Trips around the sun (Abbr.)

Latest answer — August 20, 2026

31 Across

Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

Clue decoded

Trips around the sun are years, abbreviated YRS in crossword fill. The abbreviation accounts for the shortened plural form.

Clue type:
Abbreviation
An educational diagram showing Earth traveling around the Sun.

USA Today Crossword

This clue's Thursday, August 20, 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. 1Phoenix Opera solo
  2. 5"Do your ___!"
  3. 10Take orders from
  4. 14Pear suitable for poaching
  5. 15Really mad
  6. 16Like stallions and bulls
  7. 17Alley target in a Wii Sports game
  8. 19Ticks off
  9. 20Do better than
  10. 21Areas of land
  11. 23Drink that might be served with crumpets
  12. 24Need to pay
  13. 27"___ corte de rosas y espinas" (Sarah J. Maas novel translated by Margara Averbach)
  14. 28Spigot
  15. 31Trips around the sun (Abbr.)
  16. 33Proves versatile
  17. 35"Days of ___ Lives"
  18. 36Orchard units
  19. 38Counterpart of ecstasy
  20. 40Flash seen before hearing thunder
  21. 44"Hidden Figures" star Janelle
  22. 45Airport annoyance
  23. 46Long, long time
  24. 47Vegas venue whose interior includes the world's largest LED screen
  25. 50Write to Dear Abby, say
  26. 53Boxing ref's call
  27. 54"___ Te Ching"
  28. 55The Broncos, on a scoreboard
  29. 57Brain scan (Abbr.)
  30. 59Home on a Kingdomino starting tile
  31. 62Turn into mush
  32. 64Sign of things to come
  33. 66Classic parade streamer material
  34. 69Dryer fuzz
  35. 70Causing goose bumps
  36. 71Gorillas and gibbons
  37. 72Prom partner
  38. 73"I'm ___ in the back of the car / And I cried like a baby comin' home from the bar"
  39. 74In this location

Down

  1. 1Monastery figure
  2. 2"Carol" star Mara
  3. 3"That's the truth!"
  4. 46-Down that defends legal rights
  5. 5Take the prize
  6. 64-Down, e.g.
  7. 7Spellbound
  8. 8Provoke
  9. 9Rent payer
  10. 10Leave out
  11. 11Happy hour seat
  12. 12Yellowstone creature
  13. 13"Definitely!"
  14. 18Stock debut, for short
  15. 22Honeydew alternative
  16. 25Toad's bump
  17. 26Blissful spot
  18. 29Woman with nieces, say
  19. 30Be nosy
  20. 32It's a long story!
  21. 34Parenthetical bit
  22. 37Ice holders
  23. 39"El perro" painter Francisco
  24. 40Window-shop, perhaps
  25. 41Not guilty
  26. 42Brainy person
  27. 43Pure delight
  28. 44Was introduced to
  29. 48Tapped gently
  30. 49___-than-thou
  31. 51Colorful wrap
  32. 52Real gem
  33. 56"All Things Considered" network
  34. 58Honking flock
  35. 60Poker payment
  36. 61Beige shade
  37. 63State home to Bryce Canyon
  38. 64Ancient
  39. 65"The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" protagonist
  40. 67Folks
  41. 68Cartoon shriek

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Phoenix Opera solo — Answer: ARIA. Hint: This is a solo vocal piece performed in an opera. 🎶
  2. 5. "Do your ___!" — Answer: WORST. Hint: Complete this dare-like phrase with the opposite of your best. 😈
  3. 10. Take orders from — Answer: OBEY. Hint: This means to follow someone’s commands. 🫡
  4. 14. Pear suitable for poaching — Answer: BOSC. Hint: Look for a firm, brown-skinned pear variety often poached. 🍐
  5. 15. Really mad — Answer: IRATE. Hint: Someone feeling this is extremely angry. 😡
  6. 16. Like stallions and bulls — Answer: MALE. Hint: These animals are the nonfemale members of their species. 🐂
  7. 17. Alley target in a Wii Sports game — Answer: BOWLINGPIN. Hint: It is the object knocked down in the bowling alley. 🎳
  8. 19. Ticks off — Answer: IRKS. Hint: Means annoys or bothers someone. 😤
  9. 20. Do better than — Answer: ONEUP. Hint: This means to surpass or outdo someone. 🏆
  10. 21. Areas of land — Answer: TRACTS. Hint: These are parcels or stretches of land. 🗺️
  11. 23. Drink that might be served with crumpets — Answer: TEA. Hint: Think of the classic British cuppa. ☕
  12. 24. Need to pay — Answer: OWE. Hint: You do this when you have an unpaid debt. 💸
  13. 27. "___ corte de rosas y espinas" (Sarah J. Maas novel translated by Margara Averbach) — Answer: UNA. Hint: Fill in the Spanish feminine singular indefinite article. 🇪🇸
  14. 28. Spigot — Answer: TAP. Hint: A small valve that controls the flow of liquid is often found on a barrel or sink. 🚰
  15. 31. Trips around the sun (Abbr.) — Answer: YRS. Hint: These count calendar years, shown here in shortened form. 🌞
  16. 33. Proves versatile — Answer: ADAPTS. Hint: This means adjusting successfully to different situations. 🔄
  17. 35. "Days of ___ Lives" — Answer: OUR. Hint: Complete the soap-opera title with a word meaning belonging to us. 📺
  18. 36. Orchard units — Answer: ACRES. Hint: These are land measurements often used for plots. 🌳
  19. 38. Counterpart of ecstasy — Answer: AGONY. Hint: This is extreme suffering, the opposite of bliss. 😣
  20. 40. Flash seen before hearing thunder — Answer: LIGHTNINGBOLT. Hint: This dramatic flash arrives before the thunderclap. ⚡
  21. 44. "Hidden Figures" star Janelle — Answer: MONAE. Hint: This singer and actress played an aerospace pioneer in the film. 🎬
  22. 45. Airport annoyance — Answer: DELAY. Hint: It can leave you waiting at the gate. 🛫
  23. 46. Long, long time — Answer: EON. Hint: This means an immense stretch of time. ⏳
  24. 47. Vegas venue whose interior includes the world's largest LED screen — Answer: SPHERE. Hint: This Las Vegas landmark surrounds audiences with an immersive display. 🎟️
  25. 50. Write to Dear Abby, say — Answer: ASK. Hint: You might do this when seeking advice from a newspaper columnist. ✉️
  26. 53. Boxing ref's call — Answer: TKO. Hint: A referee may stop a bout this way when one fighter cannot continue. 🥊
  27. 54. "___ Te Ching" — Answer: TAO. Hint: Think of an ancient text that explores the way of the universe! 🌌
  28. 55. The Broncos, on a scoreboard — Answer: DEN. Hint: This three-letter code represents Denver’s football team. 🏈
  29. 57. Brain scan (Abbr.) — Answer: EEG. Hint: This abbreviated test records the brain’s electrical activity. 🧠
  30. 59. Home on a Kingdomino starting tile — Answer: CASTLE. Hint: It is the regal centerpiece shown on the game’s starting tile. 🏰
  31. 62. Turn into mush — Answer: PUREE. Hint: Blend food until it becomes smooth and creamy. 🥣
  32. 64. Sign of things to come — Answer: OMEN. Hint: A portent can hint at what lies ahead. 🔮
  33. 66. Classic parade streamer material — Answer: TICKERTAPE. Hint: This paper confetti was once famously tossed in parades. 🎉
  34. 69. Dryer fuzz — Answer: LINT. Hint: The dryer trap collects these tiny fabric fibers. 🧺
  35. 70. Causing goose bumps — Answer: EERIE. Hint: A spooky atmosphere might leave you shivering. 👻
  36. 71. Gorillas and gibbons — Answer: APES. Hint: These intelligent primates include both mighty gorillas and agile gibbons. 🐒
  37. 72. Prom partner — Answer: DATE. Hint: This person accompanies you to the dance. 💃
  38. 73. "I'm ___ in the back of the car / And I cried like a baby comin' home from the bar" — Answer: DRUNK. Hint: The lyric describes being intoxicated after a night out. 🎵
  39. 74. In this location — Answer: HERE. Hint: A sign pointing to the current spot might use this word. 📍

Down

  1. 1. Monastery figure — Answer: ABBOT. Hint: This person oversees the monks and daily life in a monastery. 🏛️
  2. 2. "Carol" star Mara — Answer: ROONEY. Hint: This actress portrayed Therese in the acclaimed period film. 🎥
  3. 3. "That's the truth!" — Answer: ISWEAR. Hint: A heartfelt way to insist that you’re telling the truth. 🤞
  4. 4. 6-Down that defends legal rights — Answer: ACLU. Hint: This civil-liberties organization advocates for people’s legal rights. ⚖️
  5. 5. Take the prize — Answer: WIN. Hint: Claim victory in a contest. 🏆
  6. 6. 4-Down, e.g. — Answer: ORG. Hint: It may be an abbreviated group or institution. 🏢
  7. 7. Spellbound — Answer: RAPT. Hint: Completely captivated by something fascinating. ✨
  8. 8. Provoke — Answer: STIRUP. Hint: Deliberately arouse a reaction or rile someone. 😈
  9. 9. Rent payer — Answer: TENANT. Hint: This person occupies a property under a lease. 🏠
  10. 10. Leave out — Answer: OMIT. Hint: Sometimes it's best to skip something entirely! ✂️
  11. 11. Happy hour seat — Answer: BARSTOOL. Hint: A tall seat pulled up to the counter. 🍻
  12. 12. Yellowstone creature — Answer: ELK. Hint: A large antlered animal roaming the national park. 🦌
  13. 13. "Definitely!" — Answer: YES. Hint: An enthusiastic affirmative reply. 👍
  14. 18. Stock debut, for short — Answer: IPO. Hint: The abbreviated first public sale of company shares. 📈
  15. 22. Honeydew alternative — Answer: CASABA. Hint: Another sweet melon variety found in the produce aisle. 🍈
  16. 25. Toad's bump — Answer: WART. Hint: A small rough growth on a toad’s skin. 🐸
  17. 26. Blissful spot — Answer: EDEN. Hint: A paradise-like garden from scripture. 🌴
  18. 29. Woman with nieces, say — Answer: AUNT. Hint: She may be a sibling of one’s parent. 👩
  19. 30. Be nosy — Answer: PRY. Hint: Take a curious peek where you weren’t invited 👀
  20. 32. It's a long story! — Answer: SAGA. Hint: An extended tale filled with many events. 📖
  21. 34. Parenthetical bit — Answer: ASIDE. Hint: A remark set apart from the main thought. 💬
  22. 37. Ice holders — Answer: CHESTS. Hint: Large containers designed to keep refreshments cold. 🧊
  23. 39. "El perro" painter Francisco — Answer: GOYA. Hint: This Spanish master painted both royalty and haunting scenes. 🎨
  24. 40. Window-shop, perhaps — Answer: LOOK. Hint: Browse store displays without necessarily buying. 🛍️
  25. 41. Not guilty — Answer: INNOCENT. Hint: Cleared of wrongdoing in a legal judgment. ⚖️
  26. 42. Brainy person — Answer: NERD. Hint: An intellectual enthusiast who loves learning. 🤓
  27. 43. Pure delight — Answer: GLEE. Hint: Joy that bubbles over is this feeling. 😄
  28. 44. Was introduced to — Answer: MET. Hint: Came face-to-face with someone for the first time 🤝
  29. 48. Tapped gently — Answer: PATTED. Hint: Touched softly with a light rhythmic touch. 👋
  30. 49. ___-than-thou — Answer: HOLIER. Hint: Describes someone acting morally superior. 😇
  31. 51. Colorful wrap — Answer: SERAPE. Hint: Think of a bright shoulder cloth from Latin America. 🌈
  32. 52. Real gem — Answer: KEEPER. Hint: A person or thing worth holding on to. 💎
  33. 56. "All Things Considered" network — Answer: NPR. Hint: This public radio network airs thoughtful news and culture programs. 📻
  34. 58. Honking flock — Answer: GEESE. Hint: These noisy birds often travel in a V formation. 🪿
  35. 60. Poker payment — Answer: ANTE. Hint: It’s the small wager everyone puts in before the cards are dealt. 🃏
  36. 61. Beige shade — Answer: ECRU. Hint: A muted cream tone with a French flair. 🎨
  37. 63. State home to Bryce Canyon — Answer: UTAH. Hint: This southwestern state features Bryce Canyon’s famous hoodoos. 🏜️
  38. 64. Ancient — Answer: OLD. Hint: From a very distant past. 🏺
  39. 65. "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" protagonist — Answer: MIA. Hint: She is the royal heroine played by Anne Hathaway. 👑
  40. 67. Folks — Answer: KIN. Hint: Your relatives or close family members. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
  41. 68. Cartoon shriek — Answer: EEK. Hint: A classic comic-book scream of surprise. 😱

Recent USA Today Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

USA Today 19 August 2026USA Today 18 August 2026USA Today 17 August 2026USA Today 16 August 2026USA Today 15 August 2026USA Today 14 August 2026USA Today 13 August 2026

The answer to “Trips around the sun (Abbr.)” in the USA Today crossword is YRS — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 20, 2026, a Thursday puzzle, at 31-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.

“Trips around the sun (Abbr.)” answer

YRS (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 YRS.

When else has “Trips around the sun (Abbr.)” 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 20, 2026 (most recent) → YRS. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the USA Today Crossword on August 20, 2026

Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.

Want every clue in one place? The full USA Today answer list for August 20, 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 Thursday 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 “Trips around the sun (Abbr.)”?

The answer is YRS, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 20, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Trips around the sun (Abbr.)”?

3 letters: YRS.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the USA Today crossword on August 20, 2026 (a Thursday puzzle), at 31-Across.

Can “Trips around the sun (Abbr.)” 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 20, 2026 is on the USA Today answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

Crossword Clues

Looking up a clue? Jump into today's answers and clue help from top puzzles.