Microscopic (13)

Latest answer — August 14, 2026

24 Across

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Clue decoded

INFINITESIMAL means extremely small, or microscopic in size. It is an adjective modifying something whose dimensions are almost immeasurably tiny.

Clue type:
Definition
A tiny organism shown under a microscope

Guardian Quick Crossword

This clue's Friday, August 14, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Feature of everyday speech (13)
  2. 8On paper, they're friends (3,4)
  3. 9Sycophant (5)
  4. 10Killed - a large number (4)
  5. 11Tree-dwelling (8)
  6. 13Shrewd (6)
  7. 14Deliberately avoid (6)
  8. 17Retreat (8)
  9. 19Wide expanse of uncultivated ground (4)
  10. 21Adhesive - tasteless (5)
  11. 22Masonic or mayoral fancy dress? (7)
  12. 24Microscopic (13)

Down

  1. 1Price or shower? (3)
  2. 2Merciful (7)
  3. 3So-so (4)
  4. 4Dubious (6)
  5. 5Non-mainstream (film) (3-5)
  6. 6Dopy (5)
  7. 7Spring blossom (9)
  8. 10Strap, squash or junction (9)
  9. 12Don't get carried away! (6,2)
  10. 15Gangster (7)
  11. 16Tempting vegetable? (6)
  12. 18Coffee that won't keep you up (5)
  13. 20An eternity (4)
  14. 23Everyone (3)

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Feature of everyday speech (13) — Answer: COLLOQUIALISM. Hint: Think of the informal wording people use in casual conversation. 💬
  2. 8. On paper, they're friends (3,4) — Answer: PENPALS. Hint: These buddies keep in touch through handwritten messages. ✉️
  3. 9. Sycophant (5) — Answer: TOADY. Hint: Think of someone who praises the powerful far too eagerly. 🐸
  4. 10. Killed - a large number (4) — Answer: SLEW. Hint: This word can mean either “killed” or “a great many.” 💀
  5. 11. Tree-dwelling (8) — Answer: ARBOREAL. Hint: Think of creatures that make their homes high among the branches. 🌳
  6. 13. Shrewd (6) — Answer: ASTUTE. Hint: Cleverly perceptive and good at sizing things up. 🧠
  7. 14. Deliberately avoid (6) — Answer: ESCHEW. Hint: Choose to steer clear of something on purpose. 🚫
  8. 17. Retreat (8) — Answer: HIDEAWAY. Hint: A secluded spot where you can escape the hustle and bustle. 🏞️
  9. 19. Wide expanse of uncultivated ground (4) — Answer: MOOR. Hint: Think of a windswept heathland where sheep might roam. 🌾
  10. 21. Adhesive - tasteless (5) — Answer: TACKY. Hint: Think of a word describing both something sticky and something lacking good taste. 🫠
  11. 22. Masonic or mayoral fancy dress? (7) — Answer: REGALIA. Hint: Think of the ceremonial finery worn by officials or members of a lodge. 👑
  12. 24. Microscopic (13) — Answer: INFINITESIMAL. Hint: So tiny it makes a speck of dust look enormous! 🔬

Down

  1. 1. Price or shower? (3) — Answer: CAP. Hint: It can limit a cost or keep your hair dry in the shower. 💡
  2. 2. Merciful (7) — Answer: LENIENT. Hint: Showing kindness by being forgiving rather than strict. 🤗
  3. 3. So-so (4) — Answer: OKAY. Hint: A casual way to say something is merely average 😐
  4. 4. Dubious (6) — Answer: UNSURE. Hint: Not quite convinced or certain? 🤔
  5. 5. Non-mainstream (film) (3-5) — Answer: ARTHOUSE. Hint: A film made for niche audiences rather than the multiplex crowd 🎬
  6. 6. Dopy (5) — Answer: INANE. Hint: A gentle word for someone acting foolishly. 🤪
  7. 7. Spring blossom (9) — Answer: MAYFLOWER. Hint: Think of a fragrant spring flower whose name also recalls a famous ship from early American history. 🌼
  8. 10. Strap, squash or junction (9) — Answer: SPAGHETTI. Hint: This nine-letter word links a delicate shoulder accessory, a tangled interchange, and a long squash variety. 🍝
  9. 12. Don't get carried away! (6,2) — Answer: STEADYON. Hint: A gentle reminder to stay calm and not get too excited. 🧘
  10. 15. Gangster (7) — Answer: HOODLUM. Hint: Think of a rough street criminal with a tough reputation. 🕵️
  11. 16. Tempting vegetable? (6) — Answer: CARROT. Hint: Think of the orange vegetable famously dangled to lure a donkey. 🫏
  12. 18. Coffee that won't keep you up (5) — Answer: DECAF. Hint: This brew lets you enjoy coffee flavor without the caffeine jitters. ☕
  13. 20. An eternity (4) — Answer: AGES. Hint: Think of a very, very long stretch of time. ⏳
  14. 23. Everyone (3) — Answer: ALL. Hint: Think of a word that includes the whole group. 👥

Recent Guardian Quick Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

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The answer to “Microscopic (13)” in the The Guardian Quick crossword is INFINITESIMAL — a 13-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on August 14, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 24-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Microscopic (13)” answer

INFINITESIMAL (13 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is INFINITESIMAL.

When else has “Microscopic (13)” appeared?

The Guardian Quick reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

August 14, 2026 (most recent) → INFINITESIMAL. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the Guardian Quick Crossword on August 14, 2026

Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.

Want every clue in one place? The full The Guardian Quick answer list for August 14, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live Guardian Quick answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the Guardian Quick Crossword

The Guardian Quick Crossword is a British straight-definition daily (typically around 13×13) — no cryptic wordplay, just clean definitions and abbreviations. This page covers a Friday puzzle. Because answers favour common UK vocabulary and short fill, seeing a confirmation once makes the next appearance easy to spot.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Microscopic (13)”?

The answer is INFINITESIMAL, a 13-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on August 14, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Microscopic (13)”?

13 letters: INFINITESIMAL.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Guardian Quick crossword on August 14, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 24-Across.

Can “Microscopic (13)” have a different answer?

Yes — The Guardian Quick sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Guardian Quick answers?

The full grid for August 14, 2026 is on the Guardian Quick answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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