NYT Crossword hints and answer for August 20, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across41
Down37
ConstructorVictor Schmitt
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
Tycoon (5)
Starts with B, ends with NBARON→
6A
"Famously friendly" pooch, per the American Kennel Club (3)
Starts with L, ends with BLAB→
9A
Mystery author Josephine (3)
Starts with T, ends with YTEY→
12A
Moody hip-hop subgenre (6)
Starts with E, ends with PEMORAP→
14A
Electronic setting on a floor model (8)
Starts with D, ends with EDEMOMODE→
16A
Switch to a newsperson on the scene, say (6)
Starts with G, ends with EGOLIVE→
17A
Common sushi go-with (8)
Starts with M, ends with PMISOSOUP→
18A
Hair goop (3)
Starts with G, ends with LGEL→
19A
Marijuana component, for short (3)
Starts with T, ends with CTHC→
21A
Like many a coffee order (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTOGO→
22A
Only U.S. prez born in Kentucky (3)
Starts with A, ends with EABE→
23A
Letters for a sellout (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSRO→
24A
Whistle blower (3)
Starts with R, ends with FREF→
25A
"I had something come up," maybe (3)
Starts with F, ends with BFIB→
28A
Square root (7)
Starts with R, ends with LRADICAL→
30A
2003 Will Ferrell film (3)
Starts with E, ends with FELF→
31A
Org. that prohibits Magic 8 Balls and baseball bats (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATSA→
32A
Custom in Japanese food service (6)
Starts with N, ends with SNOTIPS→
34A
Went letter by letter, to Brits (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSPELT→
36A
Brief verse from Japan / With seventeen syllables / Illustrated here (5)
Starts with H, ends with UHAIKU→
39A
Item seen rolling through this puzzle (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDIE→
40A
Fixes, as a piano (5)
Starts with T, ends with STUNES→
41A
Freddy Krueger's locale: Abbr. (5)
Starts with E, ends with TELMST→
42A
Evolutionary "missing link" (6)
Starts with A, ends with NAPEMAN→
44A
U.F.C. fighting style (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMMA→
45A
Mole, e.g. (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSPY→
47A
Slobbery smooch (7)
Starts with D, ends with SDOGKISS→
51A
First receptionist on "The Office" (3)
Starts with P, ends with MPAM→
52A
Delivers, as a baby (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHAS→
53A
Before, poetically (3)
Starts with E, ends with EERE→
54A
T. rex fossil named after its discoverer (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESUE→
55A
Distinctive feature of the durian fruit (4)
Starts with O, ends with RODOR→
57A
The Big Apple's ___ Drive (3)
Starts with F, ends with RFDR→
58A
Singer DiFranco (3)
Starts with A, ends with IANI→
59A
Frenemy of Betty in comics (8)
Starts with V, ends with AVERONICA→
62A
Classic Asimov collection (6)
Starts with I, ends with TIROBOT→
65A
Boosted (8)
Starts with P, ends with DPROMOTED→
66A
Five Nations tribe (6)
Starts with S, ends with ASENECA→
67A
___ Marino (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSAN→
68A
Patty melt bread (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERYE→
69A
Start of many emoticons (5)
Starts with C, ends with NCOLON→
Down
1D
Change seeker (6)
Starts with B, ends with RBEGGAR→
2D
Shape-shifting organism (6)
Starts with A, ends with AAMOEBA→
3D
Like some oats (6)
Starts with R, ends with DROLLED→
4D
"... ___ quit!" (3)
Starts with O, ends with IORI→
5D
Sat ___ (GPS, to Brits) (3)
Starts with N, ends with VNAV→
6D
Perishable bit of apparel (3)
Starts with L, ends with ILEI→
7D
Dutch bier (6)
Starts with A, ends with LAMSTEL→
8D
Expel with jeers (11)
Starts with B, ends with EBOOOFFSTAGE→
9D
More than one would like (8)
Starts with T, ends with NTOOOFTEN→
10D
Collegiate domain? (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
11D
"Uh-huh" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with PYEP→
13D
Scabbers, to Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter books (6)
Starts with P, ends with TPETRAT→
14D
Hip-hop's Run-___ (3)
Starts with D, ends with CDMC→
15D
Flavoring in some fast food, for short (3)
Starts with M, ends with GMSG→
20D
January and November have the most federal ones (8)
Starts with H, ends with SHOLIDAYS→
23D
"No lie!" (11)
Starts with S, ends with RSCOUTSHONOR→
24D
Adjusted the rankings of, as a tournament (8)
Starts with R, ends with DRESEEDED→
26D
Michigan's ___ Royale National Park (4)
Starts with I, ends with EISLE→
27D
Cave dwellers (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBATS→
29D
Tats (up) (4)
Starts with I, ends with SINKS→
33D
What every "O" in this grid represents (3)
Starts with P, ends with PPIP→
35D
The Ramones' genre (4)
Starts with P, ends with KPUNK→
36D
Material in some eco-friendly clothing (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHEMP→
37D
Liberal arts college in Michigan (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALMA→
38D
Remark accompanied by a facepalm (8)
Starts with I, ends with NIMAMORON→
43D
Actor Lamorne of Fox's "New Girl" (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMORRIS→
46D
Sameness (6)
Starts with P, ends with YPARITY→
48D
Writer Allende (6)
Starts with I, ends with LISABEL→
49D
Gas brand that sponsors NASCAR (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSUNOCO→
50D
Wheat-based meat alternative (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSEITAN→
56D
Benedictine's title (3)
Starts with D, ends with MDOM→
57D
It's all the rage (3)
Starts with F, ends with DFAD→
59D
Air Force Two passengers, in brief (3)
Starts with V, ends with SVPS→
60D
"Fearless" or "1989," for Taylor Swift (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
61D
Middling grade (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECEE→
63D
Lead-in to center or room (3)
Starts with R, ends with CREC→
64D
Musician Yoko (3)
Starts with O, ends with OONO→
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 20, 2025?+
78 clues: 41 Across and 37 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Victor Schmitt and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Tycoon (BARON); "Famously friendly" pooch, per the American Kennel Club (LAB); Mystery author Josephine (TEY).
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.
