NYT Crossword hints and answer for December 25, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across35
Down37
ConstructorSam Ezersky
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
Response to discovering the theme of a crossword (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAHA→
4A
Dashing through the ___ ... (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSNOW→
8A
Foam on a seashore (4)
Starts with S, ends with FSURF→
12A
One who runs, informally (3)
Starts with P, ends with LPOL→
13A
Possible base for a Caesar salad (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKALE→
14A
Of help (5)
Starts with U, ends with EUTILE→
16A
Dawdle (8)
Starts with L, ends with GLOLLYGAG→
18A
Some anxious behavior on one's feet (6)
Starts with P, ends with GPACING→
20A
Stew (over) (6)
Starts with O, ends with SOBSESS→
21A
In a ___ open sleigh ... (8)
Starts with O, ends with EONEHORSE→
23A
Where Bart Simpson directs his prank calls (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMOES→
24A
Buffet stand vessel (3)
Starts with U, ends with NURN→
25A
Rare day for an N.F.L. game: Abbr. (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETUE→
26A
One way to take a bull (10)
Starts with B, ends with SBYTHEHORNS→
31A
Old dagger carried by Scottish Highlanders (4)
Starts with D, ends with KDIRK→
32A
Michael of "Barbie" (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACERA→
33A
Hits from the side, informally (6)
Starts with T, ends with STBONES→
35A
39A
Stretch (6)
Starts with P, ends with DPERIOD→
40A
Letter after three consecutive rhyming letters (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIOTA→
41A
Right-eous path? (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEAST→
42A
Footwear for a bride, perhaps (10)
Starts with W, ends with SWHITEHEELS→
48A
JFK or EWR alternative (3)
Starts with L, ends with ALGA→
49A
Cable lead-in to TV (3)
Starts with T, ends with UTRU→
50A
Jump in skates (4)
Starts with A, ends with LAXEL→
51A
What's seen "all the way" through this puzzle? (8)
Starts with L, ends with GLAUGHING→
54A
Ryan with swimming gold medals in four straight Olympics (6)
Starts with L, ends with ELOCHTE→
56A
"All that being said ..." (6)
Starts with A, ends with TANDYET→
59A
"Yes ___!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESIREE→
60A
Something typed in this field: YYYY (4)
Starts with Y, ends with RYEAR→
61A
Fashion designer Lange (3)
Starts with L, ends with ZLIZ→
62A
Many a vacation package (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTOUR→
63A
Transcript ruiners (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEFFS→
64A
___ pop (hybrid music genre) (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→
Down
1D
Chillness (6)
Starts with A, ends with BAPLOMB→
2D
"Oh me, oh my!" (6)
Starts with H, ends with YHOOBOY→
3D
Ready to go (6)
Starts with A, ends with TALLSET→
4D
"___ the Limit" (posthumous hit for the Notorious B.I.G.) (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSKYS→
5D
Horses studied by touts (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNAGS→
6D
Portuguese greeting (3)
Starts with O, ends with AOLA→
7D
O'er the fields ___ ... (4)
Starts with W, ends with OWEGO→
8D
Eurasia or Oceania, in "1984" (10)
Starts with S, ends with ESUPERSTATE→
9D
Like many Mormons (5)
Starts with U, ends with NUTAHN→
10D
The "R" of P.R. (4)
Starts with R, ends with ORICO→
11D
Vodka-and-pineapple juice cocktail popularized on "Sex and the City" (8)
Starts with F, ends with IFLIRTINI→
15D
Sews up (7)
Starts with E, ends with SENSURES→
17D
Phil of the Grateful Dead (4)
Starts with L, ends with HLESH→
19D
Uber-enthusiasts (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGEEKS→
22D
Someone who might ask "Mother, may I?" (3)
Starts with N, ends with NNUN→
27D
Zoom call issue (4)
Starts with E, ends with OECHO→
28D
"S.N.L." V.I.P. (10)
Starts with H, ends with RHEADWRITER→
29D
Pilot who shares a tent with Yossarian in "Catch-22" (3)
Starts with O, ends with RORR→
30D
Sides of pie slices, essentially (5)
Starts with R, ends with IRADII→
31D
Ballon ___ (soccer star's award) (3)
Starts with D, ends with RDOR→
34D
Slangy "dude" (4)
Starts with B, ends with HBRAH→
35D
White House family of the 1980s (7)
Starts with R, ends with SREAGANS→
36D
Tax dodger's fear (8)
Starts with I, ends with TIRSAUDIT→
37D
Loc. ___ (footnote abbr.) (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCIT→
38D
Very in (3)
Starts with H, ends with THOT→
39D
Big name in windows and doors (5)
Starts with P, ends with APELLA→
43D
Raider in times past (3)
Starts with H, ends with NHUN→
44D
A person (4)
Starts with E, ends with HEACH→
45D
Go "Phew!," say (6)
Starts with E, ends with EEXHALE→
46D
"He has my permission" (6)
Starts with L, ends with MLETHIM→
47D
Total slimeball (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSLEAZO→
49D
Intl. org. with 12 stars on its flag (5)
Starts with T, ends with UTHEEU→
52D
Halal cart offering (4)
Starts with G, ends with OGYRO→
53D
Elided farewell (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGBYE→
54D
Do pretty much nothing (4)
Starts with L, ends with FLOAF→
55D
Between you and me (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOURS→
58D
At whom you might yell "Are we watching the same game?!" (3)
Starts with R, ends with FREF→
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 December 25, 2025?+
72 clues: 35 Across and 37 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Sam Ezersky and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Response to discovering the theme of a crossword (AHA); Dashing through the ___ ... (SNOW); Foam on a seashore (SURF).
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.
