Certain something

Latest answer — November 25, 2025

31 Across

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NYT Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, November 25, 2025 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Motown legend Lionel
  2. 7Canadian gas brand
  3. 11Follower of Mac or Go in commercial names
  4. 14Totally absorbed
  5. 15Classic ingredient in baby powder
  6. 16Ingredient in a Tom Collins
  7. 17Sorcery commonly associated with Haiti and New Orleans
  8. 19Dined
  9. 20U.K. : H.M.R.C. :: U.S.A. : ___
  10. 21Molecule containing adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine
  11. 22Aid in tracking wildlife
  12. 24Actor Buddy of "The Beverly Hillbillies"
  13. 26Extra barrier to protect a house from bad weather
  14. 29Flintstone with a red updo
  15. 30#2s in classrooms, for short
  16. 31Certain something
  17. 32Neither winning nor losing
  18. 34Part of a hammer or a hawk
  19. 37Computer's storage space, for short
  20. 38Traditional folk song that became a #1 hit for the Kingston Trio
  21. 41K-pop band that went on hiatus in 2022 when their members went into military service
  22. 44Dance bit
  23. 45The masses, to Caesar
  24. 48Infinitesimal amount
  25. 50Actress Vardalos
  26. 52Like early PC graphics
  27. 54Romantic options for a long-distance relationship
  28. 57Hindu deity known as the "Destroyer"
  29. 58Many, many
  30. 59"As I see it," online
  31. 61Up to, informally
  32. 62"Notorious" Supreme Court justice
  33. 63Engages in a dispiriting online activity ... or what happens in this puzzle's shaded squares?
  34. 67TikTok star Addison ___
  35. 68Burrito bar offering, informally
  36. 69Hun leader who invaded Italy in A.D. 452
  37. 70Surgery sites, for short
  38. 71Fraternal order since 1868
  39. 72Samples, as soup

Down

  1. 1"No" was a famously short one for the 1948 musical "Isn't It Romantic?"
  2. 2Circling the earth
  3. 3In an angry way
  4. 4"I've been ___!" ("I got fooled!")
  5. 5Music players discontinued in 2017
  6. 6English school at which teachers are known as "beaks"
  7. 7Bit of Uber info, for short
  8. 8What an old mattress might do
  9. 9More cunning
  10. 10Philosopher known for his "razor"
  11. 11Organizer of events for swingers?
  12. 12"How We Do (Party)" pop singer
  13. 13Weight of every U.S. bank note
  14. 18Post at sea
  15. 23Food label fig.
  16. 25Send forth
  17. 27Tex-Mex casserole with a crust
  18. 28City where you can see Edvard Munch's "The Scream"
  19. 33Prime meridian hrs.
  20. 35Mont Blanc, e.g.
  21. 36"I mean, I guess ..."
  22. 39Apt letters missing from in_ _ _ _ation
  23. 40Michelle of "Crazy Rich Asians"
  24. 41___ World, DC Comics planet of opposites
  25. 42Lineup of computer icons
  26. 43Iggy Pop's backup group, with "the"
  27. 46Course that may cover Jane Austen and Emily Brontë, for short
  28. 47Spanish city famous for its oranges
  29. 49Invoice fig.
  30. 51Without a warranty
  31. 53Engages in an energetic Latin dance
  32. 55Evade artfully
  33. 56Run ___ of (violate)
  34. 60Exam for future docs
  35. 64Acorn-producing tree
  36. 65Hosts, informally
  37. 66Extra periods, for short

The answer to “Certain something” in the New York Times crossword is AURA — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on November 25, 2025, a Tuesday puzzle, at 31-Across. Other answers we've seen for this clue include XFACTOR. 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.

“Certain something” answer

AURA (4 letters) — most recent; also seen as XFACTOR

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 AURA.

Why the answer is AURA

AURA is the 4-letter solution that fits "Certain something" in the NYT Crossword crossword on November 25, 2025 (31-Across). Use the letter tiles above if you'd rather reveal it one letter at a time.

What does AURA mean?

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

(noun)

  • the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place
  • (in spiritualism and some forms of alternative medicine) a supposed emanation surrounding the body of a living creature and regarded as an essential part of the individual
  • a warning sensation experienced before an attack of epilepsy or migraine

Other answers for “Certain something”

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Certain something”?

The answer is AURA, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on November 25, 2025. Other answers for this clue include XFACTOR.

How many letters is the answer to “Certain something”?

4 letters: AURA. Earlier fills for this clue have also been XFACTOR (7).

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on November 25, 2025 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 31-Across. Earlier appearances: January 25, 2025 → XFACTOR.

Can “Certain something” have a different answer?

Yes. Besides AURA, New York Times has also used XFACTOR 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 November 25, 2025 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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