USA Today Crossword Answers - Aug 1
Skylights
By Sally Hoelscher & Carina da Rosa
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USA Today Crossword Clues
Across
Down
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Like people from Oranjestad — Answer: ARUBAN. Hint: These people hail from the Caribbean island where Oranjestad is the capital. 🏝️
- 7. In favor of — Answer: PRO. Hint: Think about what you would say when you support a cause! 👍
- 10. "You're it!" game — Answer: TAG. Hint: A playground chase where one player tries to pass the role to someone else 🏃
- 13. Word after "hot" or "sweet" — Answer: POTATO. Hint: Think of a versatile vegetable that can follow both of those flavor words. 🥔
- 14. Birth control option (Abbr.) — Answer: IUD. Hint: Think of a small device placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. 🩺
- 15. Ginger ___ — Answer: ALE. Hint: This fizzy drink often pairs well with a good meal or a splash of rum! 🥂
- 16. Passes into law — Answer: ENACTS. Hint: Approves a bill and makes it legally binding 📜
- 17. "Helping" body part — Answer: HAND. Hint: It’s the body part you lend when you offer assistance. 🤝
- 18. Buzzing creature — Answer: BEE. Hint: This tiny pollinator makes honey and a characteristic hum 🐝
- 19. Holding onto — Answer: KEEPING. Hint: Think of what you’re doing when you refuse to let something go. ✋
- 21. Utensil not often used for cereal — Answer: FORK. Hint: This table tool is more useful for pasta or salad than a bowl of flakes. 🍴
- 22. Their babies are called pups — Answer: BATS. Hint: Think of nocturnal mammals that navigate by echolocation and often hang upside down 🦇
- 24. "And when you think about me all of those years ___ / You're standing face to face with 'I told you so'" — Answer: AGO. Hint: This word points to a time long past, as in “years before now.” ⏳
- 25. Storylines — Answer: PLOTS. Hint: These are the twists and turns that move a story forward 📖
- 26. Big field concerning small things, for short — Answer: NANOTECH. Hint: Think of the field that works with matter at an incredibly tiny scale, using its common short form. 🔬
- 28. Airport screening org. — Answer: TSA. Hint: They're the folks checking your bags at the airport! 🧳
- 29. Like the singer Fairuz — Answer: ARAB. Hint: This legendary Lebanese vocalist is associated with a broad cultural identity spanning much of the Middle East 🎶
- 30. "Totes!" — Answer: DEF. Hint: This breezy agreement is a shortened way to say “definitely.” 😄
- 31. Grocery store paths — Answer: AISLES. Hint: Think of the routes between supermarket shelves 🛒
- 35. Opera solo — Answer: ARIA. Hint: An opera singer’s featured solo is this musical showcase 🎶
- 36. Snatches — Answer: GRABS. Hint: Takes something quickly and suddenly ✋
- 38. "The Book of ___" (Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrahms book) — Answer: HOPE. Hint: Jane Goodall shares an uplifting vision for the future in this inspiring title 📖
- 39. Loch monster's nickname — Answer: NESSIE. Hint: This legendary Scottish lake creature goes by a playful pet name. 🐉
- 41. Solidify — Answer: SET. Hint: Think of what gelatin does as it cools, or what a firm decision does. 🧊
- 42. At no cost — Answer: FREE. Hint: You can get it without spending any money 💸
- 43. Busy org. come tax time — Answer: IRS. Hint: This federal agency gets especially hectic when everyone files their returns 📄
- 44. Pumpkin patch activities — Answer: HAYRIDES. Hint: Enjoy a bumpy wagon ride through the autumn fields 🎃
- 46. Turmeric or ginger — Answer: SPICE. Hint: These flavorful kitchen staples add warmth, color, and zing to your cooking 🌿
- 49. Knight's title — Answer: SIR. Hint: This title is often given to a valiant warrior or a nobleman. 🏰
- 50. Lowest cards, sometimes — Answer: ACES. Hint: In some card games, these can count as the smallest-value cards in the deck. 🃏
- 51. Rolls of bills — Answer: WADS. Hint: Think of informal bundles of cash, often tucked into a pocket. 💵
- 52. Edible centerpiece, e.g. — Answer: FOODART. Hint: It’s a decorative creation meant to be admired before it’s enjoyed. 🍽️
- 54. Dined — Answer: ATE. Hint: Had a meal, perhaps with good company 🍽️
- 55. The ___ (informal name for a Chicago sculpture) — Answer: BEAN. Hint: Think of Chicago’s shiny, legume-shaped landmark in Millennium Park. 🏙️
- 56. Performer wearing hikizuri — Answer: GEISHA. Hint: Think of a traditional Japanese entertainer whose formal kimono trails elegantly behind her. 🎎
- 60. "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" director DaCosta — Answer: NIA. Hint: Think of the director’s three-letter first name, also shared by a well-known actress. 🎬
- 61. Gab — Answer: YAP. Hint: A casual word for chatting away, often more than necessary. 🗣️
- 62. Skipped a big wedding — Answer: ELOPED. Hint: Married in a hurry without the grand ceremony or guest list 💍
- 63. "Help us!" letters — Answer: SOS. Hint: These three letters form a classic distress call. 🚨
- 64. Hosp. areas — Answer: ERS. Hint: These hospital zones handle urgent cases around the clock. 🚑
- 65. Energetic person — Answer: DYNAMO. Hint: Think of someone whose boundless energy could power a small machine ⚡
Down
- 1. Mimic — Answer: APE. Hint: Think of a playful creature that often copies others in the wild! 🐒
- 2. "Parks and Recreation" character Swanson — Answer: RON. Hint: Think of the mustachioed, breakfast-loving parks director who values woodworking and solitude 🥓
- 3. Acting teacher Hagen — Answer: UTA. Hint: Recall the first name of the renowned acting teacher known for “Respect for Acting.” 🎭
- 4. Just doing the fundamental stuff — Answer: BACKTOBASICS. Hint: Keeping things simple and focusing on the essentials. 🧭
- 5. Confirm to be true — Answer: ATTEST. Hint: Certify or formally vouch that something is true ✅
- 6. What smells? — Answer: NOSE. Hint: It’s the facial feature that detects aromas and odors. 👃
- 7. A toy one is featured in the "Amelie" soundtrack — Answer: PIANO. Hint: Think of the small keyboard instrument whose tinkly notes give the film’s music its whimsical charm 🎹
- 8. Ladder part — Answer: RUNG. Hint: It’s one of the horizontal steps you place your feet on while climbing. 🪜
- 9. Wacky — Answer: ODD. Hint: Think of a three-letter synonym for unusual or eccentric. 🤪
- 10. In Italy, cutting your pasta is one — Answer: TABOO. Hint: Italian dining etiquette frowns on this pasta-cutting practice. 🍝
- 11. Spoiler ___ — Answer: ALERT. Hint: A warning that something you’re about to reveal may ruin the surprise. ⚠️
- 12. "Freaks and ___" (cult TV show) — Answer: GEEKS. Hint: This cult TV title pairs rebellious outsiders with brainy misfits. 📺
- 17. Haute couture — Answer: HIGHFASHION. Hint: Think of glamorous, custom-designed clothing created by the fashion world’s top ateliers. 👗
- 20. Indiana NBA player — Answer: PACER. Hint: Think of the Indianapolis basketball team named for someone who keeps a steady rhythm. 🏀
- 21. Brief piece of creative writing — Answer: FLASHFICTION. Hint: Think of a tiny, self-contained story that delivers a complete idea in just a few words. ✍️
- 22. Ballet rail — Answer: BARRE. Hint: Dancers use this sturdy handrail for balance during practice. 🩰
- 23. "Hadestown" creator Mitchell — Answer: ANAIS. Hint: This songwriter shares her first name with the celebrated author of intimate diaries. ✍️
- 25. Letter before omega — Answer: PSI. Hint: In the Greek alphabet, this letter comes immediately before the final one. 🔤
- 26. Leavened flatbread — Answer: NAAN. Hint: This soft, puffy bread is often served alongside South Asian dishes 🍞
- 27. Crimped pie parts — Answer: EDGES. Hint: Think of the ruffled outer portions of a pie crust. 🥧
- 28. "Delish!" — Answer: TASTY. Hint: A cheerful way to say the food is really good 😋
- 32. "Royals" singer — Answer: LORDE. Hint: Think of the New Zealand pop star who broke through with a regal-sounding hit. 👑
- 33. Fencing swords — Answer: EPEES. Hint: These slender thrusting blades are often seen in the hands of Olympic fencers. 🤺
- 34. Spots — Answer: SEES. Hint: Notices something with the eyes 👀
- 37. Goatee, e.g. — Answer: BEARD. Hint: This small patch of facial hair is one style of what grows on the chin and cheeks 🧔
- 40. Fuming feeling — Answer: IRE. Hint: A fiery feeling of anger that can flare up quickly 🔥
- 45. Hardly ever — Answer: RARELY. Hint: This describes something that happens only on uncommon occasions. 🙂
- 46. Towel shapes in some fancy hotels — Answer: SWANS. Hint: Think of the elegant birds housekeeping sometimes folds from bath linens. 🦢
- 47. Outdoor dining spot — Answer: PATIO. Hint: A backyard or café space where you can enjoy a meal in the open air 🍽️
- 48. Concepts — Answer: IDEAS. Hint: Think of the thoughts or notions that form in your mind 💡
- 49. Many Daytime Emmy Award winners — Answer: SOAPS. Hint: These serialized daytime dramas often take home television’s honors. 📺
- 52. Purple character in "Inside Out" — Answer: FEAR. Hint: This nervous emotion is the purple member of Riley’s inner team 😨
- 53. Like sharp cheddar — Answer: AGED. Hint: This cheese has had plenty of time to develop its bold flavor. 🧀
- 55. "Ta-ta!" — Answer: BYE. Hint: A cheerful farewell you might say when heading out 👋
- 57. Self-care spot — Answer: SPA. Hint: A relaxing place for massages, facials, and soothing treatments awaits. 💆
- 58. Shorten a skirt — Answer: HEM. Hint: Tidy up the bottom edge to make this garment a little less long ✂️
- 59. Commotion — Answer: ADO. Hint: Think of a short word for a noisy fuss or bit of hubbub. 🤹
Here are the USA Today Crossword answers for Saturday, August 1, 2026 — every solution for that day's mid-size puzzle, listed at the top of this page. Whether you're catching up on a puzzle you missed, settling a “what was the answer on August 1?” question, or checking a grid you finished that day, the complete clue-by-clue solution is right here. Looking for today's puzzle instead? Head to our live USA Today Crossword answers page.
USA Today Crossword answers for August 1, 2026
The full solution for the August 1 USA Today Crossword is shown above, laid out clue by clue — every Across answer followed by every Down answer, exactly as that day's grid read. Each answer is listed separately, so you can check just the clue you were stuck on and leave the rest. This is the confirmed grid as published on Saturday, August 1.
Full USA Today Crossword answer list for August 1, 2026
Every clue from the August 1 grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.
Across
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Like people from Oranjestad | ARUBAN |
| 7 | In favor of | PRO |
| 10 | "You're it!" game | TAG |
| 13 | Word after "hot" or "sweet" | POTATO |
| 14 | Birth control option (Abbr.) | IUD |
| 15 | Ginger ___ | ALE |
| 16 | Passes into law | ENACTS |
| 17 | "Helping" body part | HAND |
| 18 | Buzzing creature | BEE |
| 19 | Holding onto | KEEPING |
| 21 | Utensil not often used for cereal | FORK |
| 22 | Their babies are called pups | BATS |
| 24 | "And when you think about me all of those years ___ / You're standing face to face with 'I told you so'" | AGO |
| 25 | Storylines | PLOTS |
| 26 | Big field concerning small things, for short | NANOTECH |
| 28 | Airport screening org. | TSA |
| 29 | Like the singer Fairuz | ARAB |
| 30 | "Totes!" | DEF |
| 31 | Grocery store paths | AISLES |
| 35 | Opera solo | ARIA |
| 36 | Snatches | GRABS |
| 38 | "The Book of ___" (Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrahms book) | HOPE |
| 39 | Loch monster's nickname | NESSIE |
| 41 | Solidify | SET |
| 42 | At no cost | FREE |
| 43 | Busy org. come tax time | IRS |
| 44 | Pumpkin patch activities | HAYRIDES |
| 46 | Turmeric or ginger | SPICE |
| 49 | Knight's title | SIR |
| 50 | Lowest cards, sometimes | ACES |
| 51 | Rolls of bills | WADS |
| 52 | Edible centerpiece, e.g. | FOODART |
| 54 | Dined | ATE |
| 55 | The ___ (informal name for a Chicago sculpture) | BEAN |
| 56 | Performer wearing hikizuri | GEISHA |
| 60 | "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" director DaCosta | NIA |
| 61 | Gab | YAP |
| 62 | Skipped a big wedding | ELOPED |
| 63 | "Help us!" letters | SOS |
| 64 | Hosp. areas | ERS |
| 65 | Energetic person | DYNAMO |
Down
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mimic | APE |
| 2 | "Parks and Recreation" character Swanson | RON |
| 3 | Acting teacher Hagen | UTA |
| 4 | Just doing the fundamental stuff | BACKTOBASICS |
| 5 | Confirm to be true | ATTEST |
| 6 | What smells? | NOSE |
| 7 | A toy one is featured in the "Amelie" soundtrack | PIANO |
| 8 | Ladder part | RUNG |
| 9 | Wacky | ODD |
| 10 | In Italy, cutting your pasta is one | TABOO |
| 11 | Spoiler ___ | ALERT |
| 12 | "Freaks and ___" (cult TV show) | GEEKS |
| 17 | Haute couture | HIGHFASHION |
| 20 | Indiana NBA player | PACER |
| 21 | Brief piece of creative writing | FLASHFICTION |
| 22 | Ballet rail | BARRE |
| 23 | "Hadestown" creator Mitchell | ANAIS |
| 25 | Letter before omega | PSI |
| 26 | Leavened flatbread | NAAN |
| 27 | Crimped pie parts | EDGES |
| 28 | "Delish!" | TASTY |
| 32 | "Royals" singer | LORDE |
| 33 | Fencing swords | EPEES |
| 34 | Spots | SEES |
| 37 | Goatee, e.g. | BEARD |
| 40 | Fuming feeling | IRE |
| 45 | Hardly ever | RARELY |
| 46 | Towel shapes in some fancy hotels | SWANS |
| 47 | Outdoor dining spot | PATIO |
| 48 | Concepts | IDEAS |
| 49 | Many Daytime Emmy Award winners | SOAPS |
| 52 | Purple character in "Inside Out" | FEAR |
| 53 | Like sharp cheddar | AGED |
| 55 | "Ta-ta!" | BYE |
| 57 | Self-care spot | SPA |
| 58 | Shorten a skirt | HEM |
| 59 | Commotion | ADO |
Hints for the August 1 puzzle
Not ready for the full answer? Here are lighter, spoiler-free nudges for that day's grid, above the solutions. The August 1 USA Today puzzle was, like every USA Today crossword, themed — and, unlike the older broadsheet puzzles, it didn't get harder just because of the weekday: USA Today keeps a consistent, accessible difficulty every day. What changed on Saturday was the theme, not the toughness, so that day's theme is usually what solvers were looking up. Use the hints for the trickiest clues, then reveal the answers above only if you need them.
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Frequently asked questions
What were the USA Today Crossword answers on August 1, 2026?
Every answer for the Saturday, August 1, 2026 USA Today Crossword is listed at the top of this page — the confirmed grid as published that day.
Where can I find today's USA Today Crossword answers?
Today's live puzzle is on our USA Today Crossword answers today page, updated the moment each new grid goes live.
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