Questions tagged [cryptic-crosswords]
Cryptic crosswords are a special type of crossword puzzle where clues combine a definition with wordplay. Use [crosswords] where the clues don't obey the conventions of cryptic crosswords; [cryptic-clues] or [crossword-clues] for clues not assembled into whole crosswords.
322
questions
4
votes
0
answers
29
views
Sneaks and Addlers
This is part 18 of the puzzle series Around the World in Many Days. Each part is solvable on its own.
Deаr Puzzling,
This is an I Have No Idea What I’m Doing crossword. The clues are a mix of 10 ...
- 69.4k
11
votes
1
answer
670
views
Problem Solving in Freefall
This is part 16 of the puzzle series Around the World in Many Days. Each part is solvable on its own.
Deаr Puzzling,
Ten clues in this crossword contain one extra letter, which must be removed before ...
- 69.4k
9
votes
1
answer
689
views
Paranormal Activity
This is part 15 of the puzzle series Around the World in Many Days. Each part is solvable on its own.
Deаr Puzzling,
The numbers in blue here form a Nurikabe puzzle. Shade some cells in the grid so ...
- 69.4k
6
votes
1
answer
848
views
True Lies and Slumdog Millionaire
Across
1/4. He casts spells to assault marine mammal, having gained power (5,6)
8. Rose, who sings about Christ, is extremely antisocial (3)
10. The third of Tolkien's three works appears truly great, ...
- 143k
4
votes
0
answers
236
views
Is there a name for crosswords where the surface of the vertical clues resemble the solutions to the horizontal and vice versa?
Occasionally a crossword (often cryptic ones) would have a twist to them, such as being a 'nina':
A Nina is a special feature of the crossword grid: a word, words or phrase hidden within a pattern of ...
- 6,000
11
votes
1
answer
395
views
Multidimensional Travel
This is part 11 of the puzzle series Around the World in Many Days. Each part is solvable on its own.
Deаr Puzzling,
This is a three-dimensional crossword. The five squares in the picture represent ...
- 69.4k
8
votes
1
answer
512
views
Trig's amuddle!
As in most cryptic crosswords, each clue here has a wordplay portion and a direct definition. The definition clues the answer that goes into the grid; the wordplay, on the other hand, yields one ...
- 11.3k
11
votes
2
answers
422
views
Cryptic Crossword with Missing LUGs
Inspired by jafe's Cryptic with missing capitals and Tzu Li's Tokyo Metro puzzle:
Solve the clues and fill the grid. Each clue is missing a different London Underground Station
As jafe has noted in ...
- 5,139
25
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Across and… um, no
Across
Where one eats chiefly men and women (3)
Bulldog's run backward, endless miles (3)
Ferrari with rear end replaced by young mechanic? I'm concerned, principally, of perhaps causing a breakdown (...
- 5,139
10
votes
1
answer
256
views
Volcano express – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a chain of ...
- 41k
19
votes
1
answer
503
views
Just a little adventure in cylindrical crosswordland
Grid in plaintext
This is a cylindrical cryptic crossword. Some "across" clues go beyond the right-hand edge of the grid and continue from the left-hand side. The black part between the two ...
- 5,139
7
votes
1
answer
297
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 ...
- 2,838
9
votes
3
answers
851
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.
...
- 13.8k
8
votes
1
answer
567
views
Politicians and revolutionaries
Solve on Penpa+
Across
1. Jokes for children (4)
3. Key figures starting a religious service; they're often found in churches (6)
7. Where one might see Homer making Odyssey's ending shorter, for ...
- 5,139
8
votes
1
answer
288
views
The end of a wild ride
This is part 13 of the puzzle series that started at Living the traveller's dream. Each part is solvable on its own.
Dear Puzzling,
My long trip is finally over. This is my last destination before ...
- 5,139
7
votes
1
answer
301
views
Gathering for fraternities and sororities
This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #4: Cross-*non*-words
I've already got two crosswords for the challenge.
Recently, the fraternities, the sororities and I worked together to make a ...
- 2,511
11
votes
1
answer
353
views
Kings of Centuries Past
This is part 7 of the puzzle series Around the World in Many Days. Each part is solvable on its own.
Deаr Puzzling,
This time I have a shingoki puzzle for you. Draw a single loop that passes through ...
- 69.4k
10
votes
1
answer
365
views
Colourful Candy Cane Carousel
This is part 2 of the puzzle series Around the World in Many Days. Each part is solvable on its own.
Deаr Puzzling,
Today I walked in an unbelievable tropical palm forest. I have seen black parrots, ...
- 69.4k
18
votes
2
answers
429
views
PSE Advent Calendar 2022 (Day 10): A Cryptmas Carol
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 >
The final ...
- 9,117
8
votes
1
answer
371
views
Generally Occult-Themed Horrifyingly Infernal Cryptic Crossword
This is a themed cryptic crossword, with the theme in either the clue or the answer. The theme is loosely 'gothic horror', with some exceptions for other spooky stuff that fit well.
Beware! There is ...
- 115k
6
votes
1
answer
231
views
Hexagonal Topline Crossword
This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #4: Cross-*non*-words
This crossword is a hexagonal one, and it uses a cipher mainly used in geocaching instead of English letters.
The grid ...
- 143k
2
votes
1
answer
299
views
What does the neo-futurist poetry mean?
This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #4: Cross-*non*-words
May 4 be in 6.
May the ...
- 143k
7
votes
1
answer
653
views
Miller's manager was not amused
Solve on Penpa+
Across
1. Communist revolutionary's injector – in short, it might move water from the tap into a sprayer (8)
6. Bone in the arm of cool American shown around India (6)
7. European ...
- 115k
10
votes
1
answer
486
views
Once in a lifetime – A letter from Richard
This geography-themed standalone crossword has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (a city). Each thematic answer is notable enough to have its ...
- 117k
10
votes
2
answers
346
views
Another paradise – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a group of ...
- 5,139
6
votes
1
answer
371
views
Gladys loves Pink Floyd
This is part 4 of the puzzle series that started at Living the traveller's dream. Each part is solvable on its own.
Dear Puzzling,
I hope you are well. This week’s puzzle is a little different from ...
- 117k
5
votes
1
answer
195
views
Barred crossword
Across
1 47 Across writer's signature train (6)
6 A letter to Ms. White (not Ms. Landers) shows initial spirit (6)
11 You call this a party? You are sad (4)
13 Don't need anything crazy (4)
15 ...
- 117k
10
votes
1
answer
669
views
You have my sword – A signed letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, an ...
- 117k
7
votes
1
answer
519
views
Fifty countries – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a desert). ...
- 8,038
11
votes
1
answer
494
views
Sun, sea and sand – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a country). ...
- 117k
8
votes
1
answer
361
views
Present and future – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, an island). ...
- 117k
7
votes
1
answer
487
views
Husbands and wives – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a state). ...
- 2,179
7
votes
1
answer
154
views
Turquoise waters – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a peninsula)....
- 115k
8
votes
1
answer
262
views
Island hopping – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, an ...
- 3,206
9
votes
1
answer
397
views
Change of pace – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a city). ...
- 115k
7
votes
2
answers
295
views
Bikini life – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a city). ...
- 8,038
11
votes
1
answer
352
views
Wintering – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a province). ...
- 8,038
14
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Why is "trapeze" the solution to this cryptic crossword clue?
I was doing a cryptic crossword this morning and I came across the following clue:
Circus equipment has chimpanzee, say at the centre
The answer is "TRAPEZE" (confirmed by "check answers"). The ...
- 61
6
votes
1
answer
359
views
Just thought of you – A letter from Gladys
Letters from Gladys are geography-themed standalone crosswords. Each puzzle has five thematic answers, which are places, sights or landmarks in or around a certain location (in this case, a city). ...
- 117k
13
votes
1
answer
479
views
PSE Advent Calendar 2021 (Day 23): Gee, I Really Wonder Where We'll Land
This puzzle is part of the Puzzling StackExchange Advent Calendar 2021. The accepted answer to this question will be awarded a bounty worth 50 reputation.< Previous Door Next Door >
To fully ...
- 117k
5
votes
1
answer
617
views
Take nothing but pictures
This is part 6 of the puzzle series that started at Living the traveller's dream. Each part is solvable on its own.
”Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints.” – unknown
Dear Puzzling,
...
- 69.4k
12
votes
1
answer
434
views
It was someone else
Across
1. "In coordination and cooperation"? The New Yorker uses these strange terms all over article (6)
6. Try to capture a cow, perhaps abruptly – it stands outside (6)
12. Presents ...
- 117k
18
votes
1
answer
741
views
PSE Advent Calendar 2021 (Day 10): The distracted gridsmith
This puzzle is part of the Puzzling StackExchange Advent Calendar 2021. The accepted answer to this question will be awarded a bounty worth 50 reputation.< Previous Door Next Door >
My grid ...
- 9,117
2
votes
1
answer
236
views
Crossword Day puzzle
This article is a stub. You can help StackExchange by expanding it.
Crossword Day is coming! (Maybe a better name for this regional holiday is "cryptic crossword day".)
Here is a themed ...
- 2,511
9
votes
1
answer
338
views
Cryptic crossword: Hydrophilia
Three answers must be thematically shortened before entry in the grid; wordplay gives the shortened version. The contents of one cell in the completed grid should be suitably replaced to highlight the ...
- 115k
7
votes
1
answer
406
views
How about a crossword featuring Mickey Mouse?
Across
1. Packed and set up a tent around river's bank (7)
5. A crush of Rome? (5)
9. Suppress repeated 7 down taking? We object (4)
11. Soldier in news story, retreating: "Go back!" (7)
12. ...
- 5,573
7
votes
1
answer
352
views
Gladys's Word Search Cryptic
This is part 7 of the puzzle series. Part 1 is here.
Dear Puzzling,
I have to say that I didn't quite get enough of the sun and sea in my last stop, so I've decided to come to another place that has ...
- 69.4k
11
votes
1
answer
618
views
Guess the extra rule in this crossword!
Six "across" clues need to be modified in some way before solving. However, I'm not telling you which ones, or what the required modification is. You'll have to figure it out on your own.
...
- 143k
10
votes
2
answers
775
views
How do I get Quinapalus to give me words that are 'anagram of word_a' in 'word_b'?
I would like to use the Quinapalus Matcher to look for words that are made (with some prior jiggerypokery) from two letter sets, let's call them $word_a$ and $word_b$.
The letters in $word_a$ can be ...
- 2,179
8
votes
1
answer
298
views
Fanatically following f...?
Eighteen answers are printer's devilry, others are regular cryptic clues. Can you fill in the last word of the title?
Across
1. Kay's satisfied getting fortune (6)
4. Accelerate around place of ...
- 117k