Sign of decay
Latest answer — September 15, 2026
58 Down
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Clue explained
Rust is the reddish-brown corrosion that forms on iron or steel, making it a visible sign that the metal is decaying. The answer is a singular noun.
- Clue type:
- Definition
NYT Crossword
This clue's Tuesday, September 15, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “Sign of decay” in the New York Times crossword is RUST — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on September 15, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 58-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.
“Sign of decay” answer
RUST (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 RUST.
What does RUST mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of RUST is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(noun)
- a reddish- or yellowish-brown flaking coating of iron oxide that is formed on iron or steel by oxidation, especially in the presence of moisture
- a fungal disease of plants which results in reddish or brownish patches
- a reddish-brown colour
When else has “Sign of decay” 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.
September 15, 2026 (most recent) → RUST. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Sign of decay”?
The answer is RUST, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on September 15, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Sign of decay”?
4 letters: RUST.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the New York Times crossword on September 15, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 58-Down.
Can “Sign of decay” 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 September 15, 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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