Daily Mail Cryptic Crossword Clue Updated for Today 21 March 2024
by Abisha | Updated Mar 21, 2024
This daily puzzle is ideal for experienced solvers looking for a mental challenge or motivated newcomers who want to improve their wordplay abilities. So, are you prepared to solve the puzzles and triumph?
Explore the mysterious world of cryptic intrigue by diving into Daily Mail Cryptic Crossword!
Difficult question about television's first advertisement (6)
The clue suggests looking for a term related to the first advertisement on television that could also mean a difficult question. The answer "POSTER" doesn't seem to fit this clue as it primarily refers to a large printed picture or notice.
Provided a speech to read in assembly? (6)
The question mark indicates a play on words or a pun. The answer "ORATED" fits this clue well as it means to deliver a formal speech or address, which could indeed be provided to be read aloud in an assembly. So "ORATED" seems to be a suitable answer for this crossword question.
Vigilant dealer taking part (5)
The clue suggests a term that means both vigilant and a dealer taking part in something. The answer is "ALERT," which means watchful or vigilant, and it can also mean participating or taking part in something.
See Cinders transformed (7)
Saint with car takes leisurely walks (7)
The clue suggests a saint (often abbreviated as "St.") who has a car and enjoys leisurely walks. The answer is "STROLLS," which means leisurely walks, and "St." in the clue stands for Saint.
Renowned old voyager gets the bird (5)
The clue suggests a combination of a renowned old voyager and a bird. "DRAKE" fits this description perfectly as it can refer to Sir Francis Drake, a renowned English explorer and naval officer, as well as a male duck, which is a type of bird.
Cleaner put off by man- (9)
The clue seems to suggest a word for a cleaner (e.g., a detergent) followed by a term meaning "put off by man." The solution "DETERGENT" fits this description, as it is a cleaning substance and can be broken down into "DETER" (put off) and "GENT" (man).
Sordid gain could give you ulcer (5)
The clue suggests a term for sordid gain that could lead to a physical condition like an ulcer. "LUCRE" fits this description, as it refers to money or profit gained in a sordid or dishonest way, which could indeed cause stress and lead to health problems like ulcers.
Do we hear a song writer for children? (7)
The clue suggests a question about a person who writes songs for children. "CARROLL" fits this description as it refers to Lewis Carroll, the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, who is famous for writing "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass," both of which include songs and poems for children.
They won't let one pass out, presumably, at home- (7)
Measures of alcohol for military groups (5)
The clue suggests a term for measures of alcohol often used in military contexts. The answer is "UNITS," which can refer to both units of measurement for alcohol (like shots or pints) and military units (such as squads or platoons).
First of surprises in store for autocrat (6)
The clue seems to suggest a word meaning "first" followed by a term for surprises, all indicating a word for an autocrat. The answer is "DESPOT," where the first letter of "surprises" (S) is the first letter, and "in store" suggests the remaining letters (DEPOT), giving us "DESPOT," which means an autocratic ruler.
Let lad see ground (6)
The clue suggests a word for "let" followed by a word meaning "lad" to get a word meaning "ground." The answer is "LEASED," where "let" means rented out, and "lad" is "LAD," giving us "LEASED," meaning to rent out a property or land.
Pence put up as tribute- (6)
The clue implies a term for a tribute, with "Pence" being put up, suggesting a word play. The answer is "PARISE," where "Pence" (P) is put up, and "as tribute" hints at the remaining letters (ARISE), giving us "PARISE," which is a term for a tribute or offering.
Swerved before entering outhouse (7)
The clue suggests a word meaning "swerved" before "entering outhouse." The answer is "SHEERED," which means to swerve or veer suddenly in a particular direction.
Laud comes from Essex to London (5)
The clue suggests a word for "laud" or praise that is formed from the first letters of "Essex to London." The answer is "EXTOL," where the first letters of "Essex to London" (E, T, L) form "EXTOL," which means to praise highly or laud.
A novelist and his rude novel (7)
The clue suggests a novelist known for a controversial or provocative novel. The answer is "RUSHDIE," referring to Salman Rushdie, a novelist known for his novel "The Satanic Verses," which generated controversy due to its perceived blasphemy against Islam.
Article cheers Greek character (5)
The clue suggests combining an article with a Greek character to form a word meaning "cheers" or expresses happiness. The answer is "THETA," which is a Greek letter, and adding the article "THE" in front of it creates "THETA," a term commonly used in mathematics and science.
University teacher's crucial creature (6)
The clue implies a term for a crucial creature associated with a university teacher. The answer is "DONKEY," which is a term often used metaphorically to refer to a hardworking or stubborn individual, and it's also associated with the academic term "donkey work," which denotes tedious or essential tasks.
Police officer severe with southern areas (9)
The clue suggests a term for a police officer who is strict or severe, and it involves southern areas. The answer is "DISTRICTS," which refers to geographical areas or divisions, and a police officer often oversees a specific district or area within a region.
Italian artist has to draw game (7)
The clue suggests a term for an Italian artist followed by a word meaning "has to draw" to form a word meaning "game." The answer is "TIEPOLO," referring to Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, an Italian Rococo painter, and adding "TO" to "draw" gives us "TIEPOLO," the artist's name.
Subjects about right: Cancer and Capricorn (7)
The clue suggests subjects related to specific zodiac signs, Cancer and Capricorn. The answer is "TROPICS," referring to the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, which are important geographical lines marking the northernmost and southernmost points where the Sun can be directly overhead, respectively.
Everything that is bad finally is related (6)
The clue suggests a term for things that are related, where the final letters of "bad" are included. The answer is "ALLIED," which means related or connected, and it includes the final letters of "bad" (D).
Near Land's End? Shut up! (6)
The clue suggests a term for "shut up" or closed that indicates being near "Land's End." The answer is "CLOSED," which means shut or not open, and it fits the context of being near Land's End.
Heartless dame resides in Greek island and works as a programmer (5)
The clue suggests a term for a programmer, with "dame" missing its heart (middle letter) and residing in a Greek island. The answer is "CODES," which refers to a programmer's work, and it can be derived from "CoDEs," where "dame" missing its middle letter (D) becomes "me," residing in "Cos" (a Greek island).
Wake up, hearing disturbances (5)
The clue suggests a term for waking up or arousing, which sounds like disturbances when heard. The answer is "ROUSE," which means to wake or stir from sleep, and it sounds like "rouse" when heard.
