Crossword Clue Types Explained
Every crossword clue has two parts: the definition (what the answer means) and the wordplay (how it's built). Learning to separate them is the key to solving faster.
How Clues Are Structured
Most crossword clues fit one of two patterns:
- Definition-first: "The main ingredient in bread (5)" — the definition is at the end, the wordplay is in the middle
- Wordplay-first: "Mix up letters in bad egg (5)" — the wordplay ("mix up letters in") comes first, the definition ("bad egg") is at the end
The definition is almost always at one end or the other. The middle is the wordplay instruction.
Common Clue Types
Anagram
The letters of a word are rearranged to form the answer. Anagram indicators include: mixed, messed, stirred, broken, twisted, confused, arranged.
Example: "Scramble eggs badly (5)" → BEATS (eggs scrambled)
Charade
The answer is formed by combining two or more words in sequence. No letters are rearranged — they're joined together.
Example: "Dog + bark (5)" → HOUND (dog) + WOOF (bark)... no wait — try: DOGMA (dog + ma)
Example: "Head of state + currency (6)" → POUNDS (pound + s, or head=leader + currency)
Abbreviation
The answer is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Common in crosswords because they save space and increase difficulty.
Example: "U.S. state (2)" → CA (California abbreviation)
Common types: chemical symbols, country codes, medical terms, measurements
Homophone
The answer sounds like the wordplay, not spelled like it. Indicators include: sounds like, in the manner of, reportedly, so I'm told.
Example: "Female sheep sounds like a tree (3)" → EWE (sounds like YEW, a tree)
Hidden Word
The answer is concealed within the clue itself. The indicator words are usually: contains, within, part of, in, around.
Example: "A [BITE] of cake contains danger" — the word BITE is hidden in BITE of cake → BITE is the answer
Container / Include
One word goes inside another. Indicators: contains, holding, in, around, surrounded by.
Example: "Bird in hat (4)" → WREN (W + REN, or hat=cap contains bird)
Reversal
The word is read backwards. Indicators: backwards, reverse, returning, turned around, to the east from the west.
Example: "Go back to where we began (4)" → HOME (reversed: EMOH)
Definition-Only
No wordplay at all — the entire clue is the definition. Usually straightforward.
Example: "A large landmass (4)" → CONT (continent)... no — EUROPE or just LAND
Quick Reference: Common Indicator Words
Practice Strategy
When you see a clue, first ask: "Is there a clear definition at one end?" If yes, the rest is wordplay. If no, the whole clue may be definition-only and you just need to know the answer.
With practice, you'll start recognizing pattern indicators instantly — anagram, reversal, charade — and the solving speed increases dramatically.
Try Our Crossword Solver
Enter a pattern with known letters and get matching words from our dictionary.
Open Crossword Solver →