Verb coined in "Stranger in a Strange Land"

Latest answer — August 15, 2026

27 Across

Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

Clue decoded

GROK is a verb coined by Robert A. Heinlein in the 1961 science-fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land. It means to understand something deeply or intuitively.

Clue type:
Pop culture
A cover of Robert A. Heinlein’s novel Stranger in a Strange Land.

LA Times Crossword

This clue's Saturday, August 15, 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. 1Teddy bear
  2. 6Carousel rider?
  3. 9Basaltic plain on the moon
  4. 13Roadside snack
  5. 16Driver on a movie set
  6. 17Sign that means it's time to turn around
  7. 18Spam musubi wrapper
  8. 19White-hot
  9. 20Lights up
  10. 22Quick kiss
  11. 23Useful spot
  12. 24Some sci-fi villains
  13. 25Multipurpose tool
  14. 27Verb coined in "Stranger in a Strange Land"
  15. 28Hindi honorific
  16. 29Berry grown in Ohio?
  17. 30Jordan who won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay
  18. 31Org chart leader
  19. 32"Sure, that tracks"
  20. 35"J to __ L-O!": 2002 remix album
  21. 36Replacements after leaving marks?
  22. 37Huffs and puffs
  23. 38__ de deux
  24. 39Mass agreement
  25. 40Huffs and puffs
  26. 41"Yes, captain"
  27. 42Clear (of)
  28. 43Clear of contaminants
  29. 44Varied
  30. 46Opportunities to learn the hard way
  31. 50Mil. no-show
  32. 51"Mine! Mine! Mine!"
  33. 53"The Goonies" role for Ke Huy Quan
  34. 54Brings the temperature down, maybe
  35. 55Googly-__
  36. 56Fashion letters
  37. 57Trapped, in a way

Down

  1. 1Fed. IDs
  2. 2Della Warrior's heritage
  3. 3Priceless?
  4. 4One-night stand, perhaps?
  5. 5Frustrated expression
  6. 6[All of a sudden!]
  7. 7Stanford's gp.
  8. 8Disbands?
  9. 9Digital art, informally?
  10. 10Juvenile
  11. 11Special indulgences
  12. 12Targets of smog checks
  13. 14Bridge unit
  14. 15Choke
  15. 21One who tries not to overshadow the star?
  16. 23Feeds (on)
  17. 25"Shantay, you stay" opposite
  18. 26"This is important"
  19. 27Mount
  20. 29Top tunes
  21. 30Trimmed (down)
  22. 33Hair curler?
  23. 341982 Hall & Oates song
  24. 40Shows signs of age
  25. 43Chappell Roan's "__ Pony Club"
  26. 45Chuffed
  27. 46Edina, Minnesota is home to the first U.S. indoor one
  28. 47Lucci role
  29. 48Conditional word in Python
  30. 49Blair Braverman vehicle
  31. 52Portrayed

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Teddy bear — Answer: SOFTY. Hint: A cuddly nickname for someone gentle and tender-hearted. 🧸
  2. 6. Carousel rider? — Answer: BAG. Hint: An item that may circle around an airport baggage carousel. 🧳
  3. 9. Basaltic plain on the moon — Answer: MARE. Hint: Its name is Latin for “sea,” though it is a dark, flat lunar plain. 🌙
  4. 13. Roadside snack — Answer: STREETTACO. Hint: Picture a handheld Mexican bite bought from a curbside vendor. 🌮
  5. 16. Driver on a movie set — Answer: ADAM. Hint: This performer shares a surname with someone behind the wheel. 🎬
  6. 17. Sign that means it's time to turn around — Answer: NOENTRANCE. Hint: This warning tells you that continuing forward is not allowed. 🚫
  7. 18. Spam musubi wrapper — Answer: NORI. Hint: This savory sea vegetable forms the dark outer wrap around the rice snack. 🍙
  8. 19. White-hot — Answer: SEETHING. Hint: Describe anger or emotion boiling with extreme intensity. 🔥
  9. 20. Lights up — Answer: SMILES. Hint: A happy face does this when joy suddenly appears. 😊
  10. 22. Quick kiss — Answer: PECK. Hint: It is a brief, light smooch rather than a lingering one. 💋
  11. 23. Useful spot — Answer: PSA. Hint: This brief message offers helpful information to the public. 📢
  12. 24. Some sci-fi villains — Answer: ETS. Hint: These extraterrestrial baddies come from beyond Earth. 👽
  13. 25. Multipurpose tool — Answer: SPORK. Hint: This hybrid utensil combines the jobs of two familiar table tools. 🍴
  14. 27. Verb coined in "Stranger in a Strange Land" — Answer: GROK. Hint: It means to understand something deeply and intuitively. 📖
  15. 28. Hindi honorific — Answer: SRI. Hint: This respectful title can precede a person’s name in South Asia. 🙏
  16. 29. Berry grown in Ohio? — Answer: HALLE. Hint: The fruit is a playful nod to the famous Ohio-born actress. 🍓
  17. 30. Jordan who won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay — Answer: PEELE. Hint: This filmmaker and comedian shared the Academy Award for a groundbreaking horror screenplay. 🏆
  18. 31. Org chart leader — Answer: CEO. Hint: This executive sits at the top of a company’s reporting structure. 🏢
  19. 32. "Sure, that tracks" — Answer: ISEEWHATYOUMEAN. Hint: Use this phrase to show that another person’s explanation makes sense. 👍
  20. 35. "J to __ L-O!": 2002 remix album — Answer: THA. Hint: This title playfully spells a familiar three-letter article by sound. 🎶
  21. 36. Replacements after leaving marks? — Answer: EUROS. Hint: They took over from Germany’s former currency. 💶
  22. 37. Huffs and puffs — Answer: PANTS. Hint: Someone short of breath may do this after strenuous exertion. 😮‍💨
  23. 38. __ de deux — Answer: PAS. Hint: A ballet term for a performance involving two dancers. 🩰
  24. 39. Mass agreement — Answer: AMEN. Hint: A congregation may say this together at the end of a prayer. 🙏
  25. 40. Huffs and puffs — Answer: RANTS. Hint: Complains loudly and at length. 😤
  26. 41. "Yes, captain" — Answer: AYE. Hint: A nautical affirmative from a crew member. ⚓
  27. 42. Clear (of) — Answer: RID. Hint: Get free from an obligation or burden. 🧹
  28. 43. Clear of contaminants — Answer: PURE. Hint: Unmixed and uncontaminated. 💧
  29. 44. Varied — Answer: RANGED. Hint: Covered a broad assortment or spread. 🌈
  30. 46. Opportunities to learn the hard way — Answer: MISTAKES. Hint: Lessons learned through unsuccessful attempts. 🛠️
  31. 50. Mil. no-show — Answer: AWOL. Hint: Absent from duty without permission. 🪖
  32. 51. "Mine! Mine! Mine!" — Answer: IWANTITALL. Hint: A greedy declaration of wanting everything. 🛍️
  33. 53. "The Goonies" role for Ke Huy Quan — Answer: DATA. Hint: He played the gadget-loving kid in the 1985 adventure film. 🎬
  34. 54. Brings the temperature down, maybe — Answer: TALKSSENSE. Hint: Calms things down by reasoning with everyone. 🗣️
  35. 55. Googly-__ — Answer: EYED. Hint: Describes someone with comically wide, staring eyes. 👀
  36. 56. Fashion letters — Answer: YSL. Hint: The initials of a renowned French fashion house. 👗
  37. 57. Trapped, in a way — Answer: TREED. Hint: Cornered with escape routes blocked by branches. 🌳

Down

  1. 1. Fed. IDs — Answer: SSNS. Hint: Numbers used to identify taxpayers federally. 🪪
  2. 2. Della Warrior's heritage — Answer: OTOE. Hint: This Native American heritage is associated with a Great Plains people. 🪶
  3. 3. Priceless? — Answer: FREE. Hint: It has no cost whatsoever. 🎁
  4. 4. One-night stand, perhaps? — Answer: TENTPOLE. Hint: A campsite shelter that may be pitched for just one evening. ⛺
  5. 5. Frustrated expression — Answer: YETHEREWEARE. Hint: A resigned remark when a situation has reached this point again. 😩
  6. 6. [All of a sudden!] — Answer: BANG. Hint: A sharp sound effect for an unexpected event. 💥
  7. 7. Stanford's gp. — Answer: ACC. Hint: This university competes in a major collegiate athletic league. 🏈
  8. 8. Disbands? — Answer: GOESSOLO. Hint: A musical group may do this when its members split into separate acts. 🎸
  9. 9. Digital art, informally? — Answer: MANI. Hint: A playful pun linking fingertip creativity with artwork on a screen. 🎨
  10. 10. Juvenile — Answer: ADOLESCENT. Hint: A person between childhood and adulthood. 🧑‍🎓
  11. 11. Special indulgences — Answer: RARETREATS. Hint: Occasional luxuries reserved for especially memorable occasions. ✨
  12. 12. Targets of smog checks — Answer: EMISSIONS. Hint: Vehicle exhaust pollutants are measured during these inspections. 🚗
  13. 14. Bridge unit — Answer: TRICK. Hint: In this card game, one round of played cards goes to the highest play. 🃏
  14. 15. Choke — Answer: TANK. Hint: In sports slang, deliberately perform poorly or collapse under pressure. 🏟️
  15. 21. One who tries not to overshadow the star? — Answer: MAKEUPARTIST. Hint: This backstage professional enhances a performer without stealing the spotlight. 💄
  16. 23. Feeds (on) — Answer: PREYS. Hint: Hunts and feeds upon another creature. 🐺
  17. 25. "Shantay, you stay" opposite — Answer: SASHAYAWAY. Hint: The command meaning a contestant is sent home. 👋
  18. 26. "This is important" — Answer: PLEASENOTE. Hint: A formal way to draw attention to a key message. 📌
  19. 27. Mount — Answer: GETON. Hint: A phrasal verb meaning board or climb onto something. 🚌
  20. 29. Top tunes — Answer: HITPARADE. Hint: A ranking of the most popular songs. 🎶
  21. 30. Trimmed (down) — Answer: PARED. Hint: Reduced in size or scope. ✂️
  22. 33. Hair curler? — Answer: HUMIDITY. Hint: The atmosphere’s dampness can give locks an unexpected curl. 🌫️
  23. 34. 1982 Hall & Oates song — Answer: MANEATER. Hint: This early-eighties hit warns of a ferocious romantic predator. 🎵
  24. 40. Shows signs of age — Answer: RUSTS. Hint: Develops the reddish coating associated with weathered metal. 🧲
  25. 43. Chappell Roan's "__ Pony Club" — Answer: PINK. Hint: Complete the title of the singer’s brightly colored club-themed song. 🎤
  26. 45. Chuffed — Answer: GLAD. Hint: Feeling genuinely pleased is a good start here. 😊
  27. 46. Edina, Minnesota is home to the first U.S. indoor one — Answer: MALL. Hint: Think of a covered shopping destination where many stores share one roof. 🛍️
  28. 47. Lucci role — Answer: KANE. Hint: Susan Lucci's famous daytime-drama character fits this entry. 📺
  29. 48. Conditional word in Python — Answer: ELSE. Hint: In a Python decision, this word handles the alternative branch. 🐍
  30. 49. Blair Braverman vehicle — Answer: SLED. Hint: This winter conveyance glides over snow, often behind a team of dogs. ❄️
  31. 52. Portrayed — Answer: WAS. Hint: A simple past-tense form can mean “portrayed” in a sentence. 🎭

Recent LA Times Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

LA Times 14 August 2026LA Times 13 August 2026LA Times 12 August 2026LA Times 11 August 2026LA Times 10 August 2026LA Times 9 August 2026LA Times 8 August 2026

The answer to “Verb coined in "Stranger in a Strange Land"” in the LA Times crossword is GROK — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the LA Times crossword on August 15, 2026, a Saturday puzzle, at 27-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.

“Verb coined in "Stranger in a Strange Land"” answer

GROK (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 GROK.

When else has “Verb coined in "Stranger in a Strange Land"” 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.

August 15, 2026 (most recent) → GROK. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the LA Times Crossword on August 15, 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 LA Times answer list for August 15, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live LA Times answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the LA Times Crossword

The Los Angeles Times crossword is a classic daily 15×15 (larger on Sunday) with a long syndication history and a conversational clue voice. This page covers a Saturday puzzle. Straight-definition answers still do a lot of the heavy lifting in the grid, so locking one mid-length entry often opens two or three crossings at once.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Verb coined in "Stranger in a Strange Land"”?

The answer is GROK, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the LA Times crossword on August 15, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Verb coined in "Stranger in a Strange Land"”?

4 letters: GROK.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the LA Times crossword on August 15, 2026 (a Saturday puzzle), at 27-Across.

Can “Verb coined in "Stranger in a Strange Land"” 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 August 15, 2026 is on the LA Times answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

Crossword Clues

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