USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 9, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across39
Down37
DaySunday
Today’s USA Today 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
Flower holders (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVASES→
6A
The "one" in a one-two punch (3)
Starts with J, ends with BJAB→
9A
Oyster sauce amount (Abbr.) (4)
Starts with T, ends with PTBSP→
13A
"Before Sunrise," "Before Sunset" and "Before Midnight" star Hawke (5)
Starts with E, ends with NETHAN→
14A
The Cab genre (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→
15A
Athletic trainer (5)
Starts with C, ends with HCOACH→
16A
___ apso (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALHASA→
17A
"Interesting . . ." (3)
Starts with O, ends with HOOH→
18A
Reversed (5)
Starts with U, ends with DUNDID→
19A
"I'm in awe!" (14)
Starts with V, ends with EVERYIMPRESSIVE→
22A
WSW opposite (3)
Starts with E, ends with EENE→
23A
Mauna ___ (Hawaiian volcano) (3)
Starts with L, ends with ALOA→
24A
Gameplay environment, in gaming (3)
Starts with M, ends with PMAP→
25A
Two peas ___ pod (3)
Starts with I, ends with AINA→
27A
Little bits (4)
Starts with T, ends with STADS→
29A
Strongly advised (5)
Starts with U, ends with DURGED→
31A
Basics (4)
Starts with A, ends with SABCS→
32A
Like the goddess Saraswati (5)
Starts with H, ends with UHINDU→
34A
People also known as the Muscogee (5)
Starts with C, ends with KCREEK→
35A
Visual media company known for stock photos (11)
Starts with G, ends with SGETTYIMAGES→
38A
"___ Disposition" (The Temper Trap song) (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSWEET→
40A
Kind of protest (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSITIN→
41A
"The Babadook" director Jennifer (4)
Starts with K, ends with TKENT→
42A
___ pad (notebook) (5)
Starts with S, ends with OSTENO→
44A
Storyline trajectories (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARCS→
48A
Songwriter Tamposi (3)
Starts with A, ends with IALI→
49A
Place for a hearing aid (3)
Starts with E, ends with REAR→
50A
Calligraphy liquid (3)
Starts with I, ends with KINK→
52A
Enjoy some hopia (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEAT→
53A
Like a VR experience that feels completely real (14)
Starts with F, ends with EFULLYIMMERSIVE→
57A
Pad krapow gai herb (5)
Starts with B, ends with LBASIL→
58A
"The Golden Girls" star Arthur (3)
Starts with B, ends with ABEA→
59A
"I'm flattered!" (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOHGEE→
60A
Cornmeal cake (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAREPA→
61A
Goof up (3)
Starts with E, ends with RERR→
62A
Moon-related (5)
Starts with L, ends with RLUNAR→
63A
Famous Scottish loch (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNESS→
64A
With 65-Across, concert song lineups (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSET→
65A
See 64-Across (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLISTS→
Down
1D
Upscale fabric (6)
Starts with V, ends with TVELVET→
2D
Minerva's Greek counterpart (6)
Starts with A, ends with AATHENA→
3D
Didn't keep everything for oneself (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSHARED→
4D
"No sweat!" (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEASY→
5D
Slow-moving gastropod (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSNAIL→
6D
Game show whose "think music" was originally a lullaby (8)
Starts with J, ends with YJEOPARDY→
7D
Love, in Spanish (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAMOR→
8D
"Rent" song "La Vie ___" (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBOHEME→
9D
"Beloved" author Morrison (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITONI→
10D
Negative energy (8)
Starts with B, ends with SBADVIBES→
11D
Astronomy or epidemiology, e.g. (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESCIENCE→
12D
Certain grad school degree (3)
Starts with P, ends with DPHD→
20D
___ Everest (5)
Starts with M, ends with TMOUNT→
21D
Bummed (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSAD→
26D
___.com (search engine that officially closed on May 1, 2026) (3)
Starts with A, ends with KASK→
28D
Mattress covering (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSHEET→
30D
False appearance (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGUISE→
31D
Sporting venue (5)
Starts with A, ends with AARENA→
33D
Wednesday Addams' cousin (3)
Starts with I, ends with TITT→
34D
Sci-fi FX (3)
Starts with C, ends with ICGI→
35D
Whizzes (8)
Starts with G, ends with SGENIUSES→
36D
Gas-station store (8)
Starts with M, ends with TMINIMART→
37D
Make things right (5)
Starts with A, ends with EATONE→
38D
Jamaican music genre (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASKA→
39D
TANF, e.g. (7)
Starts with W, ends with EWELFARE→
42D
Articulate (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSAY→
43D
Cherokee and Pueblo, for two (6)
Starts with T, ends with STRIBES→
45D
Serves as ruler (6)
Starts with R, ends with SREIGNS→
46D
Warning (6)
Starts with C, ends with TCAVEAT→
47D
Takes the wheel (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEERS→
49D
"Yellowjackets" star Purnell (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELLA→
51D
"Big Mouth" star Nick (5)
Starts with K, ends with LKROLL→
54D
Body parts that can be "sealed" (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLIPS→
55D
"A ___ technicality!" (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMERE→
56D
Feng ___ (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISHUI→
57D
Forbid (3)
Starts with B, ends with NBAN→
How to solve the USA Today Crossword
Fill the grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title explains the theme. Our answer pages list every clue with its answer behind a reveal button, and link to an individual page for each clue.
Want the full method? Read our USA Today Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the USA Today Crossword on the hub.
USA Today Crossword tips for tomorrow
- The title is the theme. USA Today titles describe the theme plainly. Reread it once you have one long answer.
- Expect modern references. Agard's puzzles feature recent music, film and internet culture more than most newspapers.
- Solve the short fill fast. Difficulty is even all week, so three- and four-letter crossings are reliable gimmes.
Done for today? Try LA Times Crossword, Newsday Crossword, NYT Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous USA Today Crossword puzzles
USA Today Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the USA Today Crossword for August 9, 2026?+
76 clues: 39 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Flower holders (VASES); The "one" in a one-two punch (JAB); Oyster sauce amount (Abbr.) (TBSP).
Who edits the USA Today Crossword?+
Erik Agard has edited the USA Today Crossword since 2020.
Where can I find past USA Today Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
