Soothing ointment (6)

Latest answer — September 25, 2026

13 Across

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Clue explained

Balsam is an aromatic resin or preparation, and the word can also mean a soothing ointment or healing balm. It is used here as a noun.

Clue type:
Definition
A jar of soothing balsam ointment.

Guardian Quick Crossword

This clue's Friday, September 25, 2026 appearance

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

Across

  1. 1Branches-and-twigs plastered technique (6,3,4)
  2. 8Play hookey (4,3)
  3. 9Trend (5)
  4. 10Lawn (4)
  5. 11Melt (8)
  6. 13Soothing ointment (6)
  7. 14Field sight - tow cap (anag) (6)
  8. 17Up to you - piano lot (anag) (8)
  9. 19Pig - or daddy hedgehog (4)
  10. 21Water lily (5)
  11. 22Bar (7)
  12. 24Tale of woe, told for sympathy (4-4,5)

Down

  1. 1Trap (3)
  2. 2Side shoot (7)
  3. 3Hover menacingly (4)
  4. 4Conversant (2,4)
  5. 5Group of teams in league (8)
  6. 6Heavenly messenger (5)
  7. 7Tower of London warder (9)
  8. 10Bulgur wheat, parsley, tomatoes, olive oil and lemon juice (9)
  9. 12Binge (8)
  10. 15Qualification (7)
  11. 16Cloth (6)
  12. 18Private teacher (5)
  13. 20Gentle touch (4)
  14. 23Bonfire Night bloke? (3)

The answer to “Soothing ointment (6)” in the The Guardian Quick crossword is BALSAM — a 6-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 25, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 13-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.

“Soothing ointment (6)” answer

BALSAM (6 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 BALSAM.

What does BALSAM mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of BALSAM is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(noun)

  • an aromatic resinous substance, such as balm, exuded by various trees and shrubs and used as a base for certain fragrances and medical preparations
  • a herbaceous plant cultivated for its helmeted pink or purple flowers

When else has “Soothing ointment (6)” 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.

September 25, 2026 (most recent) → BALSAM. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Soothing ointment (6)”?

The answer is BALSAM, a 6-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 25, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Soothing ointment (6)”?

6 letters: BALSAM.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 25, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 13-Across.

Can “Soothing ointment (6)” 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 September 25, 2026 is on the Guardian Quick answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Guardian Quick Crossword is published by The Guardian; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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