NYT Crossword hints and answer for August 9, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues66
Across33
Down33
ConstructorAidan Deshong and Akshay Seetharam
Today’s NYT Crossword clues, hints & answers
Every clue from this puzzle with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so you only see what you need. Click a clue for its own page.
Across
1A
Approach boldly (6)
Starts with A, ends with TACCOST→
7A
Word with fixed or net (6)
Starts with A, ends with SASSETS→
13A
Purple-hatted Nintendo character (7)
Starts with W, ends with IWALUIGI→
15A
Mildew, e.g. (6)
Starts with B, ends with TBLIGHT→
16A
Little Italian toasts (8)
Starts with C, ends with ICROSTINI→
18A
One choice at a dry cleaner (6)
Starts with H, ends with RHANGER→
19A
Say but not really mean (5)
Starts with M, ends with HMOUTH→
20A
English town known for its mineral water (5)
Starts with E, ends with MEPSOM→
22A
Historical event that acquired its name almost two decades after it ended, in brief (3)
Starts with W, ends with IWWI→
23A
Car once promoted with the slogan "It's Your Money … Demand Better," informally (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOLDS→
24A
Joy of television (5)
Starts with B, ends with RBEHAR→
25A
Windjammer, e.g. (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSHIP→
26A
33-Down platform, for short (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNES→
27A
Deceived, maybe (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLEDON→
28A
Retreats (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLAIRS→
29A
Move around from here to there (11)
Starts with C, ends with ECUTANDPASTE→
31A
Unhelpful response to "Why?" (11)
Starts with J, ends with EJUSTBECAUSE→
32A
Rabbit food? (11)
Starts with E, ends with YEASTERCANDY→
33A
Pats (down) (5)
Starts with T, ends with STAMPS→
34A
Progresses slowly (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEASES→
35A
Something chewed over (3)
Starts with C, ends with DCUD→
38A
Sections of history (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERAS→
39A
Has legs (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLASTS→
40A
Something to climb in a WWE match (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROPE→
41A
"Stop! We get it!" (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITMI→
43A
Literature Nobelist who wrote "Siddhartha" (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHESSE→
44A
People whose flag depicts the Lion of Judah (6)
Starts with R, ends with SRASTAS→
46A
Animal that sleeps while floating on its back (8)
Starts with S, ends with RSEAOTTER→
48A
University of California campus locale (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIRVINE→
49A
"The Ultimate Trivia Destination," per its website (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESPORCLE→
50A
Moves in the shadows (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSKULKS→
51A
Parts of cassette players (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSPOOLS→
Down
1D
"Really, now!" (6)
Starts with A, ends with NAWCMON→
2D
Actress Lombard of classic Hollywood (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECAROLE→
3D
"Above the ___, as high as heaven itself?": Shak. (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCLOUDS→
4D
Ejects (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOUSTS→
5D
Villainous group of science fiction (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSITH→
6D
___ Fridays (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITGI→
7D
Can't stand (5)
Starts with A, ends with RABHOR→
9D
"The only ___ is mediocrity": Martha Graham (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSIN→
10D
Ingredient in meringue cookies (8)
Starts with E, ends with EEGGWHITE→
11D
#1 on BBC's list of greatest 21st-century TV series (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETHEWIRE→
12D
Comics (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTRIPS→
14D
"This work is getting to be too much" (11)
Starts with I, ends with KINEEDABREAK→
17D
Apple skins? (11)
Starts with I, ends with SIPHONECASES→
21D
Buildings that aren't water-resistant (11)
Starts with S, ends with SSANDCASTLES→
24D
"La Cousine ___" (Balzac novel) (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBETTE→
25D
Overly wise, say (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSASSY→
27D
Feels thirsty (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLUSTS→
28D
Gives accolades (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLAUDS→
30D
You can see right through them (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPANES→
31D
32D
Designate, as funds (7)
Starts with E, ends with KEARMARK→
33D
Series of mental blocks? (6)
Starts with T, ends with STETRIS→
35D
Retail giant that opened its first store in Seattle in 1983 (6)
Starts with C, ends with OCOSTCO→
36D
Persuade to pay more than originally intended (6)
Starts with U, ends with LUPSELL→
37D
Popular farm vehicles (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDEERES→
39D
Falls short, say (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOSES→
40D
Lead-in to active (5)
Starts with R, ends with ORETRO→
42D
American in Paris? (4)
Starts with Y, ends with KYANK→
43D
Certain earring (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHOOP→
45D
Poetic contraction (3)
Starts with T, ends with LTIL→
47D
Some courses for honor students, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with SAPS→
How to solve the NYT Crossword
Fill the grid so that every Across and Down answer matches its clue. Numbered squares mark where answers begin. Theme answers, usually the longest entries, share a twist that the puzzle's title or a revealer clue explains. Thursday puzzles are known for rebus squares and other tricks that bend the normal rules.
Want the full method? Read our NYT Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the NYT Crossword on the hub.
NYT Crossword tips for tomorrow
- Start with Monday-level clues. Even on a Saturday, a handful of clues are straightforward. Find them and build outward from the crossings.
- Hunt for the revealer. A clue that references other entries or ends in "?" often explains the theme. Solving it first unlocks the long answers.
- Respect the day of the week. Thursday means tricks like rebus squares; Friday and Saturday mean long, clever fill with misleading clues.
Done for today? Try The Mini, The Midi, LA Times Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous NYT Crossword puzzles
NYT Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the NYT Crossword for August 9, 2025?+
66 clues: 33 Across and 33 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Aidan Deshong and Akshay Seetharam and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Approach boldly (ACCOST); Word with fixed or net (ASSETS); Purple-hatted Nintendo character (WALUIGI).
What time does the NYT Crossword come out?+
The next day's puzzle is released at 10:00 pm Eastern Time Monday to Friday and at 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Where can I find past NYT Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all Across and Down answers, plus a page for each clue. Click any date above.
