NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 23, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across33
Down39
ConstructorKate Hawkins
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
Dining at Chipotle or Panera, e.g. (10)
Starts with F, ends with LFASTCASUAL→
11A
Hand-held 2000s Sony console, for short (3)
Starts with P, ends with PPSP→
14A
"The Black Unicorn" poet, 1978 (10)
Starts with A, ends with EAUDRELORDE→
15A
"Oh, that's a good one" (4)
Starts with H, ends with AHAHA→
16A
"Actually, I have good news" (15)
Starts with I, ends with YITSYOURLUCKYDAY→
19A
Punt e ___ (vermouth brand) (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMES→
20A
Tight formation (6)
Starts with H, ends with EHUDDLE→
21A
Express disapproval, in a way (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHISS→
23A
Boston University athlete (7)
Starts with T, ends with RTERRIER→
24A
Expect (5)
Starts with A, ends with TAWAIT→
27A
Inst. in Athens (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUGA→
29A
Color akin to camel (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTAN→
30A
Sucked up (10)
Starts with K, ends with TKISSEDBUTT→
33A
Class in middle or high school (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGYM→
36A
Yellowstone traffic stoppers (3)
Starts with E, ends with KELK→
37A
Cocktails garnished with mint leaves (7)
Starts with M, ends with SMOJITOS→
39A
Digitus minimus pedis, for one (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETOE→
40A
"Every ___ and fairy sprite / Hop as light as bird from brier": Shak. (3)
Starts with E, ends with FELF→
41A
"I'm listening ..." (10)
Starts with T, ends with ETELLMEMORE→
43A
Baboon (3)
Starts with O, ends with FOAF→
46A
First in command? (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECEE→
47A
"The Artist's Garden at Giverny" artist (5)
Starts with M, ends with TMONET→
48A
Uber-progressives (7)
Starts with F, ends with TFARLEFT→
51A
Doppelgänger (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTWIN→
53A
Feeling it more (6)
Starts with A, ends with RACHIER→
54A
"Very. Funny." (3)
Starts with H, ends with RHAR→
55A
Drudge (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTOIL→
59A
Something taken by many artists (15)
Starts with C, ends with ECREATIVELICENSE→
62A
Fish bred by Roman nobles (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
63A
What might get you out of a jam? (10)
Starts with S, ends with TSIDESTREET→
64A
1/48 cup: Abbr. (3)
Starts with T, ends with PTSP→
65A
What some loggers log (10)
Starts with K, ends with SKEYSTROKES→
Down
1D
Upright (4)
Starts with F, ends with RFAIR→
2D
Malibu, e.g. (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAUTO→
3D
Calif. school that runs the Mount Laguna Observatory (4)
Starts with S, ends with USDSU→
4D
"Have a taste" (7)
Starts with T, ends with STRYTHIS→
5D
Steering committee V.I.P. (3)
Starts with C, ends with OCEO→
6D
Quinquennial campus visitors, maybe (5)
Starts with A, ends with SALUMS→
7D
It hurts when it comes up (11)
Starts with S, ends with TSORESUBJECT→
8D
Digital addresses (4)
Starts with U, ends with SURLS→
9D
Secondary residence on a property, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with UADU→
10D
Café add-in (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELECHE→
11D
Children's character who wears a duffle coat (10)
Starts with P, ends with NPADDINGTON→
12D
Cement ingredient (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHALE→
13D
One footing the bill (5)
Starts with P, ends with RPAYER→
15D
Monster slain in one of Hercules' 12 labors (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHYDRA→
17D
Author Vonnegut (4)
Starts with K, ends with TKURT→
22D
Object (4)
Starts with I, ends with MITEM→
23D
Little rats (11)
Starts with T, ends with STATTLETALES→
24D
Fruit that grows on Jamaican beaches (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAKEE→
25D
Determination (4)
Starts with W, ends with LWILL→
26D
Request a hand (10)
Starts with A, ends with PASKFORHELP→
28D
Cunning (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGUILE→
31D
Period (3)
Starts with D, ends with TDOT→
32D
South Korean golfer Kim (3)
Starts with T, ends with MTOM→
34D
Days long past (4)
Starts with Y, ends with EYORE→
35D
Convene (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMEET→
38D
Place for a cabin (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISEMI→
42D
___ Lamar Hill a.k.a. Lil Nas X (7)
Starts with M, ends with OMONTERO→
44D
Fugitive's cover (5)
Starts with A, ends with SALIAS→
45D
Units that might be metrical or imperial (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFEET→
48D
Aspect (5)
Starts with F, ends with TFACET→
49D
A lot can be made of these (5)
Starts with A, ends with SACRES→
50D
Check for pieces, say (5)
Starts with F, ends with KFRISK→
52D
Watch this space! (5)
Starts with W, ends with TWRIST→
54D
Actress/inventor Lamarr, the so-called "mother of Wi-Fi" (4)
Starts with H, ends with YHEDY→
56D
Kid-friendly race length, in brief (4)
Starts with O, ends with KONEK→
57D
"Gotcha" (4)
Starts with I, ends with EISEE→
58D
Some redos (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLETS→
60D
Compete (for) (3)
Starts with V, ends with EVIE→
61D
Middle: Abbr. (3)
Starts with C, ends with RCTR→
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 May 23, 2025?+
72 clues: 33 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Kate Hawkins and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Dining at Chipotle or Panera, e.g. (FASTCASUAL); Hand-held 2000s Sony console, for short (PSP); "The Black Unicorn" poet, 1978 (AUDRELORDE).
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.
