In this Cheat Sheet, you will discover some handy pointers on how cryptic clues go together, the basics of the main cryptic devices, and a brief introduction to cryptic abbreviations often found in clues. While they do look completely incomprehensible at first glance, cryptic clues are actually written along set guidelines.
What are the clue devices in cryptic crosswords?
Charades are a common clue device and can be used in conjunction with other clue devices. All cryptic crosswords include at least some, if not many, charade clues. The container clue device is one set of letters, or a short word, put inside another word.
How are indicator words used in cryptic crossword?
Many cryptic clues include ‘indicator words’, which are a word or a short phrase that tells you what sort of wordplay is being used in the clue. There are about eight main types of wordplay devices used in cryptic crossword clues and a bunch of less common ones. Here you’ll find the basic points of the main devices.
How are container clues clued in cryptic crosswords?
Container clues can also be clued as one word out around another word. The sorts of indicator words used give a sense of surrounding, such as astride, clutching, eating, going around, outside, protecting, and wrapping. The parts to be put together are usually synonyms of words in the clue, abbreviations, or a combination of these.
Which is a vital part of solving a cryptic clue?
Identifying the definition section of the clue is a vital part of solving a cryptic clue. Once you think you’ve pinned it down, the remainder of the clue is automatically the wordplay!
What is a deletion cryptic device in crosswords?
A deletion cryptic device is one or a few letters being deleted from another word, to get to the answer. For example, END can be clued as MEND – M, or FRIEND – FRI, or … An indicator word or two is always needed in a deletion clue. These are words which give a sense (not surprisingly) of something being deleted.
