Words used informally (5)

Latest answer — September 01, 2026

3 Down

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Clue explained

SLANG is informal vocabulary or a set of words used in casual rather than formal speech.

Clue type:
Definition
Speech bubbles representing informal language

Guardian Quick Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, September 01, 2026 appearance

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

Across

  1. 1Songbird (6)
  2. 4Pulled with a jerk (6)
  3. 8Shadow (5)
  4. 9Mexican salamander (7)
  5. 10Vomit - rear (5,2)
  6. 11Annoyed (5)
  7. 12Describing a finely cut slice or chocolate mint (5-4)
  8. 16Brushwood - abandon (plans eg) (5)
  9. 17In a haughty, detached way (7)
  10. 19Declared to be true (7)
  11. 20Eg Tosca or Aida (5)
  12. 21More straightforward (6)
  13. 22Reduced (esp. cheese) to slivers (6)

Down

  1. 1All fingers and ___ (fumbling) (6)
  2. 2Interconnected burrows (6,7)
  3. 3Words used informally (5)
  4. 5Put an end to (practice or institution) (7)
  5. 6Consequence of one event triggering others (5-2,6)
  6. 7Cause to accept what is false as true (6)
  7. 9& (9)
  8. 13Maker of opulent jewelled eggs - free bag (anag) (7)
  9. 14Agent, car or duty (6)
  10. 15Unstamped/unfranked post delivered this way (2,4)
  11. 18Smell (often unpleasant) (5)

The answer to “Words used informally (5)” in the The Guardian Quick crossword is SLANG — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 1, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 3-Down. 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.

“Words used informally (5)” answer

SLANG (5 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 SLANG.

What does SLANG mean?

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

(noun)

  • a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people

When else has “Words used informally (5)” 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 1, 2026 (most recent) → SLANG. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Words used informally (5)”?

The answer is SLANG, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 1, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Words used informally (5)”?

5 letters: SLANG.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 1, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 3-Down.

Can “Words used informally (5)” 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 1, 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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