Those who like to solve cryptic crossword clues, you can try today’s The Independent's Cryptic crossword. Solving this kind of crossword requires lateral thinking and a good knowledge about words. This will help you to improve vocabulary, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Discover the solutions for today’s crossword here:
Caught male leaving disturbed cemetery, carrying wide feature of cemeteries? (3,4)
YEWTREE
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- Caught male leaving suggests a man seen departing from somewhere. Disturbed cemetery implies a graveyard that has been disrupted in some way. Carrying wide feature of cemeteries? is the key part.
- Yew trees are evergreen trees commonly found in cemeteries. They are often quite wide and distinctive, making them a fitting answer for a wide feature associated with cemeteries.
Salamander all too unsettled around centre of Texas (7)
AXOLOTL
- Salamander is a type of amphibian. All too unsettled suggests being very disturbed or agitated.
- Around centre of Texas might be a bit of a misdirection, but some letters might be hinting at the answer.
- Axolotl is a type of salamander known for its unusual neotenic features (remaining in an immature state with gills throughout its life).
- The clue might be a play on the unsettled part, as axolotls are aquatic and wouldn't be comfortable around the centre (landlocked) of Texas.
Cancelling tunnel man dug up (9)
ANNULMENT
- Cancelling suggests something being revoked or ended. Tunnel could be a metaphor for a secret passage or hidden plan.
- Man dug up might imply something buried that is now revealed. Annulment is the act of declaring a marriage null and void, effectively canceling it.
- The clue connects the idea of canceling something (annulment) with something hidden or buried (tunnel dug up).
Backed suggestion about the French hairstyle (5)
PLAIT
- Backed suggests supporting or endorsing something. Suggestion refers to an idea or proposal.
- The French hairstyle narrows it down to a specific style. Plait is a type of hairstyle where three or more strands of hair are interwoven, which could be considered a French hairstyle.
- The clue suggests supporting (backed) the idea (suggestion) of using a plait.
Precision in disposal of next cases (9)
EXACTNESS
- Precision refers to accuracy and meticulousness. Disposal suggests getting rid of something. Next cases might be a misdirection. Exactness means being extremely precise or accurate.
- The clue connects the idea of precision (exactness) with the disposal of something (implying careful handling).
Rice dish - mum’s invested in outfit almost completely (5)
SUSHI
- Rice dish describes the type of food. Mum's invested in outfit almost completely is a bit of a wordplay. Sushi is a Japanese dish of vinegared rice with various toppings.
- Mum's invested in outfit might be a play on the word suSHI with su sounding like suit (clothing) and shi sounding like she (mum). It's a creative way to hint at the answer.
Dessert successfully brought to couch potato after work in kitchen (8,7)
BAKEWELLPUDDING
- Dessert describes the type of food. Successfully brought to couch potato suggests someone receiving a sweet treat while relaxing.
- After work in kitchen implies it was made at home.
- Bakewell pudding is a traditional British dessert made with a pastry base, jam filling, and a frangipane topping.
- The clue paints a picture of someone enjoying a delicious dessert (Bakewell pudding) after work, likely made in their own kitchen (kitchen).
- Couch potato suggests someone who enjoys relaxing, which adds to the image.
North America, mostly dreadful, the worst place (5)
NADIR
- North America is a specific location. Mostly dreadful suggests it's a negative or undesirable place.
- The worst place reinforces this idea. Nadir is an astronomical term for the point directly below an observer, opposite the zenith (highest point). It can also be used metaphorically to refer to the lowest or worst point in a situation.
- The clue plays on the dreadful part, implying North America is the worst place (nadir) for someone.
Line in second working socket possibly moving suddenly (9,8)
MOONLIGHT FLITTING
- Line could refer to a cable or connection. Second working socket might be a misdirection.
- Possibly moving suddenly suggests something quick or unexpected. Moonlight flitting is an idiomatic expression for leaving a place suddenly and secretly, often without paying rent or debts.
- The clue connects the idea of a line (connection) with sudden movement (flitting), possibly hinting at the secrecy involved (moonlight).
Looking up naturally allows review, initially of celestial object (5)
LUNAR
- Looking up naturally suggests gazing at the sky. Allows review implies examining something.
- Initially of celestial object narrows it down to something in the sky. Lunar refers to the moon.
- The clue describes the natural act of looking up at the sky (looking up naturally) to examine something celestial (like the moon).
Neutralising element redeployed on Vietnam (9)
ANTIVENOM
- Neutralising element suggests something that counteracts a negative effect. Redeployed on Vietnam hints at its use in a specific location.
- Antivenom is an antidote that neutralizes the venom of a snake or other poisonous creature.
- The clue describes something used to counteract a negative effect (antidote) and mentions Vietnam, a place where encountering venomous creatures might be a concern.
I’m a Nationalist repelled by a lot of prejudice in African country (7)
NAMIBIA
- Nationalist suggests someone who is strongly patriotic. Repelled by a lot of prejudice implies they dislike widespread bias or discrimination.
- African country narrows down the location. Namibia is a country in southwest Africa. The clue might be hinting at a nationalist from Namibia who is against prejudice within the country.
Painter’s change in direction after capturing the writer following completion of chapter (7)
VERMEER
- Painter's change in direction suggests a shift in style or technique by an artist. Capturing the writer following completion of chapter is a bit of a misdirection.
- Vermeer is a famous Dutch painter from the 17th century known for his use of light and realistic portrayals of everyday life.
- The clue might be referring to a change in Vermeer's style (direction) after completing a specific work (chapter).
Particular title picked up among the many books (6)
BYNAME
- Particular title suggests a specific designation or name.
- Picked up among the many books implies finding it within a large collection of literature.
- Byname is a less common term for a surname or nickname, a specific title someone might have.
- The clue describes finding a particular title (byname) amongst many books.
Harm in boasting symbol of ownership (4-4)
SWANMARK
- Harm in boasting suggests something negative associated with arrogance or bragging. Symbol of ownership implies something that shows possession.
- Swanmark is a less common term, but it can refer to a watermark - a faint design or image embedded in paper that is visible when held up to the light.
- The clue connects the idea of harm in boasting (negative aspect) with a symbol of ownership (watermark).
- Boasting about owning something with a watermark might be seen as unnecessary or showing off (harm in boasting).
Member’s decoration granted power at first (6)
ARMLET
- Member's decoration suggests an ornament or badge worn by someone in a group. Granted power at first implies it might symbolize authority or leadership.
- Armlet is a band or bracelet worn on the upper arm, sometimes associated with royalty, military leaders, or social status.
- The clue connects the idea of a member's decoration (armlet) with being granted power (leadership) initially.
Church dissenter leading curtailed Mass - movement co-ordinator? (10)
CEREBELLUM
- Church dissenter suggests someone who disagrees with some church practices. Leading curtailed Mass is a bit of a misdirection, but it might imply a shortened or altered ceremony.
- Movement co-ordinator? hints at a part of the body that controls movement. Cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls balance, coordination, and posture.
- The clue might be a play on the dissenter part (someone against something) leading a shortened church service (curtailed Mass).
- However, the real connection is to the cerebellum's role in coordinating movement.
Form or class? Not entirely (4)
CAST
- Form or class suggests a category or group of people. Not entirely implies there's a twist or something missing.
- Cast can refer to a group of actors in a play or the actors themselves. The clue suggests it's related to form or class (cast as a group), but not entirely might hint that it's not the complete definition.
Jotted down notes, being calm (8)
COMPOSED
Jotted down notes suggests writing things quickly, possibly to remember them later. Being calm implies a state of composure or peacefulness. Composed means calm and self-controlled. The clue describes the act of jotting down notes (writing) while being calm (composed).
Difficult situation - not quite additional example of idiocy (6)
MORASS
- Difficult situation describes a challenging or problematic circumstance. Not quite additional example of idiocy suggests it's similar to foolishness but not exactly the same.
- Morass is a swamp or bog, often used metaphorically to describe a difficult or confusing situation.
- The clue connects the idea of a difficult situation (morass) with something similar to foolishness (idiocy), but not entirely the same.
Helping it to rise, very into redefined purpose (10)
SUPPORTIVE
- Helping it to rise suggests assisting something in going upwards. Very into redefined purpose implies being strongly invested in a new or different goal.
- Supportive means providing encouragement or assistance. The clue describes the act of helping something rise (supportive) and being very invested in its redefined purpose.
Gathering indication of flowering, including Northern heather (8)
BUNDLING
- Gathering indication of flowering suggests collecting signs that plants are blooming. Including Northern heather specifies a type of flowering plant.
- Bundling can refer to the clustering or grouping of flowers, especially when they are small and numerous.
- While not the most common answer, it could fit the idea of gathering signs of flowering, particularly for plants like heather that often grow in clusters.
Conflict over medic getting award for contribution to operating theatre? (8)
WARDROBE
- Conflict suggests disagreement or argument. Medic getting award refers to a medical professional receiving recognition. Contribution to operating theatre implies something related to surgery.
- Wardrobe is a collection of clothes. It doesn't seem to directly connect to the clues about conflict, medics, or operating theatres. This clue might be a bit misleading, and there could be a different intended answer related to medical awards or disagreements.
Popular group to include European starlets (8)
INGENUES
- Popular group suggests a well-liked band or ensemble. Include European starlets implies young female actors, possibly from Europe.
- Ingenues are young, innocent female characters often portrayed by actresses. The clue describes a popular group (ingenues as a group) that might include European starlets (young actresses).
Busy person duly disheartened, old chap’s upset (6)
DYNAMO
- Busy person suggests someone with a lot to do. Duly disheartened implies they are appropriately discouraged or disappointed. Old chap's upset is a more informal way of saying someone (possibly an older man) is upset.
- Dynamo can refer to a source of great energy or activity. Here, it might be used ironically to describe a busy person who is now disheartened (opposite of energetic).
- Old chap could be another way of saying dynamo, and their being upset suggests they are no longer their usual energetic self.
Uniform but disordered? (6)
LIVERY
- Uniform suggests clothing worn by a group that is all the same. Disordered? implies a lack of organization or neatness.
- Livery can refer to the uniform worn by servants or members of a particular group. The clue suggests it's a uniform (livery) but with a question mark hinting at some disorder.
Period in which British will exhibit sound tone (6)
TIMBRE
- Period in which suggests a specific amount of time. British will exhibit sound tone implies the British people will show a good quality of sound.
- Timbre refers to the quality or character of a sound, distinct from its pitch or volume. The clue describes a period (time) when the British will exhibit a good sound tone (timbre).
A deviation, swinging round in different direction (4)
AWAY
- A deviation suggests a departure from the usual course. Swinging round in different direction implies a change in direction.
- Away means not here or not present. It perfectly captures the idea of a deviation (moving away) or swinging around in a different direction.
TRENDING
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