"A long, long time ___ ..."

Latest answer — September 14, 2026

21 Across

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Clue explained

AGO completes the familiar phrase “A long, long time ago,” as in the opening of a story or song. It is an adverb indicating a time in the past.

Clue type:
Phrase or idiom
An illustrated storybook scene suggesting a tale from long ago

NYT Midi Crossword

This clue's Monday, September 14, 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. 1That's no lie!
  2. 5Pie ___ mode
  3. 82000s spy thriller series starring Jennifer Garner
  4. 10Gender prefix
  5. 11K-pop group with the hit song "How You Like That" [Colors]
  6. 13~~~
  7. 14Construction project for beavers
  8. 17Hit with a rolled-up magazine, maybe
  9. 18Big name in floss
  10. 21"A long, long time ___ ..."
  11. 22Actress Depp of 2024's "Nosferatu" [Flowers]
  12. 24Deceive with a fake digital dating profile [Animals]
  13. 25Makes super happy

Down

  1. 1"Terrif!"
  2. 2100%
  3. 3Langley-based spy grp.
  4. 4Useful skill in de-escalation
  5. 5Denim treatment used in punk fashion
  6. 6Ancestry
  7. 7Sends an invite for
  8. 9Bit of sports equipment with a binding
  9. 12Counterpart to "thx"
  10. 14___ & Gabbana, Italian fashion label
  11. 15Alternative to Helvetica
  12. 16Island nation between Italy and Libya
  13. 19Uber competitor
  14. 20Gooey cheese
  15. 23Spy org. that preceded 3-Down

The answer to “"A long, long time ___ ..."” in the New York Times Midi crossword is AGO — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 14, 2026 at 21-Across, 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.

“"A long, long time ___ ..."” answer

AGO (3 letters)

Use the reveal tiles above to uncover the solution one letter at a time if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Prefer the full answer straight away? It's AGO.

What does AGO mean?

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

(adverb)

  • before the present; earlier (used with a measurement of time)

When else has “"A long, long time ___ ..."” appeared?

New York Times Midi 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 14, 2026 (most recent) → AGO
  • May 14, 2026 → AGO

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “"A long, long time ___ ..."”?

The answer is AGO, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 14, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “"A long, long time ___ ..."”?

3 letters: AGO.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 14, 2026, at 21-Across. Earlier appearances: May 14, 2026 → AGO.

Can “"A long, long time ___ ..."” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times Midi 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 today's NYT Midi answers?

Every clue and answer from that day's puzzle is linked above, and the full grid is on the NYT Midi answers page.

New York Times Midi Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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