Spotted wildcat

Crossword Answer — July 26, 2026

Answer

This sleek feline prowls the jungles and has a coat full of beautiful patterns! 🐆

USA Today Crossword

Sunday, July 26, 2026

By Faren Roth

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

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

USA Today Crossword Clues

Across

  1. 1Saves, like a location in Apple Maps
  2. 5___ Ramyun (instant noodle brand)
  3. 9Pat gently
  4. 12Tres Leches Pancake Combo chain
  5. 13Items slid in curling games
  6. 15Vaccine molecule
  7. 16"The Notebook" actor Rowlands
  8. 17Pitter-___ (sound of raindrops)
  9. 18Very long time
  10. 19"Chill out, buddy"
  11. 21Carne ___ tacos
  12. 23Resource that's smelted
  13. 24Spotted wildcat
  14. 26"Preach!"
  15. 27Youngest age for a nonagenarian
  16. 29Phoenix Mercury star Thomas
  17. 31Sesame oil amt.
  18. 32Zelle alternative
  19. 35Enthusiastic go-getter
  20. 39Agitated state
  21. 40Dim ___
  22. 42Go screen-free for a day, maybe
  23. 45Didn't run the ball
  24. 48___ down (trim)
  25. 49Choice
  26. 53"text if u wanna hang!"
  27. 54Dice-rolling game with fetch, roll and bury actions
  28. 56Follow Jewish dietary restrictions
  29. 582026 event for Cerebras, for short
  30. 59Raspy-sounding
  31. 61Zilch
  32. 62"For sure!"
  33. 63"Coco" character voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal
  34. 64There are six in an inning
  35. 65Magazine VIPs
  36. 66Word after "help" or "treadmill"
  37. 67Super Mario ___

Down

  1. 1Bird that's scientifically the same as a dove
  2. 2"You're not imagining that buzzing noise!"
  3. 3Gibberish
  4. 4___/neuter clinic
  5. 5Actor's workplace
  6. 6Place with key cards
  7. 7Opening words
  8. 8Once known as
  9. 9Aspirations
  10. 10Battery ends
  11. 11___ pudding (dessert with vanilla wafers)
  12. 13Like some Takis
  13. 14Mrs., in Spanish
  14. 20Hotdish bit
  15. 22"No more details needed, I'm there!"
  16. 25Small plate
  17. 28Ornamental shoulder piece
  18. 30Loo
  19. 32___-med track
  20. 33Muscles used in the dead bug exercise
  21. 34So far
  22. 36Wildebeest
  23. 37"Thus . . ."
  24. 38Time when folks buckle up and try to get to work?
  25. 41Souvenir
  26. 42Silver lining
  27. 43Caught some Z's
  28. 44Puts sourdough in the fridge overnight, perhaps
  29. 45"All in" game
  30. 46Year, in Portuguese
  31. 47Pressure
  32. 50"Catch ya later!"
  33. 51Pasteis de nata (custard ___ often topped with cinnamon)
  34. 52"No worries"
  35. 55"Keep it down!"
  36. 57Snooty person
  37. 60Its 2025 Word of the Year was "rage bait" (Abbr.)

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Saves, like a location in Apple Maps — Answer: PINS. Hint: What you do to keep a spot handy for later in Maps 📍
  2. 5. ___ Ramyun (instant noodle brand) — Answer: SHIN. Hint: A popular Korean instant noodle brand that packs a spicy punch 🍜
  3. 9. Pat gently — Answer: DAB. Hint: A light tap or blot, nothing heavy-handed 🫳
  4. 12. Tres Leches Pancake Combo chain — Answer: IHOP. Hint: A breakfast spot famous for pancake stacks and a playful name swap on its initials 🥞
  5. 13. Items slid in curling games — Answer: STONES. Hint: What curlers send gliding down the ice in each end 🥌
  6. 15. Vaccine molecule — Answer: RNA. Hint: Genetic messenger often used in modern shots 💉
  7. 16. "The Notebook" actor Rowlands — Answer: GENA. Hint: She played Noah’s beloved in a tearjerker romance and shares a first name with a classic movie star 🌟
  8. 17. Pitter-___ (sound of raindrops) — Answer: PATTER. Hint: A light, rhythmic tapping like raindrops on a window ☔
  9. 18. Very long time — Answer: EON. Hint: A stretch of time so vast it feels almost timeless ⏳
  10. 19. "Chill out, buddy" — Answer: EASYTIGER. Hint: A playful way to tell someone to calm down when they're coming in hot 🐯
  11. 21. Carne ___ tacos — Answer: ASADA. Hint: Think of the classic slow-cooked beef filling that makes tacos extra tasty 🌮
  12. 23. Resource that's smelted — Answer: ORE. Hint: A mineral treasure often headed for the furnace ⛏️
  13. 24. Spotted wildcat — Answer: OCELOT. Hint: This sleek feline prowls the jungles and has a coat full of beautiful patterns! 🐆
  14. 26. "Preach!" — Answer: AMEN. Hint: It's often said at the end of a heartfelt statement in church! 🙏
  15. 27. Youngest age for a nonagenarian — Answer: NINETY. Hint: The age that marks the end of the eighties and the start of a new decade is the sweet spot here 🎉
  16. 29. Phoenix Mercury star Thomas — Answer: ALYSSA. Hint: A standout on the Mercury court with a first name that feels bright and airy 🌟
  17. 31. Sesame oil amt. — Answer: TSP. Hint: A tiny kitchen measure for a little drizzle 🥄
  18. 32. Zelle alternative — Answer: PAYPAL. Hint: A popular way to send money online when you’re not using the bank-linked app 😎
  19. 35. Enthusiastic go-getter — Answer: EAGERBEAVER. Hint: Someone who dives into every task with bubbly drive and tireless energy 🦫
  20. 39. Agitated state — Answer: UNREST. Hint: A troubled calm is nowhere to be found here 😬
  21. 40. Dim ___ — Answer: SUM. Hint: A not-so-bright total can leave you squinting 🤏
  22. 42. Go screen-free for a day, maybe — Answer: UNPLUG. Hint: Take a break from devices and let the chargers rest for a while 🔌
  23. 45. Didn't run the ball — Answer: PASSED. Hint: Chose the air instead of the ground, in football terms 🏈
  24. 48. ___ down (trim) — Answer: PARE. Hint: To trim something down is to pare it back ✂️
  25. 49. Choice — Answer: OPTION. Hint: A pick from the menu, rather than the only one on offer 🍽️
  26. 53. "text if u wanna hang!" — Answer: HMU. Hint: A casual invite to reach out when you’re free 📱
  27. 54. Dice-rolling game with fetch, roll and bury actions — Answer: SPOTS. Hint: A playful pup game where you toss, bring back, and cover up the fun 🐶
  28. 56. Follow Jewish dietary restrictions — Answer: EATKOSHER. Hint: Stick to the food rules of a devout deli visit 🥯
  29. 58. 2026 event for Cerebras, for short — Answer: IPO. Hint: A company’s big moment on Wall Street when it goes public 📈
  30. 59. Raspy-sounding — Answer: HOARSE. Hint: A voice that sounds like it spent the night cheering at a concert 🎤
  31. 61. Zilch — Answer: NONE. Hint: A way of saying there’s absolutely nothing at all 😶
  32. 62. "For sure!" — Answer: DEF. Hint: A casual way to say total agreement, like “absolutely.” 💬
  33. 63. "Coco" character voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal — Answer: HECTOR. Hint: A spirited ancestor with a big heart and a guitar to match 🎸
  34. 64. There are six in an inning — Answer: OUTS. Hint: Baseball’s three-up, three-down math adds to this total 😄
  35. 65. Magazine VIPs — Answer: EDS. Hint: They’re the folks behind the pages, not the readers 📚
  36. 66. Word after "help" or "treadmill" — Answer: DESK. Hint: A place for working, whether you’re asking for help or running in place 🪑
  37. 67. Super Mario ___ — Answer: BROS. Hint: Mario’s trusty co-op crew 🎮

Down

  1. 1. Bird that's scientifically the same as a dove — Answer: PIGEON. Hint: A common city bird that shares a family tree with doves 🕊️
  2. 2. "You're not imagining that buzzing noise!" — Answer: IHEARIT. Hint: That buzzing is real—you’re picking it up after all 🐝
  3. 3. Gibberish — Answer: NONSENSE. Hint: Sounds like something you'd say when words stop making any sense 🤪
  4. 4. ___/neuter clinic — Answer: SPAY. Hint: A routine procedure for a pet who won’t be making babies 🐾
  5. 5. Actor's workplace — Answer: STAGE. Hint: Where the curtain rises and the spotlight does its job 🎭
  6. 6. Place with key cards — Answer: HOTEL. Hint: Where travelers check in and get a card to open their room door 🏨
  7. 7. Opening words — Answer: INTRO. Hint: The first lines that kick things off before the main event 🎬
  8. 8. Once known as — Answer: NEE. Hint: A maiden name by another label, maybe? 👰
  9. 9. Aspirations — Answer: DREAMS. Hint: Big hopes you might chase while awake or asleep 🌟
  10. 10. Battery ends — Answer: ANODES. Hint: Where oxidation happens in a battery ⚡
  11. 11. ___ pudding (dessert with vanilla wafers) — Answer: BANANA. Hint: Think of the fruit that teams up with vanilla wafers in a classic layered dessert 🍌
  12. 13. Like some Takis — Answer: SPICY. Hint: Brings the heat and makes your tongue do a little dance 🌶️
  13. 14. Mrs., in Spanish — Answer: SRA. Hint: A polite title for a woman, abbreviated in Spanish-speaking contexts. 👩
  14. 20. Hotdish bit — Answer: TOT. Hint: A tiny taste from a casserole dish? 🍲
  15. 22. "No more details needed, I'm there!" — Answer: SAYLESS. Hint: A casual way to say you’re on board and don’t need the explanation 😄
  16. 25. Small plate — Answer: TAPA. Hint: A tiny Spanish snack served to share with drinks 🍷
  17. 28. Ornamental shoulder piece — Answer: EPAULET. Hint: A decorative little badge of rank perched on a uniform shoulder 😎
  18. 30. Loo — Answer: LAV. Hint: A fancy old-fashioned word for a restroom 🚽
  19. 32. ___-med track — Answer: PRE. Hint: The prefix you’d use before “med” to mean a little earlier than normal. ⏪
  20. 33. Muscles used in the dead bug exercise — Answer: ABS. Hint: Core muscles that help keep your midsection tight and stable 🏋️
  21. 34. So far — Answer: YET. Hint: Up to this point, but the story isn’t over yet 😉
  22. 36. Wildebeest — Answer: GNU. Hint: A computer-lover’s favorite horned grazer 🦬
  23. 37. "Thus . . ." — Answer: ERGO. Hint: A fancy way to say “therefore” in a quick, scholarly flourish. 📚
  24. 38. Time when folks buckle up and try to get to work? — Answer: RUSHHOUR. Hint: That daily commute squeeze when everyone seems to be racing the clock 🚗
  25. 41. Souvenir — Answer: MEMENTO. Hint: A keepsake that helps a memory stick around 🎁
  26. 42. Silver lining — Answer: UPSIDE. Hint: The bright part of a gloomy situation is the one worth focusing on ☀️
  27. 43. Caught some Z's — Answer: NAPPED. Hint: Took a little snooze and drifted off for a bit 😴
  28. 44. Puts sourdough in the fridge overnight, perhaps — Answer: PROOFS. Hint: Lets the dough rest and rise before baking, maybe 🥖
  29. 45. "All in" game — Answer: POKER. Hint: A classic card game where you can bet everything on one hand 🎴
  30. 46. Year, in Portuguese — Answer: ANO. Hint: Portuguese speakers use this word for a calendar year 📅
  31. 47. Pressure — Answer: DURESS. Hint: A forceful kind of pressure that leaves you feeling cornered and compelled 😬
  32. 50. "Catch ya later!" — Answer: PEACE. Hint: A casual goodbye that also wishes calm vibes ✌️
  33. 51. Pasteis de nata (custard ___ often topped with cinnamon) — Answer: TARTS. Hint: Think of the flaky little pastry that usually gets a dusting of cinnamon. 🥧
  34. 52. "No worries" — Answer: ITSOK. Hint: A casual reassurance when something’s no big deal 🙂
  35. 55. "Keep it down!" — Answer: SHH. Hint: A hush-level command for a noisy room 🤫
  36. 57. Snooty person — Answer: SNOB. Hint: A person who looks down on everyone else 😏
  37. 60. Its 2025 Word of the Year was "rage bait" (Abbr.) — Answer: OED. Hint: A famous dictionary that tracks the language and picked “rage bait” as its 2025 word of the year 📚

The answer to “Spotted wildcat” in the USA Today crossword is OCELOT — a 6-letter word. This clue ran in the USA Today crossword on July 26, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 24-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.

“Spotted wildcat” answer

OCELOT (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 OCELOT.

Why the answer is OCELOT

This sleek feline prowls the jungles and has a coat full of beautiful patterns! 🐆

When else has “Spotted wildcat” 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 before, and what the answer was each time — handy if you landed here from a puzzle on another date.

July 26, 2026 (this puzzle) → OCELOT. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the USA Today crossword on July 26, 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 July 26, 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 Sunday 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 “Spotted wildcat”?

The answer is OCELOT, a 6-letter word. It appeared in the USA Today crossword on July 26, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Spotted wildcat”?

6 letters: OCELOT.

Where did this clue appear?

In the USA Today crossword on July 26, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 24-Across.

Can “Spotted wildcat” 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 July 26, 2026 is on the USA Today answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

NYT Crossword Answers NYT Mini Crossword Answers USA Today Answers — Jul 26 Wordle Hint Today Connections Hint Today Strands Hint Today Quordle Hint Today Contexto Hint Today Spotle Hint Today Pips Hint Today Jumble Answers Today 7 Little Words Answers