Polynesian carving

Editorially verified for the Oct 12, 2026

46 Down

Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

A carved Polynesian tiki figure.

Clue explained

A tiki is a carved human figure associated with Polynesian cultures, though forms and meanings differ across the region. Such figures can carry spiritual or ancestral significance, rather than serving merely as decoration. The word has also been borrowed into modern tiki bars and décor, a popular style that often flattens distinct island traditions into a single visual shorthand.

Clue type:
Definition

LA Times Crossword

This clue's Monday, October 12, 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. 1Tenant farmers of the early Middle Ages
  2. 6"Who's there?" response
  3. 11Contingencies
  4. 14Bird-related
  5. 15"Unbelievable!"
  6. 16Spanish cheer
  7. 17Liquid that can relieve muscle cramps
  8. 19Minuscule
  9. 20__ gin fizz
  10. 21Long-lasting hairdo
  11. 22Offering little comfort
  12. 24"__ is not a drill!"
  13. 26Bassinet occupant
  14. 27Filling a friend's car with balloons, e.g.
  15. 32Flats or heels
  16. 34Go on an ocean voyage
  17. 35Dubai's fed.
  18. 36Doily fabric
  19. 37Attention-grabbing feat
  20. 39Opinion survey
  21. 40Variety
  22. 41Cameron who voices Fiona in the "Shrek" franchise
  23. 42Diminishes
  24. 43Reward or punishment that may be ironic
  25. 47Chitchat
  26. 48Pig sound
  27. 49Perch for a pigeon
  28. 51Chicken sound
  29. 53Alan of "M*A*S*H"
  30. 57"Of course, mon ami!"
  31. 58Cozy garb in some family photos, or what can be found in 17-, 27-, and 43-Across?
  32. 61Victoria's Secret garment
  33. 62Tierney of "The Affair"
  34. 63Sire
  35. 64Pine-__: cleaning brand
  36. 65Liability's opposite
  37. 66South American barbecue

Down

  1. 1Ones easily duped
  2. 2Malicious
  3. 3Puerto __
  4. 4Greenery that doesn't need water
  5. 5Lorne Michaels' long-running NBC show, for short
  6. 6Just for laughs
  7. 7Sightseer's booking
  8. 8Move like a fish
  9. 9Big __: fast-food classic
  10. 10Give a very close look
  11. 11"Thanks so much!"
  12. 12Pest on a pet
  13. 13Hide-and-__
  14. 18Large-scale tale
  15. 23Pres. between JFK and RMN
  16. 25Gives birth to
  17. 26Worm on a hook, say
  18. 27Call unwittingly
  19. 28Japanese truckmaker
  20. 29Tuna container
  21. 30Leafy vegetable in a green smoothie
  22. 31Morays, e.g.
  23. 32Try and fail to walk on ice
  24. 33Saintly ring
  25. 37Unable to go to school, maybe
  26. 38__ Mahal
  27. 39Amazon deliveries
  28. 41Tough decision
  29. 42Come in first
  30. 44Playground game
  31. 45"Your point being?"
  32. 46Polynesian carving
  33. 49Arcing tennis shots
  34. 50Currency in 21 countries
  35. 51Air conditioning figs.
  36. 52Land parcel
  37. 54Links org.
  38. 55Provided music for a party
  39. 56On the topic of
  40. 59Batteries for some noisy toys
  41. 60Clippers' org.

The answer to “Polynesian carving” in the LA Times crossword is TIKI — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the LA Times crossword on October 12, 2026, a Monday puzzle, at 46-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.

“Polynesian carving” answer

TIKI (4 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 TIKI.

What does TIKI mean?

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

(noun)

  • a large wooden or small greenstone image of a human figure
  • denoting something that is imitative of objects or customs associated with the tropical islands of the South Pacific

When else has “Polynesian carving” appeared?

LA Times 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.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Polynesian carving”?

The answer is TIKI, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the LA Times crossword on October 12, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Polynesian carving”?

4 letters: TIKI.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the LA Times crossword on October 12, 2026 (a Monday puzzle), at 46-Down. Earlier appearances: August 23, 2026 → TIKI.

Can “Polynesian carving” have a different answer?

Yes — LA Times 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 LA Times answers?

The full grid for October 12, 2026 is on the LA Times answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

LA Times Crossword is published by Los Angeles Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

Crossword Clues

Looking up a clue? Jump into today's answers and clue help from top puzzles.