Small bird, clearly grown and elegant, looking at the wings

Latest answer — September 16, 2026

28 Across

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Clue explained

A CYGNET is a small or young swan. Taking the “wings”, or outer letters, of Clearly, Grown, and Elegant gives C-Y, G-N, and E-T: CYGNET.

Clue type:
Definition
A young cygnet swimming on a pond

Times Cryptic Crossword

This clue's Wednesday, September 16, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Continues the book, dismissing detective’s first motive
  2. 4Rabbit initially confused with Wonderland character
  3. 9Everybody welcoming energy in star
  4. 10Winner with time to swallow new celebratory drink?
  5. 11Speak about Irish city, but not northern city
  6. 12Universal principle? Nothing in principle abandoned by leader
  7. 13Wharf where criminals are often seen?
  8. 14Chap leading representative to secure me for the board?
  9. 18Advisor working with sovereign in court
  10. 20Satirical writer approves a Kindle’s content
  11. 23A lot of rubbish covering large item in garden
  12. 24Church guy and doctor make better nurses
  13. 25Left-winger very much linked to US spy records?
  14. 26Perform like Ella Fitzgerald, enshrining women’s jazz
  15. 27Piece of music with an opening for the flute at last
  16. 28Small bird, clearly grown and elegant, looking at the wings

Down

  1. 1Ecstatic, intoxicated rich hosts upset party resort
  2. 2Very good set in a French city? Mostly
  3. 3Doctor Who is left looking wise
  4. 4Philanthropy must do without it, displaying caution
  5. 5Letters help to support Vaughan Williams, say, after overture lost
  6. 6Children’s game and story incorporating new slogan
  7. 7Rhubarb that chap dipped in drink
  8. 8Incumbent to be not entirely long
  9. 15Comment on article, no thanks to editor first and foremost
  10. 16Drunk grabbing a harmful bit of car
  11. 17Reduction in wharf rail transport — just a few lines here
  12. 19Subtle nude dancing around party in Pretoria
  13. 21Complain about island accommodating heads of insurgent group
  14. 22Paltry, exhibiting paltriness reduced by cunning
  15. 23Italian food not to be found at the start of the dictionary?
  16. 24Gang almost securing one million in heist?

The answer to “Small bird, clearly grown and elegant, looking at the wings” in the The Times Cryptic crossword is CYGNET — a 6-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Times Cryptic crossword on September 16, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle, at 28-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.

“Small bird, clearly grown and elegant, looking at the wings” answer

CYGNET (6 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 CYGNET.

What does CYGNET mean?

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

(noun)

  • a young swan

When else has “Small bird, clearly grown and elegant, looking at the wings” appeared?

The Times Cryptic 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 16, 2026 (most recent) → CYGNET. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Small bird, clearly grown and elegant, looking at the wings”?

The answer is CYGNET, a 6-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Times Cryptic crossword on September 16, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Small bird, clearly grown and elegant, looking at the wings”?

6 letters: CYGNET.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Times Cryptic crossword on September 16, 2026 (a Wednesday puzzle), at 28-Across.

Can “Small bird, clearly grown and elegant, looking at the wings” have a different answer?

Yes — The Times Cryptic 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 Times Cryptic answers?

The full grid for September 16, 2026 is on the Times Cryptic answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Times Cryptic Crossword is published by The Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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