🧩 Cryptic Definition

The whole clue is a witty or misleading definition of the answer, with no separate wordplay. These rely on misdirection and wordplay in the definition itself.

Look through these examples — you'll start spotting the pattern after just a few. When you're ready, try the practice mode. — Cordelia

Practice these All types

Definition Wordplay Fodder Unhighlighted = indicator or linking word

Where you might shop for Dexter’s new diverting books (6,6)

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Where you might shop for Dexter s new diverting books

Answer: OXFORD

Definition: Where you might shop = OXFORD

Summary: Dexter's Inspector Morse was set in Oxford

Country store? (7)

Relatively helpful? (7)

Impressive digital snap? (4)

Emphatically wearing suit (2,6)

Incendiary device in packet? (4)

This is the same round bread (4)

Spoiler of fun, wet blanket, say? (8)

High-fliers who have become home-makers? (7)

One often depressed during a long sentence? (5-3)

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Colour map:

One often depressed during a long sentence

Answer: SPACEBAR

Definition: One often depressed = SPACEBAR

Assembly:

cryptic_definition: SPACEBAR

Summary: cryptic definition

Little sound that may similarly rise and fall? (4)

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Little sound that may similarly rise and fall

Answer: PEEP

Definition: Little sound = PEEP

Assembly:

cryptic_definition: PEEP

Summary: Palendrome of PEEP

When the tide goes out one might view such accommodation! (5)

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When the tide goes out one might view such accommodation

Answer: FLATS

Definition: accommodation = FLATS

Wordplay:

FLATS (literal)

Summary: FLATS(flats) [cryptic_definition]; definition: "accommodation"

See 26 Across

Perk for frequent fliers? (8)

One barely believes in it? (6)

Performer who will take a big bow? (7)

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Colour map:

Performer who will take a big bow

Answer: CELLIST

Definition: Performer who will take a big bow? = CELLIST

Assembly:

cryptic_definition: CELLIST

Summary: A cellist uses a large bow to play their instrument

Might this help you get into Oxford? (8)

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Might this help you get into Oxford

Answer: SHOEHORN

Definition: Might this help you get into Oxford? = SHOEHORN

Assembly:

cryptic_definition: SHOEHORN

Summary: cryptic definition Oxford is a type of Shoe

Illuminate new line in 18, draining last energy (9)

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Illuminate new line in draining last energy

Answer: ENLIGHTEN

Definition: Illuminate = ENLIGHTEN

Assembly:

cryptic_definition: ENLIGHTEN

Summary: Anagram of EIGHTEEN + N(ew) + L(ine) - E (draining = removing an E(nergy)

South Korean yogi liked nutty 19 Across line for 9 Down (5,7,2,3,3)

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South Korean yogi liked nutty Across line for Down

Answer: HERES

Definition: South Korean yogi liked nutty 19 Across's line for 9 Down = HERES

Assembly:

cryptic_definition: HERES

Summary: Anagram (nutty) of South Korean yogi liked

Tree maintenance check (7)

A violent storm on the way? (4,4)

Achieve exam success while away (4)

Landlords perhaps providing B&Bs? (7)

Cowardly manner in which to express pain? (6)

What one might do seeing scary spider? Leg it! (4,2,2)

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What one might do seeing scary spider Leg it

Answer: STEP ON IT

Definition: Leg it! = STEP ON IT

Summary: cryptic definition: one may kill a spider by stepping on it, and step-on-it is slanf for moving fast

Might Rod come up with this ginger, ridiculous hairstyle? (3,6)

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Might Rod come up with this ginger ridiculous hairstyle

Answer: RED MULLET

Definition: ridiculous hairstyle = RED MULLET

Summary: A fishing rod may catch a Red Mullet. RED (ginger) + MULLET (ridiculous haircut)

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