Here are 15 common crossword answers, and likely clues, you should learn to look out for. Not only will they help you with a traditional crossword puzzle but also with digital word games like Wordscapes or Word Cookies Cross.
Everyday Words
Not every crossword puzzle is a font of imagination. Some ordinary, everyday words often fit the puzzler’s pattern best.
ALOE - Not just for sunburn anymore. Look for this cactus secretion in any clue about skin, plants, pain or the soothing thereof.
AREA - It only makes sense to use the word “area” to fill up some space. Any clue that has to do with room or distance could be a fit.
ERA - If “area” is your first resort for clues about space, this should be your first thought for anything to do with time…
ERE - ...except maybe this one. If the clue is about the past or includes the word “before,” try this.
ONE - The loneliest number, but a crazy popular crossword answer. Any clue about singleness might be looking for this.
Five Letters or Better
One thing you’ll notice is that these commonly used words are often vowel heavy, beginning and ending with a vowel. These five-letter words might give you some trouble in solving Wordle, which also makes them common candidates for crossword clues too.
AERIE - Where eagles dare, or at least hang out and make little eagles. Look for clues about nests, flight, high places, and big, scary birds.
ALAMO - The site of a famous, and famously one-sided, battle. If it’s about Texas history, it’s probably this.
EMOTE - Crosswords aren’t noted for strong feelings, except maybe when you feel like beating one against a wall after blowing an hour on that last %&$@ clue, but “emote” is a favorite among puzzle writers. Got feelings? Try this word.
ELATE - Or, “the feeling you get when you finally solve that last %&$@ clue, especially with the help of a clever word game cheat.” If “emote” doesn’t quite fit, or the clue is especially happy, this is your huckleberry.
ORATE - Get loud! Clues about debate, politics and public speech will often be versions of this word. Be sure to watch for oration, orator, and oratory too.
Wait, What?
Sometimes, crossword answers aren’t even words. When a puzzle’s especially tricky (or a writer’s especially lazy) look for these fragments, foreign-language visitors and other linguistic oddballs. Keep these handy for Words With Friends help too.
ARA - Might be Latin for “box,” might be legendary football coach Parseghian, but crossword puzzles love it.
AER - As in “Lingus,” the Irish national airline.
ERATO - She’s a Muse! Behold classical education at work. If the clue is about inspiration, above all about love poetry, Erato is your lady.
SMEE - He’s Captain Hook’s bosun! There is one reason on God’s Earth that anyone knows the name of Captain Hook’s bosun, and it’s not Peter Pan. Thanks, crossword puzzles!
SNEE - But then, we repeat ourselves. JM Barrie probably got “Smee” from the word snee, an old English dialect word for a dagger. Look for clues about knives, especially the use of knives for unpleasant doings.
Pro tip: if you’ve got some letters but still can’t figure out the word, try the WordFinder crossword puzzle solver. Enter your letters you know and you’ll get a list of all possible words that can fill your empty spaces.
Crossword Quick Solve
Learning to spot the common answers in crossword puzzles is a key part of mastering the game. Often, knowing just one of these words will reveal the answers you need to finish a puzzle that’s driving you crazy.
Matt Salter has been a professional writer for over 10 years. He is a gaming and technology expert, and world-class word nerd.
