USA Today Crossword Answers Today

That's Why I'm Here

By CJ Tan · Edited by Amie Walker

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Across

  1. 1Flower holdersVASES
  2. 6The "one" in a one-two punchJAB
  3. 9Oyster sauce amount (Abbr.)TBSP
  4. 13"Before Sunrise," "Before Sunset" and "Before Midnight" star HawkeETHAN
  5. 14The Cab genreEMO
  6. 15Athletic trainerCOACH
  7. 16___ apsoLHASA
  8. 17"Interesting . . ."OOH
  9. 18ReversedUNDID
  10. 19"I'm in awe!"VERYIMPRESSIVE
  11. 22WSW oppositeENE
  12. 23Mauna ___ (Hawaiian volcano)LOA
  13. 24Gameplay environment, in gamingMAP
  14. 25Two peas ___ podINA
  15. 27Little bitsTADS
  16. 29Strongly advisedURGED
  17. 31BasicsABCS
  18. 32Like the goddess SaraswatiHINDU
  19. 34People also known as the MuscogeeCREEK
  20. 35Visual media company known for stock photosGETTYIMAGES
  21. 38"___ Disposition" (The Temper Trap song)SWEET
  22. 40Kind of protestSITIN
  23. 41"The Babadook" director JenniferKENT
  24. 42___ pad (notebook)STENO
  25. 44Storyline trajectoriesARCS
  26. 48Songwriter TamposiALI
  27. 49Place for a hearing aidEAR
  28. 50Calligraphy liquidINK
  29. 52Enjoy some hopiaEAT
  30. 53Like a VR experience that feels completely realFULLYIMMERSIVE
  31. 57Pad krapow gai herbBASIL
  32. 58"The Golden Girls" star ArthurBEA
  33. 59"I'm flattered!"OHGEE
  34. 60Cornmeal cakeAREPA
  35. 61Goof upERR
  36. 62Moon-relatedLUNAR
  37. 63Famous Scottish lochNESS
  38. 64With 65-Across, concert song lineupsSET
  39. 65See 64-AcrossLISTS

Down

  1. 1Upscale fabricVELVET
  2. 2Minerva's Greek counterpartATHENA
  3. 3Didn't keep everything for oneselfSHARED
  4. 4"No sweat!"EASY
  5. 5Slow-moving gastropodSNAIL
  6. 6Game show whose "think music" was originally a lullabyJEOPARDY
  7. 7Love, in SpanishAMOR
  8. 8"Rent" song "La Vie ___"BOHEME
  9. 9"Beloved" author MorrisonTONI
  10. 10Negative energyBADVIBES
  11. 11Astronomy or epidemiology, e.g.SCIENCE
  12. 12Certain grad school degreePHD
  13. 15VergeCUSP
  14. 20___ EverestMOUNT
  15. 21BummedSAD
  16. 26___.com (search engine that officially closed on May 1, 2026)ASK
  17. 28Mattress coveringSHEET
  18. 30False appearanceGUISE
  19. 31Sporting venueARENA
  20. 33Wednesday Addams' cousinITT
  21. 34Sci-fi FXCGI
  22. 35WhizzesGENIUSES
  23. 36Gas-station storeMINIMART
  24. 37Make things rightATONE
  25. 38Jamaican music genreSKA
  26. 39TANF, e.g.WELFARE
  27. 42ArticulateSAY
  28. 43Cherokee and Pueblo, for twoTRIBES
  29. 45Serves as rulerREIGNS
  30. 46WarningCAVEAT
  31. 47Takes the wheelSTEERS
  32. 49"Yellowjackets" star PurnellELLA
  33. 51"Big Mouth" star NickKROLL
  34. 54Body parts that can be "sealed"LIPS
  35. 55"A ___ technicality!"MERE
  36. 56Feng ___SHUI
  37. 57ForbidBAN

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Flower holders — Answer: VASES. Hint: They give fresh-cut bouquets a place to shine. 🌷
  2. 6. The "one" in a one-two punch — Answer: JAB. Hint: It’s the quick lead strike that sets up the stronger follow-up blow. 🥊
  3. 9. Oyster sauce amount (Abbr.) — Answer: TBSP. Hint: Think of the standard kitchen abbreviation for a tablespoon 🥄
  4. 13. "Before Sunrise," "Before Sunset" and "Before Midnight" star Hawke — Answer: ETHAN. Hint: This actor portrays Jesse throughout Richard Linklater’s romantic trilogy 🎬
  5. 14. The Cab genre — Answer: EMO. Hint: Think of a heartfelt, angsty music style often paired with dramatic lyrics. 🎸
  6. 15. Athletic trainer — Answer: COACH. Hint: This person helps athletes sharpen their skills and prepare to compete. 🏅
  7. 16. ___ apso — Answer: LHASA. Hint: Think of the small, long-haired dog breed with Tibetan roots 🐕
  8. 17. "Interesting . . ." — Answer: OOH. Hint: A brief exclamation of surprise or intrigue fits here. 😮
  9. 18. Reversed — Answer: UNDID. Hint: Think of canceling or rolling back something you previously did 🔄
  10. 19. "I'm in awe!" — Answer: VERYIMPRESSIVE. Hint: A phrase expressing amazement at something truly remarkable 🤩
  11. 22. WSW opposite — Answer: ENE. Hint: Look to the compass point directly opposite west-southwest. 🧭
  12. 23. Mauna ___ (Hawaiian volcano) — Answer: LOA. Hint: This famous Hawaiian volcano shares its name with a word meaning “long” in the local language. 🌋
  13. 24. Gameplay environment, in gaming — Answer: MAP. Hint: A virtual setting where players explore, compete, and find their way around 🕹️
  14. 25. Two peas ___ pod — Answer: INA. Hint: This phrase describes two people who are remarkably alike and inseparable. 🫛
  15. 27. Little bits — Answer: TADS. Hint: Think of tiny pieces or small amounts in casual speech. 🧩
  16. 29. Strongly advised — Answer: URGED. Hint: Think of a forceful recommendation from someone who really wants you to act. 💬
  17. 31. Basics — Answer: ABCS. Hint: Think of the fundamentals you learn before tackling anything advanced. 📚
  18. 32. Like the goddess Saraswati — Answer: HINDU. Hint: This goddess belongs to a major Indian religion known for deities, temples, and sacred traditions. 🛕
  19. 34. People also known as the Muscogee — Answer: CREEK. Hint: This Native American people share their name with a small stream. 🌊
  20. 35. Visual media company known for stock photos — Answer: GETTYIMAGES. Hint: This well-known visual library supplies stock photos to publications and creatives worldwide 📸
  21. 38. "___ Disposition" (The Temper Trap song) — Answer: SWEET. Hint: This song title describes a pleasantly kind and gentle state of mind 😊
  22. 40. Kind of protest — Answer: SITIN. Hint: A peaceful demonstration where participants occupy a place and refuse to leave 🪧
  23. 41. "The Babadook" director Jennifer — Answer: KENT. Hint: Think of the Australian filmmaker who directed this unsettling horror debut 🎬
  24. 42. ___ pad (notebook) — Answer: STENO. Hint: A shorthand writer might reach for this compact notebook. 📝
  25. 44. Storyline trajectories — Answer: ARCS. Hint: These are the rising, falling, and twisting paths a narrative can take. 📖
  26. 48. Songwriter Tamposi — Answer: ALI. Hint: This hitmaking songwriter shares her first name with a famous boxing champion. 🥊
  27. 49. Place for a hearing aid — Answer: EAR. Hint: Think of the body part that helps you hear and can hold an assistive device. 👂
  28. 50. Calligraphy liquid — Answer: INK. Hint: This is the dark liquid that helps handwritten letters flow. 🖋️
  29. 52. Enjoy some hopia — Answer: EAT. Hint: Think of what you do when you savor a Filipino pastry like hopia. 😋
  30. 53. Like a VR experience that feels completely real — Answer: FULLYIMMERSIVE. Hint: It draws you so deeply into the digital world that reality seems to fade away. 🥽
  31. 57. Pad krapow gai herb — Answer: BASIL. Hint: This fragrant herb gives Thailand’s spicy chicken stir-fry its signature aroma. 🌿
  32. 58. "The Golden Girls" star Arthur — Answer: BEA. Hint: Think of the beloved actress who played Dorothy, the sharp-witted Golden Girl. 📺
  33. 59. "I'm flattered!" — Answer: OHGEE. Hint: A bashful reaction to praise might begin with a surprised exclamation. 😊
  34. 60. Cornmeal cake — Answer: AREPA. Hint: Think of a round cornmeal staple enjoyed in Colombia and Venezuela, either savory or sweet. 🌽
  35. 61. Goof up — Answer: ERR. Hint: Make a mistake by overlooking an important detail 😅
  36. 62. Moon-related — Answer: LUNAR. Hint: Think of the adjective describing anything connected to Earth’s natural satellite. 🌙
  37. 63. Famous Scottish loch — Answer: NESS. Hint: Think of the legendary Scottish lake said to hide a monster. 🐉
  38. 64. With 65-Across, concert song lineups — Answer: SET. Hint: Think of what a band prepares before taking the stage, song by song 🎶
  39. 65. See 64-Across — Answer: LISTS. Hint: Check 64-Across for the related plural term describing organized written collections. 📝

Down

  1. 1. Upscale fabric — Answer: VELVET. Hint: Think of a plush, luxurious textile favored for formal clothing and regal décor. 🧵
  2. 2. Minerva's Greek counterpart — Answer: ATHENA. Hint: Think of the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategy who shares Minerva’s Roman role. 🏛️
  3. 3. Didn't keep everything for oneself — Answer: SHARED. Hint: Passed some along to others rather than keeping it all 🤝
  4. 4. "No sweat!" — Answer: EASY. Hint: A reassuring way to say something should require little effort 😊
  5. 5. Slow-moving gastropod — Answer: SNAIL. Hint: This shelled garden crawler takes its time wherever it goes 🐌
  6. 6. Game show whose "think music" was originally a lullaby — Answer: JEOPARDY. Hint: This quiz show’s famous “think music” began life as a soothing lullaby—quite the plot twist! 🎵
  7. 7. Love, in Spanish — Answer: AMOR. Hint: Think of the Spanish word you’d use for deep affection. ❤️
  8. 8. "Rent" song "La Vie ___" — Answer: BOHEME. Hint: The missing word evokes a free-spirited, unconventional lifestyle. 🎭
  9. 9. "Beloved" author Morrison — Answer: TONI. Hint: Think of the first name of the acclaimed author who wrote *Beloved* and won the Nobel Prize in Literature. 📚
  10. 10. Negative energy — Answer: BADVIBES. Hint: A phrase for an unsettling atmosphere or gloomy feeling. 😬
  11. 11. Astronomy or epidemiology, e.g. — Answer: SCIENCE. Hint: A systematic pursuit of knowledge that can describe both the stars and the spread of disease 🔬
  12. 12. Certain grad school degree — Answer: PHD. Hint: An advanced academic credential often earned after extensive research and a dissertation 🎓
  13. 15. Verge — Answer: CUSP. Hint: Think of the precise point where one thing meets or transitions into another. 🔄
  14. 20. ___ Everest — Answer: MOUNT. Hint: This famous peak’s name is completed by a word meaning a raised hill or summit. 🏔️
  15. 21. Bummed — Answer: SAD. Hint: Feeling low or unhappy? 😞
  16. 26. ___.com (search engine that officially closed on May 1, 2026) — Answer: ASK. Hint: Think of the once-popular question-and-answer search site whose URL ended in “.com.” 🔎
  17. 28. Mattress covering — Answer: SHEET. Hint: It’s the fabric layer that keeps your bed fresh and cozy. 🛏️
  18. 30. False appearance — Answer: GUISE. Hint: Think of the outward look someone uses to hide their true identity. 🎭
  19. 31. Sporting venue — Answer: ARENA. Hint: A place where athletes compete and crowds cheer. 🏟️
  20. 33. Wednesday Addams' cousin — Answer: ITT. Hint: Think of the famously furry, unintelligible-speaking member of the Addams Family. 🧶
  21. 34. Sci-fi FX — Answer: CGI. Hint: These digital visuals bring alien worlds and futuristic creatures to life on screen. 🎬
  22. 35. Whizzes — Answer: GENIUSES. Hint: Think of exceptionally clever people who breeze through tough problems. 🧠
  23. 36. Gas-station store — Answer: MINIMART. Hint: A convenient little shop attached to where you fill up your car. ⛽
  24. 37. Make things right — Answer: ATONE. Hint: Take responsibility and seek forgiveness for something you did wrong. 🙏
  25. 38. Jamaican music genre — Answer: SKA. Hint: This upbeat Jamaican style helped pave the way for reggae and features punchy offbeat rhythms. 🎺
  26. 39. TANF, e.g. — Answer: WELFARE. Hint: It’s a government program that provides financial support to families in need. 🏛️
  27. 42. Articulate — Answer: SAY. Hint: Express something clearly in words so your meaning is understood. 🗣️
  28. 43. Cherokee and Pueblo, for two — Answer: TRIBES. Hint: They’re examples of Native American peoples with distinct cultures and histories. 🪶
  29. 45. Serves as ruler — Answer: REIGNS. Hint: Governs a kingdom or realm, as a monarch does. 👑
  30. 46. Warning — Answer: CAVEAT. Hint: A formal note of caution urging you to proceed carefully. ⚠️
  31. 47. Takes the wheel — Answer: STEERS. Hint: What a driver does when guiding a car around a bend 🚗
  32. 49. "Yellowjackets" star Purnell — Answer: ELLA. Hint: Think of Purnell’s first name, shared with a legendary jazz singer 🎷
  33. 51. "Big Mouth" star Nick — Answer: KROLL. Hint: Think of the comedian who voices Maury the hormone monster in the animated series 🎤
  34. 54. Body parts that can be "sealed" — Answer: LIPS. Hint: These facial features can be pressed together to keep a secret 🤐
  35. 55. "A ___ technicality!" — Answer: MERE. Hint: It describes a technicality that is only a small detail. 😉
  36. 56. Feng ___ — Answer: SHUI. Hint: This ancient practice harmonizes your environment for better energy flow! 🌱
  37. 57. Forbid — Answer: BAN. Hint: To officially say that something isn’t allowed 🚫

Recent USA Today Answers

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Full USA Today Crossword answer list for today

Every clue from today's grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.

Across

#ClueAnswer
1Flower holdersVASES
6The "one" in a one-two punchJAB
9Oyster sauce amount (Abbr.)TBSP
13"Before Sunrise," "Before Sunset" and "Before Midnight" star HawkeETHAN
14The Cab genreEMO
15Athletic trainerCOACH
16___ apsoLHASA
17"Interesting . . ."OOH
18ReversedUNDID
19"I'm in awe!"VERYIMPRESSIVE
22WSW oppositeENE
23Mauna ___ (Hawaiian volcano)LOA
24Gameplay environment, in gamingMAP
25Two peas ___ podINA
27Little bitsTADS
29Strongly advisedURGED
31BasicsABCS
32Like the goddess SaraswatiHINDU
34People also known as the MuscogeeCREEK
35Visual media company known for stock photosGETTYIMAGES
38"___ Disposition" (The Temper Trap song)SWEET
40Kind of protestSITIN
41"The Babadook" director JenniferKENT
42___ pad (notebook)STENO
44Storyline trajectoriesARCS
48Songwriter TamposiALI
49Place for a hearing aidEAR
50Calligraphy liquidINK
52Enjoy some hopiaEAT
53Like a VR experience that feels completely realFULLYIMMERSIVE
57Pad krapow gai herbBASIL
58"The Golden Girls" star ArthurBEA
59"I'm flattered!"OHGEE
60Cornmeal cakeAREPA
61Goof upERR
62Moon-relatedLUNAR
63Famous Scottish lochNESS
64With 65-Across, concert song lineupsSET
65See 64-AcrossLISTS

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Upscale fabricVELVET
2Minerva's Greek counterpartATHENA
3Didn't keep everything for oneselfSHARED
4"No sweat!"EASY
5Slow-moving gastropodSNAIL
6Game show whose "think music" was originally a lullabyJEOPARDY
7Love, in SpanishAMOR
8"Rent" song "La Vie ___"BOHEME
9"Beloved" author MorrisonTONI
10Negative energyBADVIBES
11Astronomy or epidemiology, e.g.SCIENCE
12Certain grad school degreePHD
15VergeCUSP
20___ EverestMOUNT
21BummedSAD
26___.com (search engine that officially closed on May 1, 2026)ASK
28Mattress coveringSHEET
30False appearanceGUISE
31Sporting venueARENA
33Wednesday Addams' cousinITT
34Sci-fi FXCGI
35WhizzesGENIUSES
36Gas-station storeMINIMART
37Make things rightATONE
38Jamaican music genreSKA
39TANF, e.g.WELFARE
42ArticulateSAY
43Cherokee and Pueblo, for twoTRIBES
45Serves as rulerREIGNS
46WarningCAVEAT
47Takes the wheelSTEERS
49"Yellowjackets" star PurnellELLA
51"Big Mouth" star NickKROLL
54Body parts that can be "sealed"LIPS
55"A ___ technicality!"MERE
56Feng ___SHUI
57ForbidBAN

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CostFreeNYT paid; LA Times free
EditorErik AgardWill Shortz / Patti Varol

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