Mean

Latest answer — September 26, 2026

10 Down

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An educational illustration explaining the arithmetic average of numbers

Clue explained

MEAN and AVERAGE are mathematical synonyms: each can describe the central value of a set of numbers.

Clue type:
Definition

NYT Crossword

This clue's Saturday, September 26, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Prepares, as shumai
  2. 7Paste commonly simulated by a blend of horseradish, mustard and green dye
  3. 13Rounded, say
  4. 15Late hour
  5. 16Pair's reassurance
  6. 18N.F.C. West team, informally
  7. 19"Go right ahead ..."
  8. 21Pecan, but not pumpkin
  9. 22Selena Gomez or Beyoncé, by birth
  10. 23Runaround?
  11. 24John ___, singer with the hit albums "Perfectly Good Guitar" and "Mystic Pinball"
  12. 25Withdraw (from)
  13. 26Part of an asymmetrical hairstyle
  14. 28Early giant in punch-card tabulating systems
  15. 29Giggle
  16. 30Element of economic globalization
  17. 31Desserts that may feature frangipane
  18. 32Part of what makes you you
  19. 35Online show pieces
  20. 36Result of a shopping spree
  21. 37Kite feature
  22. 38The Marlins, on scoreboards
  23. 39___-corner
  24. 40Assert
  25. 41STEM field concern
  26. 43It's in the eye of the beholder
  27. 45Pull it together
  28. 47Rang
  29. 48Camp distribution
  30. 49Toasts
  31. 50Verse from Emily Dickinson or Emma Lazarus

Down

  1. 1Duluth-to-Minneapolis dir.
  2. 2Broadcaster with a onetime coat-of-arms logo, informally
  3. 3Otoscopy, e.g.
  4. 4Anthropopithecus, e.g.
  5. 5Actress Price of the 2000s sitcom "Grounded for Life"
  6. 6Labor
  7. 7Took a turn
  8. 8Subject of the 1996 documentary "When We Were Kings"
  9. 9Watch party?
  10. 10Mean
  11. 11Some Basque headwear
  12. 12Exclave's spot in an atlas, often
  13. 14Critical response concerning a piece of fiction?
  14. 17Riding free as an employee, in airline lingo
  15. 20Real page-turner?
  16. 22Lead-in to light
  17. 24Gag reflexes?
  18. 26Scorches
  19. 27Roots for vegan burgers
  20. 29Part of a bridal outfit
  21. 30Signature QB move included as a feature in 2012's Madden NFL 13 video game
  22. 31Main pack in a bicycle race
  23. 32A bit corrupt, perhaps?
  24. 33Evergreen whose cones bear edible seeds
  25. 34Olympic gymnast Raisman
  26. 35Silently greet someone
  27. 36Pudding typically served with "neeps and tatties"
  28. 37Highly prized rewards on "Survivor"
  29. 39"This Side Up" container
  30. 41Roves
  31. 42HHH
  32. 44Once called
  33. 46Lake Tahoe winter hrs.

The answer to “Mean” in the New York Times crossword is AVERAGE — a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on September 26, 2026, a Saturday puzzle, at 10-Down. Other answers we've seen for this clue include INTEND. 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.

“Mean” answer

AVERAGE (7 letters) — most recent; also seen as INTEND

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 AVERAGE.

What does AVERAGE mean?

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

(noun)

  • a number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data, in particular the mode, median, or (most commonly) the mean, which is calculated by dividing the sum of the values in the set by their number
  • the apportionment of financial liability resulting from loss of or damage to a ship or its cargo

Other answers for “Mean”

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Mean”?

The answer is AVERAGE, a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on September 26, 2026. Other answers for this clue include INTEND.

How many letters is the answer to “Mean”?

7 letters: AVERAGE. Earlier fills for this clue have also been INTEND (6).

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on September 26, 2026 (a Saturday puzzle), at 10-Down. Earlier appearances: August 24, 2025 → INTEND.

Can “Mean” have a different answer?

Yes. Besides AVERAGE, New York Times has also used INTEND 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 September 26, 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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