Lava, once

Latest answer — September 25, 2026

1 Down

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Clue explained

Molten rock beneath Earth's surface is called MAGMA; once it reaches the surface, it is called lava. “Once” signals the earlier stage in that process.

Clue type:
Word form
A volcano cross-section showing magma underground and lava at the surface

USA Today Crossword

This clue's Friday, September 25, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1What a lot of board game boards are
  2. 5Unalterable destiny
  3. 9Words on a state seal
  4. 14Italian menu preposition
  5. 15___ predator (top of the food chain)
  6. 16Committee head
  7. 17Surplus
  8. 18Sported
  9. 19September 25th and July 1st, e.g.
  10. 20Fancier name for a movie
  11. 23"Like . . . now!"
  12. 24Devours quickly
  13. 27Online annoyances
  14. 29Himalayan beast
  15. 30Pepa Madrigal, to Mirabel, in "Encanto"
  16. 31Church bell sound
  17. 34Long way off
  18. 36Bunches
  19. 37Short description of someone
  20. 40It's often wound up
  21. 41Accessory for Kenny G
  22. 42Word after "corned beef" and before "brown"
  23. 43Whichever
  24. 44"___ All That" (2021 gender-swapped film)
  25. 45Ariel's home
  26. 47Builds up anticipation for, like a new movie
  27. 49Curly-tailed Japanese dogs
  28. 54Doppelganger
  29. 58Members of the Holy See
  30. 60Person with a huge following
  31. 61Bit of PR finesse
  32. 62Knuckle or knee
  33. 63Trellis-climbing plant
  34. 64Flotsam and Jetsam, for two
  35. 65Casts off
  36. 66Dedicated verses
  37. 67Genealogy chart

Down

  1. 1Lava, once
  2. 2Divvy up
  3. 3Mickey Mouse's pet dog
  4. 4Glossy fabric
  5. 5___ over (flattered excessively)
  6. 6Per person
  7. 7"Desperate Housewives" star Hatcher
  8. 8CEO, e.g.
  9. 9Scrooge ___ (cartoon character who dives into his gold coins)
  10. 10"Schitt's Creek" actress Catherine
  11. 11Alternative to fries
  12. 12Part of a formal dress code
  13. 13Surgical areas (Abbr.)
  14. 21Central Florida city
  15. 22Russian rulers of old
  16. 25Fictional lawyer Atticus
  17. 26Broad band?
  18. 28Totally fulfills
  19. 29Places to play catch
  20. 31Device that can be put on "Do Not Disturb" mode
  21. 32"It's a cinch!"
  22. 33Is for more than one person?
  23. 35ATM charge
  24. 36Mad ___ Party (spinning ride)
  25. 37Exchange some small talk
  26. 38Sensodyne alternative
  27. 39Slacks color
  28. 44Some bank jobs
  29. 46NFL team with a mascot named Swoop
  30. 48Use up dough
  31. 50"Ready when you are"
  32. 51Come to a point
  33. 52Like a gymnast
  34. 53It's not always so common
  35. 55Early DVR option
  36. 56Terse confession
  37. 57Nary a one
  38. 58Bedtime attire, for short
  39. 59"Nice one!"

The answer to “Lava, once” in the USA Today crossword is MAGMA — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on September 25, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 1-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.

“Lava, once” answer

MAGMA (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 MAGMA.

What does MAGMA mean?

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

(noun)

  • hot fluid or semi-fluid material below or within the earth's crust from which lava and other igneous rock is formed on cooling

When else has “Lava, once” appeared?

USA Today 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 25, 2026 (most recent) → MAGMA. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Lava, once”?

The answer is MAGMA, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on September 25, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Lava, once”?

5 letters: MAGMA.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the USA Today crossword on September 25, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 1-Down.

Can “Lava, once” have a different answer?

Yes — USA Today 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 USA Today answers?

The full grid for September 25, 2026 is on the USA Today answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

USA Today Crossword is published by USA Today; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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