How to use the word finder
Count the squares of the answer and type one character for each: a letter where you know it, a question mark where you do not. For a five-letter answer with A in the second square and E at the end, type ?A??E. The list shows every word in our crossword dictionary that fits, most common words first.
How to get unstuck without looking up the answer
- Move on. Leave the hard clue and solve the ones around it. Every crossing answer gives you another letter.
- Reread the clue. Many clues have a second meaning: “Bank” can be the side of a river or a place for money.
- Check the form. A plural clue wants a plural answer; a past-tense clue wants a past-tense answer.
- Look for wordplay. A clue ending in a question mark is a pun or a trick — take it less literally.
- Think of the theme. In the Daily Crossword every answer fits the title, which narrows the choice a lot.
- Try a likely letter. Write in a common ending and see whether the crossing answers agree.
- Take a break. A fresh look after a few minutes often makes the answer obvious.
- Use a small hint. Check one word or reveal a single square instead of the whole answer: you keep most of the fun.
Is using a solver cheating?
It is your puzzle, so you decide. Many solvers use a word finder only after filling in a few crossing letters: it turns a dead end into a puzzle you can finish. For more strategy, read our solving tips.