Catches

Latest answer — October 03, 2026

42 Across

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Clue explained

HAS is a present-tense verb that can correspond to “catches” when talking about contracting an illness—for example, someone has or catches a cold. The clue uses the verb in that sense.

Clue type:
Word form
A person with cold symptoms holding a tissue.

NYT Crossword

This clue's Saturday, October 03, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Five-note jingle for "The Gift That Grows"
  2. 11Tech news site
  3. 15Message that comes with a pointer
  4. 16Symbol of love
  5. 17Changes in form, but not in essence
  6. 18To: Abbr.
  7. 19Cookie, e.g.
  8. 20Question in a stalemate
  9. 22Urge
  10. 23"Show some manners!"
  11. 24Classic Harlem ballroom
  12. 27Get one's hands on, informally
  13. 28Did a boring job?
  14. 29Hot environment
  15. 30Throwing weapons for the Dark Knight
  16. 32Zip
  17. 33Indie music's ___ Iver
  18. 34Sword's alternative
  19. 35Chinese steamed bun
  20. 37Supplementary materials accompanying a home movie purchase
  21. 40Doozy
  22. 41Trap in the water
  23. 42Catches
  24. 43Ticket selector
  25. 44Thorough, say
  26. 46Rihanna's "Take a ___" (2008)
  27. 47(The) shaft, so to speak
  28. 48Not all there upstairs?
  29. 52Some altarations?
  30. 53Burkina Faso, before 1984
  31. 55Captain in Melville's "Billy Budd"
  32. 56Renowned naturalist buried at Rwanda's Karisoke Research Center
  33. 57Singing sister of Aretha
  34. 58Nervously inhales?

Down

  1. 1Target for surgical excision
  2. 2Time
  3. 3Country where the game of dominoes is a national pastime
  4. 4Characterized by great happiness
  5. 5"Sheesh!"
  6. 6Mr. Universe contestants
  7. 7Burn
  8. 8All worked (up)
  9. 9Greek actress who brought Elektra, Penelope, Antigone and Helen of Troy to the screen
  10. 10Man who made animals talk
  11. 11Stumble home after a night out, say
  12. 12Just
  13. 13Something you may be willing to hold?
  14. 14Camped out, say
  15. 21Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal ___"
  16. 23Fake poster
  17. 24"___ of Frankenstein" (1939 movie sequel)
  18. 25Person who gets a lot of texts?
  19. 26Sluglike creature known for its soft, water-repellent skin
  20. 27Has no control
  21. 30Word with shadow or shoe
  22. 31Lo-___
  23. 33Contradict
  24. 36Abba's "___ Last Summer"
  25. 38Outlet for the Jordan River
  26. 39Super-keen
  27. 40Weak amount of medicine
  28. 41Primary PC storage
  29. 43EX30, EX40 and XC60
  30. 45Praises
  31. 46Fails to keep things down
  32. 48Nota ___
  33. 49Classic film character who says "Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time"
  34. 50Proofreader's command
  35. 51Kansas' Fort ___
  36. 54Swinger's goal, perhaps

The answer to “Catches” in the New York Times crossword is HAS — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 3, 2026, a Saturday puzzle, at 42-Across. Other answers we've seen for this clue include NABS. 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.

“Catches” answer

HAS (3 letters) — most recent; also seen as NABS

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 HAS.

What does HAS mean?

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

(verb)

  • possess, own, or hold
  • experience; undergo
  • be obliged or find it necessary to do the specified thing

Other answers for “Catches”

New York Times has used this clue with more than one solution. Besides HAS, it has also been NABS. Every appearance we've indexed is listed below with the date it ran.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Catches”?

The answer is HAS, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 3, 2026. Other answers for this clue include NABS.

How many letters is the answer to “Catches”?

3 letters: HAS. Earlier fills for this clue have also been NABS (4).

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on October 3, 2026 (a Saturday puzzle), at 42-Across. Earlier appearances: February 13, 2026 → NABS.

Can “Catches” have a different answer?

Yes. Besides HAS, New York Times has also used NABS for this clue. Every date and answer is listed above.

Where can I find the rest of this day's NYT Crossword answers?

The full grid for October 3, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

New York Times 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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