Our NYT Crossword answers guide for February 5, 2025, is here to help if you’re stuck on a clue. The NYT Crossword is a daily puzzle that challenges solvers with clever wordplay and a wide range of vocabulary. As one of the most popular crosswords in the world, it appears in The New York Times print edition and is also available online.
NYT Crossword February 5, 2025 Answers
If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle, we’ve listed all the clues below so you can easily find the ones you need. Simply search for the specific clue, and you’ll be able to reveal the answer without spoiling the rest of the puzzle!
1A Distance traversed by an arrow NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Distance (verb)
- To move far ahead of
- To maintain separation from
Answer:
[spoiler]BOWSHOT[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Distance (noun)
- The measure of space between two locations
- The span of time between two events
8A Cocksure NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Cocksure (adjective)
- Overly confident
- Displaying excessive self-assurance
Answer:
[spoiler]BRASH[/spoiler]
13A Not the same NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Same (noun)
- A member of an indigenous nomadic group in northern Scandinavia known for herding reindeer
- The language spoken by the nomadic Lapps of northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula
Answer:
[spoiler]UNALIKE[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Same (adjective)
- Identical in quantity or value
- Nearly identical or comparable in type, quality, or degree
14A “You got me there!” NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Anagram – Rearrange the following letters to solve today’s answer:
ECHUOT
Answer:
[spoiler]TOUCHE[/spoiler]
15A Obstacle in achieving one’s goal? NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Obstacle (noun)
- A barrier, either physical or abstract, that must be overcome or navigated
- An obstruction that hinders progress and requires removal, avoidance, or surmounting
Answer:
[spoiler]DEFENSE[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Goal (noun)
- The intended outcome of a plan that, once reached, concludes the effort to attain it
- The designated endpoint of a journey, race, or objective
16A Something acquired in a salon bed, perhaps NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Acquired (adjective)
- Obtained or developed due to external influences
Answer:
[spoiler]BASETAN[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Something (noun)
- An unspecified or unknown event
- An indeterminate object, substance, or material
17A Added fuel to NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Fuel (verb)
- To supply with fuel
- To provide a combustible material that generates energy
Answer:
[spoiler]FED[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Fuel (noun)
- A material that can be burned to generate energy
18A Opens, as a menu … or a description of this puzzle’s circled letters? NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Description (noun)
- A verbal representation of something
- A category or type
Answer:
[spoiler]DROPSDOWN[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Letters (noun)
- Academic achievement
- Literary tradition and culture
20A Bang the drum for NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Bang (noun)
- A forceful strike
- A notable achievement
Answer:
[spoiler]TALKUP[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Bang (verb)
- To engage in sexual intercourse
- To shut with force
23A Iridescent stone NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Iridescent (adjective)
- Changing color when viewed under different lighting or from various angles
- Exhibiting a shimmering display of rainbow-like colors
Answer:
[spoiler]OPAL[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Stone (noun)
- An American architect (1902–1978)
- An American jurist who was the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1872–1946)
24A Cellular messenger NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Cellular (adjective)
- Composed of or divided into cells or compartments, which are the basic units of structure or organization
- Pertaining to cells
Answer:
[spoiler]RNA[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Messenger (noun)
- A person who delivers a message
25A Verb often abbreviated to a letter NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Abbreviated (adjective)
- (Of clothing) extremely short
- Reduced in length or duration
Answer:
[spoiler]ARE[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Letter (noun)
- The standard characters of the alphabet used in written communication
- An award given for participation in a school sport
26A Oz., e.g. NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer.
MAT
Answer:
[spoiler]AMT[/spoiler]
28A Brief bit of time NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Time (noun)
- A specific moment indicated by a clock
- A rhythmic pattern divided into equal intervals
Answer:
[spoiler]SEC[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Time (verb)
- To measure the duration of an event or action, or the time taken by a person to complete an activity
- To adjust so that a force is applied and an action occurs at the optimal moment
30A Analytical thinker? NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Analytical (adjective)
- Referring to a proposition that is inherently true, regardless of fact or experience
- Skilled in or employing analysis, which involves breaking down a whole into its fundamental components or principles
Answer:
[spoiler]LEFTBRAIN[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Thinker (noun)
- A significant intellectual
- A person who engages in thoughtful consideration, often to make decisions
34A Old standard of tape NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Standard (noun)
- A benchmark used for comparison and evaluation
- A unique flag or emblem
Answer:
[spoiler]VHS[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Standard (adjective)
- Aligning with the accepted language norms of educated native speakers
- Commonly used or widely available
36A Doesn’t really matter NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Matter (noun)
- A general or unspecified issue of concern
- A situation or event that is considered or contemplated
Answer:
[spoiler]CARRIESNOWEIGHT[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Matter (verb)
- To have significance or importance
- To carry weight or influence
40A Himalayan ox NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (Noun)
- Loud, incessant chatter
- A large, long-haired wild ox native to Tibet, sometimes domesticated
Answer:
[spoiler]YAK[/spoiler]
Hint 2: (Verb)
- To speak at length, often excessively
41A Steamed beverage with spices from the Indian subcontinent NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Subcontinent (noun)
- A vast and unique landmass, such as India or Greenland, that forms a distinct section of a continent
Answer:
[spoiler]CHAILATTE[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Beverage (noun)
- Any drinkable liquid
42A Up to now NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Now (adverb)
- In the current era
- At this very moment
Answer:
[spoiler]YET[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Now (noun)
- The present instant
44A One trained in CPR NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Trained (adjective)
- Developed, conditioned, or disciplined through training; often used as a prefix in combination with other words
Answer:
[spoiler]EMT[/spoiler]
Hint 2: CPR (noun)
- A lifesaving emergency technique involving chest compressions and artificial respiration, used to restore blood circulation and prevent brain damage in individuals who have stopped breathing and lack a pulse
45A Educational support grp. NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Educational (adjective)
- Intended to impart knowledge
Answer:
[spoiler]PTA[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Support (noun)
- Financial assistance to facilitate a project
- A military operation, often involving reinforcements or supplies, to strengthen a force or assist in its mission
46A Notes or Messages NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer:
PAP
Answer:
[spoiler]APP[/spoiler]
49A Place for a cooling pie NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Cooling (noun)
- The process of decreasing in temperature
- A system or device used to maintain a lower temperature
Answer:
[spoiler]SILL[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Place (noun)
- A position or role within an organization
- A specific location relative to the features of a region
51A Is out NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Out (adverb)
- No longer in one’s possession
Answer:
[spoiler]SLEEPS[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Out (adjective)
- Unconscious due to a strong impact
- Not included or considered
54A Common assignment for editorial assistants … or a description of this puzzle’s circled letters? NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Assignment (noun)
- A task or duty given to someone, especially in the military
- The process of allocating something to specific places or individuals
Answer:
[spoiler]SLUSHPILE[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Description (noun)
- A verbal depiction of something
- A category or type
57A Judger of pitches NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (Noun)
- An official at a baseball game
Answer:
[spoiler]UMP[/spoiler]
58A Furry wetlands growth NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Furry (adjective)
- Covered with a thick layer of soft, silky hairs
Answer:
[spoiler]CATTAIL[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Growth (noun)
- The gradual emergence or development of something
- The biological process through which an organism gradually evolves from a simpler to a more complex state
59A Console device with triggers and thumbsticks NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Console (noun)
- A small table attached to or placed against a wall
- A casing or enclosure for electronic devices, such as radios or televisions
Answer:
[spoiler]GAMEPAD[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Console (verb)
- To provide emotional or moral support and comfort
63A Summer hire, perhaps NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Summer (noun)
- The hottest season of the year, typically lasting from the summer solstice to the autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere
- A time of peak growth, happiness, or beauty
Answer:
[spoiler]INTERN[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Summer (verb)
- To spend time during the summer season
64A Tennis period since 1968 NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Period (noun)
- A specific duration of time
- The monthly flow of blood from the uterus in nonpregnant women, occurring from puberty to menopause
Answer:
[spoiler]OPENERA[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Tennis (noun)
- A sport in which two or four players use rackets to hit a ball over a net on a court
65A Common reply to “Who’s there?” NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Reply (verb)
- To respond verbally
Answer:
[spoiler]ITSME[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Reply (noun)
- A verbal response that continues a conversation
- A statement made in response to a question, request, criticism, or accusation
66A Appendage for a morning glory NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Appendage (noun)
- A natural extension or projection from a part of an organism, whether animal or plant
- An external body part that protrudes from the body
Answer:
[spoiler]TENDRIL[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Morning (noun)
- The period of time from dawn until noon
- The initial light of the day
1D Pardner NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Pardner (noun)
- An associate in an activity or endeavor or sphere of common interest
Answer:
[spoiler]BUD[/spoiler]
2D Four quarters NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Quarters (noun)
- Living accommodations for people
Answer:
[spoiler]ONE[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Four (adjective)
- One greater than three
3D Starchy food item named for a food it resembles NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Starchy (adjective)
- Extremely formal and stiff in manner
- Composed of or rich in starch
Answer:
[spoiler]WAFFLEFRY[/spoiler]
4D Smooth and glossy NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Glossy (adjective)
- Shiny and reflective
- Superficially attractive but possibly misleading
Answer:
[spoiler]SLEEK[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Glossy (noun)
- A magazine printed on high-quality paper
- A photograph with a smooth, shiny finish
5D One who practices bhakti and puja NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (Noun)
- A native or resident of Hindustan or India
- An individual who practices Hinduism
Answer:
[spoiler]HINDU[/spoiler]
Hint 2: (Adjective)
- Pertaining to or advocating Hinduism
6D Gives the thumbs up NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer.
KOS
Answer:
[spoiler]OKS[/spoiler]
7D Up for a drive? NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Drive (noun)
- Striking a golf ball from a tee using a driver
- The application of force to move something forward
Answer:
[spoiler]TEED[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Drive (verb)
- To compel someone or something into or out of a state, either physically or figuratively
- To exhibit specific characteristics while being operated or propelled
8D Climax in many a video game NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Climax (verb)
- To conclude, particularly by reaching a peak or decisive moment
Answer:
[spoiler]BOSSLEVEL[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Climax (noun)
- The peak of pleasure during sexual activity
- The most intense or developed stage of growth, progression, or unfolding
9D Regretted NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer.
DURE
Answer:
[spoiler]RUED[/spoiler]
10D Hawke or Crowe NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: (Noun)
- Someone who takes action and accomplishes tasks
- An individual who performs in theatrical productions
Answer:
[spoiler]ACTOR[/spoiler]
11D William ___, longtime editor of The New Yorker NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Longtime (adjective)
- Having remained in a specific role or state for an extended period
Answer:
[spoiler]SHAWN[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Editor (noun)
- A person in charge of the editorial content of a publication, such as a newspaper or magazine
- (In computing) A program used for modifying, rearranging, or deleting data
12D Dye in some body art NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Dye (noun)
- A soluble substance used to add colour to materials like fabric or hair
Answer:
[spoiler]HENNA[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Dye (verb)
- To apply dye to change the colour of something
14D Chopitos and croquetas, e.g. NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer.
ATAPS
Answer:
[spoiler]TAPAS[/spoiler]
16D Knock on the noggin NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Knock (noun)
- A forceful strike
- The action of hitting something with force
Answer:
[spoiler]BOP[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Knock (verb)
- To criticise by highlighting flaws, whether real or perceived
- To give a sudden, strong hit or push
19D “Damn you!” NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Damn (noun)
- Something considered of little worth
Answer:
[spoiler]ROTINHELL[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Damn (verb)
- To wish misfortune or harm on someone
- To invoke evil or curse someone
20D Soft rock NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Rock (verb)
- To move gently back and forth or side to side
- To make something move in a back-and-forth motion
Answer:
[spoiler]TALC[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Rock (noun)
- A hard, brightly coloured stick candy, often flavoured with peppermint
- A dangerous tilt or swing to one side, often referring to a vessel or object
21D Vicinity NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Vicinity (noun)
- A surrounding or nearby region
Answer:
[spoiler]AREA[/spoiler]
22D Trim (down) NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Down (noun)
- An English physician who first identified Down’s syndrome (1828-1896)
- Soft, fine feathers
Answer:
[spoiler]PARE[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Down (adjective)
- Fully understood or comprehended
- Moving or positioned from a higher to a lower level
27D Like the French words for every weekday and month: Abbr. NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Weekday (noun)
- Any day of the week except Sunday (and sometimes Saturday)
Answer:
[spoiler]MASC[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Words (noun)
- A heated argument or quarrel
- The dialogue or spoken text in a play
29D Kind of seed NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Kind (adjective)
- Pleasant and comforting
- Tolerant and forgiving, even when provoked
Answer:
[spoiler]CHIA[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Kind (noun)
- A group or category of things sharing a common trait or quality
31D Base for some lunches NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Base (noun)
- A terrorist network that strongly opposes the United States, providing financial, logistical, and training support to various radical Islamic groups, with cells in over 50 countries
- The lowest supporting part of a structure
Answer:
[spoiler]TRAY[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Base (adjective)
- Of humble origin or low social status (an older usage)
- Illegitimate or morally corrupt
32D Modern transport service NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Transport (noun)
- The act of relocating something from one place to another
- A device used to move magnetic tape across the read/write heads of a tape player or recorder
Answer:
[spoiler]BIKESHARE[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Transport (verb)
- To captivate or enthrall someone
- To move something while supporting it, either by vehicle, by hand, or on the body
33D Linguist Chomsky NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Chomsky (noun)
- A prominent American linguist, known for his theory of generative grammar, which revolutionised the field of linguistics (born 1928)
Answer:
[spoiler]CHOMSKY[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Linguist (noun)
- An expert in the study of language
- A person who is fluent in multiple languages
35D Fictional bandleader of the 1960s NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Fictional (adjective)
- Created or imagined, not based on reality
Answer:
[spoiler]SGTPEPPER[/spoiler]
Hint 2: 1960s (noun)
- The decade spanning from 1960 to 1969
37D Good things to have about you NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Things (noun)
- Any movable belongings, particularly articles of clothing
Answer:
[spoiler]WITS[/spoiler]
Hint 2: About (adverb)
- Used to describe movement to various places or in no specific direction
- Referring to a position or direction that is reversed
38D URL starter NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Starter (noun)
- An electric motor used to initiate the operation of an engine
- A hand tool with a rotating shaft and parallel handle
Answer:
[spoiler]HTTP[/spoiler]
Hint 2: URL (noun)
- The address used to locate a web page on the World Wide Web
39D Oolong and rooibos, for two NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Oolong (noun)
- Chinese tea leaves that undergo partial fermentation before being dried
Answer:
[spoiler]TEAS[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Rooibos (noun)
- A South African shrub with flat, pointed leaves and yellow flowers, whose dried leaves are aromatic and used to make herbal tea
43D Easy basket NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Basket (noun)
- A horizontal circular metal hoop with a net through which players aim to throw the basketball
- A point scored in basketball by getting the ball through the hoop
Answer:
[spoiler]TIPIN[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Easy (adjective)
- Done without haste or pressure
- Financially comfortable or moderately wealthy
46D Character set for electronic communication NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Communication (noun)
- The process of sharing or conveying information
- A link that enables interaction or access between individuals or locations
Answer:
[spoiler]ASCII[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Character (noun)
- A formal reference from a previous employer outlining an individual’s qualifications and reliability
- A person with specific traits, often marked by distinctive or unusual qualities
47D Audience member who might be in on the trick NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Audience (noun)
- A chance to present your case and be listened to
- A meeting, typically with someone of significance
Answer:
[spoiler]PLANT[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Member (noun)
- A euphemism for the male sex organ
- An individual who belongs to and actively participates in a social group or organisation
48D Gentle strokes NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Gentle (adjective)
- Characterised by a moderate incline or slope
- Having a minimal effect or impact
Answer:
[spoiler]PUTTS[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Gentle (verb)
- To bestow a title or nobility upon someone
- To make someone more favourable or win their goodwill
50D Qualifier for many a rapper NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Qualifier (noun)
- A word that modifies or limits the meaning of a noun or verb
- A contestant who meets specific criteria and is eligible to progress to the next stage of a competition
Answer:
[spoiler]LIL[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Many (adjective)
- A quantifier used with countable nouns, often preceded by words like “as,” “too,” “so,” or “that,” indicating a large but unspecified number
52D Measure of brightness NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Brightness (noun)
- The quality of emitting or reflecting light
- Intelligence demonstrated through quick thinking and wit
Answer:
[spoiler]LUMEN[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Measure (noun)
- A proposed law in its preliminary form before it becomes official
- The quantity or amount of something that can be quantified
53D Fix, as text NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Text (noun)
- A book designed for educational use in schools or universities
- The written words of a document
Answer:
[spoiler]EMEND[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Fix (noun)
- The identification of a specific location
- Informally, a challenging or troublesome situation
55D Academic acronym NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Academic (noun)
- A teacher or scholar employed at a college or university
Answer:
[spoiler]STEM[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Academic (adjective)
- Characterised by a focus on specialized learning, often with an emphasis on trivial details
- Theoretical or hypothetical, with no immediate practical application
56D Showbiz quartet NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Quartet (noun)
- A group of four individuals considered as a single unit
- A musical piece composed for four performers
Answer:
[spoiler]EGOT[/spoiler]
60D Central figure in a classic sci-fi series NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Classic (adjective)
- Pertaining to the early influential period of a civilisation, culture, or field of study
- Timeless and well-established in style or form
Answer:
[spoiler]APE[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Classic (noun)
- A work of exceptional quality or significance
- An artist renowned for producing masterpieces
61D Filmmaker Aster NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Anagram – Rearrange the letters below to solve today’s answer.
AIR
Answer:
[spoiler]ARI[/spoiler]
62D Indian lentil dish NYT Crossword Clue
Hint 1: Indian (noun)
- A language spoken by Indigenous peoples of the Americas
- A person from or living in India
Answer:
[spoiler]DAL[/spoiler]
Hint 2: Indian (adjective)
- Relating to Native American culture, languages, or peoples
