The Independent’s Concise crossword is perfect for those who enjoy solving crosswords during their leisure time. Each clue is designed to be direct but engaging, providing a pleasant puzzle-solving experience. If you need a little extra help, our page offers all the answers and explanations you need to quickly complete the crossword.
Sauce base (4)
Answer: ROUX
This term refers to the foundation or starting point for many sauces in cooking, especially in French cuisine. A “ROUX” is a mixture of fat (such as butter) and flour cooked together and used as a thickening agent for sauces, soups, and gravies.
Small vegetable (3)
Answer: PEA
This term describes a type of edible plant or part of a plant that is harvested and consumed as food. A “PEA” specifically denotes a small, spherical seed or the edible pod of certain plants in the legume family, commonly used in cooking and culinary preparations.
Delude (7)
Answer: FALSIFY
This term describes the action of deceiving or misleading someone by presenting false or misleading information. To “FALSIFY” is to distort or misrepresent facts or evidence in order to deceive others, often with the intention of concealing the truth or creating a false impression.
Moist (5)
Answer: FLUID
This term describes a state or condition of being slightly wet or damp, often used to describe the texture or consistency of a substance. “FLUID” refers to a substance that flows or can be poured easily, typically having a consistency between that of a gas and a solid, and often used to describe liquids with a smooth, flowing texture.
Plant ovules (5)
Answer: SEEDS
Ovules are the part of a flower’s ovary that eventually develop into seeds after fertilization. In this clue, “plant ovules” is a straightforward way of referring to seeds.
Protection (7)
Answer: FILLING
In certain contexts, “filling” can refer to something that provides protection or fills a space to prevent damage or harm. For example, dental fillings protect teeth from decay by filling cavities.
Painkiller (11)
Answer: ANAESTHETIC
An anesthetic is a substance that causes insensitivity to pain, often used in medical procedures or surgeries to numb sensation. It’s a compound word, with “anaes” being short for “anaesthesia,” which refers to the loss of sensation
Variety of cherry (7)
Answer: MORELLO
Morello is a type of sour cherry, often used in cooking and baking for its tart flavor. It’s also sometimes used to make cherry preserves or pies.
Conical tent (5)
Answer: TIPIS
A tipi (also spelled teepee) is a type of conical tent historically used by various Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains of North America. It’s made of animal hides or canvas stretched over wooden poles and is iconic of Native American culture.
Thicket (5)
Answer: TREES
A thicket is a dense growth of bushes or small trees. In this clue, “trees” refers to the dense vegetation that constitutes a thicket.
Innate (7)
Answer: ORGANIC
Something innate is inherent or natural, existing from birth or as part of the essential nature of something. “Organic” can refer to things that are natural, inherent, or originating from living organisms, fitting the idea of innate qualities
Method (3)
Answer: ART
“Art” can be interpreted as a method or technique used to achieve a particular result or express an idea. In this context, “method” is being used more broadly to encompass any systematic approach, including artistic ones.
Hairless (4)
Answer: BARE
“Bare” means uncovered or without any additions, and it can also mean lacking hair or fur. So, “hairless” is synonymous with “bare.”
Pungent salad root (6)
Answer: RADISH
A radish is a type of root vegetable commonly used in salads. It has a distinct, pungent flavor that adds a sharpness to dishes. The clue “pungent salad root” describes the radish perfectly.
Male relative (5)
Answer: DADDY
“Daddy” is a casual term used to refer to one’s father or a male parental figure. It’s a common way to address or refer to a male relative, particularly in a familial context.
Allspice (7)
Answer: PIMENTO
Pimento is a spice made from dried berries of the allspice tree. Despite its name, allspice is not a blend of multiple spices but rather a single spice with a flavor resembling a combination of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The clue “allspice” directly refers to the spice itself.
Make confused (5)
Answer: BEFOG
To befog means to make something unclear, obscure, or confused. It’s a verb describing the action of causing confusion or bewilderment. So, “make confused” is synonymous with “befog.”
Carnival (6)
Answer: FROLIC
“Frolic” means to engage in lively, merry, or playful activity, which is often associated with the atmosphere of a carnival. People attend carnivals to have fun, enjoy games, and participate in various amusements, all of which can be described as frolicking.
Embroidery on canvas (11)
Answer: NEEDLEPOINT
Needlepoint is a type of embroidery done on a canvas fabric using a needle to stitch yarn or thread into a pattern. The term accurately describes the process of creating decorative designs on canvas using needlework.
Professional cook (4)
Answer: CHEF
A chef is a professional cook who is skilled in the culinary arts. They are typically responsible for overseeing kitchen operations, creating menus, and preparing meals. “Chef” directly refers to the profession of cooking.
Waste away (7)
Answer: LIQUEFY
To liquefy means to become liquid or to cause something to turn into a liquid state. In the context of “waste away,” it can be interpreted as the process of something disintegrating or breaking down, often to the point of becoming liquid. This transformation aligns with the idea of wasting away.
Shrewd (6)
Answer: POLITE
“Shrewd” means having sharp powers of judgment or being astute in practical matters. However, in this case, it seems there might be an error. “Polite” refers to having good manners or showing courtesy, which is not synonymous with “shrewd.” There might be a misdirection or a mistake in the clue.
Disguised (6)
Answer: SHADED
“Disguised” can mean concealed or hidden, which can also be described as being shaded. When something is shaded, it is partially or completely obscured from view. So, “disguised” is synonymous with “shaded” in this context.
Large parrot (5)
Answer: MACAW
A macaw is a type of large, colorful parrot native to Central and South America. The clue “large parrot” directly describes the macaw.
Sediment (4)
Answer: DIRT
Sediment refers to particles of matter that settle at the bottom of a liquid or the material deposited by water, wind, or glaciers. “Dirt” is a common synonym for sediment, particularly when referring to soil or earthy material.
Hooded jacket (5)
Answer: PARKA
A parka is a type of jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or faux fur for added warmth. It’s typically worn in cold or inclement weather conditions. The clue “hooded jacket” perfectly describes a parka.
