Grp Crossword Clue (2024)

FAQs

What do the numbers next to crossword clues mean? ›

Cryptic clues are followed by a number or numbers in parentheses indicating the length of the answer: (5) means it's a five-letter word, while (2,3,4) indicates a three-word phrase like “in the know.”

However, many times the blank space can be filled in with two or more words. In easier crosswords, multiple words will be indicated with (2 words) or (2 wds.), but more often than not it will be up to the solver to determine how many words fill in the space.

A rebus can be a letter, number or symbol that represents a word, but in many crosswords, the rebus will be a word or group of letters that need to be written inside a single square.

1. The clue will always be in the same part of speech as the answer. If it's a noun, you're looking for another noun. If it's a verb, you're looking for another verb.

Definitions

The first step to deciphering a cryptic clue, is to identify the definition. The definition tends to be the first or last word (or group of words) in the clue. Once you think you know which part is the definition, your answer will be something that means the same thing, similar to a traditional crossword.

The brackets usually indicate an indirect reference.

For those new to the game, we reveal the secret in a nutshell: The clues each have two parts. One part is a normal definition of the answer; the other is an additional hint using wordplay. Having two hints in each clue might seem a big giveaway to solvers. Why aren't these clues twice as easy?

In fact, studies have shown that solving crossword puzzles on a regular basis can help improve your working memory, short-term memory, and overall brain health.

Don't be intimidated by crossword puzzles. “ERA” is the most common entry in crosswords, as well as “ARE,” “AREA,” and “ORE.” If a clue is in plural, the word will probably end in “S.” “Cheating” by checking a letter or word is encouraged if you're stuck.

The crosswords are designed to increase in difficulty throughout the week, with the easiest on Monday and the most difficult on Saturday. The larger Sunday crossword, which appears in The New York Times Magazine, is an icon in American culture; it is typically intended to be as difficult as a Thursday puzzle.

What do circled letters mean in crosswords? ›

Although not present in all crossword types, circles are typically placed around letter squares in crosswords to refer to squares that will form part of a theme. After solving the crossword, the circled letters can be combined together to spell a word associated with the theme, or name the theme itself.

Remember that many, but not all, of the answers in the grid are one letter too long. Those extra letters, the overflow, occupy a gray box at the beginning or end of the spaces allocated for their entry. Two important constraints: An entry is never more than one letter too long, and each gray box is used only once.

How hard could it be? The Saturday crossword is actually the hardest puzzle of the week. Mondays have the most straightforward clues and Saturday clues are the hardest, or involve the most wordplay. Contrary to popular belief, the Sunday puzzles are midweek difficulty, not the hardest.

A crossword (or crossword puzzle) is a word game consisting of a grid of black and white squares, into which solvers enter words or phrases ("entries") crossing each other horizontally ("across") and vertically ("down") according to a set of clues.

Score each new word for the letters it contains, and for each bonus square a new letter contacts. If backwards words are allowed, and a new word spells a different word forward and backward, both words score. If diagonal words are allowed, be sure that all the diagonals form words.