USA Today Crossword Answers Today

The Old-Fashioned Way (Freestyle)

By Jess Rucks · Edited by Amanda Rafkin

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Across

  1. 1Little rapscallionsUMPS
  2. 5PlungedDIVED
  3. 10Object in your inventory, in video gamesITEM
  4. 14Broad valleyDALE
  5. 15Wrap for an ankle sprainACEBANDAGE
  6. 17Erupt like a volcanoSPEW
  7. 18DC Comics minifig voiced by Will ArnettLEGOBATMAN
  8. 19Apple pie ___ modeALA
  9. 20StickyGLUEY
  10. 21Minute ___ lemonadeMAID
  11. 22"Absolutely!"YES
  12. 23MesmerizedRAPT
  13. 24Stand in tree pose?LEG
  14. 25Glitchy versions, oftenBETAS
  15. 27DesertlikeARID
  16. 2943-Down, in EnglishNAP
  17. 32WoreHADON
  18. 33Portmanteau brunch cocktailBEERMOSA
  19. 35Nut in a squirrel's stashACORN
  20. 36Not newOLD
  21. 37"___-daisy!"OOPSY
  22. 38"Sweetheart"HONEYPIE
  23. 40Targets of facialsPORES
  24. 41Queen of the hill?ANT
  25. 42Muscle worked on tippy-toesCALF
  26. 43Shopping frenzySPREE
  27. 44"___ now brown cow"HOW
  28. 45"Acoustic Soul" singer India.___ARIE
  29. 47Show with a Five-Timers ClubSNL
  30. 49Become hazyBLUR
  31. 51"Deep" or "air" followerFRIED
  32. 52"Hamilton" actress PhillipaSOO
  33. 53Creepy R.L. Stine series for kidsGOOSEBUMPS
  34. 55Common fourth-down playPUNT
  35. 56ChitchatTALK
  36. 57Connect over a Discord video callEMEET
  37. 58Photography and painting, for twoARTS
  38. 59Like gloomy skiesGRAY
  39. 60___ cottaTERRA
  40. 61Sporty sandal brandTEVA

Down

  1. 1"In my opinion . . ."UDSAY
  2. 2Brunch strip that's savory and sweetMAPLEBACON
  3. 3"I'd rather you not"PLEASEDONT
  4. 4Reattach a button, saySEW
  5. 5Texas city home to the world's first convenience storeDALLAS
  6. 6Freeze overICEUP
  7. 7One who uses seed money for onions, tomatoes, carrots, etc.VEGETABLEFARMER
  8. 8Guy with an online emo vibeEBOY
  9. 9Dance move that's illegal in Saudi ArabiaDAB
  10. 10It might display the name of a boxerIDTAG
  11. 11Reality TV star RomanTAMI
  12. 12"Fiddlesticks!"EGAD
  13. 13"It's Raining ___"MEN
  14. 16Casually mentioned having a celebrity friendNAMEDROPPED
  15. 20Lifestyle trend that embraces comforting styles and hobbiesGRANNYCORE
  16. 24Spin a yarnLIE
  17. 26Ripped apartTORE
  18. 28Jupiter's Great ___ SpotRED
  19. 29"Totally up to you!"NOPRESSURE
  20. 30Infomercial phraseASSEENONTV
  21. 31Takes care of the billPAYS
  22. 32"lol!"HAHA
  23. 34Secure to a dockMOOR
  24. 36Olive or avocado, e.g.OIL
  25. 39Furry footPAW
  26. 4329-Across, in SpanishSIESTA
  27. 44Common sled dogHUSKY
  28. 46Less green, oftenRIPER
  29. 48Tons of, casuallyLOTSA
  30. 49Wild hogBOAR
  31. 50Bunny who made her cartoon debut in "Space Jam"LOLA
  32. 51Be steaming madFUME
  33. 53"ttyl"GTG
  34. 54WagerBET
  35. 55Comforting touchPAT

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Little rapscallions — Answer: UMPS. Hint: These mischievous youngsters might get into harmless trouble. 😈
  2. 5. Plunged — Answer: DIVED. Hint: This past-tense verb describes going underwater headfirst. 🤿
  3. 10. Object in your inventory, in video games — Answer: ITEM. Hint: Check this entry when managing your gear. 🎮
  4. 14. Broad valley — Answer: DALE. Hint: Think of a wide, open lowland nestled between hills. 🏞️
  5. 15. Wrap for an ankle sprain — Answer: ACEBANDAGE. Hint: Use this stretchy support around a twisted ankle. 🩹
  6. 17. Erupt like a volcano — Answer: SPEW. Hint: A volcano may do this when lava and ash burst out. 🌋
  7. 18. DC Comics minifig voiced by Will Arnett — Answer: LEGOBATMAN. Hint: This block-built Gotham hero was voiced by a famous comedian. 🦇
  8. 19. Apple pie ___ mode — Answer: ALA. Hint: Complete the dessert phrase meaning served with ice cream. 🍨
  9. 20. Sticky — Answer: GLUEY. Hint: This texture makes fingers cling together. 🤏
  10. 21. Minute ___ lemonade — Answer: MAID. Hint: The brand name before “lemonade” also means a household helper. 🍋
  11. 22. "Absolutely!" — Answer: YES. Hint: When you want to agree whole-heartedly, this is the word you shout! 👍
  12. 23. Mesmerized — Answer: RAPT. Hint: Completely captivated describes this state. ✨
  13. 24. Stand in tree pose? — Answer: LEG. Hint: A yoga tree pose requires balancing on one of these. 🧘
  14. 25. Glitchy versions, often — Answer: BETAS. Hint: These early test releases may still have bugs. 🐛
  15. 27. Desertlike — Answer: ARID. Hint: Dry and barren conditions can be described this way. 🏜️
  16. 29. 43-Down, in English — Answer: NAP. Hint: This brief sleep is a common way to recharge. 😴
  17. 32. Wore — Answer: HADON. Hint: Think about something you once put on in the past! 🕰️
  18. 33. Portmanteau brunch cocktail — Answer: BEERMOSA. Hint: This playful brunch drink combines beer with citrus juice. 🍊
  19. 35. Nut in a squirrel's stash — Answer: ACORN. Hint: This oak tree seed is a classic squirrel snack. 🐿️
  20. 36. Not new — Answer: OLD. Hint: Think about something that has been around for a while! 🕰️
  21. 37. "___-daisy!" — Answer: OOPSY. Hint: Sometimes we say this when we make a little mistake! 🙃
  22. 38. "Sweetheart" — Answer: HONEYPIE. Hint: A sugary pet name for someone dear to your heart 💕
  23. 40. Targets of facials — Answer: PORES. Hint: Skincare treatments often focus on these tiny openings in the skin 🧖
  24. 41. Queen of the hill? — Answer: ANT. Hint: This tiny monarch rules from atop a mound 👑
  25. 42. Muscle worked on tippy-toes — Answer: CALF. Hint: This lower-leg muscle gets a workout when your heels leave the floor 🦵
  26. 43. Shopping frenzy — Answer: SPREE. Hint: A retail binge with little regard for the budget 🛍️
  27. 44. "___ now brown cow" — Answer: HOW. Hint: The missing word is the question term in a classic pronunciation exercise 🗣️
  28. 45. "Acoustic Soul" singer India.___ — Answer: ARIE. Hint: Identify the singer whose stage name pairs a country with a musical note 🎶
  29. 47. Show with a Five-Timers Club — Answer: SNL. Hint: This long-running sketch show celebrates hosts who have appeared five times 📺
  30. 49. Become hazy — Answer: BLUR. Hint: What an image or memory may do when it loses sharpness 🌫️
  31. 51. "Deep" or "air" follower — Answer: FRIED. Hint: Pair this cooking word with either “deep” or “air” 🍳
  32. 52. "Hamilton" actress Phillipa — Answer: SOO. Hint: Name the actress who played Eliza in the Broadway musical 🎭
  33. 53. Creepy R.L. Stine series for kids — Answer: GOOSEBUMPS. Hint: A spooky young-readers series filled with monsters and chills 👻
  34. 55. Common fourth-down play — Answer: PUNT. Hint: A team often uses this kick to surrender possession and gain field position 🏈
  35. 56. Chitchat — Answer: TALK. Hint: Casual conversation, often about nothing especially important 💬
  36. 57. Connect over a Discord video call — Answer: EMEET. Hint: This informal verb means to meet electronically 💻
  37. 58. Photography and painting, for two — Answer: ARTS. Hint: Both activities belong to this broad creative category 🎨
  38. 59. Like gloomy skies — Answer: GRAY. Hint: A cloudy day often wears this muted shade ☁️
  39. 60. ___ cotta — Answer: TERRA. Hint: Complete the familiar phrase for baked, earth-colored pottery 🏺
  40. 61. Sporty sandal brand — Answer: TEVA. Hint: This outdoor footwear brand is popular with hikers and festivalgoers 🩴

Down

  1. 1. "In my opinion . . ." — Answer: UDSAY. Hint: A playful Pig Latin-style way to introduce a personal viewpoint 🗣️
  2. 2. Brunch strip that's savory and sweet — Answer: MAPLEBACON. Hint: This breakfast favorite pairs a sweet syrupy flavor with crispy pork. 🥓
  3. 3. "I'd rather you not" — Answer: PLEASEDONT. Hint: A polite but firm way to ask someone to stop. 🙅
  4. 4. Reattach a button, say — Answer: SEW. Hint: Use a needle and thread to put a loose button back in place. 🧵
  5. 5. Texas city home to the world's first convenience store — Answer: DALLAS. Hint: This Texas metropolis claims the birthplace of the modern convenience store. 🏪
  6. 6. Freeze over — Answer: ICEUP. Hint: What a pond may do during a bitter cold snap. ❄️
  7. 7. One who uses seed money for onions, tomatoes, carrots, etc. — Answer: VEGETABLEFARMER. Hint: This grower turns startup funds into a crop of kitchen staples. 🥕
  8. 8. Guy with an online emo vibe — Answer: EBOY. Hint: An internet-savvy guy with a moody, trend-conscious aesthetic. 🖤
  9. 9. Dance move that's illegal in Saudi Arabia — Answer: DAB. Hint: This quick arm-and-head pose is also a viral dance gesture. 💃
  10. 10. It might display the name of a boxer — Answer: IDTAG. Hint: A small label could identify a fighter’s name and details. 🏷️
  11. 11. Reality TV star Roman — Answer: TAMI. Hint: This reality personality is known for a famously outspoken presence. 📺
  12. 12. "Fiddlesticks!" — Answer: EGAD. Hint: An old-fashioned exclamation of surprise or annoyance. 😮
  13. 13. "It's Raining ___" — Answer: MEN. Hint: Think of a classic musical number that celebrates a downpour of something unexpected! ☔
  14. 16. Casually mentioned having a celebrity friend — Answer: NAMEDROPPED. Hint: Quietly slipped a famous acquaintance into conversation. ✨
  15. 20. Lifestyle trend that embraces comforting styles and hobbies — Answer: GRANNYCORE. Hint: A cozy aesthetic inspired by old-fashioned domestic comforts. 🧶
  16. 24. Spin a yarn — Answer: LIE. Hint: Tell a fictional story instead of sticking to the truth. 🤥
  17. 26. Ripped apart — Answer: TORE. Hint: Pulled violently into separate pieces. 💥
  18. 28. Jupiter's Great ___ Spot — Answer: RED. Hint: Jupiter’s famous giant storm has this color in its name. 🪐
  19. 29. "Totally up to you!" — Answer: NOPRESSURE. Hint: A reassuring way to say the decision is entirely yours. 🤷
  20. 30. Infomercial phrase — Answer: ASSEENONTV. Hint: A classic sales pitch pointing viewers to the screen. 📺
  21. 31. Takes care of the bill — Answer: PAYS. Hint: Covers the cost when the check arrives. 💳
  22. 32. "lol!" — Answer: HAHA. Hint: A written burst of laughter in a message. 😂
  23. 34. Secure to a dock — Answer: MOOR. Hint: Tie a boat firmly in place at the pier. ⚓
  24. 36. Olive or avocado, e.g. — Answer: OIL. Hint: This cooking staple can be pressed from fruits. 🫒
  25. 39. Furry foot — Answer: PAW. Hint: Think of the soft, clawed foot on a cat or dog 🐾
  26. 43. 29-Across, in Spanish — Answer: SIESTA. Hint: In Spain, this is the classic afternoon nap. 😴
  27. 44. Common sled dog — Answer: HUSKY. Hint: This energetic, thick-coated breed is built for snowy journeys. 🐕
  28. 46. Less green, often — Answer: RIPER. Hint: Fruit becomes this as it matures. 🍑
  29. 48. Tons of, casually — Answer: LOTSA. Hint: This informal phrase means a whole bunch of something. 🙌
  30. 49. Wild hog — Answer: BOAR. Hint: Think of a bristly, untamed pig roaming the woods. 🐗
  31. 50. Bunny who made her cartoon debut in "Space Jam" — Answer: LOLA. Hint: She is the confident rabbit basketball star from the film. 🏀
  32. 51. Be steaming mad — Answer: FUME. Hint: To be this angry is to metaphorically emit smoke. 😤
  33. 53. "ttyl" — Answer: GTG. Hint: This texting shorthand signals that it is time to leave. 📱
  34. 54. Wager — Answer: BET. Hint: It’s what you place when you put money on an outcome 🎲
  35. 55. Comforting touch — Answer: PAT. Hint: A gentle tap can offer reassurance or praise. 🤗

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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
1Little rapscallionsUMPS
5PlungedDIVED
10Object in your inventory, in video gamesITEM
14Broad valleyDALE
15Wrap for an ankle sprainACEBANDAGE
17Erupt like a volcanoSPEW
18DC Comics minifig voiced by Will ArnettLEGOBATMAN
19Apple pie ___ modeALA
20StickyGLUEY
21Minute ___ lemonadeMAID
22"Absolutely!"YES
23MesmerizedRAPT
24Stand in tree pose?LEG
25Glitchy versions, oftenBETAS
27DesertlikeARID
2943-Down, in EnglishNAP
32WoreHADON
33Portmanteau brunch cocktailBEERMOSA
35Nut in a squirrel's stashACORN
36Not newOLD
37"___-daisy!"OOPSY
38"Sweetheart"HONEYPIE
40Targets of facialsPORES
41Queen of the hill?ANT
42Muscle worked on tippy-toesCALF
43Shopping frenzySPREE
44"___ now brown cow"HOW
45"Acoustic Soul" singer India.___ARIE
47Show with a Five-Timers ClubSNL
49Become hazyBLUR
51"Deep" or "air" followerFRIED
52"Hamilton" actress PhillipaSOO
53Creepy R.L. Stine series for kidsGOOSEBUMPS
55Common fourth-down playPUNT
56ChitchatTALK
57Connect over a Discord video callEMEET
58Photography and painting, for twoARTS
59Like gloomy skiesGRAY
60___ cottaTERRA
61Sporty sandal brandTEVA

Down

#ClueAnswer
1"In my opinion . . ."UDSAY
2Brunch strip that's savory and sweetMAPLEBACON
3"I'd rather you not"PLEASEDONT
4Reattach a button, saySEW
5Texas city home to the world's first convenience storeDALLAS
6Freeze overICEUP
7One who uses seed money for onions, tomatoes, carrots, etc.VEGETABLEFARMER
8Guy with an online emo vibeEBOY
9Dance move that's illegal in Saudi ArabiaDAB
10It might display the name of a boxerIDTAG
11Reality TV star RomanTAMI
12"Fiddlesticks!"EGAD
13"It's Raining ___"MEN
16Casually mentioned having a celebrity friendNAMEDROPPED
20Lifestyle trend that embraces comforting styles and hobbiesGRANNYCORE
24Spin a yarnLIE
26Ripped apartTORE
28Jupiter's Great ___ SpotRED
29"Totally up to you!"NOPRESSURE
30Infomercial phraseASSEENONTV
31Takes care of the billPAYS
32"lol!"HAHA
34Secure to a dockMOOR
36Olive or avocado, e.g.OIL
39Furry footPAW
4329-Across, in SpanishSIESTA
44Common sled dogHUSKY
46Less green, oftenRIPER
48Tons of, casuallyLOTSA
49Wild hogBOAR
50Bunny who made her cartoon debut in "Space Jam"LOLA
51Be steaming madFUME
53"ttyl"GTG
54WagerBET
55Comforting touchPAT

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EditorErik AgardWill Shortz / Patti Varol

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