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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12 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why is RYE the answer to "Grass over pretty Cambridge backs"?

The clue is: Grass over pretty Cambridge backs The answer is RYE. I get the grass part, but what is the connection in the rest of the clue? This is from the Saturday Telegraph Cryptic, clue no. ...
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

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
6 votes
1 answer
125 views

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 ...
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

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"?
2 votes
1 answer
394 views

A cryptic (for fun and diversion)

Okay, here's the cryptic: bbbbbb connect recursively (4) Enjoy!
8 votes
1 answer
351 views

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 ...
2 votes
0 answers
204 views

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.
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

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… ...
11 votes
1 answer
712 views

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 ...
13 votes
1 answer
397 views

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 ...
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

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 ...
7 votes
4 answers
728 views

Is it permissible to put the straight or definition in the middle of the cryptic crossword clue?

My friends and I like to pose cryptic crosswords to each other and I slipped up when I made a clue with the straight in the middle. I know that it's not Ximanean, but I thought it might be allowed ...
0 votes
1 answer
165 views

Crossword clue “Trouble follows loud bomb” [closed]

Please explain this clue: Trouble follows loud bomb The answer given is:
16 votes
1 answer
666 views

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 ...
17 votes
1 answer
442 views

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 ...
8 votes
1 answer
376 views

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 ...
10 votes
2 answers
165 views

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 ...
1 vote
1 answer
344 views

"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 ...
8 votes
1 answer
266 views

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 ...
13 votes
1 answer
403 views

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, ...
11 votes
1 answer
365 views

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 ...
44 votes
1 answer
4k views

Moderation strike: a tired lunatic (4)

Which four-letter word fits the clue "Moderation strike: a tired lunatic"? Disclaimer:
9 votes
1 answer
316 views

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, ...
9 votes
1 answer
260 views

Cryptic Acrostic 4: Follow the Leader

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, ...
13 votes
1 answer
763 views

A Mathematical Cipher

Closed. This question is off-topic. It is not currently accepting answers. 💡 Want to improve this question? Update the question so it's on-topic for Puzzling Stack Exchange. Closed 1 second ago. ...
6 votes
1 answer
239 views

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)
3 votes
1 answer
389 views

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 ...
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

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
4 votes
1 answer
262 views

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 ...
1 vote
1 answer
313 views

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 (...
3 votes
1 answer
159 views

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)
3 votes
1 answer
177 views

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, ...
11 votes
1 answer
908 views

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 ...
2 votes
1 answer
364 views

please hold: a country’s job

It’s been a while, huh? You have a job now. Surfing through the U.N.’s (or is it UN’s) papers to sort them. Oh, a new pack of ‘em. 1) Germany said today some words: follows: The is, indeed (4) Ice, ...
5 votes
2 answers
503 views

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!
8 votes
1 answer
342 views

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!
5 votes
1 answer
784 views

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.
5 votes
1 answer
239 views

Spie? Cryptic crossword clue

Cryptic crossword type clue Spie? (5,4) This is meant to be a clue that could appear in a cryptic crossword.
15 votes
1 answer
1k views

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 ...
5 votes
1 answer
130 views

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 ...
2 votes
1 answer
107 views

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 ...
4 votes
1 answer
150 views

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 ...
6 votes
1 answer
122 views

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 ...
5 votes
1 answer
186 views

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 ...
5 votes
1 answer
299 views

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.
7 votes
1 answer
192 views

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 ...
12 votes
1 answer
811 views

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 ...
7 votes
1 answer
348 views

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 ...
9 votes
3 answers
863 views

Lady G's amazing mazings

This puzzle is part 20 of Gladys' journey across the globe. Each part can be solved independently. Nevertheless, if you are new to the series, feel free to start at the beginning: Introducing Gladys. ...
13 votes
1 answer
2k views

Horribly broken and just plain wrong

This puzzle is part 6 of Gladys' journey across the globe. Each part can be solved independently. Nevertheless, if you are new to the series, feel free to start at the beginning: Introducing Gladys. ...

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