | U, S | U-bend, S-bend |
| Bible | AV | Authorized Version |
| Bill | AC, IOU | Account, IOU |
| Bird | TIT | Tit |
| Bishop | B, RR, DD | Abbreviation, chess, Right Reverend, Doctor of Divinity |
| Bob | S | Shilling (money) |
| Bond’s boss | M | M |
| Bone | OS | Osteo |
| Book | B | Abbreviation |
| Books | OT, NT, MS, GEN | Old Testament, New Testament, manuscript, Genesis |
| Boy | B | Abbreviation |
| Bridge player | N, E, S, W | Bridge/compass |
| British | B, BR | Abbreviation |
| Byte | B | Abbreviation |
| Calcium | CA | Chemical symbol |
| California | CA, CAL | Abbreviation |
| Capone | AL | Al Capone |
| Car | T, RR | Model T, Rolls-Royce |
| Carbon copy | CC | Abbreviation |
| Care of | CO | Abbreviation |
| Castle | R | Rook (chess) |
| Celsius | C | Abbreviation |
| Cent | C | Abbreviation |
| Centigrade | C | Abbreviation |
| Century | C | Abbreviation, Roman Numerals |
| Chapter | C, CH | Abbreviation |
| Charged | ION | Charge, ion |
| Chartered accountant | CA | Chartered accountant |
| Chief | CH | Abbreviation |
| Chlorine | CL | Chemical symbol |
| Chromosome | X, Y | Sex chromosome |
| Church | CE | Church of England |
| Church of England | CE | Abbreviation |
| Circa | C | Abbreviation |
| Circle | O | Appearance |
| City | NY, LA, EC | New York, Los Angeles, City of London (Postcode) |
| Civil engineer | CE | Abbreviation |
| Club | Y | YMCA |
| Clubs | C | Cards |
| Coin | P, D, C | Penny, denarius, cent |
| Colonel | COL | Abbreviation |
| Colt | C | Abbreviation |
| Commercial | AD | Advertisem*nt |
| Common Era | CE | Abbreviation (CE) |
| Communist | RED | Communist symbolism |
| Companion | CH | Order of the Companions of Honour |
| Company | CO | Abbreviation |
| Compare | CF | Confer (Latin abbreviation) |
| Compass point | N, E, S, W | Compass |
| Computer | PC | Personal computer |
| Concerning | RE | Regarding |
| Conservationists | NT | National Trust |
| Conservative | C, CON | Abbreviation |
| Constable | PC | Police constable |
| Constant | E, PI | e, pi |
| Copper | P, D, CU, PC | Penny, denarius, chemical symbol, police constable (slang) |
| Corner | NE, SE, SW, NW | Compass |
| Councillor | CL, CLR, CLLR | Abbreviation |
| Court | CT | Abbreviation |
| Credit | CR | Abbreviation |
| Criminal | CON | Convict |
| Cross | X | Appearance |
| Current | AC,DC, I, AMP, AD | Alternating current, direct current, unit, Anno Domini |
| Cystic fibrosis | CF | Abbreviation |
| Cyprus | CY | Abbreviation |
| Date | D | Abbreviation |
| Daughter | D | Abbreviation |
| Dead, died | D, DEC, EX, OB | Abbreviation, deceased, ex-, obituary |
| Debts | IOUS | IOU |
| Decoration | VC, GC | Victoria Cross, George Cross |
| Degree | D, DEG, C, F, BA, MA | Abbreviation, Celsius, Fahrenheit, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts |
| Detective inspector | DI | Abbreviation |
| Detectives | CID | Criminal Investigation Department |
| Deutschmark | DM | Abbreviation |
| Diamonds | D | Cards |
| Diana | DI | Abbreviation |
| Dinner jacket | DJ | Abbreviation |
| Direction | N, E, S, W | Compass |
| Disc, disk | O, EP, LP, CD | Appearance, extended play, long play, compact disc |
| Disease | TB | Tuberculosis |
| Doctor | DOC, DR, BM, MB, MD, MO, GP | Abbreviation, Bachelor of Medicine, Medicinae Baccalaureus, Medicinae Doctor, Medical Officer, general practitioner |
| Dram | DR | Abbreviation, unit (dram) |
| Drama | NOH | Noh |
| Drama company | REP | Repertory theatre |
| Drip | IV | Intravenous drip |
| Drug | C, E, X, H | Cocaine, ecstasy, heroin |
| Dry | TT, AA | Teetotal, Alcoholics Anonymous |
| Duck | O | Cricket |
| Ducks | OO | Cricket |
| Each | EA | Abbreviation |
| East | E | Abbreviation |
| East Germany | GDR | German Democratic Republic |
| Ecstasy | E, X | Ecstasy |
| Editor | ED | Abbreviation |
| Egg | O | Appearance |
| Electricity | AC, DC | Alternative current, direct current |
| Eleven | II, XI | Appearance, Roman numerals |
| Elizabeth | E | Abbreviation |
| Energy | E, J | Abbreviation, Joule |
| Engineer | CE, RE, ME | Civil engineer, royal engineer, mechanical engineer |
| English | E | Abbreviation |
| Escape | ESC | Abbreviation |
| Established | EST | Abbreviation |
| Estimated time of arrival | ETA | Abbreviation |
| Europe | EU, EC | European Union, European Community |
| Exercise | PT, PE, TRAIN | Physical therapy/training, physical education |
| Exist | BE | To be |
| Extra | W | Cricket (extra runs from a wide ball) |
| Extra-terrestrial | ET | Abbreviation |
| Extra large | XL | Abbreviation |
| Fahrenheit | F | Abbreviation |
| Father | FR, DAD, DA, PA | Abbreviation, Dad, Slang |
| Female | F | Abbreviation |
| Fighter plane | MIG | MiG |
| Fine | F, OK | F (pencil), OK |
| Firm | CO | Company |
| First | IST | 1st |
| First class | AI | A1 |
| Fish | CARP, COD, EEL, LING, etc. | Fish |
| Fleet | RN | Royal Navy |
| Flying bomb | VI | V1 |
| Following | F | Abbreviation |
| Football association | FA | Football Association |
| Football club | FC | Football Club |
| For example | EG | Exempli gratia |
| Force | F | Abbreviation |
| Former (partner) | EX | Ex |
| France | F | Abbreviation |
| Frenchman | M | Monsieur |
| Game | RU | Rugby Union |
| Gas | H, O, N, CO, CS | Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, capsicum spray |
| German submarine | U | U-boat |
| Germany | GER, D | Abbreviation, Deutschland |
| George | G | Abbreviation |
| Georgia | GA, GE | GA (state), GE (country) |
| German | G | Abbreviation |
| Glasses | OO | Appearance |
| Gold | AU, OR | Chemical symbol, heraldry |
| Good | G, PI | Abbreviation, pious |
| Good man | ST | Saint |
| Graduate | BA, MA, etc. | Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts |
| Gram | G | Abbreviation |
| Grand | G, M, K | Abbreviation, Roman numeral, kilo |
| Grand prix | GP | Abbreviation |
| Greek character or letter | PI, NU, MU, XI, etc. | Greek alphabet |
| Group | GP | Abbreviation |
| Guevara | CHE | Che Guevara |
| Gunners, gunmen | RA | Royal Artillery |
| Gym | PT, PE, TRAIN | Physical therapy/training, physical education |
| Hand | N, E, S, W | Bridge hands |
| Hard | H | Pencil |
| Hear | T | Position on hearing aid |
| Hearts | H | Cards |
| Hectare | HA | Abbreviation |
| Helium | HE | Abbreviation |
| Heroin | H | Abbreviation |
| Hexadecimal | HEX | Abbreviation |
| Hire purchase | HP | Abbreviation |
| Holy man | ST | Saint |
| Home counties | SE | Southeast of England |
| Honour | OBE | OBE |
| Honours | BA, MA, etc. | Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts |
| Horse | G, GG | Slang |
| Hospital | H | Abbreviation |
| Hospital department | AE, ED, ENT | Accident & emergency, emergency department, ear, nose & throat |
| Hour | H, HR | Abbreviation, unit (hour) |
| Houses of parliament | HP | Abbreviation |
| Hug | O | xo |
| Hundred | C, TON | Roman numerals, ton |
| Husband | H | Abbreviation |
| Hush | SH | Shush |
| Hydrogen | H | Abbreviation |
| I am | IM | I’m |
| Iceland | IS | Country code |
| In charge | IC | Abbreviation |
| Inch | IN | Abbreviation |
| Independent | I, IND | Abbreviation |
| Information technology | IT | Abbreviation |
| Initial | INIT | Abbreviation |
| Inspector | DI | Detective inspector |
| Instant message | IM | Abbreviation |
| Integrated circuit | IC | Abbreviation |
| Intelligence | IQ | Intelligence quotient |
| Internet (provider) | ISP | Internet service provider |
| Image | PIC | Picture |
| Iodine | I | Abbreviation |
| Ireland | IRE | Abbreviation |
| Irish Republican Army | IRA | Abbreviation |
| Iron | FE | Chemical symbol |
| Island | IS | Abbreviation |
| Jack | J, TAR, AB | Abbreviation,Jack Tar, able-bodied seaman |
| Jet | MIG | MiG |
| Jolly | RM | Royal Marine |
| Journalist | ED | Editor |
| Judge | J, REF | Abbreviation, referee |
| Junction | T | T-junction |
| Junior | JR | Abbreviation |
| Kelvin | K | Abbreviation |
| Kentucky | KY | State code |
| Key | A, B, C, D, E, F, G | Musical keys |
| Kick off | KO | Abbreviation |
| Kilo | K | Abbreviation |
| King | K, R, HM, HRH, GR, CR | Abbreviation, rex, His Majesty, His Royal Highness, King George, King Charles |
| Kiss | X | xo |
| Knave | J | Jack |
| Knight | K, KT, KBE, KG, N | Abbreviation, Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Knight of the Garter, chess |
| Knock out | KO | Abbreviation |
| Knot | KT | Abbreviation |
| Labour | LAB | Abbreviation |
| Lake | L, LA | Abbreviation |
| Large number | C, D, M, K | Roman numerals, kilo |
| Last (character) | Z | Alphabet |
| Last month | ULT | Ultimo |
| Lawrence | DH, TE | D H Lawrence, T E Lawrence |
| Lawyer | BL, DA | Bachelor of Law, District Attorney |
| Lead | PB | Chemical symbol |
| Learner | L | Abbreviation |
| Left | L | Abbreviation |
| Letter | EF, EL, EM | Alphabet; sounds like ‘F’, ‘L’, ‘M’, etc. |
| Liberal | L, LIB | Abbreviation |
| Lieutenant | LT | Abbreviation |
| Line | L | Lower-case L is a line; l |
| Lines | RY, BR | Railway, British Rail |
| Litre | L | Abbreviation |
| Local area network | LAN | Abbreviation |
| Long wave | LW | Abbreviation |
| Look | LO | Abbreviation |
| Los Angeles | LA | Abbreviation |
| Loud | F, FF | Forte, fortissimo |
| Love | O | Tennis |
| Madame | MME | Abbreviation |
| Maiden | M | Cricket |
| Male | M, HE, PA | Abbreviation, he, paternal |
| Manager | MIC | Man in charge |
| Many | CL, XD, etc. | Roman numerals |
| Map-makers | OS | Ordinance Survey |
| Marines | RM | Royal Marines |
| Married | M | Abbreviation |
| Master of Arts | MA | Abbreviation |
| Master of ceremonies | MC | Abbreviation |
| Masters | MA | Master of Arts |
| Medal | VC, GC, OBE, OM, etc. | Victoria Cross, George Cross, Order of the British Empire, Order of Merit |
| Medic | DOC, DR, BM, MB, MD, MO, GP | Abbreviation, Bachelor of Medicine, Medicinae Baccalaureus, Medicinae Doctor, Medical Officer, general practitioner |
| Megabyte | MB | Abbreviation |
| Member (of Parliament) | MP | Member of Parliament |
| Messerschmitt | ME | Abbreviation |
| Midday | N | Noon |
| Middle East | ME | Abbreviation |
| Midfielder | L | Middle letter of ‘fielder’ |
| Military police | MP | Abbreviation |
| Ministry of Defence | MOD | Abbreviation |
| Minute | M | Abbreviation |
| Model | T | Model T Ford |
| Moment | MO | Abbreviation, slang |
| Monarch | ER,GR,Q,K, R | Elizabeth Regina, George Rex, queen, king, rex, regina |
| Monsieur | M | Abbreviation |
| Months | MOS | Abbreviation (month = mo.) |
| Morning | AM | Ante meridiem |
| Mother | MUM, MOM, MA | Slang |
| Motor racing | FI | F1 (formula one) |
| Motorway | M, MI | Abbreviation, M1 |
| Namely | SC, IE | Scilicet,id est |
| National trust | NT | Abbreviation |
| Navy | RN, ABS, TARS | Royal navy, able-bodied seamen, slang |
| Nazis | SS | Schutzstaffel |
| Neon | NE | Chemical symbol |
| New | N | Abbreviation |
| New Testament | NT | Abbreviation |
| New York | NY | Abbreviation |
| Newspaper | RAG | Slang |
| Newton | N | Abbreviation, unit (Newton) |
| Nitrogen | N | Abbreviation |
| No ball | NB | Abbreviation |
| No good | NG | Abbreviation |
| Noon | N | Abbreviation |
| North | N | Abbreviation |
| Not applicable | NA | Abbreviation |
| Note | A, B, C, D, E, F, G; DO, RE, MI, FA, SO, LA, TI, TE, DOH, NB | Musical notes, nota bene |
| Nothing | O | Zero |
| Novice | L | Learner (e.g. L-plate) |
| Now | AD | Anno Domini |
| Number | I, V, X, C, D, M, L | Roman numerals |
| Nurse | RN, EN | Registered nurse, enrolled nurse |
| Ocean | O | Abbreviation |
| Odds | SP | Starting price |
| Officer | OC, CO | Officer Corps, commanding officer |
| Old | O | Abbreviation |
| Old boy | OB | Abbreviation |
| Old city | UR | Ur |
| Old man | DAD, DA, PA | Slang (father) |
| Old person | OAP | Old age pensioner |
| Old record | EP | EP |
| Old Testament | OT | Abbreviation |
| One | A, AN, I, ACE | Single articles, one, ace (cards) |
| Operating system | OS | Abbreviation |
| Operation | OP | Abbreviation |
| Order | OM | Order of Merit |
| Ordinary seaman | OS | Abbreviation |
| Oriental | E | Eastern |
| Other ranks | OR | Non-commissioned ranks (military) |
| Ounce | OZ | Abbreviation |
| Outsized | OS | Abbreviation |
| Over the top | OTT | Abbreviation |
| Overdose | OD | Abbreviation |
| Oxygen | O | Abbreviation |
| Page | P | Abbreviation |
| Painters | RA | Royal Academy |
| Paramilitaries | ETA, IRA, UFF, UDA | Basque Nationalists, Irish Republican Army, Ulster Freedom Fighters, Ulster Defence Association |
| Parking | P | Abbreviation |
| Party | DO, LAB, LIB, LD, CON, C, TORY | Slang, Labor, Liberals, Liberal Democrats, conservatives, Tory |
| Peacekeepers | UN | United Nations |
| Pencil | HB | HB |
| Penny | P, CU | Abbreviation, copper |
| Phone company | BT | BT |
| Physical education | PE | Abbreviation |
| Physical training | PT | Abbreviation |
| Pint | PT | Abbreviation |
| Place | PL, SET, SITE, SPOT | Abbreviation, set, site, spot |
| Plane | MIG | MiG |
| Plate | L, P | L-plate, P-plate |
| Playing | ON | Stage |
| Poem | IF | If |
| Poet | TS | T S Eliot |
| Point | N, E, S, W | Compass |
| Pole | N, S | North, South |
| Policeman | PC, DI, MET, CID | Police Constable, Detective Inspector, Metropolitan Police, Criminal Investigation Department |
| Politician | MP | Member of Parliament |
| Posh | U | Upper class |
| Post office | PO | Abbreviation |
| Potassium | K | Chemical symbol |
| Pound | LB, L | Symbol (weight, currency) |
| Power | P | Abbreviation |
| Present day | AD | AD |
| Priest | PR, REV, RR, DD, FR, ELI | Abbreviation, reverent, Right Reverend, Doctor of Divinity, Father, Eli (Bible) |
| Prime Minister | PM | Abbreviation |
| Princess | DI | Princess Di |
| Printer’s measure | EN,EM | Typographic units |
| Prisoner of War | POW | Abbreviation |
| Private investigator | PI | Abbreviation |
| Promises | IOUS | IOU |
| Province | NI | Northern Ireland |
| Pub | PH | Public House |
| Public Record Office | PRO | Abbreviation |
| Quarter | N, NE, NW, E, etc. | Compass |
| Quartet | IV | Roman numerals |
| Queen | Q, ER, R, HM | Abbreviation, Elizabeth Regina, Her Majesty |
| Queen’s honour | OBE | OBE |
| Quiet | P, SH | Piano, shush |
| Railway | R, RY, BR | Abbreviation, British Rail |
| Record | EP, LP | Extended play, long play |
| Referee | REF, UMP | Abbreviation, umpire |
| Regina | R | Abbreviation |
| Resistance | R | Unit |
| Retired | RET | Abbreviation |
| Reverend | REV, RR, DD | Abbreviation, Right Reverend, Doctor of Divinity |
| Rex | R | Abbreviation |
| Right | R | Abbreviation |
| Ring | O | Appearance |
| River | R, DEE, EXE, MA, NILE, PO, etc. | Abbreviation,River Dee,River Exe,Ma River,Nile,Po |
| Road | RD, AI | Abbreviation, A1 |
| Rolls Royce | RR | Abbreviation |
| Rook | R | Abbreviation |
| Roughly | CA | Circa |
| Round | O | Appearance |
| Royal Academy | RA | Abbreviation |
| Royal Artillery | RA | Abbreviation |
| Royal Engineers | RE | Abbreviation |
| Royal Marines | RM | Abbreviation |
| Royal Navy | RN | Abbreviation |
| Rugby | RU | Rugby union |
| Run | R | Abbreviation |
| Sailor, salt, seaman | AB, TAR, SALT, JACK, HAND, OS | Able-bodied seaman, slang, ordinary seaman |
| Saint | S, ST | Abbreviation |
| Same | DO | Ditto |
| Sappers | RE | Royal Engineers |
| Satisfactory | S | Abbreviation |
| Say | EG | Exempli gratia |
| Second | S, MO | Abbreviation, moment |
| Second-class | B | B-grade |
| Secret service | SS | Abbreviation |
| Secretary | PA | Personal assistant |
| Senior service | RN | Royal Navy |
| Setter | I, ME | Crossword setter |
| Sex appeal | SA, IT | Abbreviation, the ‘it’ girl |
| Shakespearean king | LEAR | King Lear |
| Shilling | S | Abbreviation |
| Ship | SS | Screw steamer/ steam ship |
| Shirt | T | T shirt |
| Short time | T | Shortening of ‘Time’ |
| Short wave | SW | Abbreviation |
| Significant other | SO | Abbreviation |
| Silk | QC, KC | Queen’s Counsel, King’s Counsel |
| Silver | AG | Chemical symbol |
| Single | I | 1 |
| Small | S | Abbreviation |
| Society | S | Abbreviation |
| Sodium | NA | Chemical symbol |
| Soft | P, B | Piano (music), B (pencil) |
| Soldier | RM, RE, GI, VET | Royal Marine, Royal Engineer, General Infantryman, veteran |
| Son | S | Abbreviation |
| South | S | Abbreviation |
| Spades | S | Cards |
| Spectacles | OO | Appearance |
| State | CA, FL, etc. | California, Florida, etc. |
| Stone | ST | Abbreviation |
| Street | ST | Abbreviation |
| Square | S | Abbreviation |
| Student | L, NUS | Learner, National Union of Students |
| Submarine | SUB, U | Abbreviation, U-boat |
| Sweat | BO | Body odour |
| Tabloid | SUN, RAG | The Sun, slang |
| Take | R | Recipe (Latin for ‘take’) |
| Tar | AB | Able-bodied seaman |
| Tax | VAT, GST, IRS | Value added tax, goods and services tax, Internal Revenue Service |
| Teachers | NUT | National Union of Teachers |
| Team | XI | Roman numerals (eleven players in football or cricket team) |
| Teetotal | TT, AA | Abbreviation, Alcoholics Anonymous |
| Temperature | T | Abbreviation |
| Ten | X | Roman numerals |
| Territorial Army | TA | Abbreviation |
| Terrorists | ETA, IRA, UFF, UDA | Basque Nationalists, Irish Republican Army, Ulster Freedom Fighters, Ulster Defence Association |
| Thanks | TA | Ta |
| That is | IE, SC | id est, scilicet |
| The thing | IT | It |
| Theologian | DD | Doctor of Divinity |
| This month | INST | Instante mense |
| Thousand | M, G, K | Roman numeral, grand, kilo |
| Time | T, S, M, AGE | Abbreviation, second, minute, age |
| Times | X | Multiplication symbol |
| Toilet | WC | Water closet |
| Top class | AI | A1 |
| Tory | CON | Conservative |
| Translator | TR | Abbreviation |
| Trendy | IN | Slang |
| Tripod | Y | Appearance |
| Tungsten | W | Chemical symbol |
| Tyro | L | Learner |
| Unknown | X, Y, Z | Variables |
| Variable | X, Y, Z | Mathematical unknowns |
| Versus | V, VS | Versus (vs.) |
| Very | V | Abbreviation |
| Very black | BB | Pencil |
| Vessel | SS | Screw steamer/ steam ship |
| Viscount | VIS | Abbreviation |
| Vitamin | A, B, BI, C, D, etc. | Vitamins (BI = B1) |
| Volunteers | TA | Territorial Army |
| Vote | X | ☒ (voting) |
| Way | RD, ST, AVE | Road, street, avenue |
| Weight | G, LM | Gram, pound |
| Wheel | O | Appearance |
| Whistle-blower | REF | Referee |
| Wide | W | Abbreviation |
| Wife | W | Abbreviation |
| Will | LL | Contraction |
| With | W | Abbreviation |
| Without | WO | Abbreviation |
| Women’s supporter | BRA | Brassiere |
| Work | W, OP, OPUS | Abbreviation, operation, opus |
| Worker | ANT, BEE | Worker ant, worker bee |
| X | IO | Roman numerals (10) |
| Yard | Y, YD | Abbreviation |
| Year | Y, YR | Abbreviation |
| AYours truly | I, ME | Definition |
| Zero | O | Appearance |
