Without a key (6)

The answer to “Without a key (6)” in the The Guardian Quick crossword is ATONAL — a 6-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on July 7, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 17-Down, and it has also run on 1 earlier date with the same answer. 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.

“Without a key (6)” answer

ATONAL (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 ATONAL.

Why the answer is ATONAL

Think of music that avoids a tonal center, creating a unique sound! 🎶

What does ATONAL mean?

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

When else has “Without a key (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.

• July 7, 2026 (most recent) → ATONAL
• July 6, 2026 → ATONAL

Frequently asked questions