Music-sharing service for millennials, once

Latest answer — August 14, 2026

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Clue decoded

Napster was the music-sharing service widely used by millennials before its original peer-to-peer service shut down and the brand changed hands. “Once” signals that the clue refers to its earlier cultural role.

Clue type:
Definition
The original Napster logo associated with early online music sharing

USA Today Crossword

This clue's Friday, August 14, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

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

Across

  1. 1"One ___ this time" ("Cha Cha Slide" instruction)
  2. 4Really fun time
  3. 9Technology similar to echolocation
  4. 14Say "I'm grood" instead of "I'm great" or "I'm good," say
  5. 15Taylor Swift album with "Paper Rings"
  6. 16Savory flavor
  7. 17"Without further ___ . . ."
  8. 18"I ___ you" ("You're my favorite")
  9. 19Very fast
  10. 20Crunched some data
  11. 23Mambo legend Puente
  12. 24"Hi, it's me, your cat"
  13. 25Tic-tac-___
  14. 28Poked around
  15. 32"Big yikes"
  16. 34Like an extravagant ball
  17. 37Round dwellings
  18. 38Auto accessory for AM/FM pickup
  19. 40Marriott competitor
  20. 42Signs
  21. 44Pirate's besties
  22. 46Quench
  23. 49"Case of the Ex" singer who performed at Lilith Fair in 1999
  24. 50Reptar or Yoshi, for short
  25. 53Smartphone forerunners
  26. 54Insects that build nests inside wood
  27. 59Summer camp treat
  28. 61"All kidding ___ . . ."
  29. 62"r u picking me up soon"
  30. 63High points
  31. 64Party all night long, perhaps
  32. 6526-Down alternative, at a coffee shop
  33. 66Band instruments that don't fit in backpacks
  34. 67Like a cold expression
  35. 68"Help us!," to ABBA

Down

  1. 1"Less than 3" symbols
  2. 2Make official
  3. 3"ASAP!"
  4. 4Unexciting
  5. 5Mine deposit
  6. 6Cosmetics brand once sold door-to-door
  7. 7Part of a skin care routine
  8. 8HBO series set in New Orleans
  9. 9"Fine, I'm in"
  10. 10Congresswoman Ilhan
  11. 11Music-sharing service for millennials, once
  12. 12"___ hearing you right?"
  13. 13Get ___ of (toss)
  14. 21"Sorry, you missed out"
  15. 22Halloween greeting
  16. 26Granola grain
  17. 27Where some nurses work (Abbr.)
  18. 29Evening shift, perhaps?
  19. 30"Casino Royale" star Green
  20. 31Rackets
  21. 33Punny La Pirata Brewing offering
  22. 35Pig's home
  23. 36Skirt borders
  24. 38Underground burial site
  25. 39Chicago Bulls org.
  26. 40"That's a real thinker"
  27. 41"Sweet!"
  28. 43Blue Pixar character
  29. 45Taste
  30. 47"Made your mark on me, a golden ___"
  31. 48Writing assignments
  32. 51Gets closer
  33. 52It's a start
  34. 55Zone
  35. 56Early DVR brand
  36. 57"The Middle" star Sher
  37. 58___ on (trust in)
  38. 59Took a chair
  39. 60Franchise that includes "Ms. Marvel" (Abbr.)

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. "One ___ this time" ("Cha Cha Slide" instruction) — Answer: HOP. Hint: The dance instruction asks you to do this once. 🕺
  2. 4. Really fun time — Answer: BLAST. Hint: A party or outing can be this exciting. 🎉
  3. 9. Technology similar to echolocation — Answer: SONAR. Hint: It locates objects by sending out sound waves and listening for echoes. 📡
  4. 14. Say "I'm grood" instead of "I'm great" or "I'm good," say — Answer: ERR. Hint: That playful mash-up is a mistake in wording. 🤭
  5. 15. Taylor Swift album with "Paper Rings" — Answer: LOVER. Hint: This record is named for an enduring romantic feeling. 💖
  6. 16. Savory flavor — Answer: UMAMI. Hint: Think of the rich, savory depth found in broth or soy sauce. 🍜
  7. 17. "Without further ___ . . ." — Answer: ADO. Hint: The phrase means to proceed without any more delay. ⏩
  8. 18. "I ___ you" ("You're my favorite") — Answer: ADORE. Hint: This affectionate verb is stronger than simply liking someone. 💕
  9. 19. Very fast — Answer: RAPID. Hint: Something described this way moves with great speed. ⚡
  10. 20. Crunched some data — Answer: RANTHENUMBERS. Hint: This means processing figures to find useful results. 🧮
  11. 23. Mambo legend Puente — Answer: TITO. Hint: The missing name belongs to a celebrated Latin bandleader. 🎺
  12. 24. "Hi, it's me, your cat" — Answer: MEOW. Hint: A feline might greet you with this familiar sound. 🐱
  13. 25. Tic-tac-___ — Answer: TOE. Hint: Think of the classic 3×3 game where players race to make a line of three. ❌
  14. 28. Poked around — Answer: SNOOPED. Hint: You did this when you nosed around for private details. 🕵️
  15. 32. "Big yikes" — Answer: OHDEAR. Hint: This mild exclamation captures alarm or dismay. 😬
  16. 34. Like an extravagant ball — Answer: LAVISH. Hint: It describes something richly grand and extravagant. ✨
  17. 37. Round dwellings — Answer: YURTS. Hint: These portable, circular homes are associated with Central Asian nomads. ⛺
  18. 38. Auto accessory for AM/FM pickup — Answer: CARANTENNA. Hint: This vehicle-mounted accessory helps receive radio signals. 📻
  19. 40. Marriott competitor — Answer: HYATT. Hint: This hotel chain is a major rival in the lodging world. 🏨
  20. 42. Signs — Answer: SYMBOLS. Hint: These signs stand for ideas, objects, or meanings. 🔣
  21. 44. Pirate's besties — Answer: MATEYS. Hint: A pirate might affectionately call fellow crew members this. 🏴‍☠️
  22. 46. Quench — Answer: SATIATE. Hint: To do this is to satisfy a thirst or appetite completely. 🥤
  23. 49. "Case of the Ex" singer who performed at Lilith Fair in 1999 — Answer: MYA. Hint: Think of the R&B vocalist behind this memorable breakup anthem. 🎤
  24. 50. Reptar or Yoshi, for short — Answer: DINO. Hint: Use a playful short label for these fictional scaly creatures. 🦖
  25. 53. Smartphone forerunners — Answer: PDAS. Hint: These handheld organizers came before today’s touchscreen phones. 📱
  26. 54. Insects that build nests inside wood — Answer: CARPENTERANTS. Hint: These wood-boring insects excavate their homes rather than eating them. 🐜
  27. 59. Summer camp treat — Answer: SMORE. Hint: Layer chocolate and marshmallow between crackers for this campfire favorite. 🔥
  28. 61. "All kidding ___ . . ." — Answer: ASIDE. Hint: This word completes the phrase meaning “joking aside.” 😉
  29. 62. "r u picking me up soon" — Answer: ETA. Hint: This texting abbreviation asks when someone will arrive. ⏰
  30. 63. High points — Answer: ACMES. Hint: These are the peaks or highest points of something. ⛰️
  31. 64. Party all night long, perhaps — Answer: REVEL. Hint: This verb means to celebrate exuberantly through the night. 🎉
  32. 65. 26-Down alternative, at a coffee shop — Answer: SOY. Hint: At a café, choose this plant-based milk option. ☕
  33. 66. Band instruments that don't fit in backpacks — Answer: TUBAS. Hint: These large brass instruments are hardly portable. 🎺
  34. 67. Like a cold expression — Answer: STONY. Hint: A cold, unfeeling expression can be described this way. 🗿
  35. 68. "Help us!," to ABBA — Answer: SOS. Hint: This famous distress call also appears in an ABBA title. 🆘

Down

  1. 1. "Less than 3" symbols — Answer: HEARTS. Hint: These symbols convey affection in a playful text. 💕
  2. 2. Make official — Answer: ORDAIN. Hint: This verb can mean to authorize officially or install in a clerical role. 📜
  3. 3. "ASAP!" — Answer: PRONTO. Hint: This emphatic word means immediately. ⚡
  4. 4. Unexciting — Answer: BLAH. Hint: Use this casual word for something dull or uninspiring. 😐
  5. 5. Mine deposit — Answer: LODE. Hint: Miners seek this rich vein or deposit underground. ⛏️
  6. 6. Cosmetics brand once sold door-to-door — Answer: AVON. Hint: This cosmetics company became famous for neighborhood sales representatives. 💄
  7. 7. Part of a skin care routine — Answer: SERUM. Hint: Apply this concentrated skincare product before moisturizing. 🧴
  8. 8. HBO series set in New Orleans — Answer: TREME. Hint: This drama captures the vibrant music and culture of post-Katrina New Orleans 📺
  9. 9. "Fine, I'm in" — Answer: SUREWHYNOT. Hint: A casual, enthusiastic way to accept an invitation 🙌
  10. 10. Congresswoman Ilhan — Answer: OMAR. Hint: This Minnesota representative is a prominent progressive voice in Congress 🏛️
  11. 11. Music-sharing service for millennials, once — Answer: NAPSTER. Hint: This pioneering file-sharing platform made digital music downloads famous 🎵
  12. 12. "___ hearing you right?" — Answer: AMI. Hint: This phrase checks whether your understanding is correct 👂
  13. 13. Get ___ of (toss) — Answer: RID. Hint: Complete this phrase meaning to discard something unwanted 🗑️
  14. 21. "Sorry, you missed out" — Answer: TOOLATE. Hint: A phrase for an opportunity that has already passed ⏰
  15. 22. Halloween greeting — Answer: BOO. Hint: A playful spooky exclamation often heard on October 31 🎃
  16. 26. Granola grain — Answer: OAT. Hint: This wholesome breakfast staple is often rolled into flakes for a crunchy snack. 🥣
  17. 27. Where some nurses work (Abbr.) — Answer: ERS. Hint: These hospital units handle urgent medical situations 🚑
  18. 29. Evening shift, perhaps? — Answer: PARTYDRESS. Hint: This kind of shift changes your workwear into something festive 👗
  19. 30. "Casino Royale" star Green — Answer: EVA. Hint: She portrayed Vesper Lynd opposite Daniel Craig 🎬
  20. 31. Rackets — Answer: DINS. Hint: This word describes loud, chaotic noise 📣
  21. 33. Punny La Pirata Brewing offering — Answer: DUALIPA. Hint: This beer name combines a pop star reference with the idea of a pair 🍺
  22. 35. Pig's home — Answer: STY. Hint: A farm animal’s pen provides this humble shelter 🐖
  23. 36. Skirt borders — Answer: HEMS. Hint: These finished edges keep fabric from unraveling 🧵
  24. 38. Underground burial site — Answer: CATACOMB. Hint: Think of a network of subterranean chambers holding the dead 🕯️
  25. 39. Chicago Bulls org. — Answer: NBA. Hint: This major professional basketball league includes Chicago’s team 🏀
  26. 40. "That's a real thinker" — Answer: HMM. Hint: A brief sound suggesting deep consideration 🤔
  27. 41. "Sweet!" — Answer: YAY. Hint: A cheerful exclamation of delight 🎉
  28. 43. Blue Pixar character — Answer: SADNESS. Hint: This Inside Out character represents one of the film’s core emotions 😢
  29. 45. Taste — Answer: SIP. Hint: Take a tiny drink to sample the flavor. 🥤
  30. 47. "Made your mark on me, a golden ___" — Answer: TATTOO. Hint: This lyric evokes permanent body art made with ink. 🎵
  31. 48. Writing assignments — Answer: ESSAYS. Hint: These school tasks ask you to develop ideas in prose. ✍️
  32. 51. Gets closer — Answer: NEARS. Hint: Moves nearer to a person or place. 📍
  33. 52. It's a start — Answer: ONSET. Hint: The beginning of an event or process. 🚦
  34. 55. Zone — Answer: AREA. Hint: Think of a space defined by boundaries and purpose! 📏
  35. 56. Early DVR brand — Answer: TIVO. Hint: A pioneering digital recorder that changed television viewing. 📺
  36. 57. "The Middle" star Sher — Answer: EDEN. Hint: She played Sue Heck on the family sitcom. 🎬
  37. 58. ___ on (trust in) — Answer: RELY. Hint: Complete the phrase meaning to depend on someone. 🤝
  38. 59. Took a chair — Answer: SAT. Hint: What you did when you settled into a seat. 🪑
  39. 60. Franchise that includes "Ms. Marvel" (Abbr.) — Answer: MCU. Hint: This superhero universe includes many Marvel characters. 🦸

Recent USA Today Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

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The answer to “Music-sharing service for millennials, once” in the USA Today crossword is NAPSTER — a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 14, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 11-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.

“Music-sharing service for millennials, once” answer

NAPSTER (7 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 NAPSTER.

When else has “Music-sharing service for millennials, 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.

August 14, 2026 (most recent) → NAPSTER. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the USA Today Crossword on August 14, 2026

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Want every clue in one place? The full USA Today answer list for August 14, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live USA Today answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the USA Today Crossword

USA Today's daily crossword is a themed, accessible grid with no Monday-to-Saturday difficulty ramp — every day is written to be finishable in one sitting. This page covers a Friday puzzle. Theme answers and short glue entries trade places in importance; when a theme clue stalls you, a confirmed crossing fill usually breaks it open.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Music-sharing service for millennials, once”?

The answer is NAPSTER, a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 14, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Music-sharing service for millennials, once”?

7 letters: NAPSTER.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the USA Today crossword on August 14, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 11-Down.

Can “Music-sharing service for millennials, 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 August 14, 2026 is on the USA Today answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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