"Gotta bounce!"
Crossword Answer — July 21, 2026
This is a cheerful way to say goodbye in Italian! 👋
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NYT Midi Crossword
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
By Ian Livengood
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Loungewear with a monogram, perhaps — Answer: ROBE. Hint: You might wear this soft garment while sipping coffee at home! ☕
- 5. ___ system (GPS device) — Answer: NAV. Hint: Think of the tool that helps you find your way on the road! 🗺️
- 8. C.I.O. or C.F.O. — Answer: EXEC. Hint: In a company, these roles often lead the pack! 💼
- 9. Way to depart a highway — Answer: EXIT. Hint: Look for the sign that tells you it's time to leave the road! 🚦
- 11. It might be sealed with a handshake — Answer: DEAL. Hint: This agreement often marks the end of negotiations! 🤝
- 12. Succulent that soothes skin — Answer: ALOE. Hint: This plant is often found in sun-kissed gardens and is known for its healing properties! 🌿
- 13. Way to join a highway — Answer: ONRAMP. Hint: Think of a place where you can merge onto a larger road! 🛣️
- 15. Popular brown dog — Answer: LAB. Hint: This friendly breed is often seen retrieving or lounging by the water! 🐶
- 17. "Gotta bounce!" — Answer: CIAO. Hint: This is a cheerful way to say goodbye in Italian! 👋
- 18. Rapper with the 1990 #1 album "To the Extreme" — Answer: ICE. Hint: He’s cool as ice and made waves in the early '90s! ❄️
- 19. Longtime Mets teammate of Dwight Gooden and Keith Hernandez — Answer: DARRYL. Hint: Think of a player known for his power and flair during the 80s! ⚾
- 21. Rink org. — Answer: NHL. Hint: Think of the top league for ice hockey in North America! 🏒
- 22. State whose capital is Boise: Abbr. — Answer: IDA. Hint: This state is known for its potatoes and stunning landscapes! 🥔
- 23. Nurses, as a drink — Answer: SIPS. Hint: Think about how nurses might refresh themselves during a long shift! 🍹
- 25. Classic film with the tagline "You'll never go in the water again" — Answer: JAWS. Hint: This thriller will make you think twice about beach vacations! 🦈
- 27. Gentle honks — Answer: TOOTS. Hint: These playful sounds can sometimes be a sign of affection or just a fun way to get someone’s attention! 🚗
- 30. Look at rudely — Answer: OGLE. Hint: Sometimes, curiosity gets the better of us when admiring someone from afar! 👀
- 31. God to 1.9+ billion — Answer: ALLAH. Hint: Think of the one revered by many in a major world religion! 🕌
- 32. Where baby birds live — Answer: NEST. Hint: Think of a cozy little home high up in the trees! 🐦
- 33. "... said ___ ever" — Answer: NOONE. Hint: Think of a phrase that emphasizes the absence of any person! 🤔
Down
- 1. Apt rhyme for "take two" — Answer: REDO. Hint: If you didn't get it right the first time, what might you try again? 🔄
- 2. Animals pulling a plow, perhaps — Answer: OXEN. Hint: These sturdy animals have been known to lend a hoof on the farm! 🐂
- 3. Abdominal-strengthening exercises done on all fours — Answer: BEARCRAWLS. Hint: These moves mimic a furry friend moving on the ground! 🐻
- 4. Cream-filled pastry — Answer: ECLAIR. Hint: This dessert might just make you feel like a fancy French pastry lover! 🍰
- 5. Three-in-one ice cream hinted at by 15-, 18- and 19-Across — Answer: NEAPOLITAN. Hint: Think of a delightful dessert that combines three classic flavors! 🍦
- 6. ___ Rose of Guns N' Roses — Answer: AXL. Hint: This frontman is known for his dynamic stage presence and iconic voice! 🎤
- 7. Time for a string instrumentalist to shine — Answer: VIOLINSOLO. Hint: Imagine a moment where the spotlight is solely on a talented musician playing their heart out! 🎻
- 10. Educate — Answer: TEACH. Hint: Think about how you help someone learn something new! 📚
- 14. 24-time M.L.B. All-Star Willie — Answer: MAYS. Hint: Think of a legendary player known for his incredible catches and hitting skills! ⚾
- 16. "The Fresh Prince of ___-Air" — Answer: BEL. Hint: Think of a city that's famous for its Liberty Bell! 🗽
- 19. Spicy mustard variety — Answer: DIJON. Hint: This French city is famous for its tangy condiment! 🌶️
- 20. Old saying — Answer: ADAGE. Hint: This phrase captures timeless wisdom, often passed down through generations! 📜
- 24. Word that follows "Marco!" in a pool — Answer: POLO. Hint: Think of a classic game played in water! 🏊♂️
- 26. Filming locale — Answer: SET. Hint: Where the magic happens and scenes come to life! 🎬
- 28. Shade similar to beige — Answer: TAN. Hint: Think about a color that can be found on a sun-kissed beach! 🏖️
- 29. ___/her pronouns — Answer: SHE. Hint: This pronoun is often used to refer to someone in the feminine form! 🌸
The answer to “"Gotta bounce!"” in the New York Times Midi crossword is CIAO — a 4-letter word. This clue ran in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 21, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 17-Across. If it's the entry standing between you and a clean grid, that's the word you need — and below you'll find why it fits, plus links to the day's other clues if more than one square is giving you trouble.
“"Gotta bounce!"” answer
CIAO (4 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 CIAO.
Why the answer is CIAO
This is a cheerful way to say goodbye in Italian! 👋
When else has “"Gotta bounce!"” appeared?
New York Times Midi reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up before, and what the answer was each time — handy if you landed here from a puzzle on another date.
July 21, 2026 (this puzzle) → CIAO. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.
More clues from the NYT Midi crossword on July 21, 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.
- Abdominal-strengthening exercises done on all fours → BEARCRAWLS
- Cream-filled pastry → ECLAIR
- Three-in-one ice cream hinted at by 15-, 18- and 19-Across → NEAPOLITAN
- 24-time M.L.B. All-Star Willie → MAYS
- Rapper with the 1990 #1 album "To the Extreme" → ICE
- "The Fresh Prince of ___-Air" → BEL
- Popular brown dog → LAB
- Longtime Mets teammate of Dwight Gooden and Keith Hernandez → DARRYL
Want every clue in one place? The full New York Times Midi answer list for July 21, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Midi answers are always one tap from the today page.
About the NYT Midi Crossword
The New York Times Midi is the mid-size daily puzzle between the Mini and the full crossword — typically a 7×7 grid that still rewards quick pattern recognition. Because the Midi is compact, one stubborn clue can jam the whole solve, which is why a confirmed answer and a short explanation help most when you're stuck on a single square.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “"Gotta bounce!"”?
The answer is CIAO, a 4-letter word. It appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 21, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “"Gotta bounce!"”?
4 letters: CIAO.
Where did this clue appear?
In the New York Times Midi crossword on July 21, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 17-Across.
Can “"Gotta bounce!"” have a different answer?
Yes — New York Times Midi 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 NYT Midi answers?
The full grid for July 21, 2026 is on the NYT Midi answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.