One might be found in a bottle

Latest answer — August 27, 2026

21 Down

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Clue explained

A bottle can contain a MESSAGE, as in the classic “message in a bottle.” The answer is a singular noun completing that familiar phrase.

Clue type:
Example
A glass bottle containing a rolled message on a beach

USA Today Crossword

This clue's Thursday, August 27, 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. 1Forensic TV drama
  2. 4Grip
  3. 9Beta follower
  4. 14Babe
  5. 15Dried poblano
  6. 16It's made up of chapters
  7. 17Surgery sites (Abbr.)
  8. 18Relay item
  9. 19Fancy tie alternative
  10. 20Dance for high school seniors
  11. 22Apt name for a botanist
  12. 23Sleeveless garments
  13. 24Situation in which two people trade duties
  14. 28Rad
  15. 29Android alternative
  16. 30Word before "Clash" or "Cure"
  17. 33Kind of card for a phone
  18. 34K-i-s-s-i-n-g outdoors, e.g.
  19. 35It's around a foot
  20. 36London venue named after Queen Victoria's husband
  21. 41YouTube diary, perhaps
  22. 42Animal that says "hee-haw"
  23. 43Pricing figures
  24. 44Like a rush delivery
  25. 47"Shrinking" actor Harrison
  26. 48Netflix show that has Natasha Lyonne's character in a time loop
  27. 53Person who sleeps in the starfish position
  28. 57March on Washington figure (Abbr.)
  29. 58Marine mammal
  30. 59Visitor from outer space
  31. 60Undercover spies
  32. 62Place to get a HydraFacial
  33. 63Point fingers at
  34. 64Path around the sun
  35. 65Suffix for "skeptic" or "cynic"
  36. 66Squeals
  37. 67Like a stage-five clinger
  38. 68Piping-hot goss

Down

  1. 1Actress Priyanka
  2. 2Sadness
  3. 3Removable boot part
  4. 4Yak
  5. 5Genetic messenger
  6. 6Not idle
  7. 7Push
  8. 8Trots for tots
  9. 9Tropical fruits
  10. 10Photographer Adams
  11. 11Lapel attachments
  12. 12Not worth discussing
  13. 13___ on a log
  14. 21One might be found in a bottle
  15. 25Stir up
  16. 26"Bugonia" star Stone
  17. 27Fly high
  18. 30"Enough already!"
  19. 31Problem for an inflatable mattress
  20. 32Snakelike fish
  21. 34"Masterpiece" network
  22. 35Broken bits of pottery
  23. 36Parts of hookup culture?
  24. 37Hello, in Portuguese
  25. 38___ Kippur
  26. 39"Betcha can't eat just one" brand
  27. 40Movie universe with a Game Grid
  28. 45They serve the queen
  29. 46Mo. with International Clown Week
  30. 47One might be confiscated by a bouncer
  31. 49Fireside treat
  32. 50"___ the judge of that"
  33. 51Error in judgment
  34. 52Alpaca cousin
  35. 53Person with a crib sheet?
  36. 54"Margo's Got Money Troubles" actress Fanning
  37. 55Watch part
  38. 56Eco-friendly fiber
  39. 60Nickname for Ross' sister on "Friends"
  40. 61Pigpen

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Forensic TV drama — Answer: CSI. Hint: Crime-scene investigators take the spotlight in this series. 🔍
  2. 4. Grip — Answer: GRASP. Hint: Hold something firmly with your hand. ✊
  3. 9. Beta follower — Answer: GAMMA. Hint: Look to the Greek alphabet for what comes next. 🔤
  4. 14. Babe — Answer: HON. Hint: A sweet term of endearment fits here. 💕
  5. 15. Dried poblano — Answer: ANCHO. Hint: This pepper packs a smoky punch, perfect for adding depth to your dishes! 🌶️
  6. 16. It's made up of chapters — Answer: UNION. Hint: A large organization may be divided into local groups. 🤝
  7. 17. Surgery sites (Abbr.) — Answer: ORS. Hint: Hospitals contain several rooms where operations take place. 🏥
  8. 18. Relay item — Answer: BATON. Hint: Runners pass this during a team race. 🏃
  9. 19. Fancy tie alternative — Answer: ASCOT. Hint: A neckwear choice with an especially dapper reputation. 🎩
  10. 20. Dance for high school seniors — Answer: PROM. Hint: This formal celebration typically caps the school years. 💃
  11. 22. Apt name for a botanist — Answer: IVY. Hint: A plant-loving scientist could wear this name perfectly. 🌿
  12. 23. Sleeveless garments — Answer: VESTS. Hint: These torso-covering clothes leave your arms uncovered 👕
  13. 24. Situation in which two people trade duties — Answer: ROLEREVERSAL. Hint: Here, each person temporarily takes on the other’s job 🔄
  14. 28. Rad — Answer: AWESOME. Hint: A breezy way to call something exceptionally cool 😎
  15. 29. Android alternative — Answer: IOS. Hint: Look to Apple’s mobile operating system instead 📱
  16. 30. Word before "Clash" or "Cure" — Answer: THE. Hint: This small word precedes both famous band names 🎸
  17. 33. Kind of card for a phone — Answer: SIM. Hint: It’s the tiny subscriber card that connects a phone to a carrier 📱
  18. 34. K-i-s-s-i-n-g outdoors, e.g. — Answer: PDA. Hint: An affectionate public display can earn this abbreviation 💋
  19. 35. It's around a foot — Answer: SHOE. Hint: This everyday item surrounds and protects your foot 👟
  20. 36. London venue named after Queen Victoria's husband — Answer: ROYALALBERTHALL. Hint: This famous concert hall honors Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s consort 🎶
  21. 41. YouTube diary, perhaps — Answer: VLOG. Hint: It’s a video diary shared online 🎥
  22. 42. Animal that says "hee-haw" — Answer: ASS. Hint: Think of the farm animal known for braying 🫏
  23. 43. Pricing figures — Answer: RATES. Hint: These numbers tell you how much something costs or changes 💰
  24. 44. Like a rush delivery — Answer: SAMEDAY. Hint: The package arrives before tomorrow 📦
  25. 47. "Shrinking" actor Harrison — Answer: FORD. Hint: He played Dr. Robert Lawrence in the comedy series 🎬
  26. 48. Netflix show that has Natasha Lyonne's character in a time loop — Answer: RUSSIANDOLL. Hint: Natasha Lyonne stars as a woman repeatedly reliving her birthday night 🔁
  27. 53. Person who sleeps in the starfish position — Answer: BEDHOG. Hint: This sprawling sleeper takes up the bed like a sea creature ⭐
  28. 57. March on Washington figure (Abbr.) — Answer: MLK. Hint: This civil rights leader delivered the famous dream speech ✊
  29. 58. Marine mammal — Answer: SEAL. Hint: This whiskered swimmer is famous for barking from rocky shores 🌊
  30. 59. Visitor from outer space — Answer: ALIEN. Hint: A being from another world has arrived 👽
  31. 60. Undercover spies — Answer: MOLES. Hint: These hidden operatives burrow inside an organization 🕵️
  32. 62. Place to get a HydraFacial — Answer: SPA. Hint: Book a relaxing skincare appointment there. 🧖
  33. 63. Point fingers at — Answer: BLAME. Hint: Assign responsibility when things go wrong. 👉
  34. 64. Path around the sun — Answer: ORBIT. Hint: It describes the route a planet follows around its star. 🪐
  35. 65. Suffix for "skeptic" or "cynic" — Answer: ISM. Hint: It turns a belief or outlook into a named doctrine. 📚
  36. 66. Squeals — Answer: YELPS. Hint: Think of short cries caused by pain or surprise. 😮
  37. 67. Like a stage-five clinger — Answer: NEEDY. Hint: This describes someone craving constant attention. 🤗
  38. 68. Piping-hot goss — Answer: TEA. Hint: In slang, this is juicy gossip served metaphorically. ☕

Down

  1. 1. Actress Priyanka — Answer: CHOPRA. Hint: She starred in Quantico and married singer Nick Jonas. 🎬
  2. 2. Sadness — Answer: SORROW. Hint: A deep feeling of unhappiness or grief. 😢
  3. 3. Removable boot part — Answer: INSOLE. Hint: Look inside the footwear for its cushioned, removable layer. 👢
  4. 4. Yak — Answer: GAB. Hint: Talk at length about nothing in particular. 💬
  5. 5. Genetic messenger — Answer: RNA. Hint: This molecule helps carry genetic instructions inside cells. 🧬
  6. 6. Not idle — Answer: ACTIVE. Hint: This describes someone busy and engaged rather than resting. ⚡
  7. 7. Push — Answer: SHOVE. Hint: Give something a forceful nudge. 💪
  8. 8. Trots for tots — Answer: PONYRIDES. Hint: Children can enjoy these at a fair atop gentle horses. 🐴
  9. 9. Tropical fruits — Answer: GUAVAS. Hint: These fruits have fragrant flesh and edible seeds. 🌴
  10. 10. Photographer Adams — Answer: ANSEL. Hint: Think of the celebrated nature photographer known for breathtaking black-and-white landscapes of the American West. 📷
  11. 11. Lapel attachments — Answer: MICS. Hint: Clip-on audio devices help keep a speaker's voice clear. 🎙️
  12. 12. Not worth discussing — Answer: MOOT. Hint: This describes an issue with no practical consequence. 🤷
  13. 13. ___ on a log — Answer: ANTS. Hint: These tiny insects are the starring topping in a snack named for timber. 🐜
  14. 21. One might be found in a bottle — Answer: MESSAGE. Hint: A castaway might send one sealed inside glass. 🧴
  15. 25. Stir up — Answer: ROIL. Hint: Turn up the turbulence or stir emotions. 🌪️
  16. 26. "Bugonia" star Stone — Answer: EMMA. Hint: The star named in the clue shares her first name with a famous British author. 🎬
  17. 27. Fly high — Answer: SOAR. Hint: Take to the skies with effortless grace. 🪽
  18. 30. "Enough already!" — Answer: THATDOESIT. Hint: A fed-up speaker might say this when patience runs out. 😤
  19. 31. Problem for an inflatable mattress — Answer: HOLE. Hint: A tiny puncture can leave bedding disappointingly flat. 🛏️
  20. 32. Snakelike fish — Answer: EELS. Hint: These slippery swimmers resemble serpents. 🐍
  21. 34. "Masterpiece" network — Answer: PBS. Hint: This public broadcaster brings acclaimed educational programs to U.S. screens. 📺
  22. 35. Broken bits of pottery — Answer: SHARDS. Hint: A shattered vase leaves these sharp fragments behind. 🏺
  23. 36. Parts of hookup culture? — Answer: RVS. Hint: Road-trip vehicles might play a surprising role in this cheeky phrase. 🚐
  24. 37. Hello, in Portuguese — Answer: OLA. Hint: Use this cheerful greeting when speaking Portuguese. 👋
  25. 38. ___ Kippur — Answer: YOM. Hint: This short word precedes Kippur in the holiday's name. 🕍
  26. 39. "Betcha can't eat just one" brand — Answer: LAYS. Hint: This snack brand promises that one chip is never enough. 🥔
  27. 40. Movie universe with a Game Grid — Answer: TRON. Hint: A neon digital world and its grid feature in this sci-fi franchise. 💾
  28. 45. They serve the queen — Answer: DRONES. Hint: These hive inhabitants have a connection to the royal bee. 🐝
  29. 46. Mo. with International Clown Week — Answer: AUG. Hint: This calendar abbreviation marks the month hosting International Clown Week. 🤡
  30. 47. One might be confiscated by a bouncer — Answer: FAKEID. Hint: A dishonest proof of age may not survive a club door check. 🚪
  31. 49. Fireside treat — Answer: SMORE. Hint: Toast a marshmallow, sandwich it with chocolate, and add crackers for this campfire classic. 🔥
  32. 50. "___ the judge of that" — Answer: ILLBE. Hint: Fill in the quote with a promise to decide for oneself. ⚖️
  33. 51. Error in judgment — Answer: LAPSE. Hint: A momentary slip in judgment can lead to regret. 🤦
  34. 52. Alpaca cousin — Answer: LLAMA. Hint: This fuzzy South American camelid is a close relative of the alpaca. 🦙
  35. 53. Person with a crib sheet? — Answer: BABY. Hint: This tiny occupant may sleep in the furniture named by the clue. 🍼
  36. 54. "Margo's Got Money Troubles" actress Fanning — Answer: ELLE. Hint: Think of the younger Fanning sister, who has built an impressive acting career. 🎬
  37. 55. Watch part — Answer: DIAL. Hint: Look for the numbered face component that tells you the time. ⌚
  38. 56. Eco-friendly fiber — Answer: HEMP. Hint: This durable plant-based material can be woven into sustainable clothing. 🌿
  39. 60. Nickname for Ross' sister on "Friends" — Answer: MON. Hint: It is a shortened form of Monica’s name from the sitcom. 📺
  40. 61. Pigpen — Answer: STY. Hint: A pig’s humble home is usually a small, muddy enclosure. 🐷

The answer to “One might be found in a bottle” in the USA Today crossword is MESSAGE — a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 27, 2026, a Thursday puzzle, at 21-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.

“One might be found in a bottle” answer

MESSAGE (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 MESSAGE.

What does MESSAGE mean?

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

(noun)

  • a verbal, written, or recorded communication sent to or left for a recipient who cannot be contacted directly
  • a significant political, social, or moral point that is being conveyed by a film, speech, etc.
  • an errand

When else has “One might be found in a bottle” 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 27, 2026 (most recent) → MESSAGE. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “One might be found in a bottle”?

The answer is MESSAGE, a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 27, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “One might be found in a bottle”?

7 letters: MESSAGE.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the USA Today crossword on August 27, 2026 (a Thursday puzzle), at 21-Down.

Can “One might be found in a bottle” 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 27, 2026 is on the USA Today answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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