Questions tagged [cryptic-clues]
A puzzle that involves cryptic clues of the type found in cryptic crosswords, but is not a cryptic crossword. DO NOT use this tag for puzzles that are stated cryptically; use [enigmatic-puzzle] instead. Use [cryptic-crosswords] for whole crosswords; [crossword-clues] for crossword clues not obeying the conventions of cryptic crosswords (even if they are stated cryptically).
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Explain why "A Fate who didn’t finish the material (5)" is Cloth
A Fate who didn’t finish the material (5)
Answer: CLOTH
This is a cryptic clue from The Post (NZ) and appeared on the 22nd Jun 2023
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Cryptic Division 6: It's All Gravy
This is a word division puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link.
In order to solve the alphametic, you'll first need to ...
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Explain how the answer to "A world that was once bereaved of children" is "Orb"
Clue:
A world that was once bereaved of children
Answer: "ORB". What is the the connection between "orb" and "bereaved of children"?
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Cryptic Division 5: Devil Magic
This is a word division puzzle which uses cryp- actually, this one uses printer's devilry. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link.
In order to solve the ...
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0
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Explain answer "COURTESY TITLE" to cryptic clue "Certainly not a rude man."
The question is
Certainly not a rude man. (8 5)
The answer is
COURTESY TITLE
I’m relatively new to cryptic crosswords and I can’t figure this one out at all.
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Cryptic crossword phrase 'One left'
What does the term ‘one left’ mean in relation to cryptic crosswords?
I can see from some answers that it basically means to add a letter ‘L’ to the definition answer, but this clue has me stumped…
...
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Cryptic Division 4: Oops! All Math!
This is a word division puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link.
In order to solve the alphametic, you'll first need to ...
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1
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Cryptic crossword: trading places
This is a cryptic crossword. Each clue contains an extra letter which must be removed before the clue is solved, leaving real words in place. Solvers may find a use for these letters. Each ...
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When in Rome... or perhaps Ankh-Morpork?
This is a cryptic crossword despite appearances. On the left is a five-by-five grid with no bars; on the right are five colour-coded slats one cell wide and a varying number of cells deep. The clues ...
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Crossword clue “Trouble follows loud bomb” [closed]
Please explain this clue:
Trouble follows loud bomb
The answer given is:
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Cryptic jigsaw crossword puzzle
This is a cryptic jigsaw crossword: no clue numbers are provided in the grid; solvers must instead fit the answers in wherever they can. The solution is unique, and the green tick mark goes to ...
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Cryptic Division 3: Stuck Together
This is a word division puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link.
In order to solve the alphametic, you'll first need to ...
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1
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oAlt worked overtime
This is a cryptic crossword. The check mark will go to the first person who submits an answer with 1) an image of the completed crossword and 2) explanations for all clue answers. For users who cannot ...
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2
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Cryptic Division 2: Staying on Brand
This is a word division puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link.
In order to solve the alphametic, you'll first need to ...
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"Idiot" cryptic clue in final episode of "Endeavour"
The final episode of "Endeavour" Exeunt (TV Episode 2023) - IMDb made use of this cryptic clue:
Mother takes murderer back. Idiot.
The answer is:
I understand why that's the answer, but I ...
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More Like This 2:?
This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #12: mobile-friendly puzzles.
This is the second part of the series "More Like This", named after the section in the Oxford Learner's ...
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Cryptic Acrostic 6: Spill the Tea
This is an acrostic puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link.
A complete answer should give the quote, author and source, ...
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1
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Solidarity with the Moderation Team (A Cryptic Division Puzzle)
Alternative title: Cryptic Division 1: Never Give Up
This is a word division puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link.
In ...
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Moderation strike: a tired lunatic (4)
Which four-letter word fits the clue "Moderation strike: a tired lunatic"?
Disclaimer:
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Cryptic Acrostic 5: Stealing the Show
This is an acrostic puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link.
A complete answer should give the quote, author and source, ...
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Does "Primarily these aren't temporary transformations of one's skin! (7)" work as a cryptic clue?
Primarily these aren't temporary transformations of one's skin! (7)
Context for the question (which is a spoiler for the answer)
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Cryptic crossword clue: "Regularly clean and wet washing"
The answer to the clue is 'laundry', which is l-a-undry.
Where does the 'la' come from?
Source: The i's Five-Clue Cryptic, 12 April 2023
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Ceased Kryptic Klues - Don't Doubt Yourself!
Horizontal
2. Great circle's created a torque(9)
4. Red pill, taken in shoots regularly(1)
7. Investigator's flawed, having true instead of false(6)
8. Some organize brave traffic controller from La ...
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Is this cryptic valid?
I came up with a cryptic clue that I'd like to use, but I'm not sure if it's valid.
Less hair?—nonsense! (10)
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Cryptic Sundays #1
Welcome to our first episode of Cryptic Sundays, a cryptic collection that starts on, well, you know, every Sunday! We have some puzzles to begin, so let's start now!
Still, there are wild lionesses (...
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A Message Of Encouragement
This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #8: Cellular Automata.
This themed cryptic puzzle is dedicated to a user (from another website) who proposed to make March 23rd as a special holiday ...
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Cryptic-clue explanation: What does “One in 10?” mean in the definition of ‘Ladle’
The clue in question is
Labour leader entering into deal upset one in 10? (5)
I have solved this via the wordplay but I don’t see how the definition applies.
The answer is 'ladle' (L in (DEAL)) but ...
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Did I get my meaning across with these cryptic clues?
End of a text lead by a former lover (8)
Not one place to contain a cry of pain (7)
Spawn in vegan ingredients (7)
Freeholder who meets their end in the Middle East (6)
It may not be a good feeling, ...
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2
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Rachel and Andrew Lewdin are short with Norse God riddler (4, 6)
Here's another cryptic that I thought would be fun to make (and hopefully solve).
Rachel and Andrew Lewdin are short with Norse God riddler (4, 6)
Enjoy!
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School of thought puts pin in charged oxygen atom
Here's another Cryptic Clue I came up with:
School of thought puts pin in charged oxygen atom (7)
Hope you like it!
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Something Here is Fishy
This is a cryptic clue I just came up with:
Fisherman stands behind small rope noose (9)
It's my first ever puzzle, so hopefully it isn't too much of a stretch.
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Riley Riddle in the game
This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #7: Board games.
My first can hold flags (No matches).
My second lasts three months (No matches).
My last is your attention (1 accurate match).
My ...
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Symsquare Number 04
Symsquare6: The answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and horizontally. The clue is a single sentence written in cryptic style and includes one anagram, one hidden word, one ...
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A Slightly Outdated Symsquare
Puzzle inspired by Symsquare Number 01 series created by @Claude Goeminne
4x4 Symsquare
For anyone unfamiliar with a symsquare, the answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and ...
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Symsquare Number 03
Symsquare5: The answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and horizontally. The clue is a single sentence written in cryptic style and includes one anagram, one hidden word, one ...
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Symsquare Number 02
Symsquare4: The answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and horizontally. The clue is a single sentence written in cryptic style and includes one anagram, one hidden word, one ...
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Why is "Candy" the answer to "Last two of juicy sweets"? [closed]
The clue was "Last two of juicy sweets?" and the answer was 'Candy'. I don't understand why.
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Symsquare Number 01
Symsquare4:
The answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and horizontally. The clue is a single sentence written in cryptic style and includes one anagram, one hidden word, one ...
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1
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Trochaic hexameter
This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #7: Board games.
I was visiting the club yesterday, and I saw some people playing a weird word game araound a table. They use Scrabble-like tiles ...
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1
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A cryptic clue about an unusual instrument
This is a single clue based on the sort common in cryptic crosswords. I made it up myself and I have no idea if it will be hard or easy.
To answer this question, write (or rather type) ...
an article ...
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Napoleon I and some chemicals
This is a cryptic crossword. The check mark will go to the first person who submits an answer with 1) an image of the completed crossword and 2) explanations for all clues. For users who cannot use ...
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Cryptic clue explanation: "Lock up devil is said to be in revolt"
I know the answer to the crossword clue ‘lock up devil is said to be in revolt’ is 'imprison' but I can’t explain the wordplay ‘devil is said to be in revolt’.
This clue was in The Sun's 2-speed ...
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Cryptic clue explanation: “I’m not as active for Vacation times.” [closed]
Explain why “anagram” is the answer to the clue
“I’m not as active for Vacation times.”
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Policeman's large Elvish dagger (5)
The clue is:
Policeman's large Elvish dagger (5)
The answer is:
Sting
How is the answer derived?
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Understand answer to "Herb ducks hugging ungrateful daughter (7)"
Found this cryptic clue in the #1 Times quick cryptic book. I got it for Xmas so I could graduate to some more complicated cryptic puzzles than the rubbish you see in the mass market ones though, if ...
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Explain answer to "Men in a state of agitation a very long time"
This crossword clue:
"Men in a state of agitation a very long time (7)"
has the answer
Please explain the "men" aspect.
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Mazed and Confused
This is part 3 of the puzzle series Around the World in Many Days. Each part is solvable on its own.
Deаr Puzzling,
Today I have admired the natural beauty of a paradise island and seen sand dunes ...
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PSE Advent Calendar 2022 (Day 13): Sweden’s Sankta Lucia
This puzzle is part of the Puzzling Stack Exchange Advent Calendar 2022. The accepted answer to this question will be awarded a bounty worth 50 reputation.< Previous Door Next Door >
Ahhh, that ...
user79541
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Don't mind me, just headscarf bio (11 3 9)
You see someone moving stuff. They say "don't mind me, just headscarf bio (11 3 9)."
What's going on?
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A cryptic clue: A thing from far away
Here it is:
A thing from far away (Texas, specifically) wraps around and attaches to a weird far gone thing. (9)
user79541