Trusty horse

Latest answer — August 23, 2026

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Clue explained

A steed is a horse, especially one regarded as a dependable mount. The literary or old-fashioned noun makes “trusty horse” an apt definition.

Clue type:
Definition
A saddled horse standing outdoors.

USA Today Crossword

This clue's Sunday, August 23, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Total hotties
  2. 6New mom in fawning season
  3. 9Bit of eye cream
  4. 12Units of sourdough
  5. 14"Know ___ good spots?"
  6. 15"A long, long time ___ . . ."
  7. 16Worldly and refined
  8. 17Nokcha or longjing
  9. 19Home for piglets
  10. 20Typical commuter car
  11. 22Maid of honor's delivery
  12. 23Reckless speed
  13. 25Briny items in a relish tray
  14. 27Kept under wraps
  15. 28Satisfies fully
  16. 29B-school degree
  17. 32Ink stain
  18. 34The Grinch's dog
  19. 35One might have a bike lane
  20. 37State with the Amana Colonies
  21. 38Thus far
  22. 40"Overcompensating" actor DiMarco
  23. 41Large concert venues
  24. 43Some undergrad degrees
  25. 44Minor criticisms
  26. 45Address to a superior officer
  27. 46Laughs loudly
  28. 48___ Wong ("Resident Evil" spy)
  29. 49Treat with a cherry on top
  30. 50Purchase prices
  31. 53Backpack full of supplies, maybe
  32. 56Drop in on
  33. 58Vietnamese for "festival"
  34. 59"Fine! I give up!"
  35. 61Gymnastics legend Biles
  36. 63"Why ___ we here?"
  37. 64"Viva ___ Vegas"
  38. 65Like a voice after a long speech
  39. 66Profs' colleagues
  40. 67Tool swung at a tree trunk
  41. 68Gave a moniker to

Down

  1. 1React shyly to praise, perhaps
  2. 2Largest artery in the body
  3. 3Party for an expecting parent
  4. 4"Training Day" actress Mendes
  5. 5Picked up on
  6. 6"Well, shoot!"
  7. 7Number of lenses in a monocle
  8. 8Checkup for vision
  9. 9Numbers to be crunched
  10. 10Seemingly forever
  11. 11Vessel for gravy
  12. 13"Didn't I tell you?"
  13. 17Meme demonstrating absurdity posing as genius
  14. 18Dissenting votes
  15. 21Savory rice-and-lentil dishes
  16. 24Saturn's largest moon
  17. 26Reflective gear for road workers
  18. 29Spike in news coverage
  19. 30Totally exhausted
  20. 31Devices with cash cassettes
  21. 32Lack of objectivity
  22. 33"Shark Tank" investor Greiner
  23. 34Brick-laying pro
  24. 36Total stranger
  25. 39Makes less hard
  26. 42Peppery salad green
  27. 47Give counsel to
  28. 48Film genre with stunt doubles
  29. 49___ Paulo, Brazil
  30. 51On edge
  31. 52Trusty horse
  32. 53Animal prone to butting
  33. 54Seed-packed pod veggie
  34. 55Free passes in playoffs
  35. 57"Sorta"
  36. 60Honeycomb material
  37. 62Barnyard bleat

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Total hotties — Answer: BABES. Hint: A playful plural for an especially attractive bunch 😍
  2. 6. New mom in fawning season — Answer: DOE. Hint: A female deer becomes this when she welcomes a fawn. 🦌
  3. 9. Bit of eye cream — Answer: DAB. Hint: Just a tiny amount is all you need for delicate skin. 👁️
  4. 12. Units of sourdough — Answer: LOAVES. Hint: These baked staples can be sliced for toast or sandwiches. 🍞
  5. 14. "Know ___ good spots?" — Answer: ANY. Hint: The question asks whether even a single option exists. 🤔
  6. 15. "A long, long time ___ . . ." — Answer: AGO. Hint: This word points to a time far in the past. ⏳
  7. 16. Worldly and refined — Answer: URBANE. Hint: This describes someone polished, sophisticated, and city-savvy. 🎩
  8. 17. Nokcha or longjing — Answer: GREENTEA. Hint: Both are varieties of this lightly oxidized beverage. 🍵
  9. 19. Home for piglets — Answer: STY. Hint: Piglets snuggle in this small farm enclosure. 🐖
  10. 20. Typical commuter car — Answer: SEDAN. Hint: This common four-door vehicle is a commuter classic. 🚗
  11. 22. Maid of honor's delivery — Answer: TOAST. Hint: A celebratory speech from the wedding party often honors the couple. 🥂
  12. 23. Reckless speed — Answer: HASTE. Hint: Moving too quickly can be a sign of this. 💨
  13. 25. Briny items in a relish tray — Answer: OLIVES. Hint: These salty little fruits often sit among crackers and dips. 🫒
  14. 27. Kept under wraps — Answer: HID. Hint: Something concealed from view has been kept this way. 🤫
  15. 28. Satisfies fully — Answer: SATES. Hint: It completely fulfills an appetite or desire. 😋
  16. 29. B-school degree — Answer: MBA. Hint: This graduate credential is common among business leaders. 🎓
  17. 32. Ink stain — Answer: BLOT. Hint: A tiny dark mark left behind when something spills or smudges 🖋️
  18. 34. The Grinch's dog — Answer: MAX. Hint: The Grinch's loyal canine companion has a short, punchy name. 🐶
  19. 35. One might have a bike lane — Answer: STREET. Hint: Cyclists may share this paved public route with cars. 🚲
  20. 37. State with the Amana Colonies — Answer: IOWA. Hint: Look to the Midwestern state known for these historic communal villages. 🌽
  21. 38. Thus far — Answer: ASYET. Hint: This phrase means up to now. ⏱️
  22. 40. "Overcompensating" actor DiMarco — Answer: ADAM. Hint: This actor shares a first name with the biblical first man. 🎬
  23. 41. Large concert venues — Answer: ARENAS. Hint: Places where huge crowds gather for live music. 🎶
  24. 43. Some undergrad degrees — Answer: BAS. Hint: These undergraduate diplomas are often abbreviated in academic listings. 🎓
  25. 44. Minor criticisms — Answer: NITS. Hint: Small complaints or petty objections fit here. 🧐
  26. 45. Address to a superior officer — Answer: SIR. Hint: Use this respectful military form of address. 🎖️
  27. 46. Laughs loudly — Answer: ROARS. Hint: Bellow with amusement at something hilarious. 😂
  28. 48. ___ Wong ("Resident Evil" spy) — Answer: ADA. Hint: The Resident Evil spy is named after a famous computing pioneer. 🕵️
  29. 49. Treat with a cherry on top — Answer: SUNDAE. Hint: This sweet dessert is often crowned with whipped cream and fruit. 🍨
  30. 50. Purchase prices — Answer: COSTS. Hint: These are the amounts paid to buy things. 💰
  31. 53. Backpack full of supplies, maybe — Answer: GOBAG. Hint: A ready-to-carry emergency pack might fit this description. 🎒
  32. 56. Drop in on — Answer: VISIT. Hint: Pay an informal call on someone. 👋
  33. 58. Vietnamese for "festival" — Answer: TET. Hint: This word names Vietnam’s famous lunar new year celebration. 🏮
  34. 59. "Fine! I give up!" — Answer: OKYOUWIN. Hint: A playful surrender after losing an argument. 🏳️
  35. 61. Gymnastics legend Biles — Answer: SIMONE. Hint: The celebrated gymnast’s given name goes here. 🤸
  36. 63. "Why ___ we here?" — Answer: ARE. Hint: Complete the question with the present-tense form of “to be.” ❓
  37. 64. "Viva ___ Vegas" — Answer: LAS. Hint: The missing word is the Spanish article used before the Nevada city in this famous slogan. 🎰
  38. 65. Like a voice after a long speech — Answer: HOARSE. Hint: It sounds rough and worn after too much talking. 🗣️
  39. 66. Profs' colleagues — Answer: TAS. Hint: Graduate instructors who help professors fit the bill. 📚
  40. 67. Tool swung at a tree trunk — Answer: AXE. Hint: A classic woodcutting tool with a sharp blade. 🪓
  41. 68. Gave a moniker to — Answer: NAMED. Hint: Bestowed a nickname upon someone. 🏷️

Down

  1. 1. React shyly to praise, perhaps — Answer: BLUSH. Hint: Show embarrassment when complimented. 😊
  2. 2. Largest artery in the body — Answer: AORTA. Hint: This major blood vessel carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart. 🫀
  3. 3. Party for an expecting parent — Answer: BABYSHOWER. Hint: Guests celebrate the upcoming arrival with gifts and games. 🎁
  4. 4. "Training Day" actress Mendes — Answer: EVA. Hint: She played Denzel Washington’s wife in this crime thriller. 🎬
  5. 5. Picked up on — Answer: SENSED. Hint: It means noticed or became aware of something. 👀
  6. 6. "Well, shoot!" — Answer: DARNIT. Hint: This is a mild exclamation of frustration. 😤
  7. 7. Number of lenses in a monocle — Answer: ONE. Hint: A monocle is designed for just a single eye. 👁️
  8. 8. Checkup for vision — Answer: EYETEST. Hint: An optometrist uses this to measure how clearly you see. 👓
  9. 9. Numbers to be crunched — Answer: DATA. Hint: Researchers and analysts examine these figures for insights. 📊
  10. 10. Seemingly forever — Answer: AGES. Hint: What feels like an endless stretch of time, but isn’t truly endless ⏳
  11. 11. Vessel for gravy — Answer: BOAT. Hint: This serving container shares its name with something that floats. 🚤
  12. 13. "Didn't I tell you?" — Answer: SEE. Hint: It is a brief way to point out that your prediction came true. ☝️
  13. 17. Meme demonstrating absurdity posing as genius — Answer: GALAXYBRAIN. Hint: This meme depicts increasingly grand ideas with ever-brighter brains. 🧠
  14. 18. Dissenting votes — Answer: NOS. Hint: These are the votes cast against a motion. 🗳️
  15. 21. Savory rice-and-lentil dishes — Answer: DOSAS. Hint: These South Indian specialties are thin, crisp, and often served with chutney. 🥞
  16. 24. Saturn's largest moon — Answer: TITAN. Hint: This hazy moon is even larger than the planet Mercury. 🪐
  17. 26. Reflective gear for road workers — Answer: VESTS. Hint: These bright safety garments help workers stand out in traffic. 🦺
  18. 29. Spike in news coverage — Answer: MEDIASTORM. Hint: A sudden flood of headlines can be described this way. 📰
  19. 30. Totally exhausted — Answer: BEAT. Hint: After an especially long day, you might feel completely worn out. 😴
  20. 31. Devices with cash cassettes — Answer: ATMS. Hint: These machines dispense money and often print receipts. 💵
  21. 32. Lack of objectivity — Answer: BIAS. Hint: A personal preference can keep judgment from being neutral. ⚖️
  22. 33. "Shark Tank" investor Greiner — Answer: LORI. Hint: This investor is known for championing clever consumer products. 💡
  23. 34. Brick-laying pro — Answer: MASON. Hint: This skilled worker builds walls and structures with mortar. 🧱
  24. 36. Total stranger — Answer: RANDO. Hint: A casual term for someone completely unknown to you. 👤
  25. 39. Makes less hard — Answer: EASES. Hint: This verb means reduces difficulty or discomfort. 🌿
  26. 42. Peppery salad green — Answer: ARUGULA. Hint: This leafy green adds a spicy bite to salads. 🥗
  27. 47. Give counsel to — Answer: ADVISE. Hint: To do this is to offer helpful guidance. 💡
  28. 48. Film genre with stunt doubles — Answer: ACTION. Hint: Explosions, chases, and daring feats are its specialties. 🎬
  29. 49. ___ Paulo, Brazil — Answer: SAO. Hint: Complete the name of Brazil’s sprawling southeastern metropolis. 🏙️
  30. 51. On edge — Answer: TENSE. Hint: Feeling nervous and unable to relax describes this state. 😬
  31. 52. Trusty horse — Answer: STEED. Hint: A noble literary term for a dependable riding horse. 🐎
  32. 53. Animal prone to butting — Answer: GOAT. Hint: This sure-footed farm animal may use its head to argue. 🐐
  33. 54. Seed-packed pod veggie — Answer: OKRA. Hint: This green vegetable contains rows of edible seeds and gets pleasantly thick when cooked. 🫛
  34. 55. Free passes in playoffs — Answer: BYES. Hint: These let teams advance without playing a round. 🏆
  35. 57. "Sorta" — Answer: ISH. Hint: This casual suffix means approximately or somewhat. 🤏
  36. 60. Honeycomb material — Answer: WAX. Hint: Bees mold this substance into their storage cells. 🐝
  37. 62. Barnyard bleat — Answer: MAA. Hint: It is the classic sound of a sheep or goat. 🐑

The answer to “Trusty horse” in the USA Today crossword is STEED — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 23, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 52-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.

“Trusty horse” answer

STEED (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 STEED.

What does STEED mean?

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

(noun)

  • a horse being ridden or available for riding

When else has “Trusty horse” 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 23, 2026 (most recent) → STEED. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Trusty horse”?

The answer is STEED, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 23, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Trusty horse”?

5 letters: STEED.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the USA Today crossword on August 23, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 52-Down.

Can “Trusty horse” 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 23, 2026 is on the USA Today answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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