School units

Latest answer — August 21, 2026

54 Across

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Clue decoded

DESKS are the individual work units commonly found in a school classroom. The clue uses “units” in the practical sense of classroom furniture rather than as a measurement.

Clue type:
Definition
Rows of individual desks in a school classroom

NYT Crossword

This clue's Friday, August 21, 2026 appearance

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Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Leader in a robe called a kasaya
  2. 5Some malty offerings
  3. 14Jejune
  4. 15Coupling rings?
  5. 17Come (together)
  6. 18One sharing gold
  7. 19Remy's brother in "Ratatouille"
  8. 21High tea treat
  9. 22Mathematician Terence, winner of the 2006 Fields Medal
  10. 23___ Ball, 2021 N.B.A. Rookie of the Year
  11. 25Key for getting out
  12. 26Gave temporarily
  13. 27One-named pop star with Monkey Puzzle Records
  14. 28___ tov (Jewish festival)
  15. 30Advantageous
  16. 32Losing control emotionally, in slang
  17. 36Drama club enthusiast
  18. 38Italian hero?
  19. 40Bold
  20. 42Étendue bleue
  21. 43Hindi for "reign"
  22. 45Focus of a concussion protocol
  23. 46N.L. East team, on scoreboards
  24. 49Especially ornate
  25. 51Mass. summer setting
  26. 52Jack up
  27. 54School units
  28. 55In place?
  29. 58Stuff in shakers
  30. 59"Aww!"
  31. 60Target of a search party
  32. 61Is canned
  33. 62Word repeated before "against the dying of the light" in a Dylan Thomas poem

Down

  1. 1Names
  2. 2Language spoken by Jesus
  3. 3Place for a quick stop
  4. 4Puzzle
  5. 5La ti do, musically
  6. 6Bovine sounds
  7. 7Sport similar to pétanque
  8. 8Character
  9. 9"Sinners" director, 2025
  10. 10Apogee
  11. 11Where a serviette is laid
  12. 12Haut monde
  13. 13___ Crosley, author of 2008's "I Was Told There'd Be Cake"
  14. 16Impudent sort
  15. 20Paris's Champs-___
  16. 24Grand Canyon lookout whose name suggests visitors' reactions
  17. 26Some baroque instruments
  18. 29Diamond wear
  19. 31Metal tube in a nuclear reactor
  20. 33Jazz musician Jamal
  21. 34Neighbor of Colo.
  22. 35Mass unit
  23. 37First filmmaker to receive the Order of Culture in Japan
  24. 39Unprocessed inventory
  25. 40One might leave you unprotected at night
  26. 41What kid-friendly games typically are
  27. 44What big crowds do
  28. 45Fells
  29. 47Hang-up
  30. 48Something raised in a meeting
  31. 50Julio ___ Chávez (boxing legend)
  32. 52Possessive pronoun
  33. 53"Cheerio"
  34. 56Snitch
  35. 57Neighbor of Ark.

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Leader in a robe called a kasaya — Answer: LAMA. Hint: This spiritual teacher is associated with Tibetan Buddhism 🧘
  2. 5. Some malty offerings — Answer: AMBERALES. Hint: These beers are known for their warm color and sweet malt character 🍺
  3. 14. Jejune — Answer: ARID. Hint: It can describe something lacking richness or imagination 🏜️
  4. 15. Coupling rings? — Answer: BOOTYCALLS. Hint: These romantic invitations may arrive by phone 📱
  5. 17. Come (together) — Answer: BAND. Hint: Musicians do this when they form a group 🎸
  6. 18. One sharing gold — Answer: COCHAMPION. Hint: This winner ties with another at the top 🏆
  7. 19. Remy's brother in "Ratatouille" — Answer: EMILE. Hint: This food-loving rat's sibling appears in Pixar's kitchen tale 🐀
  8. 21. High tea treat — Answer: SCONE. Hint: Enjoy this baked good with jam and clotted cream ☕
  9. 22. Mathematician Terence, winner of the 2006 Fields Medal — Answer: TAO. Hint: This celebrated mathematician made major contributions to number theory 🎓
  10. 23. ___ Ball, 2021 N.B.A. Rookie of the Year — Answer: LAMELO. Hint: This young Charlotte star shares a surname with a famous basketball family 🏀
  11. 25. Key for getting out — Answer: ESC. Hint: Press this keyboard key to cancel or leave a screen ⌨️
  12. 26. Gave temporarily — Answer: LENT. Hint: You did this when you loaned something for a while 🤝
  13. 27. One-named pop star with Monkey Puzzle Records — Answer: SIA. Hint: This singer is known for powerful vocals and hidden features 🎤
  14. 28. ___ tov (Jewish festival) — Answer: YOM. Hint: This Hebrew phrase wishes someone a good day or holiday ✡️
  15. 30. Advantageous — Answer: OFUSE. Hint: Something beneficial can be described this way 👍
  16. 32. Losing control emotionally, in slang — Answer: CRASHINGOUT. Hint: This slang phrase describes an emotional meltdown 😤
  17. 36. Drama club enthusiast — Answer: THEATERGEEK. Hint: This person loves rehearsals, scripts, and the stage 🎭
  18. 38. Italian hero? — Answer: MEATBALLSUB. Hint: This sandwich might be a deli's patriotic twist on a pasta favorite 🥖
  19. 40. Bold — Answer: BRASH. Hint: Someone with this quality may be daring but tactless 😏
  20. 42. Étendue bleue — Answer: MER. Hint: In French, this is the blue expanse covering much of Earth 🌊
  21. 43. Hindi for "reign" — Answer: RAJ. Hint: This short Hindi term also refers to royal rule. 👑
  22. 45. Focus of a concussion protocol — Answer: HEAD. Hint: Doctors carefully examine this area after a blow. 🧠
  23. 46. N.L. East team, on scoreboards — Answer: PHI. Hint: This scoreboard abbreviation represents Philadelphia’s baseball club. ⚾
  24. 49. Especially ornate — Answer: ROCOCO. Hint: Think lavish curves and excessive decoration in eighteenth-century art. 🎨
  25. 51. Mass. summer setting — Answer: EDT. Hint: This time zone keeps Massachusetts clocks advanced during summer. ⏰
  26. 52. Jack up — Answer: HOIST. Hint: Lift something using a lever, rope, or pulley. 🏗️
  27. 54. School units — Answer: DESKS. Hint: Students often sit at these classroom workstations. 🏫
  28. 55. In place? — Answer: WHEREITSAT. Hint: This slangy phrase means knowing the exact situation or location. 📍
  29. 58. Stuff in shakers — Answer: SALT. Hint: A common seasoning sprinkled from a tabletop container. 🧂
  30. 59. "Aww!" — Answer: SODARNCUTE. Hint: An affectionate reaction to something irresistibly adorable. 🥰
  31. 60. Target of a search party — Answer: AWOL. Hint: They’re looking for a missing service member. 🔎
  32. 61. Is canned — Answer: GETSTHEAX. Hint: It means someone or something has been dismissed. 🪓
  33. 62. Word repeated before "against the dying of the light" in a Dylan Thomas poem — Answer: RAGE. Hint: Thomas urges this fierce emotion repeatedly in his famous villanelle. 📖

Down

  1. 1. Names — Answer: LABELS. Hint: These identify or categorize people or things. 🏷️
  2. 2. Language spoken by Jesus — Answer: ARAMAIC. Hint: This ancient Semitic tongue was used in first-century Judea. 🗣️
  3. 3. Place for a quick stop — Answer: MINIMART. Hint: Grab a snack or drink at this small convenience shop. 🛒
  4. 4. Puzzle — Answer: ADDLE. Hint: As a verb, this means to confuse or bewilder. 🤔
  5. 5. La ti do, musically — Answer: ABC. Hint: Think of the basic sequence used to introduce beginners to music. 🎵
  6. 6. Bovine sounds — Answer: MOOS. Hint: Cows make these lowing noises. 🐄
  7. 7. Sport similar to pétanque — Answer: BOCCE. Hint: This Italian lawn game uses balls rolled toward a target. 🎯
  8. 8. Character — Answer: ETHOS. Hint: A person's guiding values and moral outlook point here 🧭
  9. 9. "Sinners" director, 2025 — Answer: RYANCOOGLER. Hint: The filmmaker behind Black Panther and the 2025 supernatural thriller is your guide 🎬
  10. 10. Apogee — Answer: ACME. Hint: At its peak, a mountain or career reaches this point ⛰️
  11. 11. Where a serviette is laid — Answer: LAP. Hint: Your folded napkin may rest here during a meal 🍽️
  12. 12. Haut monde — Answer: ELITES. Hint: The upper crust of society belongs to this group 👑
  13. 13. ___ Crosley, author of 2008's "I Was Told There'd Be Cake" — Answer: SLOANE. Hint: This writer penned the essay collection I Was Told There'd Be Cake 📚
  14. 16. Impudent sort — Answer: SNOT. Hint: A cheeky, ill-mannered person earns this label 😏
  15. 20. Paris's Champs-___ — Answer: ELYSEES. Hint: Complete the name of Paris's famed tree-lined avenue 🇫🇷
  16. 24. Grand Canyon lookout whose name suggests visitors' reactions — Answer: OOHAAHPOINT. Hint: Visitors may blurt this overlook's name when taking in the view 😮
  17. 26. Some baroque instruments — Answer: LUTES. Hint: These plucked string instruments were staples of early music 🎶
  18. 29. Diamond wear — Answer: MITT. Hint: A baseball fielder may wear this hand covering while guarding the diamond ⚾
  19. 31. Metal tube in a nuclear reactor — Answer: FUELROD. Hint: This reactor component contains material that sustains the chain reaction ⚛️
  20. 33. Jazz musician Jamal — Answer: AHMAD. Hint: Think of the celebrated pianist known for At the Pershing 🎹
  21. 34. Neighbor of Colo. — Answer: NEB. Hint: Look east of Colorado for this abbreviated state 🗺️
  22. 35. Mass unit — Answer: GRAM. Hint: A small metric measure weighs in at one-thousandth of a kilogram ⚖️
  23. 37. First filmmaker to receive the Order of Culture in Japan — Answer: KUROSAWA. Hint: This Japanese director made Seven Samurai and Rashomon 🎥
  24. 39. Unprocessed inventory — Answer: BACKLOG. Hint: Tasks awaiting attention form this pileup 📋
  25. 40. One might leave you unprotected at night — Answer: BEDHOG. Hint: A sleep companion who monopolizes the mattress can leave you exposed 🛏️
  26. 41. What kid-friendly games typically are — Answer: RATEDE. Hint: The ESRB uses its most inclusive age category for these games 🎮
  27. 44. What big crowds do — Answer: JOSTLE. Hint: Packed throngs can bump and shove as they move 👥
  28. 45. Fells — Answer: HEWS. Hint: Cuts down trees or brings something crashing down. 🌲
  29. 47. Hang-up — Answer: HITCH. Hint: A snag or lingering obstacle can be this. 🪢
  30. 48. Something raised in a meeting — Answer: ISSUE. Hint: A topic put forward for discussion is one. 🗣️
  31. 50. Julio ___ Chávez (boxing legend) — Answer: CESAR. Hint: This was the middle name of the famous Mexican boxing champion. 🥊
  32. 52. Possessive pronoun — Answer: HERS. Hint: It indicates that something belongs to a woman or girl. 👛
  33. 53. "Cheerio" — Answer: TATA. Hint: A playful, old-fashioned way to say goodbye. 👋
  34. 56. Snitch — Answer: RAT. Hint: An informer who betrays a secret may be called one. 🐀
  35. 57. Neighbor of Ark. — Answer: TEX. Hint: A resident of the Lone Star State borders Arkansas. 🤠

Recent NYT Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

NYT Crossword 20 August 2026NYT Crossword 19 August 2026NYT Crossword 18 August 2026NYT Crossword 17 August 2026NYT Crossword 16 August 2026NYT Crossword 15 August 2026NYT Crossword 14 August 2026

The answer to “School units” in the New York Times crossword is DESKS — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on August 21, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 54-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.

“School units” answer

DESKS (5 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 DESKS.

When else has “School units” 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 21, 2026 (most recent) → DESKS. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the NYT Crossword on August 21, 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 21, 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 “School units”?

The answer is DESKS, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on August 21, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “School units”?

5 letters: DESKS.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on August 21, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 54-Across.

Can “School units” 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 21, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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