Plot device?

Latest answer — August 14, 2026

32 Down

Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

Clue decoded

A hose can be a device used to water a garden plot, making it a literal “plot device.” The question mark signals this playful double meaning.

Clue type:
Pun or wordplay
A garden hose watering plants in a vegetable plot

NYT Crossword

This clue's Friday, August 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. 1___ Plateau, home to the tomb of King Khufu
  2. 5Discovers
  3. 14"There's my cue"
  4. 15"Dios mío!"
  5. 16Superbright
  6. 17Couple's last coupling, perhaps
  7. 18Mounted warrior skilled in martial arts
  8. 20Retired pro wrestler Flair
  9. 21Sibling's cry of protest, maybe
  10. 22Guard for some time?
  11. 27Unit whose name derives from the Latin word for "heat"
  12. 29Completely lose it
  13. 30Bunk alternatives
  14. 31Leave a lasting mark on
  15. 33Because
  16. 34Self-doubter's question
  17. 35Huddling, as teammates
  18. 37Mom-and-pop group
  19. 38Rock musician Bob
  20. 40"Enough out of you!"
  21. 41Costco competitor, informally
  22. 42England's George V vis-à-vis Russia's Nicholas II
  23. 44Good places for a deep dive into research?
  24. 46Recollection, say
  25. 48Primates found only in and around Madagascar
  26. 50Slip
  27. 51Explode, as a paintball
  28. 52Enthusiastic cry when one's favorite song comes on the radio
  29. 57Idle
  30. 58Excessively greedy
  31. 59Berkshire town
  32. 60Of an indefinitely large number
  33. 61Spanish muralist José María ___

Down

  1. 1Kitchen brand inspired by 18-Across
  2. 2"Seriously?!"
  3. 3Issue in a modern remote work setting
  4. 4Corn and wheat, for two
  5. 5Garment worn with a bodice called a choli
  6. 6365th out of 365, in brief
  7. 7Words of comfort
  8. 8Not being real about
  9. 9Honey is high in this
  10. 10Deplete
  11. 11Yogis' utterances
  12. 12Purple drink ingredient at a boba tea shop
  13. 13"... plus ___"
  14. 17Unfruitful
  15. 19Animated 2011 film set in Brazil
  16. 22Person that's best left alone
  17. 23Wong of Netflix's "Beef"
  18. 24Shoot the breeze
  19. 25Philosophy of "Keep things simple," in a sense
  20. 26"How do ___ grow? They grow out of your life": Robert Penn Warren
  21. 28Scratch that!
  22. 30"Julius Caesar" role
  23. 32Plot device?
  24. 35Shimmer colorfully
  25. 36Hello or goodbye, abroad
  26. 39Computer key that might be pressed repeatedly in a panic
  27. 41Tastes
  28. 43Average Joe, in modern slang
  29. 45___ Bleus, nickname for France's World Cup team
  30. 47Check for fit
  31. 49What might go straight to the heart?
  32. 51Deep cut
  33. 52Monodrama that debuted in 1989
  34. 53Country ___
  35. 54Unwanted place for bugs
  36. 55Parlor offering, for short
  37. 56Project

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. ___ Plateau, home to the tomb of King Khufu — Answer: GIZA. Hint: Think of the famous Egyptian plateau crowned by the Great Pyramid, built for Khufu 🏺
  2. 5. Discovers — Answer: SNIFFSOUT. Hint: Uncovers something through careful searching or investigation 🔎
  3. 14. "There's my cue" — Answer: IMON. Hint: A performer might say this when it’s time to step into the spotlight. 🎭
  4. 15. "Dios mío!" — Answer: AYCARAMBA. Hint: A playful Spanish-flavored exclamation of shock or disbelief, often heard in cartoons. 😲
  5. 16. Superbright — Answer: NEON. Hint: Think of the dazzling glow you might see lighting up a city sign at night ✨
  6. 17. Couple's last coupling, perhaps — Answer: BREAKUPSEX. Hint: It’s an intimate farewell that can happen when a romance is ending. 💔
  7. 18. Mounted warrior skilled in martial arts — Answer: SAMURAI. Hint: Think of a disciplined Japanese warrior who served a lord and mastered the sword. ⚔️
  8. 20. Retired pro wrestler Flair — Answer: RIC. Hint: Think of the legendary Nature Boy’s three-letter first name. 🤼
  9. 21. Sibling's cry of protest, maybe — Answer: UNFAIR. Hint: A younger family member might shout this after seeing unequal treatment. 😤
  10. 22. Guard for some time? — Answer: RENTACOP. Hint: Think of a security officer hired temporarily rather than permanently. 👮
  11. 27. Unit whose name derives from the Latin word for "heat" — Answer: CALORIE. Hint: This energy unit’s name has linguistic roots connected to warmth and heat. 🔥
  12. 29. Completely lose it — Answer: GOLOCO. Hint: To do this, you might suddenly act wildly irrational, as if your emotions took the wheel 🤪
  13. 30. Bunk alternatives — Answer: COTS. Hint: These simple sleeping spots are common in camps and spare rooms. 🛏️
  14. 31. Leave a lasting mark on — Answer: ETCH. Hint: Think of permanently carving words or designs into a surface. ✍️
  15. 33. Because — Answer: SINCE. Hint: Use this conjunction to introduce the reason something happened. 💡
  16. 34. Self-doubter's question — Answer: AMI. Hint: A wavering thinker might ask this tiny question when seeking reassurance about themselves. 🤔
  17. 35. Huddling, as teammates — Answer: INCLOSE. Hint: Gathering tightly together, like players planning their next move 🏈
  18. 37. Mom-and-pop group — Answer: FAM. Hint: Think of the casual slang for your close-knit family circle. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
  19. 38. Rock musician Bob — Answer: SEGER. Hint: Think of the Detroit rocker behind “Night Moves” and “Old Time Rock and Roll.” 🎸
  20. 40. "Enough out of you!" — Answer: HUSH. Hint: A firm command telling someone to stop talking. 🤫
  21. 41. Costco competitor, informally — Answer: SAMS. Hint: Think of the membership warehouse known for its bulk bargains and big-box savings. 🛒
  22. 42. England's George V vis-à-vis Russia's Nicholas II — Answer: COUSIN. Hint: Think of the close family connection between these two royal rulers. 👑
  23. 44. Good places for a deep dive into research? — Answer: SEALABS. Hint: Think of underwater facilities where scientists study ocean life and conditions. 🔬
  24. 46. Recollection, say — Answer: ANECDOTE. Hint: A brief personal story from the past could be described this way. 🗣️
  25. 48. Primates found only in and around Madagascar — Answer: LEMURS. Hint: Think of Madagascar’s wide-eyed, ring-tailed tree dwellers. 🐒
  26. 50. Slip — Answer: ERR. Hint: Think of a small mistake you might make. 😅
  27. 51. Explode, as a paintball — Answer: GOSPLAT. Hint: Think of the messy sound and result when a paintball bursts on impact. 💥
  28. 52. Enthusiastic cry when one's favorite song comes on the radio — Answer: THATSMYJAM. Hint: A delighted shout of recognition when the perfect tune starts playing! 🎶
  29. 57. Idle — Answer: LAZE. Hint: Take it easy and do nothing for a while 🛋️
  30. 58. Excessively greedy — Answer: RAPACIOUS. Hint: Describes someone who wants far more than their fair share 🤑
  31. 59. Berkshire town — Answer: ETON. Hint: This English village is famous for its prestigious boarding school. 🎓
  32. 60. Of an indefinitely large number — Answer: UMPTEENTH. Hint: Think of the informal ordinal you might use after saying you’ve reminded someone countless times. 🔢
  33. 61. Spanish muralist José María ___ — Answer: SERT. Hint: Think of the Catalan painter celebrated for grand, dramatic murals. 🎨

Down

  1. 1. Kitchen brand inspired by 18-Across — Answer: GINSU. Hint: Think of the knife brand famous for slicing through cans and tomatoes with ease. 🔪
  2. 2. "Seriously?!" — Answer: IMEANCOMEON. Hint: A skeptical reaction to something that sounds unbelievable 🤨
  3. 3. Issue in a modern remote work setting — Answer: ZOOMFATIGUE. Hint: Too many video calls can leave you feeling this way. 😵
  4. 4. Corn and wheat, for two — Answer: ANNUALS. Hint: These crops complete their life cycle within a single growing season 🌾
  5. 5. Garment worn with a bodice called a choli — Answer: SARI. Hint: This traditional South Asian garment is wrapped and draped in graceful folds around the body. 👗
  6. 6. 365th out of 365, in brief — Answer: NYE. Hint: Think of the year’s final day, marked by a midnight celebration, in abbreviated form. 🎆
  7. 7. Words of comfort — Answer: ICARE. Hint: A reassuring phrase that shows empathy and support 🤗
  8. 8. Not being real about — Answer: FAKING. Hint: Pretending rather than being sincere about something is the idea here 🎭
  9. 9. Honey is high in this — Answer: FRUCTOSE. Hint: Think of the natural sugar that gives fruit and honey their sweetness 🍯
  10. 10. Deplete — Answer: SAP. Hint: Drain someone’s strength or energy, as a demanding task might do. 💧
  11. 11. Yogis' utterances — Answer: OMS. Hint: These meditative chants are often voiced as a single sacred syllable. 🧘
  12. 12. Purple drink ingredient at a boba tea shop — Answer: UBE. Hint: This tropical purple tuber adds a sweet, nutty flavor to many boba drinks. 🍠
  13. 13. "... plus ___" — Answer: TAX. Hint: This extra charge is added to the listed price at checkout. 🧾
  14. 17. Unfruitful — Answer: BARREN. Hint: Describes land that produces no crops or efforts that yield no results 🌱
  15. 19. Animated 2011 film set in Brazil — Answer: RIO. Hint: This colorful adventure follows a rare macaw through the lively streets and skies of Brazil 🎬
  16. 22. Person that's best left alone — Answer: RECLUSE. Hint: Think of someone who happily keeps to themselves and avoids social gatherings. 🏡
  17. 23. Wong of Netflix's "Beef" — Answer: ALI. Hint: Think of the comedian who stars opposite Steven Yeun in this acclaimed Netflix series 🎬
  18. 24. Shoot the breeze — Answer: CONFABULATE. Hint: It means to chat casually, not to fire a weapon. 💬
  19. 25. Philosophy of "Keep things simple," in a sense — Answer: OCCAMSRAZOR. Hint: This principle favors the explanation with the fewest unnecessary assumptions. 🪒
  20. 26. "How do ___ grow? They grow out of your life": Robert Penn Warren — Answer: POEMS. Hint: Robert Penn Warren suggests these creative works sprout from the experiences of everyday life. ✍️
  21. 28. Scratch that! — Answer: ITCH. Hint: Sometimes you just need to scratch the surface of discomfort! 🐾
  22. 30. "Julius Caesar" role — Answer: CASCA. Hint: This Roman conspirator is the first to strike Caesar in Shakespeare’s tragedy. 🗡️
  23. 32. Plot device? — Answer: HOSE. Hint: A garden’s trusty tool for delivering water where your plants need it. 🌱
  24. 35. Shimmer colorfully — Answer: IRIDESCE. Hint: Think of light gleaming with shifting rainbow hues. 🌈
  25. 36. Hello or goodbye, abroad — Answer: SHALOM. Hint: This Hebrew word can serve as both a greeting and a farewell. 👋
  26. 39. Computer key that might be pressed repeatedly in a panic — Answer: ESC. Hint: This key offers a quick retreat when a program or situation starts going awry. 🆘
  27. 41. Tastes — Answer: SAMPLES. Hint: Tries a little to judge the flavor 😋
  28. 43. Average Joe, in modern slang — Answer: NORMIE. Hint: Think of the casual slang term for an ordinary, mainstream person. 🙂
  29. 45. ___ Bleus, nickname for France's World Cup team — Answer: LES. Hint: This French team nickname begins with the plural definite article in French. ⚽
  30. 47. Check for fit — Answer: TRYON. Hint: See whether a garment or accessory suits you before committing. 👕
  31. 49. What might go straight to the heart? — Answer: STENT. Hint: A tiny medical tube can keep a narrowed blood vessel open and restore blood flow. 🫀
  32. 51. Deep cut — Answer: GASH. Hint: Think of a long, open wound rather than a mere scratch. 🩹
  33. 52. Monodrama that debuted in 1989 — Answer: TRU. Hint: This one-person play brings Truman Capote’s life and wit to the stage. 🎭
  34. 53. Country ___ — Answer: HAM. Hint: Think of a salty Southern cured pork specialty often served sliced at breakfast 🐖
  35. 54. Unwanted place for bugs — Answer: APP. Hint: Software glitches may find an unwelcome home in one of these. 🐛
  36. 55. Parlor offering, for short — Answer: TAT. Hint: Think of a brief, informal term for body art from a studio. 🎨
  37. 56. Project — Answer: JUT. Hint: To extend beyond an edge is to do this. 📐

Recent NYT Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

NYT Crossword 13 August 2026NYT Crossword 12 August 2026NYT Crossword 11 August 2026NYT Crossword 10 August 2026NYT Crossword 9 August 2026NYT Crossword 8 August 2026NYT Crossword 7 August 2026

The answer to “Plot device?” in the New York Times crossword is HOSE — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on August 14, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 32-Down. 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.

“Plot device?” answer

HOSE (4 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 HOSE.

When else has “Plot device?” appeared?

New York Times 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 14, 2026 (most recent) → HOSE. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the NYT Crossword on August 14, 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 answer list for August 14, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Crossword answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the NYT Crossword

The New York Times crossword, edited by Will Shortz, is the most famous daily puzzle in the United States. It runs a 15×15 grid Monday through Saturday and a larger 21×21 grid on Sunday, and its difficulty deliberately ramps through the week: Monday is the most approachable, Saturday the toughest, with Thursday often reserved for a trick or twist like rebus squares. This page covers a Friday puzzle. A straight-definition entry is the kind of solid mid-grid answer that anchors the trickier crossings around it. Because the NYT reuses short, crossing-friendly words regularly, seeing them once makes them easier to spot next time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Plot device?”?

The answer is HOSE, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on August 14, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Plot device?”?

4 letters: HOSE.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on August 14, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 32-Down.

Can “Plot device?” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times 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 Crossword answers?

The full grid for August 14, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword 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.