Gull relative

Crossword Answer — July 20, 2026

Hint

This bird often plays along the coast, but it's not a gull! 🐦

Answer

Tap each tile or show full answer below

NYT Crossword

Monday, July 20, 2026

By Eric Rollfing

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Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

NYT Crossword Clues

Across

  1. 1Scarecrow stuffing
  2. 6Ralph who ran for president four times
  3. 11Some HP products
  4. 14Ebb
  5. 15Top-tier group
  6. 16Tuna variety often used in sashimi
  7. 17On/off device
  8. 19Empty space between things
  9. 20Something at either end of a hammock, often
  10. 21Brain tests, for short
  11. 22"10 ___ or less" (sign at checkout)
  12. 24Golf club for teeing off
  13. 26Small orchard
  14. 27One with Q or Z is worth 10 points
  15. 31Audio genre designed to trigger tingling, for short
  16. 33Regret
  17. 34Pursue
  18. 35Young Yorkie, e.g.
  19. 36Better halves
  20. 40Blue state?
  21. 41GPS guesses
  22. 43April 15 deadline org.
  23. 44The last "A" in N.C.A.A.: Abbr.
  24. 46Cause of some rescreenings in an airport
  25. 50Like many English bogs
  26. 51Begin to grow choppers
  27. 54Measure around the middle
  28. 55Norse god of thunder
  29. 57Agricultural locale
  30. 59Chicken ___ king
  31. 60"My sympathies" ... or what could be said of 17-, 27- and 46-Across
  32. 63Rapper Tone ___
  33. 64Reef material
  34. 65Winning Monopoly player's collection
  35. 66Had dinner, say
  36. 67Transmits
  37. 68Hockey feints

Down

  1. 1Add some seasoning to
  2. 2Car in "Thelma & Louise," informally
  3. 3Wild party
  4. 4Faith no more?
  5. 5More than damp
  6. 6Big name in baseball caps
  7. 7Sacha Baron Cohen persona
  8. 8Counterpart of dahs, in Morse code
  9. 9And more like that: Abbr.
  10. 10Put back on the payroll
  11. 11What search engine optimization hopes to increase
  12. 12Creature that blends into its surroundings
  13. 13Drinks daintily
  14. 18Prognosticator
  15. 23Young 'uns
  16. 25Bygone staples of home theaters, informally
  17. 26Utter delight
  18. 28Item for a painter or hairstylist
  19. 29Vehicle to and from school
  20. 30Barely get, with "out"
  21. 31Someone who's not thinking may be on this
  22. 32U.S./Soviet competition of the 1950s-'60s
  23. 35Get-up-and-go
  24. 37"It's a shame, really!"
  25. 38Monster of Tolkiendom
  26. 39Very wise
  27. 4232-card card game
  28. 45Liberate
  29. 47Important consideration for A.I. programmers
  30. 48Bikini and others
  31. 49Spongy ball material
  32. 52"Frida" star Salma
  33. 53Slowly chip away at
  34. 54Fancy party
  35. 55Gull relative
  36. 56Lettuce unit
  37. 58"No ___, no fuss!"
  38. 61Opponent
  39. 62Unfamiliar

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Scarecrow stuffing — Answer: STRAW. Hint: Think about what makes up a classic farm accessory that keeps birds away! 🌾
  2. 6. Ralph who ran for president four times — Answer: NADER. Hint: This consumer advocate is known for his passion for safety and social justice. 📢
  3. 11. Some HP products — Answer: PCS. Hint: Think about the computers that help you work and play! 💻
  4. 14. Ebb — Answer: ABATE. Hint: Sometimes things can lessen or diminish, just like a receding tide. 🌊
  5. 15. Top-tier group — Answer: ELITE. Hint: Think of the best of the best, often recognized for their exceptional skills! 🌟
  6. 16. Tuna variety often used in sashimi — Answer: AHI. Hint: This fish shares its name with a Hawaiian term for the tuna often found in sushi dishes! 🍣
  7. 17. On/off device — Answer: LIGHTSWITCH. Hint: This object controls illumination in a room, flicking from dark to bright! 💡
  8. 19. Empty space between things — Answer: GAP. Hint: Think about the little openings you might find between two objects! 🕳️
  9. 20. Something at either end of a hammock, often — Answer: TREE. Hint: Think about what keeps you suspended in the air while you relax! 🌳
  10. 21. Brain tests, for short — Answer: EEGS. Hint: These scans can reveal your brain's electrical activity! ⚡
  11. 22. "10 ___ or less" (sign at checkout) — Answer: ITEMS. Hint: Think about the limit on the number of products you can buy in a single trip! 🛒
  12. 24. Golf club for teeing off — Answer: DRIVER. Hint: This club helps you hit it long right from the start! ⛳
  13. 26. Small orchard — Answer: GROVE. Hint: Think of a cozy spot where fruit trees gather! 🍏
  14. 27. One with Q or Z is worth 10 points — Answer: SCRABBLETILE. Hint: In the game of words, some letters pack a heavier punch than others! 🎲
  15. 31. Audio genre designed to trigger tingling, for short — Answer: ASMR. Hint: This soothing sound experience can leave you pleasantly tingling! 🎧
  16. 33. Regret — Answer: RUE. Hint: Sometimes, when we look back, we might feel a little sad about our choices. 😔
  17. 34. Pursue — Answer: SEEK. Hint: It's what you do when you're on a quest for something important! 🔍
  18. 35. Young Yorkie, e.g. — Answer: PUP. Hint: Think of a cute addition to any home that loves to play! 🐶
  19. 36. Better halves — Answer: SPOUSES. Hint: These partners in life often share everything, from laughter to responsibilities! 💍
  20. 40. Blue state? — Answer: WOE. Hint: When things aren't going your way, it can feel a bit gloomy. 😔
  21. 41. GPS guesses — Answer: ETAS. Hint: Think about what those satellites might calculate for your route! 📍
  22. 43. April 15 deadline org. — Answer: IRS. Hint: It's the agency that wants to know how much you earned last year! 💰
  23. 44. The last "A" in N.C.A.A.: Abbr. — Answer: ASSN. Hint: Think about what groups or organizations get together to promote sports! 🏅
  24. 46. Cause of some rescreenings in an airport — Answer: POCKETCHANGE. Hint: Ever found yourself needing to dig deep for those small coins while waiting? 💰
  25. 50. Like many English bogs — Answer: PEATY. Hint: Think of the earthy flavor found in some whiskies! 🥃
  26. 51. Begin to grow choppers — Answer: TEETHE. Hint: When those little pearly whites start to emerge, you'll know they are starting to do this! 🦷
  27. 54. Measure around the middle — Answer: GIRTH. Hint: What you might check before buying a new belt! 🎒
  28. 55. Norse god of thunder — Answer: THOR. Hint: This legendary figure wields a mighty hammer and is well-known in comic books and films! ⚡
  29. 57. Agricultural locale — Answer: FARM. Hint: Where crops grow and animals roam! 🌾
  30. 59. Chicken ___ king — Answer: ALA. Hint: This phrase often refers to a popular sandwich chain known for its poultry offerings! 🍔
  31. 60. "My sympathies" ... or what could be said of 17-, 27- and 46-Across — Answer: IFEELFORYOU. Hint: Sometimes we express our shared emotions when someone is down. 💖
  32. 63. Rapper Tone ___ — Answer: LOC. Hint: This rapper shares a name with a common abbreviation for 'location'! 📍
  33. 64. Reef material — Answer: CORAL. Hint: Think of the vibrant underwater structures that house many sea creatures! 🌊
  34. 65. Winning Monopoly player's collection — Answer: DEEDS. Hint: Think about the documents that prove ownership in a game of property! 🏡
  35. 66. Had dinner, say — Answer: ATE. Hint: Think about what you do when you enjoy a meal! 🍽️
  36. 67. Transmits — Answer: SENDS. Hint: Think about how you might share a message or package with someone! 📦
  37. 68. Hockey feints — Answer: DEKES. Hint: Think of slick moves on the ice that can leave defenders in the dust! 🏒

Down

  1. 1. Add some seasoning to — Answer: SALT. Hint: What you might sprinkle on your fries to enhance the flavor! 🍟
  2. 2. Car in "Thelma & Louise," informally — Answer: TBIRD. Hint: This classic ride is a favorite among those who love 90s road trips! 🚗
  3. 3. Wild party — Answer: RAGER. Hint: Think of a lively gathering where the energy is off the charts! 🎉
  4. 4. Faith no more? — Answer: ATHEISM. Hint: It’s the belief system that steps away from divine faith! 🌌
  5. 5. More than damp — Answer: WET. Hint: It's the opposite of dry, and can describe a rainy day! ☔
  6. 6. Big name in baseball caps — Answer: NEWERA. Hint: This brand is synonymous with stylish headwear for sports fans! 🧢
  7. 7. Sacha Baron Cohen persona — Answer: ALIG. Hint: Think of a character who is known for his wild antics and sharp humor! 😂
  8. 8. Counterpart of dahs, in Morse code — Answer: DITS. Hint: Think of the short taps that balance out the longer signals in Morse code! 🎶
  9. 9. And more like that: Abbr. — Answer: ETC. Hint: Think of a way to add extra items in a list! 📜
  10. 10. Put back on the payroll — Answer: REHIRE. Hint: It's like giving someone a job again after a break! 💼
  11. 11. What search engine optimization hopes to increase — Answer: PAGEVIEWS. Hint: Think about the number of times visitors click on your site! 📈
  12. 12. Creature that blends into its surroundings — Answer: CHAMELEON. Hint: This lizard is famous for its color-changing abilities to hide from predators! 🌈
  13. 13. Drinks daintily — Answer: SIPS. Hint: Think of how you might enjoy a fancy beverage with elegance! 🍹
  14. 18. Prognosticator — Answer: SEER. Hint: Think of someone who can predict the future with a mystical touch! 🔮
  15. 23. Young 'uns — Answer: TOTS. Hint: Think of small children who often love to play and giggle! 🧒
  16. 25. Bygone staples of home theaters, informally — Answer: VCRS. Hint: Remember those old tapes that played movies before streaming took over? 🎥
  17. 26. Utter delight — Answer: GLEE. Hint: Think of a pure expression of joy! 😄
  18. 28. Item for a painter or hairstylist — Answer: BRUSH. Hint: This tool helps you create art or style hair with finesse! 🎨
  19. 29. Vehicle to and from school — Answer: BUS. Hint: Think of a common ride that many kids take to reach their learning destination! 🚌
  20. 30. Barely get, with "out" — Answer: EKE. Hint: Think of how you might manage to scrape by when resources are tight! 💡
  21. 31. Someone who's not thinking may be on this — Answer: AUTOPILOT. Hint: Ever feel like you’re just going through the motions? 🚀
  22. 32. U.S./Soviet competition of the 1950s-'60s — Answer: SPACERACE. Hint: It was a thrilling contest that took humanity to the stars! 🚀
  23. 35. Get-up-and-go — Answer: PEP. Hint: Think of the energy that helps you tackle the day! ⚡
  24. 37. "It's a shame, really!" — Answer: PITY. Hint: When something makes you feel sorry for someone else, you might say you feel a sense of this. 😔
  25. 38. Monster of Tolkiendom — Answer: ORC. Hint: This creature is often seen lurking in the shadows, ready to cause trouble in Middle-earth! 🏹
  26. 39. Very wise — Answer: SAGE. Hint: Think of a seasoning that also means having deep knowledge! 🌿
  27. 42. 32-card card game — Answer: SKAT. Hint: Think of a popular trick-taking game from Germany that involves strategy and skill! 🃏
  28. 45. Liberate — Answer: SETFREE. Hint: It's time to cut the chains and allow someone to soar! 🕊️
  29. 47. Important consideration for A.I. programmers — Answer: ETHICS. Hint: Think about the moral principles that guide technology development! 🤖
  30. 48. Bikini and others — Answer: ATOLLS. Hint: Think of tropical islands that have a ring shape and surround a lagoon! 🌴
  31. 49. Spongy ball material — Answer: NERF. Hint: Think of the colorful toys that bounce and are soft enough to throw indoors! 🏀
  32. 52. "Frida" star Salma — Answer: HAYEK. Hint: This actress shares her name with a popular type of Mexican food! 🌮
  33. 53. Slowly chip away at — Answer: ERODE. Hint: Think about how nature gradually wears down rocks over time! 🌍
  34. 54. Fancy party — Answer: GALA. Hint: Think of an extravagant celebration often filled with glitz and glamour! 🎉
  35. 55. Gull relative — Answer: TERN. Hint: This bird often plays along the coast, but it's not a gull! 🐦
  36. 56. Lettuce unit — Answer: HEAD. Hint: It's what you might call a group of ideas or a leafy green on your plate! 🥗
  37. 58. "No ___, no fuss!" — Answer: MUSS. Hint: Keep things tidy and stress-free! 🧹
  38. 61. Opponent — Answer: FOE. Hint: Think of someone you battle in a friendly way! ⚔️
  39. 62. Unfamiliar — Answer: ODD. Hint: Sometimes things that are out of the ordinary can feel a bit strange! 🌀

The answer to “Gull relative” in the New York Times crossword is TERN — a 4-letter word. This clue ran in the New York Times crossword on July 20, 2026, a Monday puzzle, at 55-Down. 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.

“Gull relative” answer

TERN (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 TERN.

Why the answer is TERN

This bird often plays along the coast, but it's not a gull! 🐦

When else has “Gull relative” appeared?

New York Times 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 20, 2026 (this puzzle) → TERN. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the NYT Crossword crossword on July 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 New York Times answer list for July 20, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Crossword answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the NYT Crossword

The New York Times crossword, edited by Will Shortz, is the most famous daily puzzle in the United States. It runs a 15×15 grid Monday through Saturday and a larger 21×21 grid on Sunday, and its difficulty deliberately ramps through the week: Monday is the most approachable, Saturday the toughest, with Thursday often reserved for a trick or twist like rebus squares. This page covers a Monday puzzle. A straight-definition entry is the kind of solid mid-grid answer that anchors the trickier crossings around it. Because the NYT reuses short, crossing-friendly words regularly, seeing them once makes them easier to spot next time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Gull relative”?

The answer is TERN, a 4-letter word. It appeared in the New York Times crossword on July 20, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Gull relative”?

4 letters: TERN.

Where did this clue appear?

In the New York Times crossword on July 20, 2026 (a Monday puzzle), at 55-Down.

Can “Gull relative” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times 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 Crossword answers?

The full grid for July 20, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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