Like a piano that's performance-ready
Editorially verified for the Oct 16, 2026
16 Across
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Clue explained
A piano that’s tuned has had its strings adjusted so the notes sound at the correct pitches. Because each key makes a string vibrate, a piano has many strings to keep in tune; temperature and humidity can affect them, so instruments may need tuning again over time. A well-tuned piano is ready to sound as intended when played.
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- Definition
USA Today Crossword
This clue's Friday, October 16, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “Like a piano that's performance-ready” in the USA Today crossword is TUNED — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on October 16, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 16-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.
“Like a piano that's performance-ready” answer
TUNED (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 TUNED.
What does TUNED mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of TUNED is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(verb)
- adjust (a musical instrument) to the correct or uniform pitch
- adjust (a receiver circuit such as a radio or television) to the frequency of the required signal
- adjust (an engine) or balance (mechanical parts) so that a vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently
When else has “Like a piano that's performance-ready” 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.
October 16, 2026 (most recent) → TUNED. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Like a piano that's performance-ready”?
The answer is TUNED, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on October 16, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Like a piano that's performance-ready”?
5 letters: TUNED.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the USA Today crossword on October 16, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 16-Across.
Can “Like a piano that's performance-ready” 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 October 16, 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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