This page is a beginners’ guide to cryptic crossword clues for those who are learning or wish to get into this exciting form of puzzle. Cryptic crossword puzzles are widely considered the ultimate challenge for lovers of word-play. They are highly entertaining and highly addictive!
What are some abbreviations used in cryptic clues?
For down clues words like ‘below’, ‘above’ etc. might be used. Abbreviations such as ‘left’ being substituted for ‘L’ are a very common feature of cryptic clues as the setter often has to find a way of indicating one and two letter combinations.
How does the cryptic crossword genius app work?
Our Crossword Genius app has been developed to enable people to enjoy cryptic crosswords on their phone. Using the scan feature you are able to point your phone camera at a printed crossword and the modern machine vision techniques read in the grid and clues so you can solve the crossword on your device.
Why do you remove letters in a cryptic crossword?
Here letters are removed from a longer word in the cryptic reading. e.g. The answer is LING, a type of fish defined by ‘swimmer’. To solve the subsidiary indication, you need to substitute LINGERIE for ‘underwear’ and remove (‘abandon’) the letters ERIE, the name of one of the Great Lakes.
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.
What’s the meaning of a cryptic definition clue?
In a cryptic definition clue, the whole clue works as a funny or quirky definition for the answer. There isn’t any wordplay in the usual sense of the word, and there aren’t any indicator words. For example, a wicked thing is a cryptic definition for CANDLE (because it has a wick, groan).
What are wordplay devices in cryptic crosswords?
Wordplay devices include anagrams, reversals, deletions and so on. The definition part of a cryptic clue may be a straightforward dictionary definition, or a more oblique or unusual definition. Identifying the definition section of the clue is a vital part of solving a cryptic clue.
Can a cryptic clue tell you what the answer is?
What the clue appears to be defining on the surface is designed as a distraction and is almost never what it really means. However, to be fair, the clue will always tell you what the answer is (usually more than once), even if you have to twist your brain inside out to read the clue in the way that tells you! All cryptic clues have a definition.
