Shape used to describe storylines

Editorially verified for the Oct 16, 2026

14 Across

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A simple diagram illustrating a story’s progression from beginning to end.

Clue explained

A story arc is the shape or progression of a storyline: how a character or situation changes from the beginning through the middle to the end. A character might start out distrustful, face events that challenge that outlook, and finish more willing to rely on others. The word “arc” captures that curve of development, rather than a single scene or plot point.

Clue type:
Definition

USA Today Crossword

This clue's Friday, October 16, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Bake sale org.
  2. 4Daytime dramas
  3. 9Get a whiff of this!
  4. 14Shape used to describe storylines
  5. 15Like needs that have not yet been fulfilled
  6. 16Like a piano that's performance-ready
  7. 17Protected lands for flora and fauna
  8. 20Notice that solicits an online RSVP
  9. 21They have many i-opening products
  10. 22On air
  11. 23Spitting images?
  12. 26Get the ___ of the land
  13. 29NNW's opposite
  14. 30Pirate's haul
  15. 31Oliver Twist's request for another helping
  16. 32Long-necked bird resembling a heron
  17. 33Curtains
  18. 35Pull-apart dairy snack
  19. 38Films
  20. 39Gives three stars to, say
  21. 40Site that features cast lists
  22. 41Carried
  23. 42Hair goo
  24. 45Friendship garland
  25. 46Post-gym refreshment?
  26. 48Assistant
  27. 49Kicks with swooshes
  28. 51"From the top!"
  29. 52Fifes and flutes
  30. 57Liberated
  31. 58Use the pink end of a pencil
  32. 59From head to ___
  33. 60Throngs
  34. 61Accord, e.g.
  35. 62Soon-to-be grads (Abbr.)

Down

  1. 1Groups of conference presenters
  2. 2NFL tight end Kelce
  3. 3Like a Discord user who posts a lot
  4. 4Unwavering
  5. 5Beat that the downbeat is usually on
  6. 6Metal box?
  7. 7According to
  8. 8Like love scenes in movies
  9. 9Fitness-tracking units
  10. 10Bicep exercise
  11. 11Something for an Oscar presenter to open
  12. 12Once named
  13. 13Causes for end zone celebrations (Abbr.)
  14. 18Native of Colorado
  15. 19Place to enjoy a mud bath
  16. 23Sources of student debt
  17. 24Ache
  18. 25Had a serving of humble pie
  19. 27Is for many?
  20. 28"Say ___ to the Dress"
  21. 30"Captain Marvel" actress Larson
  22. 31___ media
  23. 32Baby's bed
  24. 33Scare off
  25. 34Plant that can help filter water
  26. 35A few
  27. 36Meal eaten in front of the small screen
  28. 37Feel extremely negatively toward
  29. 38"Cool" amount
  30. 41Chucks
  31. 42Eli Manning's former team
  32. 43Person who improves clarity and tone
  33. 44Some telescopes have these at both ends
  34. 46Slips and slides
  35. 47Certain roost-er
  36. 48Stone ___ ("The Flintstones" era)
  37. 50Checked a license at the door
  38. 51"Heck, yeah!"
  39. 52Join a Zoom meeting while wearing PJs, say (Abbr.)
  40. 53Anger
  41. 54Uno + due
  42. 55"So awesome!"
  43. 56Alysa Liu's team

The answer to “Shape used to describe storylines” in the USA Today crossword is ARC — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on October 16, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 14-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.

“Shape used to describe storylines” answer

ARC (3 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 ARC.

What does ARC mean?

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

(noun)

  • a part of a curve, especially a part of the circumference of a circle
  • a luminous electrical discharge between two electrodes or other points
  • (in a novel, play, or film) the development or resolution of the narrative or principal theme

When else has “Shape used to describe storylines” 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) → ARC. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Shape used to describe storylines”?

The answer is ARC, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on October 16, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Shape used to describe storylines”?

3 letters: ARC.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the USA Today crossword on October 16, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 14-Across.

Can “Shape used to describe storylines” 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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