What are Cryptic Crosswords?

Cryptic crosswords are puzzles where each clue is a word puzzle in itself. Unlike regular crosswords where clues are straightforward definitions, cryptic clues contain both a definition and wordplay that leads to the same answer.

The basic structure: Most cryptic clues have two parts - a straight definition (usually at the beginning or end) and a cryptic instruction for building the answer. The trick is figuring out where one part ends and the other begins.

Common types of wordplay include:

Anagrams - indicated by words like "confused," "mixed," "broken." For example: "Confused cat is a performance (3)" = ACT (anagram of "cat")

Hidden words - the answer is literally hidden within the clue. Words like "in," "some," or "partly" hint at this. "Some real citrus fruit (4)" = LIME (hidden in "reaL CItrus")

Homophones - indicated by "sounds like" or "we hear." "Flower we hear (4)" = ROSE (sounds like "rows")

Reversals - "backwards," "returns," "going up" (in down clues). "Animal going back is a lyric poem (3)" = ODE (reverse of "edo")

Charades - breaking words into parts. "Head of school is sensible (4)" = SANE (S + ANE)

The beauty is that the definition and wordplay should both independently lead you to the same answer - giving you a satisfying "aha!" moment when you crack it.

Let's walk through some specific examples

Example 1: "Unhappy nobleman heals (6)"

First, I need to find the definition and the wordplay. The answer is SOOTHE.

• Definition: "heals" (at the end)
• Wordplay: "Unhappy nobleman" = SOO (as in "unhappy" or sad, making a "boo hoo" sound) + THE (nobleman, as in "the Duke")
• SOO + THE = SOOTHE, which means "heals"

Example 2: "Excited care about reporter (7)"

Answer: CARRIER

• Definition: "reporter" (at the end - someone who carries news)
• Wordplay: "Excited care" signals an anagram. The letters of CARE rearranged, then "about" means around or containing
• Actually, this is CARE (anagram indicated by "excited") + RI (around/about) + ER... let me reconsider
• Better: "Excited" signals anagram of CARRIER's letters... Actually: excited CARE = anagram, "about" = RI (Roman numeral for "around"), ER (common ending)
• More simply: Excited CARE + IER = CARRIER (anagram of CARE + IER)

Let me try a clearer one:

Example 3: "Poetic rhythm of the verse (5)"

Answer: METRE

• Definition: "Poetic rhythm" (at the beginning)
• Wordplay: "of the verse" - hidden word! Look at "thE VERse" = METER/METRE is hidden inside those words

Example 4: "Bird making a racket (4)"

Answer: LARK

• Definition: "Bird"
• Wordplay: "making a racket" = LARK (which also means to fool around or have fun)
• This is a double definition - both parts mean the answer in different ways

Does this help clarify how they work? Well, let's check out some cryptic crosswords