The Universal Crossword is a classic crossword puzzle known for its clever themes. Each weekday grid is 15x15, but if you're looking for a bigger challenge, sneak into a Sunday level whose grids are 21x21.

As crossword stans, we know that crossword puzzles are a great way to challenge your vocabulary and problem-solving skills. But for those just dipping their toe into the world of <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles">crossword puzzles</a>, the grid itself may appear daunting. Understanding the crossword puzzle clues is your ticket to solving them down to the last square. Ahead we’ve put together a cheat sheet for reading and understanding crossword clues.<h2>Pay Attention To Tense</h2>Crossword answers will always follow the same tense as the clue. So be sure to pay attention to whether the clue is in past, present, or future tense. Your answers depend on it.Here’s an example from the February 7, 2024, level of <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2024/02/07">Universal Crossword</a>:&nbsp; Clue: Intended Answer: MEANT<h2>Mind Plurals and Singulars</h2>Keeping an eye out for hints at plurality is another key piece of the puzzle (see what we did there?). Hints like "many," "several," or simply adding an S to the clue's subject are dead giveaways.The February 13, 2024, level of <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/modern-crossword/2024/02/13">The Modern Crossword</a> demonstrates this well: Clue: Some short skirts Answer: MINIS<h2>Take Note of Parts of Speech</h2>Crossword clues often challenge players by using words with multiple meanings or changing a word’s part of speech. If a crossword clue hints at a person, place, or thing, the answer will be a noun. If it hints at an action word, the answer will be a verb.Check out <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2024/01/26">Universal Crossword</a>’s January 26, 2024, level for what we mean: Clue: Actress Menzel of “Wicked” Answer: IDINAAnd this one from <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2024/01/24">January 24, 2024</a>:&nbsp; Clue: Does some basic math Answer: ADDS<h2>What are Question Mark Clues?</h2>While question marks indicate a straightforward inquiry for the rest of the world, seasoned puzzlers will tell you crossword clues with question marks often indicate wordplay or a pun. You’ll have to put your thinking cap on for these clues and expect the unexpected—double meanings and clever twists are the name of the game.The February 6, 2024, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2024/02/06">Universal Crossword</a> level serves up a playful example:&nbsp; Clue: Hit game? Answer: BATTLESHIP<h2>Understand Clues Ending in “Say”</h2>If your crossword puzzle clue ends in “say,” this typically indicates that the answer belongs to a broader category. Before you pencil in 31-Across, keep in mind that clues that end in “say” aren’t always one-to-one synonyms—multiple answers may fit the definition and interpretations may be broad.We got a kick out of this clue in the February 1, 2024, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2024/02/01">Universal Crossword</a>:&nbsp; Clue: Puff on a joint, say Answer: SMOKEGRASSAnd this one from <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2024/01/27">January 27, 2024</a>, which may make you LOL:&nbsp; Clue: Passed Go and collected $400, say Answer: CHEATED

This handy guide will help you make sense of cheeky and clever crossword puzzles. 

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You might not have noticed before, but most <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles">crossword puzzles</a> have a theme. If you’re a novice you’d be forgiven if you thought the theme is simply a few clue-answer pairings that ladder up to a similar subject. That’s true … ish. In reality, a daily-themed crossword is like a puzzle within the puzzle.“Discovering a crossword’s theme is often half the fun of solving,” says famed crossword editor Will Shortz in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-solve-a-crossword-puzzle.html">the New York Times</a>.&nbsp;Here’s how daily-themed crosswords work: If your crossword puzzle has a title, the theme may be hidden within, usually in the form of a pun or some other type of cheeky phrase. The constructor will create a set of clues that are tied to that theme in some way. Sally Hoelscher, who writes a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/daily-crossword-analysis/">daily blog about the USA TODAY Crossword</a>, tells us that themed crossword puzzles commonly involve wordplay.“There are many different ways themes can be played out,” she says, “including hidden words, words split by theme answers; words that are synonyms, anagrams; words that can all come before or after another word; [or] dropping or adding a letter string to create new phrases—just to name a few.”How does a solver figure out the crossword puzzle theme? That’s part of the fun! One way is to find the revelear, Hoelscher says, an answer that reveals the theme. “For <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/usa-today-crossword">USA TODAY</a> and <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword">Universal</a> puzzles, the title often serves as the revealer,” she explains. “Some themes are more obvious than others. Sometimes a solver may guess the theme from the title; other times it may not be obvious until partway through solving or after solving.”You probably have a few questions. Let’s walk through a few examples.<h2>Can You Show Me a Crossword Puzzle Theme?</h2>Sure. We’ll start with the <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword">Universal Crossword</a>. As we noted, if that day’s level has a theme, you’ll see the title on the intro screen and also on the top-left corner above the grid. (If the Universal Crossword doesn’t have a theme, you’ll know it, as it’ll be titled something like <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/modern-crossword/2023/10/15">Themeless 44</a>.)Take <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2024/02/19">Monday, February 19, 2024’s level</a> (you must be signed in to your Puzzle Society account to access this!) by Daniel Hrynick. The theme is “You Guys Rock.” The themed clues are tipped off (or “revealed”) with 50-Across and 59-Across, which is often the case in themed puzzles (but not always!):50-Across: Lead musician … or the start of 17-, 25- or 37-Across?&nbsp; 59-Across Supporting musicians … or the end of 17-, 25- or 37-Across? 17- Across: Cornmeal flatbread&nbsp; 25-Across: Commuter rail from San Francisco to San Jose 37-Across: Biblical act of betrayalThe answers to the revealers are FRONTMAN and BACKUP BAND. The respective answers are all a man’s name first (front = man) and a rock band name second (backup = band): JOHNNYCAKE, CALTRAIN, JUDAS KISS. Get it?<h2>Does Every Clue in a Themed Crossword Pertain to the Theme?</h2>No. If you ever find yourself trying to uncover a crossword theme, don’t expect every last clue to be “in on it.” Hoelscher explains that usually, only “three to five answers in a puzzle will be theme answers.”Hoelscher shared an excellent <a href="https://usatodayxwordblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/february-19-2024.html?m=1">example of a themed crossword on her blog</a>. The theme for the USA TODAY Crossword on <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/usa-today-crossword/2024/02/19">February 19, 2024</a>, constructed by Rebecca Goldstein, is “Income Bracket.” The theme clues and answers are:Clue: 20-Across: U.S. celebration in February Answer: PRESIDENTS' DAYClue: 37-Across: Advantageous situation for a hockey team Answer: POWER PLAYClue: 55-Across: Reality series with fashion designer contestants Answer: PROJECT RUNWAYHoelscher explains, “Each theme answer is BRACKETed by the word PAY (aka INCOME):<ul><li>PRESIDENTS' DAY</li><li>POWER PLAY</li><li>PROJECT RUNWAY</li></ul><h2>How Do Question Mark Clues Work With Themed Crossword Puzzles?</h2>As shown in the Universal example above, “Question mark clues indicate that there is some wordplay or trickiness involved in the clue,” Hoelscher says. More importantly, question marks may indicate that the clue is a part of the theme. Asterisks, circles, and/or shaded cells may also be used to tip off where the themed clues live.“Question marks alert the solver to think outside the box, so to speak,” says Hoelscher. “Sometimes, theme answers may have question mark clues, but not always. And some question mark clues are unrelated to the theme.”<h2>Is Every Crossword Puzzle Themed?</h2>Nope. <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2022/02/28">Daily themed crosswords</a> are not a given. “<a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2023/02/25">Some puzzles are themeless</a>, with none of the answers relating to each other,” says Hoelscher. “A few puzzles may be ‘themed-ish,’ with a few answers that relate to each other, but perhaps not in a strong enough way to be considered a theme.”<h2>Where Can I Find a Daily Themed Crossword?</h2>On the Puzzle Society!&nbsp;<h3>USA TODAY Crossword</h3>According to Hoelscher most USA TODAY levels are themed. “However, regular solvers will find that a few ‘Freestyle’ USA TODAY puzzles [like <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/usa-today-crossword/2023/08/28">Monday, August 23, 2023’s level</a>] each month are either themeless or not themed in the traditional sense.”&nbsp;<h3>The Modern Crossword&nbsp;</h3>The Modern’s grid size increases from 5x5 to 9x9 Monday through Friday, and these smaller levels are typically themeless or “lightly themed,” says David Steinberg, the Puzzle Society’s lead puzzle editor. However, “the Saturday Modern puzzle has a 15x15 grid and a wacky theme,” Steinberg says, while the Sunday puzzle is a themeless 15x15.What does he mean by “wacky”? Take for example Saturday, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/modern-crossword/2024/03/09">March 9, 2024’s level</a>, “US Weekly” by Hoang-Kim Vu, which is essentially tabloid fodder in crossword form.<h3>NetWord&nbsp;</h3>“Monday through Friday’s [NetWords] have themes of increasing difficulty, and the Saturday puzzle is the hardest themeless crossword I know of!” says Steinberg. The Sunday puzzle is a medium-difficulty 21x21-themed crossword.<h3>Daily Commuter&nbsp;</h3>Daily Commuter is always themeless.<h3>LA Times Crossword &nbsp;</h3>Similar to NetWord, Monday through Friday’s LA Times Crosswords are themed with increasing difficulty. Sunday is also themed, and Saturday is occasionally themeless.&nbsp;<h3>Apple News+</h3>And finally, Hoelscher tells us, “Apple News+ runs themed puzzles on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and themeless the other days of the week.”

Themed crossword puzzles up the ante for solving complexity—and fun.


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We posted a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thepuzzlesociety/video/7273295765777222955">controversial video on TikTok</a>, which started a spirited debate among <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/">Puzzle Society</a> HQ: Is it ok to look up <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles">crossword</a> answers? Does that count as a crossword cheat?We surveyed some puzzlers, and seven out of eight of them agree that looking up answers is not a cheat. Read all the way through to hear from our one lone dissenter:Amanda Rafkin (arafkin): "No I don't think so, because it isn't cheating if something isn't an established rule. The only way to learn things is to seek out and/or encounter new information, so if you look something up this time, if you encounter it again in the future then you'll know it. Plus it's a game. Have fun. It's way more fun to learn new things and finish."<a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/usa-today-crossword">Have you played today's USA TODAY Crossword yet?&nbsp;</a>George Jones (Lizzunchbox): "Hmmm...I would think of it more as a hint than a cheat. I view it kind of like looking up how to beat a boss or find a secret door in a game like Baldur's Gate. Finding the answer isn't overpowering you in a way that breaks the game, it's just moving you forward."Christina Chau (PuppyChau): "I don't think it is because part of the takeaway from crosswords is learning something new since you're not going to know all of the answers to begin with."David Steinberg (dsteinberg49): "I don't think looking up crossword answers is cheating! As former New York Times crossword editor Will Weng once said, 'It's your puzzle and you can do it any way you please.' In fact, I'd argue that looking up a crossword answer is good, since you both learn something new and know the answer for next time (as many crossword answers appear time and again in grids)." Nicole Kinning (NicKinning): "No, I don't think it's cheating. I've learned some of my best trivia tidbits from crosswords. If you don't know answers and you're truly stuck in a puzzle, you're less likely to finish the puzzle and continue the habit of doing crosswords."<a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword">Plus: Try a level of Universal Crossword</a>Josh Shipley (Ships Ahoy!): "I truly don't know how you could solve one without looking up answers. It's like saying, 'Playing soccer with a soccer ball isn't cheating.' Like, yeah. Duh. That's how you play."Anna Gundlach (Anna): "I have very strong opinions that looking up answers is NOT cheating at all! Crosswords are meant to be fun, and having these opportunities to learn something new is a great feature of puzzles. There's no such thing as cheating at crosswords!Crosswords aren't just high school history tests you need to get a good grade on. They're people having fun with words and interesting trivia...and a conversation between the constructor and the solver."<a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/daily-commuter">Plus: Take a break with Daily Commuter</a>Allison Kauffmann (Allison EggoKauffles): "For me, a crossword is testing my personal knowledge. That is the essence of the game, in my opinion. If you look up the answers, what's the point of it all? You can also still complete a crossword by filling in surrounding clues, even if you don't know the answer.If I'm competing against others (which I AM, always) and I get help elsewhere, then I don't think it's a fair playing field. If I was playing to learn it would be a different story."What about you? Do you look up answers? Solve <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/modern-crossword">The Modern Crossword</a> and try it both ways!

It’s a hot topic—we asked puzzlers for their opinions.

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If there’s one universal truth about crosswords, it’s this: Puzzle constructors reuse and recycle crossword answers—and they do so often. There’s even a name for it. Answers that frequently appear in <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/modern-crossword/2023/10/28">crossword puzzles</a> are called repeaters.“The most common crossword answers are short; they have a lot of vowels and common consonants like T, N, S, and R,” says the Puzzle Society’s lead puzzle editor, David Steinberg. “This is because every letter in an American-style crossword must be part of both an Across and a Down answer. Common letters are extra common when words intersect.”Repeaters are an open secret within crossword clues and answers. Very often, these words are chosen for no other reason than the fact that they're short enough to fit into tight spots on the grid, and they contain just enough common letters to get the constructor out of a pickle.“ERA”, for example, has appeared as an answer in The New York Times Crossword a whopping 1,568 times, according to <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Popular">XWord Info</a>—703 of those appearances have been during the Will Shortz days alone.That said, the clues that hint at these repeater answers get fairly eclectic. The crossword clues <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Finder?word=ERA">that have yielded ERA as an answer</a> include:<ul><li>“Time to remember”</li><li>“The Mughal dynasty’s reign, e.g.”&nbsp;</li><li>“Big band ___ (time span after the Jazz Age)”</li><li>“It’s a stretch”</li></ul>But sometimes, even the clues are re-used. Sticking with the ERA example, we find that constructors often fall back on old standards, like:<ul><li>“Historic period”: repeated 30 times&nbsp;</li><li>“Historical period”: repeated 25 times</li><li>“Notable period”: repeated 17 times</li></ul>Plus: <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/modern-crossword">Play The Modern Crossword—are any repeaters in today’s level?</a><h2>What Are the Most Common Crossword Clue Answers?</h2>Topping the list of the most common <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword/2021/02/26">crossword puzzle</a> answers (which includes <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/play-four">mini crossword answers</a>) we find plenty of commonly used short words full of vowels. The top <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Popular">20 most common modern era crossword answers</a> include:<ol><li>ERA</li><li>AREA</li><li>ERE</li><li>ONE</li><li>ELI</li><li>ORE</li><li>ATE</li><li>ALE</li><li>ETA</li><li>ARE</li><li>ALI</li><li>OLE</li><li>ERR</li><li>ERIE</li><li>ODE</li><li>ALA</li><li>ALOE</li><li>RE</li><li>ACE</li><li>ADO EEL (tie)</li></ol>Frankly, we're surprised to not see OREO on the list. It clocks in at #39.&nbsp;

Fun fact: The most common crossword answers are often tools puzzle constructors use to get out of a jam. 

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The New York Times claims that crossword puzzles with rebus clues are fun—though some puzzlers may beg to differ. The jury may be out on this one, but we can say this: Crosswords with rebuses add an extra layer of complexity since you’ll need to think beyond single letters—and sometimes even the alphabet—to make your way to the answer.&nbsp;<h2>What is a Rebus in a Crossword Puzzle?</h2>According to The New York Times crosswords editor, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/22/crosswords/heck-rebus-crosswords-puzzles.html">Will Shortz</a>, “A ‘rebus’ in a crossword is anything that gets entered in a square that’s not a single letter of the alphabet.” That can mean you have to jam more than one letter into a square or use digits. Typically, these clue/answer sets relate back to the crossword puzzles theme.Stymieing solvers for the day, the first rebus for <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/22/crosswords/heck-rebus-crosswords-puzzles.html">The New York Times</a> ran on Monday, Sept. 6, 1954, and featured four clues that required digits to solve:&nbsp;<ul><li>1-STEP crossed 1-DOWN&nbsp;</li><li>2-WAY crossed 2-FACED&nbsp;</li><li>3-LANE crossed 3-DAY&nbsp;</li><li>4-MAN crossed 4-BIT</li></ul>Let’s just say that was a tricky day for folks trying their hand at crossword puzzles. (Interesting, too, because according to Reddit user <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/crossword/comments/qrfmmb/ok_wtf_is_a_rebus_and_how_the_heck_did_yall_even/">JJnytxw</a>, Thursday is the day for rebus puzzles.) Since their first appearance, rebuses have made regular appearances in the Times Crossword—crosswords editor Will Shortz has published 440 of them over the last 30 years.Rebuses can be stinkers to solve, but they’re the kind of clues that make you fall in love with words and puzzles. The Puzzle Society’s crossword and puzzle editor, David Steinberg, says that while none of the crosswords in the Society feature rebus clues (yet), he loves when they pop up. Here are a few of his highlights:<img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/What_is_a_Rebus_Ab_Crunches_6519266c2b.jpg" alt="crossword puzzle with 17 across filled in as GRABBEDABITE, 3 down as ARABS, 6 down as INABIT, and 11 down as HIJAB">This <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=6/29/2022">crossword by the Puzzle Society constructor Jared Goudsmit</a> appeared in The New York Times on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. David explains, “The letters AB appear in eight squares as part of theme answers—the explainer for the puzzle is AB CRUNCHES.” And that tracks because we have to “crunch” the letters “AB” into single squares.Let’s break this down with a few examples:17-Across: Ate and ran, say Answer: GRABBEDABITEIntersects with these three:3-Down: Certain horses Answer: ARABS6-Down: “Not right this second” Answer: INABITAnd11-Down: Muslim headscarf Answer: HIJAB<img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/What_is_a_Rebus_State_Lines_2c94f6b608.jpg" alt="crossword puzzle with 17 across filled in as GRABBEDABITE, 3 down as ARABS, 6 down as INABIT, and 11 down as HIJAB">This next example crossword puzzle, published in <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=12/19/2019">The New York Times on Thursday, December 19, 2019</a>, was co-constructed by the Puzzle Society's Erik Agard. “It features a nifty two-way rebus,” says David. “The explainer answer is STATE LINES. In this rebus crossword, neighboring states' postal codes form real phrases in both directions (e.g., IN THE(OR)Y and IN THE (WA)Y for Oregon/Washington).”This one has more of a tip-off that rebus are involved because there are two clues for each rebus. For example:1-Across: Club fee / “Hello no!” Answers: COVER / NEVERWhich intersects with:1-Down: Dale Evans, for one / Zoe Deschanel TV series Answers: COWGIRL / NEWGIRLThe state lines for these two are Colorado (CO) and Nebraska (NE).<h2>Do Rebus Crosswords Come With a Warning?</h2><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/crosswords/rebus-crossword-puzzle.html">According to The New York Times</a>, typically, crossword puzzles do not offer solvers a heads-up if there’s a rebus clue incorporated. They insist finding the rebus is part of the fun but make no mention of the hair-pulling and pillow-muffled screams. As a reminder, our pal <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/JJnytxw/">JJnytxw</a> tells us that rebus crosswords are usually reserved for late-week puzzles when the overall difficulty of the puzzle is amped.&nbsp;<h2>How Do You Enter a Rebus Into the Crossword Grid?</h2>If you’re solving on paper, easy: Write two or more letters in one square. If you’re solving online, it’s a bit trickier. Since we don’t have rebus clues in Puzzle Society crosswords yet, we’ll rely on how <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/crosswords/rebus-crossword-puzzle.html">The New York Times operates</a>, which is to select the square that requires a rebus. Then click the “Rebus” button in the toolbar above the grid that’ll open up a field where you can enter more than one letter.While you get used to the idea of rebus crossword clues, give one of the Society’s crossword puzzles a try: <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/modern-crossword">The Modern</a>, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/usa-today-crossword">USA TODAY</a>, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/universal-crossword">Universal</a>, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/netword">NetWord</a>, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/la-times-crossword">LA Times</a>, or <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/crossword-puzzles/daily-commuter">Daily Commuter</a>!&nbsp;

If you’ve mastered the Saturday crossword, it’s time to level up with a rebus.

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Creator interviews, exclusive Universal Crossword hints and tips, and the latest in puzzling news.

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Universal Crossword

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Try your hand at this crossword known for its unbeatably creative themes, clues, and answers. 

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A contemporary crossword puzzle jam-packed with fun features.

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The Modern Crossword

Put your pop culture, word play, sports, and humor acumen through the paces with this daily crossword.

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LA Times Crossword

Try playing the Universal Crossword with our free preview packs.

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Try your hand at this crossword, known for its, well, universal themes, clues, and answers. (You could spot nods to both the Beatles and Beyoncé).

How To: Universal Crossword

Try your hand at this crossword known for its unbeatably creative themes, clues, and answers. Become a Puzzle Society member to play! 

Universal Crossword - Crossword Puzzles | Puzzle Society

Play the Universal Crossword: Daily crossword puzzle with universal appeal

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Play the Universal Crossword: The daily crossword puzzle with universal appeal

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How to play the Universal Crossword, in-depth solving strategies, and more.&nbsp;

Universal Crossword

Play

Learn

5 Essential Tips to Understand Crossword Clues

Crossword Themes: What Are They and How They Get Revealed

Does Looking Up Answers Make You a Crossword Cheater?

Here Are the 20 Most Common Crossword Answers—and Why They’re So Popular

Rebus Puzzles: Discover the Hidden Gem of Crosswords

About the Universal Crossword

More Crossword Puzzles

The Modern Crossword

LA Times Crossword