Silver-white metal
Editorially verified for the Oct 18, 2026
38 Across
Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

Clue explained
Nickel is the silver-white metallic element named by the clue. Its chemical symbol is Ni, and it’s valued in part for resisting corrosion. Much of the nickel produced worldwide goes into alloys, especially stainless steel, where it helps make the material durable; it’s also used to coat other metals with a protective, shiny finish. The same metal turns up in coins, though coins called “nickels” aren’t necessarily made mostly of nickel.
- Clue type:
- Definition
WaPo Crossword
This clue's Sunday, October 18, 2026 appearance
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
Across
Down
The answer to “Silver-white metal” in the The Washington Post crossword is NICKEL — a 6-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on October 18, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 38-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.
“Silver-white metal” answer
NICKEL (6 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 NICKEL.
What does NICKEL mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of NICKEL is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(noun)
- a silvery-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 28
- a five-cent coin; five cents
When else has “Silver-white metal” appeared?
The Washington Post 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 18, 2026 (most recent) → NICKEL. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Silver-white metal”?
The answer is NICKEL, a 6-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on October 18, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Silver-white metal”?
6 letters: NICKEL.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the The Washington Post crossword on October 18, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 38-Across.
Can “Silver-white metal” have a different answer?
Yes — The Washington Post 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 WaPo Crossword answers?
The full grid for October 18, 2026 is on the WaPo Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.
The Washington Post Crossword is published by The Washington Post; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.
Crossword Clues
Looking up a clue? Jump into today's answers and clue help from top puzzles.
- Beneficiary of early capital
- Close female friend ... in relative terms
- Less than satisfactory, slangily
- Like some cyborg parts
- Journalist Michele with two Peabody Awards
- Softens with sudden sympathy or affection
- Bob ___, alter ego of Mr. Incredible
- Mythical figure whose name means "murmuring rock"
- Justice ___ Coney Barrett
- Summer setting in S.F.
- "Since brass, ___ stone, ___ earth, ___ boundless sea ...": Shak.
- It follows a coin toss
- They can make a pronounced difference
- Historic figure targeted in Stephen King's time-travel novel "11/22/63"
- Tree that can be a source of water for thirsty elephants
- Brand represented by Happy the Oil Drop
- "The Woman King" and "How to Get Away With Murder" star considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time
- Changes the subject, perhaps?
- I've got your number! (Abbr.)
- Soy sauce alternative
- Some undergrad degrees
- Neon garments for crossing guards
- Rolled corn chip brand
- ___-cute (rom-com trope)
- California Eagle owner-editor who foiled a KKK plot and ran for U.S. vice president
- Very damp crawl space?
- Dogs and cats, but not puppies and kittens
- Like stags and roosters
- Stew made with dal and tamarind
- Like the joke "What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta!"
- "All About Love" and "The Will To Change" author who paved the way for intersectional feminism
- Part of speech of "truly"



