5-Letter Crossword Clue Answers

698 crossword clues with 5-letter answers, sourced from real Grid Genius puzzles.

A short piece of writing on a particular subject

ESSAY (5)

A short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral.

FABLE (5)

Bird of prey with keen eyesight

EAGLE (5)

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

LASER (5)

A dramatic work set to music

OPERA (5)

Messenger bird in Westeros

RAVEN (5)

Push or a pull

FORCE (5)

A claim that one was elsewhere when a crime occurred

ALIBI (5)

Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.

PROSE (5)

Island nation co-hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup

LANKA (5)

The speed at which a piece of music is played

TEMPO (5)

A play for theater, radio, or television.

DRAMA (5)

An action that is against the law

CRIME (5)

Written or spoken language in its ordinary form

PROSE (5)

A classic game of toss and retrieve.

FETCH (5)

Interior compartment, small house.

CABIN (5)

A big 'son' of the plains, often seen near Yellowstone.

BISON (5)

The king who found that gold is not always a blessing

MIDAS (5)

The classical language origin for words ending in '-tion'.

LATIN (5)

Colorful neck ropes that show off your extracurricular bragging rights

CORDS (5)

Actor who shocked Vegas attendees with a bearded return

EVANS (5)

Soft drop of "snow" in late April

PETAL (5)

Marine invertebrates that build massive underwater reefs

CORAL (5)

Japanese animation, not a German name.

ANIME (5)

When a Cinderella team shockingly knocks out a heavy favorite.

UPSET (5)

Classic model from the 60s, often misspelled

MUIRA (5)

Elevated area where the musicians perform.

STAGE (5)

The type of independent local shop that Record Store Day aims to support.

INDIE (5)

Infraction for shooting the rubber down the entire length of the ice

ICING (5)

Region where a force can be felt

FIELD (5)

An autonomous entity that acts upon its environment

AGENT (5)

All the animals of a region, a 'fun A' description.

FAUNA (5)

The fresh green herb that provides a pop of color on a classic pie.

BASIL (5)

Herb that passes quickly?

THYME (5)

Generous Tokyo official who facilitated the 1912 botanical gift.

OZAKI (5)

White flower with a yellow center

DAISY (5)

Device for internet access

MODEM (5)

Relating to the Moon.

LUNAR (5)

The study of correct reasoning and valid arguments

LOGIC (5)

Ancient Roman tongue

LATIN (5)

Google Maps temporarily hid this striped-shirt traveler around the globe in 2018.

WALDO (5)

The person drawing up the plays on the sideline whiteboard.

COACH (5)

A dramatic work set to music for singers and instrumentalists

OPERA (5)

What happens when a team wins four straight games to advance.

SWEEP (5)

Another word for a picture or visual representation

IMAGE (5)

Common building block

BRICK (5)

Pertaining to the sun, as in energy

SOLAR (5)

Dark, roasted beverage famously associated with a certain Irish brand.

STOUT (5)

System using radio waves to detect objects

RADAR (5)

The unpredictable mathematical theory championed by a certain eccentric doctor

CHAOS (5)

Actress vanishing into the role of Sue Storm

KIRBY (5)

A basic unit of text such as a word or subword for an LLM

TOKEN (5)

To pierce, or the first name of the bandmate who embraced a kitchen appliance parody.

LANCE (5)

A crisp round fruit that can be red or green

APPLE (5)

Watt's power, a vital part of history's engine.

STEAM (5)

Sporting venue

ARENA (5)

Ranked list of players a team wants, often preceded by 'Big'.

BOARD (5)

Where reserves sit during a game

BENCH (5)

The unseen one who governs the underworld

HADES (5)

Theleaderpacingthesidelinesanddrawingupinboundplaysonawhiteboard.

COACH (5)

Perfect happiness

BLISS (5)

Crispy pork strips that make a salty, smoky accompaniment.

BACON (5)

What turns around in a grand scheme?

WHEEL (5)

Last name of the 2024 Disney Legend who famously sang about a "Climb".

CYRUS (5)

Crucial movement technique mastered by specialists on this slippery surface.

SLIDE (5)

A flowery substance that ignited a war of trade and addiction

OPIUM (5)

Metal money used for trade throughout the provinces

COINS (5)

A locomotive way to prepare for a marathon

TRAIN (5)

The grinning, green-haired nemesis who considers himself the hero's greatest rival.

JOKER (5)

To rest on the surface of liquid

FLOAT (5)

To teach an AI with data

TRAIN (5)

Japanese dish made with vinegared rice and raw fish

SUSHI (5)

Hardwood playing surface where the games take place.

COURT (5)

Path around a celestial body

ORBIT (5)

The central religious text of Islam

KORAN (5)

Running surface

TRACK (5)

One who performs on stage or screen

ACTOR (5)

Cup-shaped bloom famously cultivated in the Netherlands.

TULIP (5)

Seeing with echoes in the dark

RADAR (5)

River mouth's triangular secret, a small change in math

DELTA (5)

Sideline strategist drawing up plays on a whiteboard.

COACH (5)

The king whose touch turned everything into gold

MIDAS (5)

To bring a rescue animal into your home, a major focus of National Puppy Day.

ADOPT (5)

Victor Wembanyama's squad that stunned OKC in Game 1 of the '26 West Finals.

SPURS (5)

Ancient invention, turns things around.

WHEEL (5)

An arched brick or stone ceiling or roof

VAULT (5)

Common weapon in Westeros

SWORD (5)

To teach a system with examples

TRAIN (5)

Early stage of software testing

ALPHA (5)

A term relating to the moon

LUNAR (5)

A serious play, often with intense conflict.

DRAMA (5)

Region where electric forces are exerted

FIELD (5)

Biological traits you have in common with your family.

GENES (5)

Roman goddess of the hearth and home

VESTA (5)

Screen border rumored to vanish entirely on future smartphone models.

BEZEL (5)

People who built the city of Tenochtitlan in Mexico

AZTEC (5)

The vast area beyond the atmosphere of the earth

SPACE (5)

A long fictional story, often found in classic literature.

NOVEL (5)

A small section or part of an act

SCENE (5)

Figure pacing the sidelines with a clipboard in hand

COACH (5)

Automated machine often used in factories

ROBOT (5)

Black-eyed flower draped over the victor in Baltimore.

SUSAN (5)

Elliptical journey responsible for changing apparent sizes.

ORBIT (5)

Tokyo's monstrous eater, perhaps a ghastly ghoul.

GHOUL (5)

Giant robot, a mechanical marvel.

MECHA (5)

Rhythmic movement of the body to music

DANCE (5)

Dragon's fiery breath

FLAME (5)

Orchard fruit featured in a chunky, spiced fritter

APPLE (5)

Flame carried to ignite the games

TORCH (5)

Rhythmic movement of the body, a common festival activity

DANCE (5)

An autonomous entity that perceives and acts

AGENT (5)

Microscopic invader

VIRUS (5)

Unmanned flying vehicle

DRONE (5)

Something of value owned by a person or company

ASSET (5)

Broadway's biggest night of the year

TONYS (5)

Essential wire kitchen tool for aerating batters and whipping up stiff peaks.

WHISK (5)

A colorful, delicate part of a flower.

PETAL (5)

Rum al, oddly, on a large wall.

MURAL (5)

Big, as in an LLM

LARGE (5)

A lively style of dance and music from Latin America

SALSA (5)

Mental concepts or thoughts, central to Plato's forms

IDEAS (5)

A formal examination of evidence in a court

TRIAL (5)

Faster, optimized version of GPT-4.

TURBO (5)

The world on which we live

EARTH (5)

Nation celebrated for its enduring amity with the US

JAPAN (5)

A man who performs a character in a play or movie

ACTOR (5)

A humorous imitation or parody of something serious.

SPOOF (5)

Defensive realignment that MLB recently restricted to boost offense

SHIFT (5)

Category of works, a 'gene' that's re-formed.

GENRE (5)

The eye of absolute command and rebellion

GEASS (5)

Director obsessed with the manipulation of time and dreams

NOLAN (5)

Projecting bay window

ORIEL (5)

Brass instrument used to play the traditional call to the starting gate.

BUGLE (5)

A person who works for a government department like the FBI

AGENT (5)

Mad about a performance, perhaps.

DRAMA (5)

Weight of the outerwear needed on April 25th

LIGHT (5)

Temporary storage for frequently accessed data

CACHE (5)

The dead language that remains the foundation of the Romance family

LATIN (5)

Green-wearing brother of the duck triplet squad.

LOUIE (5)

A cold system of labor where millions were frozen out of time

GULAG (5)

The two canine teeth found in an elk's upper jaw, often kept as trophies

IVORY (5)

Supernatural enchantment possessed by the wee folk

MAGIC (5)

The swampy coniferous forest of high northern latitudes

TAIGA (5)

A systematic review of security measures

AUDIT (5)

Popular desktop environment

GNOME (5)

The undisputed King of this surface with a record fourteen titles.

NADAL (5)

A small black or green Mediterranean fruit frequently sliced on top.

OLIVE (5)

Lou, the former Foreigner frontman with a new album in March 2026.

GRAMM (5)

A burst of light used in dark conditions

FLASH (5)

Prefix often used as shorthand for a gender identity differing from birth

TRANS (5)

The topmost layer of the courts is actually made of crushed red material from this.

BRICK (5)

To rest and feel at ease

RELAX (5)

A magical trinket, or one of the marshmallow shapes in a famous cereal

CHARM (5)

It can be any letter, but it won't help your tally

BLANK (5)

Nip given to those lacking proper festive attire

PINCH (5)

An act that is against the law

CRIME (5)

A machine designed to work safely alongside human colleagues

COBOT (5)

An ancient language origin that gives us the 'ph' spelling for the 'f' sound.

GREEK (5)

The viewpoint from which a photo is taken

ANGLE (5)

The group of players selected for a team

SQUAD (5)

A person who performs in plays or movies

ACTOR (5)

Tech titan exclusively streaming the 2026 US race action.

APPLE (5)

Green sauce for pasta, a pest O, strangely

PESTO (5)

A colorful cup-shaped flower often associated with spring

TULIP (5)

Easily spooked but loyal companion wearing green overalls.

LUIGI (5)

The highest natural adult male singing voice

TENOR (5)

The main woody stem of a tree.

TRUNK (5)

Gaelic language of the Emerald Isle

IRISH (5)

The Western broker aiming for a second phase in Gaza while striking the East.

TRUMP (5)

The cheeky fantasy RPG reboot highly anticipated by the Xbox community.

FABLE (5)

Month in 2026 when the animated plumber returns to the big screen.

APRIL (5)

A large natural stream, re-IV-er, flows through many parks.

RIVER (5)

A public officer appointed to decide cases in a law court

JUDGE (5)

A physical or digital device used for two factor authentication

TOKEN (5)

A woodwind instrument with a high-pitched sound, played by blowing across a hole

FLUTE (5)

An account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment.

STORY (5)

Tidal spot that serves as a reflecting pool for thousands of trees.

BASIN (5)

First word of a famous High Valyrian saying

VALAR (5)

Gentle giant with a limited vocabulary

HODOR (5)

Striped African equid

ZEBRA (5)

Exclusive adjective describing the round of eight.

ELITE (5)

Rough wool fabric, a mischievous act might be a wee'd.

TWEED (5)

Infrastructure often used to deploy AI models.

CLOUD (5)

Plunge into a forward step.

LUNGE (5)

To verify accuracy or condition

CHECK (5)

Late-night Saturday church service preceding the main celebration

VIGIL (5)

Rate at which work is done

POWER (5)

Facial expression mentioned in her massive 2024 duet

SMILE (5)

Engine component boosting power

TURBO (5)

High percentage shot taken very close to the rim

LAYUP (5)

Iconic Ferrari color, Italian for red

ROSSO (5)

The main subject or idea in a book

THEME (5)

Dismissal when a fielder grabs the ball

CATCH (5)

Green-clad brother who will undoubtedly return for the 2026 adventure.

LUIGI (5)

The kind of guide that speaks directly into your ear

AUDIO (5)

Masked luchador looking to climb high in a multi-man bout.

PENTA (5)

The primary official language of India written in Devanagari script

HINDI (5)

A person who performs in plays or films

ACTOR (5)

A quick four-game victory that brings out the brooms.

SWEEP (5)

South American empire that built Machu Picchu

INCAN (5)

A symbolic figure or character in a writing system

GLYPH (5)

A framework of rafters and posts supporting a roof

TRUSS (5)

A naval unit like the Kurdistan, targeted in Bandar Abbas.

ASSET (5)

Start a tennis game

SERVE (5)

Swiss resort town where Trump recently delivered a "controversial" speech.

DAVOS (5)

Extended fabric trailing behind a dress, sometimes spanning the entire width of the red carpet.

TRAIN (5)

Color of nature and the aura of the second sign

GREEN (5)

A single unit of ownership in a corporation

SHARE (5)

It's kneaded for bread, also slang for cash

DOUGH (5)

Category, a green 're' arrangement.

GENRE (5)

Utensil required if you opt for a cup instead of a crispy holder

SPOON (5)

A short story that teaches a moral lesson often with animals

FABLE (5)

Mechanism to stop, a break from speed.

BRAKE (5)

Italian writer who took readers on a tour of the Inferno.

DANTE (5)

The famous dwarf planet once considered the ninth planet

PLUTO (5)

Direct the car's movement

STEER (5)

The grassy area where the game is played

FIELD (5)

"The Big ____" (Nickname coined for the tournament).

DANCE (5)

Large body of saltwater

OCEAN (5)

Automated machine

ROBOT (5)

Software update designed to fix bugs or improve security

PATCH (5)

Operating system for desktops and laptops.

MACOS (5)

French painter famous for his series of water lilies

MONET (5)

The force behind the creation of a galaxy far far away

LUCAS (5)

French word for the sandy shore where open-air nighttime movies are shown

PLAGE (5)

The 94-by-50-foot hardwood battlefield

COURT (5)

Martini-drinking, Prius-driving canine resident of Quahog.

BRIAN (5)

A Japanese style breadcrumb that is flakier and airier than the standard version

PANKO (5)

Area protected from direct sunlight

SHADE (5)

A principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true

DOGMA (5)

Rubber ducky enthusiast who frequently tests his roommate's patience on Sesame Street.

ERNIE (5)

2026 play starring John Lithgow.

GIANT (5)

100 of these are found in a standard English set

TILES (5)

Host city where crushed red brick courts await the world's best.

PARIS (5)

Dramatic musical work

OPERA (5)

Simple photosynthetic organisms

ALGAE (5)

Move to the rhythm of the thumping beat.

DANCE (5)

The tiny foundation of the polar food web

KRILL (5)

Mark leading the Nevada squad into the championship clash

STONE (5)

Storage compartment in the rear of the car

TRUNK (5)

A wood chipper's cold outcome in Minnesota

FARGO (5)

Anton ___, 18th-century pioneer of modern beekeeping born on May 20

JANSA (5)

A large meal typically held to celebrate a special occasion

FEAST (5)

The grassy playing surface, or a salesman's spiel

PITCH (5)

The slow, synchronized stroll to an Edward Elgar tune

MARCH (5)

David Auburn play revived in 2026 starring Don Cheadle.

PROOF (5)

The official language of Cambodia with a very large alphabet

KHMER (5)

Sounds produced by instruments or voices, often heard at festivals

MUSIC (5)

Strategic board game that lends its name to a 2026 nominated revival

CHESS (5)

An aggressive move toward the basket

DRIVE (5)

Another highly extensible text editor

EMACS (5)

A brief appearance by the director in their own film

CAMEO (5)

A repeated rhythmic phrase or song

CHANT (5)

Another word for a picture or photograph

IMAGE (5)

The main artery that carries blood away from the heart

AORTA (5)

Tall, slender structure

TOWER (5)

Female entrant in the races.

FILLY (5)

A part of an act in a play

SCENE (5)

Type of girls who preached girl power and wore platform boots

SPICE (5)

Irish star ready to settle bad blood with his former protege.

BALOR (5)

The plot or narrative of a film

STORY (5)

A flower with a yellow center and white petals

DAISY (5)

The flame is carried across countries using this

TORCH (5)

DJ known for mind-bending visuals during his midnight set.

ANYMA (5)

The plot of a movie

STORY (5)

Connects to the internet

MODEM (5)

A mischievous practical joke played on an unsuspecting friend.

PRANK (5)

To remove errors from software

DEBUG (5)

What is being photographed

SCENE (5)

A fierce, often local rivalry match between two familiar clubs.

DERBY (5)

Animated art, seen in a mine, perhaps.

ANIME (5)

The platform where actors perform

STAGE (5)

A spiritual manifestation that stays by your side

STAND (5)

A realm that promised a millennium but delivered a decade of ruin

REICH (5)

Adjective for the sixteen teams that survive the first weekend

SWEET (5)

Lowest point, 'ran id' low (anag)

NADIR (5)

First name of the shield-wielding hero seen holding a baby in the first teaser

STEVE (5)

Enchantress whose song lures sailors to their doom

SIREN (5)

The language of the Iliad and the Odyssey

GREEK (5)

A decorated platform on wheels used in a parade

FLOAT (5)

The wooden hammer used by a judge

GAVEL (5)

The official theme of the 2026 Dublin St. Patrick's Day festival, celebrating heritage [1.9].

ROOTS (5)

The number of points gained in a game

SCORE (5)

The high part of a wall containing windows above eye level

CLERE (5)

Device that connects a home to the internet

MODEM (5)

Boost for an engine, about to run backwards.

TURBO (5)

The individual sheets of paper in a book.

PAGES (5)

A ribbon of syrup woven throughout the tub

SWIRL (5)

Paleontologist Alan who hates computers but loves a good dig

GRANT (5)

Karl-Anthony, the sharpshooting big man spacing the floor for New York

TOWNS (5)

One level of processing within a deep learning architecture

LAYER (5)

Graduation neckwear that sounds like a past-tense theft

STOLE (5)

Pop rock trio of Kevin, Joe, and Nick.

JONAS (5)

One of the elder gods

TITAN (5)

A decorated container filled with sweets to be broken

PIATA (5)

Metal plates worn by soldiers for protection

ARMOR (5)

Peace prize Trump didn't receive, leading to a Greenland demand.

NOBEL (5)

Objects used by actors on stage

PROPS (5)

The absolute worst-case scenario for a player's development.

FLOOR (5)

A book for holding photographs

ALBUM (5)

The nice guy who dates both Cece and Jess at different times

ROBBY (5)

Pointing device for a computer

MOUSE (5)

Land by the sea.

SHORE (5)

A woolly wanderer saying goodbye to its son

BISON (5)

Tennis legend Williams who co-chaired the 2026 gala

VENUS (5)

Device emitting coherent light through optical amplification

LASER (5)

A long fictional story, often found in a book

NOVEL (5)

High-protein dried meat snack that won't make a mess in the car.

JERKY (5)

Bloom found in the bakery, often white

FLOUR (5)

Popular animated pig with a special 'One Big Family' book for 2026 World Book Day.

PEPPA (5)

What travels from stars to reach our eyes

LIGHT (5)

The month when everyone suddenly claims a bit of Irish ancestry.

MARCH (5)

Meat and veggies threaded together and charred

KEBAB (5)

What oxyphenbutazone can maximize if played perfectly

SCORE (5)

Streaming service that evolved from iTunes, offering millions of songs to subscribers

MUSIC (5)

A filmmaker's first outing, eligible for a specific golden prize

DEBUT (5)

Annoyingly rough, like cheese treatment

GRATE (5)

Objects used by actors during a performance

PROPS (5)

The athletic trainer who moves in and out of the apartment

COACH (5)

Type of finish requiring a camera to determine who crossed first.

PHOTO (5)

A dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists

OPERA (5)

A single part of a movie that takes place in one location

SCENE (5)

New countdown device that dramatically sped up the pace of play

CLOCK (5)

Tragic family name at the center of a major 2026 revival.

LOMAN (5)

A seasoning, or the British Girl Power group that paved the way for late nineties pop.

SPICE (5)

Total number of runs made

SCORE (5)

Smooth Fox Terrier who won his group in 2026

WAGER (5)

Fertile spot in a desert

OASIS (5)

The satisfying sound of a flawless jumper hitting nothing but nylon

SWISH (5)

The low-cost combat drone making its debut in the Iranian theater.

LUCAS (5)

A machine capable of carrying out complex actions automatically

ROBOT (5)

Soluble landscape full of sinkholes and caves

KARST (5)

Commemorative addition to MLB caps worn during the celebration.

PATCH (5)

The main river that flows through the city of Rome

TIBER (5)

The guiding concept for the night's dress code, setting the tone for every outfit.

THEME (5)

Joseph who flames on for the upcoming ensemble epic

QUINN (5)

Milan-based luxury brand known for its distinctive red carpet looks

PRADA (5)

The slow and silent approach made once an elk has been spotted

STALK (5)

What drinkers try to do to the 'G' in a viral 2026 stout-chugging challenge

SPLIT (5)

Steps for changing floors

STAIR (5)

The edges of a picture

FRAME (5)

Sara co-starring in the stage adaptation of "Schmigadoon!".

CHASE (5)

Wakandan king who meets a rock-skinned hero

MBAKU (5)

A motor that provides precise control of angular position

SERVO (5)

Footwear brand featuring a 'Disney Classic Characters Collection'.

CROCS (5)

Settlers who originally brought the 'wafel' to the Americas.

DUTCH (5)

Dark, hearty style of beer poured heavily on the 17th

STOUT (5)

A person who performs in a play

ACTOR (5)

To deduce or conclude information from evidence

INFER (5)

A large meal, often part of a celebration

FEAST (5)

An aromatic evergreen tree often used to make chests and closets

CEDAR (5)

A stringed instrument of the violin family, larger than a viola.

CELLO (5)

The reasoning principles used in robotic decision making

LOGIC (5)

An excessive indulgence, often with a remote control.

BINGE (5)

Thetastyadjectiveusedtodescribetheroundofsixteen.

SWEET (5)

Specific location for an event

VENUE (5)

Prosecutor who succeeded Alexandra and faced a three-year suspension

NOVAK (5)

A measure of a section of the stock market

INDEX (5)

State where the Miss United States competition is held in the movie

TEXAS (5)

Helpful staff member who hands out programs and finds your seat

USHER (5)

Trump's word for recent events in Minneapolis.

CHAOS (5)

Classic roadside accommodation for a quick overnight stay.

MOTEL (5)

Yukio who famously donated a forest of goodwill

OZAKI (5)

Keyboard instrument with eighty eight keys

PIANO (5)

Where substitutes wait

BENCH (5)

Microscopic fungi responsible for turning sweet liquid into a spirited drink.

YEAST (5)

Where actors perform

STAGE (5)

R. A. V. O. Y. Female reproductive gland.

OVARY (5)

King with a touch that turned everything to gold

MIDAS (5)

A festive gathering of friends, which this spring holiday encourages.

PARTY (5)

Legendary king of Crete

MINOS (5)

Doberman Pinscher crowned the 2026 Best in Show winner

PENNY (5)

The Mexican icon who painted her own reality through pain

FRIDA (5)

The stony skeletal architect of the reef

CORAL (5)

The young girl who lives in the Swiss Alps in a book by Johanna Spyri

HEIDI (5)

Inventor known for his work with alternating current

TESLA (5)

Hue you better wear to avoid becoming a target for pinching

GREEN (5)

Giant Schnauzer who captured the 2025 Best in Show title

MONTY (5)

Thin stick used by a conductor to lead the orchestra

BATON (5)

Flat round Italian bread topped with cheese and tomato

PIZZA (5)

Jordan wearing the 'C' for the Eastern Conference contenders

STAAL (5)

San Antonio team back in the mix thanks to a French phenom.

SPURS (5)

The harmful treatment that often defines special victims cases

ABUSE (5)

Quickness of a browser

SPEED (5)

Plant-based eater who can still enjoy sunflower or oat milk options

VEGAN (5)

A category of artistic composition, like fantasy or mystery

GENRE (5)

Marine invertebrate, forms reefs

CORAL (5)

The memorable line celebrated every year by fans of the 2000 comedy

QUOTE (5)

To artificially replicate an organism's biological blueprint

CLONE (5)

Legless reptile

SNAKE (5)

What Rocky is to Ryland, and vice versa.

ALIEN (5)

The distance to a target, often measured by a laser before taking a shot

RANGE (5)

The music and lyrics combined

SCORE (5)

The words of a song

LYRIC (5)

Crumbly British baked good traditionally served with clotted cream.

SCONE (5)

To find an answer to or explanation for a mystery

SOLVE (5)

House ruling the North, known for honor

STARK (5)

A lonely hill that sounds like it has a reservation

BUTTE (5)

The hue worn by nearly 80 percent of celebrants in 2026 to avoid getting pinched

GREEN (5)

Peak second half of Din's original gunship name

CREST (5)

Danny, directed "Slumdog Millionaire"

BOYLE (5)

Trailblazing competitor seeking the Women's Intercontinental prize.

LYNCH (5)

Putting surface notoriously slick and heavily contoured at this venue.

GREEN (5)

A written legal argument submitted to a court

BRIEF (5)

A soft round flat hat often associated with France

BERET (5)

Bird known as a classic harbinger of spring, often spotted pulling worms from the thawing ground.

ROBIN (5)

The symbolic reasoning foundation for early expert systems

LOGIC (5)

Crispy, smoky strips that provide a savory crunch.

BACON (5)

A garment worn by women or girls

DRESS (5)

Taking the ball away from the ball handler

STEAL (5)

The brow that launched a thousand self portraits

KHALO (5)

Planet setting of Galaxy's Edge, welcoming original trilogy characters in a 2026 expansion.

BATUU (5)

Serbian center orchestrating Denver's offensive attack.

JOKIC (5)

An organic compound derived from ammonia

AMINE (5)

A fundamental constituent of matter found in protons

QUARK (5)

What you do when you work hard, or a close-fitting garment.

SWEAT (5)

The six staggered start groups implemented for the 2026 race.

WAVES (5)

Marconi's wireless wonder, a broadcast from within.

RADIO (5)

Symbols used to represent musical sounds

NOTES (5)

Wand-waving advisor who uses magic to assist the reptilian king.

KAMEK (5)

Evaluator searching the college ranks for the next big star.

SCOUT (5)

A tiny dot that makes up a digital image

PIXEL (5)

Tree with thin papery white bark

BIRCH (5)

The iconic museum staircase that serves as fashion's ultimate stage.

STEPS (5)

Collection of maps, or a large protein

ATLAS (5)

Award many directors aspire to win

OSCAR (5)

Public square in ancient Roman cities

FORUM (5)

Curved path of a celestial body

ORBIT (5)

Creator of the "Star Wars" universe

LUCAS (5)

Trusty reptilian steed with a penchant for swallowing enemies whole.

YOSHI (5)

A tree known for its thin white peeling bark

BIRCH (5)

Old Viking tongue

NORSE (5)

Golden Retriever who grew up alongside the Tanner sisters in San Francisco.

COMET (5)

Spiky succulent responsible for the party's signature liquor.

AGAVE (5)

The language spoken by the ancient Romans

LATIN (5)

Sony's broadcast format that delivers major PS5 updates.

STATE (5)

To speed up, informally

ACCEL (5)

Objects used on stage by actors

PROPS (5)

Full-court defensive tactic

PRESS (5)

First name of a certain mild-mannered reporter

CLARK (5)

Five interlocking symbols of the global movement

RINGS (5)

A group of people with common ancestry and culture

TRIBE (5)

Sticky powder kept in a small bag behind the rubber

ROSIN (5)

Small wooden pieces resting on top of the stumps

BAILS (5)

Female nature spirit

NYMPH (5)

Mystical force, a trick of the light, 'I' 'cam' 'g'.

MAGIC (5)

Software environment running on the company's desktop and laptop computers

MACOS (5)

The94-foothardwoodfloorwherethedramatictournamentgamesareplayed.

COURT (5)

Device for coherent light emission

LASER (5)

A wet spot in a dry argument

OASIS (5)

Informal term for the sport taking over TVs every March

HOOPS (5)

The human girl who moves to Forks and meets the Cullens

BELLA (5)

Remote servers for data storage

CLOUD (5)

A transparent object that refracts light into a spectrum

PRISM (5)

Gracie's official job title at the Bureau

AGENT (5)

The only world known to support life

EARTH (5)

A term relating to the sun

SOLAR (5)

International multi-sport event

GAMES (5)

Infectious agent that can only replicate inside living cells

VIRUS (5)

Rose's defense mechanism

THORN (5)

The ground truth or answer assigned to a piece of data

LABEL (5)

Actressreturningtoherteen-idolrootsforahighlyanticipated2026special[1.1].

MILEY (5)

Diluc, when clear and coherent, describes dreams sometimes.

LUCID (5)

Theater employee who might guide you down a dark aisle with a flashlight.

USHER (5)

Aurora cable access host who loves Bohemian Rhapsody and his buddy Garth.

WAYNE (5)

Wherethesubstitutesanxiouslywaittobecalledintothegame.

BENCH (5)

The tracker vampire who hunts Bella in the first book

JAMES (5)

The voucher exchanged by children for a free World Book Day read.

TOKEN (5)

Malicious program that replicates itself

VIRUS (5)

Any competitive activity

SPORT (5)

Symbolic fire of the games

FLAME (5)

A place where legal cases are heard and judged

COURT (5)

Tomas who secured the late game-winning goal in the series opener

HERTL (5)

Lure of the sea, often with song

SIREN (5)

Brioche-based mixture used for heavier varieties instead of a liquid pour.

DOUGH (5)

The ring-bearer in The Lord of the Rings

FRODO (5)

Playing area for tennis or basketball

COURT (5)

A part of an act in a play during which the action takes place in a single location.

SCENE (5)

Flame carried at the opening ceremony

TORCH (5)

Ancient Celtic alphabet where letters are formed by lines on a central seam.

OGHAM (5)

Where the game is played

COURT (5)

The rainy Washington town where the story takes place

FORKS (5)

The month when millions suddenly claim a bit of Celtic heritage

MARCH (5)

A large stringed instrument of the violin family, played between the legs

CELLO (5)

Decadent brownie pieces found in the Half Baked mixture

FUDGE (5)

Lank P, perhaps, for a core exercise.

PLANK (5)

Force-sensitive apprentice to Din Djarin, returning to the big screen in May 2026.

GROGU (5)

The seat where the judge sits

BENCH (5)

Break taken during a long match

LUNCH (5)

The mode that allows for real-time spoken interaction

VOICE (5)

A cartilaginous predator that must keep moving

SHARK (5)

Spherical model of Earth

GLOBE (5)

Essential element for taking any photo

LIGHT (5)

To try and reach a target score

CHASE (5)

An anthropologist who sees right through you

BONES (5)

A Brazilian dance style famous at Rio Carnival

SAMBA (5)

Macaroni or rotini base for a chilled cookout side

PASTA (5)

Ancient Greek poet credited with 'The Iliad'.

HOMER (5)

Plastic green shreds used to line the bottom of treat carriers

GRASS (5)

Designation like C, E, or S for different models

CLASS (5)

Retail giant whose executive propelled the game's sales in 1952

MACYS (5)

The vast area beyond Earths atmosphere

SPACE (5)

Cold War musical getting a 2026 revival.

CHESS (5)

The eight teams one win away from the Final Four.

ELITE (5)

A piece of data processed by a language model

TOKEN (5)

The words that make up a song

LYRIC (5)

A large, elaborate meal

FEAST (5)

Realm of the Starks

NORTH (5)

A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, marked by a particular style.

GENRE (5)

Eccentric chocolate factory owner from Roald Dahl's beloved tale.

WONKA (5)

A large painting applied directly to a wall or ceiling

MURAL (5)

"Bridesmaids" star Rose, nominated for her role in "Fallen Angels"

BYRNE (5)

Ankle bone or a pile of rocky debris

TALUS (5)

Points accumulated in a game

SCORE (5)

The action or crime of stealing

THEFT (5)

Wallflower of the art world? No, it is quite prominent!

MURAL (5)

The ultimate racing achievement requires winning the Triple ___.

CROWN (5)

To develop a model using data

TRAIN (5)

A part of a play or film where the action happens in one place

SCENE (5)

Steadfastly devoted to friends and partners

LOYAL (5)

Relating to or denoting the sun

SOLAR (5)

Handheld device used to move a cursor on a screen

MOUSE (5)

Fencer's thrust

LUNGE (5)

The digital PC storefront where gamers rush to update their wishlists.

STEAM (5)

A massive sea of cheering music lovers.

CROWD (5)

Floral headpiece that became a quintessential festival fashion staple

CROWN (5)

Acidic building blocks that are anything but basic

AMINO (5)

Golden statuette she took home in 2019

OSCAR (5)

What tourists hope is at its absolute "peak"

BLOOM (5)

Fictional spouse, what 'I' often 'fu' for a beloved character.

WAIFU (5)

First name of the gruff newspaper editor known for yelling Great Caesar's Ghost

PERRY (5)

Peaceful bond rooted in a century-old gesture

AMITY (5)

Period of style, beginning with a poet

EPOCH (5)

Sturdy cotton twill, often associated with blue jeans.

DENIM (5)

A dedicated fan whose home is a sanctuary of ink

OTAKU (5)

A small celestial body, like Pluto

DWARF (5)

A dance in triple time often associated with Strauss

WALTZ (5)

Word following magna or summa

LAUDE (5)

A flat topographical feature on a steep slope where elk frequently bed down

BENCH (5)

The billionaire identity hiding beneath the cowl.

BRUCE (5)

Dramatic trailing portion of a dress that sweeps the floor

TRAIN (5)

Prize for a top athlete

MEDAL (5)

Grilled sausage that pairs perfectly with mustard

FRANK (5)

The basic acid of a building block

AMINO (5)

Tiny infectious agent

VIRUS (5)

Path for a backcountry trek

TRAIL (5)

Words that have the same ending sound

RHYME (5)

The metal shield carried by federal agents

BADGE (5)

What you hear in a movie

SOUND (5)

Adds flavor, or a bit of zest to life

SPICE (5)

Jessie Buckley stars in this 2026 film as a reanimated companion.

BRIDE (5)

Rhythmic movement performed to music

DANCE (5)

Futuristic family dog who famously runs on a suspended treadmill.

ASTRO (5)

A small island found within the pancreas

ISLET (5)

A series of notes arranged in ascending or descending order of pitch

SCALE (5)

Leader of the Argonauts on a quest for gold

JASON (5)

The unit of luminous flux in the International System

LUMEN (5)

Woman whose abduction started the Trojan War

HELEN (5)

Creator Carl who established Duckburg.

BARKS (5)

The sideline strategist drawing up the crucial plays.

COACH (5)

Triangular part of a wall under a sloping roof

GABLE (5)

Person who resists authority or convention.

REBEL (5)

Catchy moniker for San Antonio's towering young superstar.

WEMBY (5)

Desired outcome of powerful engines

SPEED (5)

Elevated platform where the magic happens

STAGE (5)

Underground rock that is just venting its frustration

MAGMA (5)

Two-door vehicle, up close, perhaps.

COUPE (5)

A small type of planet, like Pluto

DWARF (5)

A nun's attire, or a usual practice

HABIT (5)

Afghan hound who ruled her group in 2026

ZAIDA (5)

Dangerous physical feat performed by a highly trained double.

STUNT (5)

Gymnastics apparatus or a pole event

VAULT (5)

Golf great whose name graces the stone bridge crossing to the 12th green.

HOGAN (5)

Evaluated on a scale

RATED (5)

A large and luxurious country house for the wealthy

VILLA (5)

Demonic entity, a 'live' one with a twist.

DEVIL (5)

Award for a winner

MEDAL (5)

Set of six balls bowled by one player

OVERS (5)

A thick stew from Louisiana traditionally thickened with okra or file powder

GUMBO (5)

The great lion in The Chronicles of Narnia

ASLAN (5)

Plant tissue that transports water and nutrients from the roots

XYLEM (5)

Moving mass of insects looking for a new residence

SWARM (5)

Swiss city where JJ took the 2025 crown

BASEL (5)

Rhythmic movement often part of celebrations

DANCE (5)

Broadway soprano Kelli, a 2026 nominee for "Fallen Angels"

OHARA (5)

The male lead in a famous Shakespearean tragedy about star-crossed lovers

ROMEO (5)

Vast expanse of sea.

OCEAN (5)

Second rock from the sun, serving as a breeding ground for space microbes.

VENUS (5)

Take the ball from an opponent

STEAL (5)

Remote controlled flying device

DRONE (5)

A dead body preserved by ancient Egyptian methods

MUMMY (5)

What people do with their mouths for a portrait

SMILE (5)

Hip-hop icon who found an unlikely culinary confidante in Stewart.

SNOOP (5)

Central strip of the field

PITCH (5)

Person who performs in a play

ACTOR (5)

Rocket Man singer with flamboyant glasses

ELTON (5)

A sour yellow citrus fruit

LEMON (5)

A graphic tale from the East, a grass type perhaps?

MANGA (5)

The golden statuette awarded for excellence in film

OSCAR (5)

A serious play or show

DRAMA (5)

Swedish pop auteur with her ninth studio record, 'Sexistential', in March 2026.

ROBYN (5)

A long fictional story written in prose

NOVEL (5)

Reanimated corpse, a servant of the Night King

WIGHT (5)

Sunny Florida host city selected for the 2026 tournament's third-place match.

MIAMI (5)

A person who poses for photographs

MODEL (5)

Traditional cow-derived base that some customers avoid

DAIRY (5)

The clock that counts down the speller's allotted two minutes.

TIMER (5)

Giant robot suit, 'ahem' with a mechanical twist.

MECHA (5)

The innermost, darkest part of a shadow.

UMBRA (5)

Flat-topped hills, often isolated; same as MASE, reversed

MESAS (5)

The sound of a ball hitting only the net

SWISH (5)

Color signaling the start of the 33-car stampede.

GREEN (5)

The physical medium celebrated every April, affectionately referred to as wax [1.1].

VINYL (5)

Systematic reasoning used in programming

LOGIC (5)

Monarch of the Mushroom Kingdom, recently revealed as a long-lost sibling in the 2026 film.

PEACH (5)

The opening round-robin stage before the knockout rounds

GROUP (5)

A decorated platform built on a vehicle for a parade

FLOAT (5)

A runaway box office success that exceeds all expectations

SMASH (5)

Fashion house she married into on screen in a 2021 drama

GUCCI (5)

First name of the country singer who played the TV dad.

BILLY (5)

See 'la' in a relaxed support.

EASEL (5)

Preserved body from ancient Egypt

MUMMY (5)

Winning a best-of-seven series 4-0, a dominant feat achieved by New York in the '26 semis.

SWEEP (5)

Large community of plants and animals in a specific habitat

BIOME (5)

The musical instruments Jess teaches to a group of troubled teens

BELLS (5)

A book for storing photographs

ALBUM (5)

Leavening agent used for the light, fluffy varieties

YEAST (5)

Guiding philosophy dictating 'This is the Way'

CREED (5)

Colorful jackets worn by riders to represent the horse's owner.

SILKS (5)

What you do with a car

DRIVE (5)

A haven in the desert; it's so hot, I say, confused

OASIS (5)

The curved path of a celestial object around a star or planet

ORBIT (5)

Drum-playing, licorice-dispensing sidekick who frequently says Party on.

GARTH (5)

Element shared with Virgo and Capricorn

EARTH (5)

Shot close to the basket

LAYUP (5)

The magic number of pieces you draw at the start

SEVEN (5)

Mythical creature whose singing lures sailors to their doom

SIREN (5)

Tiny crustacean, often found in an 'ill' state when eaten by whales.

KRILL (5)

Where the crucial second-unit rotation players reside

BENCH (5)

The divine reason implicit in the cosmos

LOGOS (5)

Temporary storage for web files

CACHE (5)

Interior space for driver and passenger

CABIN (5)

One of India's official languages

HINDI (5)

Winning four games to none, sending the opponent packing early

SWEEP (5)

The veteran agent who helped start the unit

ROSSI (5)

A large open area used for gladiator fights

ARENA (5)

Sharp point on a plant stem

THORN (5)

Tree known for its syrup and lobed leaves

MAPLE (5)

Argentine legend who finally lifted the cup in 2022

MESSI (5)

Fanatic, often found with a collection, not a 'U' that's out of place.

OTAKU (5)

Elevated platform for a brief, highly-photographed walk

STAGE (5)

An alphabetical list of names or subjects at the back of a book

INDEX (5)

Heroic cast member who covers multiple off-stage tracks

SWING (5)

The curved path of a satellite around a planet

ORBIT (5)

Rare two-under-par score that can ignite a dramatic back-nine charge.

EAGLE (5)

To adjust a camera for a clear image

FOCUS (5)

The leaves of a book, magazine, or newspaper.

PAGES (5)

Veteran commander of the STS-1 mission.

YOUNG (5)

Land next to the sea

COAST (5)

A sharp, pointed projection on the stem of some plants.

THORN (5)

Having a sound basis in logic or fact

VALID (5)

Greedy, yellow-clad rival that Jack Black wants Pedro Pascal to voice.

WARIO (5)

What fans call getting first-round talent in the fourth round.

STEAL (5)

Sweet treats given out during Halloween

CANDY (5)

High-performance web server, pronounced "engine-x"

NGINX (5)

Giant beast, as if 'kai' is 'ju' for 'kaiju'.

KAIJU (5)

Gastropod with a shell

SNAIL (5)

Adjective for the sixteen remaining squads in the regional semifinals.

SWEET (5)

Clear liquid for drinking

WATER (5)

Author of The Republic and founder of the Academy

PLATO (5)

The venue where the crowd gathers to watch

ARENA (5)

A wooden frame used for holding an artist's work while painting

EASEL (5)

Artisanal approach to brewing that has exploded in popularity over recent decades.

CRAFT (5)

A path that follows the scent of the feet

TRAIL (5)

A trained AI system, like GPT.

MODEL (5)

Common fruit tree found in orchards

APPLE (5)

The fifth element of flavor

UMAMI (5)

Vocal or instrumental sounds played at celebrations

MUSIC (5)

Smallest controllable element of a digital image

PIXEL (5)

A medieval association of craftsmen or merchants

GUILD (5)

Cornerstone of a building

QUOIN (5)

The iconic high-pitched scream of a bull heard most often during the September rut

BUGLE (5)

Kind of basin that serves as a hotspot for flora fans

TIDAL (5)

The protagonist's loyal best friend who shared her massive secret.

LILLY (5)

Italian food made from dough such as spaghetti or penne

PASTA (5)

Irish slang for fun, gossip, and a thoroughly good time at the pub.

CRAIC (5)

Predatory fish, a 'dark' presence in the depths.

SHARK (5)

Freedom from disturbance

PEACE (5)

The Big ___ is a popular moniker for the NCAA tournament.

DANCE (5)

Iconic LA theater that rolls out the red carpet for the Summer Game Fest.

DOLBY (5)

Customizable visual style for the browser

THEME (5)

The written form of a musical composition.

SCORE (5)

Principles of reasoning, fundamental to computing

LOGIC (5)

To cut into a shape

CARVE (5)

Making an image look sharp and clear

FOCUS (5)

Young scholar eagerly absorbing new information

PUPIL (5)

A large meal, typically a celebratory one

FEAST (5)

Gloomy ruler of the silent realm below

HADES (5)

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