Like fire ... or someone who is "on fire"

Latest answer — August 16, 2026

11 Across

Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

Clue decoded

Fire is hot, and a person who is “on fire” is performing exceptionally well or intensely. The quotation marks flag the idiomatic second sense as a playful pairing.

Clue type:
Pun or wordplay
Bright flames alongside a celebratory athletic performance

NYT Midi Crossword

This clue's Sunday, August 16, 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. 1Tree that produces acorns
  2. 4Bio or chem, e.g.
  3. 7Gooey vegetable in bhindi masala
  4. 8Stale
  5. 9Like the tops of ceiling fan blades, often
  6. 10Animal with a pouch, for short
  7. 11Like fire ... or someone who is "on fire"
  8. 12Once more
  9. 14Inflated senses of self
  10. 16Pottery ovens
  11. 18Sounds from a 5-Down ... and from the noses inside a 5-Down
  12. 20Filing cabinet securer
  13. 21"In memoriam" story
  14. 22Declare
  15. 23Rx regulator
  16. 24___ echelon
  17. 27Flowery necklace
  18. 28Tie to a dock
  19. 29Web address, for short
  20. 30Dessert on the faces inside a 5-Down, maybe

Down

  1. 1Approvals
  2. 2Making balloon animals or juggling, to some
  3. 3Online travel company named after a boat
  4. 4One with poor sportsmanship
  5. 5What a pair of jokers might be found in the back of? ... and a hint to this puzzle's theme
  6. 6Words followed by a kiss
  7. 7Temporarily released from custody, perhaps
  8. 9Altruistic person
  9. 11"That's mildly funny"
  10. 130, in soccer lingo
  11. 15Glide down a snowy mountain
  12. 17Blue expanse
  13. 19Truncated trunk
  14. 23___ shot (seasonal vaccination)
  15. 25Hawaiian food that's a paste made from taro root
  16. 26"The Masque of the Red Death" author

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Tree that produces acorns — Answer: OAK. Hint: This sturdy tree is famous for producing acorns 🌳
  2. 4. Bio or chem, e.g. — Answer: SCI. Hint: A school subject such as biology or chemistry may use this abbreviation 🔬
  3. 7. Gooey vegetable in bhindi masala — Answer: OKRA. Hint: This green pod becomes pleasantly slippery in a spicy Indian dish 🌶️
  4. 8. Stale — Answer: OLD. Hint: No longer fresh or lively. 🥖
  5. 9. Like the tops of ceiling fan blades, often — Answer: DUSTY. Hint: They may need a good wipe after quietly collecting household grime. 🧹
  6. 10. Animal with a pouch, for short — Answer: ROO. Hint: This abbreviated marsupial is famous for hopping and carrying young. 🦘
  7. 11. Like fire ... or someone who is "on fire" — Answer: HOT. Hint: It describes intense flames and impressive performance alike. 🔥
  8. 12. Once more — Answer: ANEW. Hint: Think about a fresh start or doing something again! 🌱
  9. 14. Inflated senses of self — Answer: EGOS. Hint: These can grow much larger than the people who possess them. 😌
  10. 16. Pottery ovens — Answer: KILNS. Hint: These specialized ovens harden clay creations with intense heat. 🏺
  11. 18. Sounds from a 5-Down ... and from the noses inside a 5-Down — Answer: HONKS. Hint: These noises can come from vehicles and cartoonishly large noses. 🚗
  12. 20. Filing cabinet securer — Answer: LOCK. Hint: It keeps drawers from being opened by just anyone. 🔒
  13. 21. "In memoriam" story — Answer: OBIT. Hint: This newspaper notice remembers someone who has died. 📰
  14. 22. Declare — Answer: SAY. Hint: To express something aloud is to do this. 💬
  15. 23. Rx regulator — Answer: FDA. Hint: This U.S. agency oversees medicines and food safety. 🏥
  16. 24. ___ echelon — Answer: UPPER. Hint: It describes the higher level of a hierarchy. ⬆️
  17. 27. Flowery necklace — Answer: LEI. Hint: This garland is often draped around a visitor in Hawaii. 🌺
  18. 28. Tie to a dock — Answer: MOOR. Hint: Secure a boat at the pier with this nautical action. ⚓
  19. 29. Web address, for short — Answer: URL. Hint: Type this into a browser to visit a site. 🌐
  20. 30. Dessert on the faces inside a 5-Down, maybe — Answer: PIE. Hint: This sweet treat might leave a messy smile after dessert. 🥧

Down

  1. 1. Approvals — Answer: OKS. Hint: These brief affirmations signal that everything is acceptable. 👍
  2. 2. Making balloon animals or juggling, to some — Answer: ART. Hint: A creative skill can turn rubber into poodles or keep objects airborne. 🎈
  3. 3. Online travel company named after a boat — Answer: KAYAK. Hint: This travel-search brand shares its name with a narrow paddled vessel. 🛶
  4. 4. One with poor sportsmanship — Answer: SORELOSER. Hint: This competitor takes defeat badly instead of congratulating the winner. 🏆
  5. 5. What a pair of jokers might be found in the back of? ... and a hint to this puzzle's theme — Answer: CLOWNCAR. Hint: A tiny vehicle famously packed with far more performers than seems possible. 🤡
  6. 6. Words followed by a kiss — Answer: IDO. Hint: These words traditionally seal a wedding vow. 💍
  7. 7. Temporarily released from custody, perhaps — Answer: OUTONBAIL. Hint: A court may allow this freedom while a case continues. ⚖️
  8. 9. Altruistic person — Answer: DOGOODER. Hint: This person makes helping others a personal mission. 🤝
  9. 11. "That's mildly funny" — Answer: HEH. Hint: A tiny chuckle fits this understated reaction. 😏
  10. 13. 0, in soccer lingo — Answer: NIL. Hint: British sports commentary uses this for a scoreless side. ⚽
  11. 15. Glide down a snowy mountain — Answer: SKI. Hint: Choose this winter activity for a downhill adventure. 🎿
  12. 17. Blue expanse — Answer: SKY. Hint: The wide open place above us on a clear day 🌤️
  13. 19. Truncated trunk — Answer: STUMP. Hint: What remains after a tree is cut down? 🌳
  14. 23. ___ shot (seasonal vaccination) — Answer: FLU. Hint: This yearly injection helps ward off a common winter illness. 💉
  15. 25. Hawaiian food that's a paste made from taro root — Answer: POI. Hint: This traditional island staple is often served alongside savory dishes. 🌺
  16. 26. "The Masque of the Red Death" author — Answer: POE. Hint: This gothic American writer also created a famous detective. 📚

Recent NYT Midi Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

NYT Midi 15 August 2026NYT Midi 14 August 2026NYT Midi 13 August 2026NYT Midi 12 August 2026NYT Midi 11 August 2026NYT Midi 10 August 2026NYT Midi 9 August 2026

The answer to “Like fire ... or someone who is "on fire"” in the New York Times Midi crossword is HOT — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on August 16, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 11-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.

“Like fire ... or someone who is "on fire"” answer

HOT (3 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 HOT.

When else has “Like fire ... or someone who is "on fire"” 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.

August 16, 2026 (most recent) → HOT. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the NYT Midi Crossword on August 16, 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 New York Times Midi answer list for August 16, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Midi answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the NYT Midi Crossword

The New York Times Midi is the mid-size daily puzzle between the Mini and the full crossword — typically a 7×7 grid that still rewards quick pattern recognition. Because the Midi is compact, one stubborn clue can jam the whole solve, which is why a confirmed answer and a short explanation help most when you're stuck on a single square.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Like fire ... or someone who is "on fire"”?

The answer is HOT, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on August 16, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Like fire ... or someone who is "on fire"”?

3 letters: HOT.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on August 16, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 11-Across.

Can “Like fire ... or someone who is "on fire"” 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 this day's NYT Midi answers?

The full grid for August 16, 2026 is on the NYT Midi 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.