Daily Mail Cryptic released their daily crossword puzzles. Try to solve them by following the clues and filling in all the squares. New puzzles come out every day, so you can keep having fun. Play with friends and family for a hands-on experience. If you get stuck, check below for answers and explanations.
Slight alteration in coins of low denomination
Answer: SMALLCHANGE
- “Slight alteration” refers to a small change.
- “Coins of low denomination” suggests small change as well, which are coins of low value.
Lemons thrown in grave
Answer: SOLEMN
- “Lemons thrown” is a metaphor for something somber or serious, which is “SOLEMN,” meaning dignified and serious in mood or character.
Hospital direction indicator in London borough
Answer: HARROW
- “Hospital direction indicator” suggests “H” for hospital.
- “London borough” suggests “HARROW,” which is a borough in London.
Stone I removed from rough granite
Answer: GARNET
- “Stone” indicates a gemstone, which is a “GARNET,” often red or brownish-red in color.
- “I removed from rough granite” suggests rearranging the letters in “granite” to get “garnet.”
Agreement since transmitted
Answer: ASSENT
- “Agreement” refers to “ASSENT,” meaning approval or agreement.
- “Since transmitted” suggests that the agreement has been communicated or transmitted.
Sphere concealed by floor boards
Answer: ORB
- “Sphere” is another term for a ball or globe, which is an “ORB.”
- “Concealed by floor boards” suggests hiding something below the floor, such as an orb.
Fighting a lawsuit
Answer: ACTION
- “Fighting” suggests taking action or engaging in a legal process, which is “ACTION.”
Many compositions in written form
Answer: SCORES
- “Many compositions” refers to musical compositions, which are often written in “SCORES,” written or printed music.
Believe one side of account
Answer: CREDIT
- “Believe” suggests trust or belief, which is “CREDIT.”
- “One side of account” refers to the positive side of an accounting ledger, where credits are recorded.
Defect in hose that’s used by firemen
Answer: LADDER
- “Defect in hose” refers to a run or break in a fire hose, which is a “LADDER.”
I count notes that may be disputable
Answer: CONTENTIOUS
- “I count notes” suggests “CONTENTIOUS,” meaning likely to cause disagreement or controversy.
- “Disputable” aligns with the meaning of contentious.
Silly fools start off in capital
Answer: OSLO
- “Silly fools start off” suggests taking the first letters, which are “O” and “S.”
- “Capital” indicates that it’s the capital city, leading to “OSLO,” the capital of Norway.
Sort of cinema that may be entered
Answer: CAME IN
- “Sort of cinema” refers to a movie, and “entered” suggests the past tense of entering, which is “CAME IN.”
Timber not turning — it’s drifting in the water
Answer: PLANKTON
- “Timber” refers to wood, and “not turning” suggests removing the “wood” part, leaving “PLANK.”
- “Drifting in the water” describes “PLANKTON,” which are small organisms that float or drift in water.
Former leader in Tehran has worked hard
Answer: SHAH
- “Former leader in Tehran” refers to the title “SHAH,” which was used by the former monarchs of Iran.
- “Has worked hard” suggests “SHAH,” a Persian term for a king or ruler, who traditionally had authority and responsibility.
French painter given some racing results
Answer: INGRES
- “French painter” suggests a French artist, which is “INGRES,” referring to Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
- “Given some racing results” suggests that “INGRES” sounds like “in GPs,” referring to Grand Prix races.
Condemn poor scholar holding one up
Answer: DENOUNCE
- “Condemn” is synonymous with “DENOUNCE.”
- “Poor scholar” suggests a “DUNCE,” and “holding one up” suggests moving “one” letter up, resulting in “DENUNCE.”
Precision in current clergyman’s office
Answer: ACCURACY
- “Precision” is synonymous with “ACCURACY.”
- “Current clergyman’s office” suggests “CURACY,” which, when combined with “ACCURACY,” forms a cryptic clue.
Perfect old instrument with a brass casing on top
Answer: ABSOLUTE
- “Perfect” suggests “ABSOLUTE,” meaning complete or without imperfection.
- “Old instrument” refers to a lute, and “brass casing on top” suggests adding “UTE” (the old instrument) on top of “ABSOL,” forming “ABSOLUTE.”
Medicament required when one has nothing to eat?
Answer: IODINE
- “Medicament” suggests “IODINE,” which is sometimes used as an antiseptic.
- “When one has nothing to eat?” hints at “I” (one) and “ODINE” (nothing to eat), forming “IODINE.”
Bloody wound, my dear chap!
Answer: OLDBOY
- “Bloody wound” refers to an injury, and “my dear chap!” suggests a term of endearment, which is “OLDBOY.”
Those people taken in by Ernest Hemingway
Answer: THEM
- “Those people” refers to “THEM.”
- “Taken in by Ernest Hemingway” suggests using the letters in “Ernest Hemingway” to form “THEM.”
Soldiers may be told to stand thus for a piece of cake
Answer: EASY
- “Stand thus” suggests the position “EASY,” which is a relaxed stance often used in the military.
- “For a piece of cake” suggests that something is simple or easy, further reinforcing the answer “EASY.”
