Do you like challenges, especially when solving crossword puzzles? If yes, then Cryptic Crossword puzzles are your best bet. Unlike New York Times crosswords or other quick crosswords, cryptic crosswords are challenging puzzles.
The creators of the cryptic crossword design it in a way that requires you to go beyond possible solutions and imagination. However, some of the right strategies can help you solve them successfully.
So, if you have already made up your mind to solve cryptic crosswords, but are still hankering how to solve them, then this post is for you. This article will discuss effortless methods that will help you know how to solve cryptic crosswords. Read on!!
Let’s get started…
Top 5 Methods To Solve Cryptic Crosswords
The first thing that you should know prior to solving these puzzles is that they have double definitions, hidden answers, or indicators within. By decoding clues and jumbling words, you can solve maximum cryptic clues. However, this is not as simple as it sounds. Hence, we suggest you go through the methods outlined here to solve these puzzles effortlessly. Let’s dive in…
Method 1: Decode the Double Definitions of Clues
Cryptic crosswords vary significantly from traditional crosswords. Simply put, these puzzles are more challenging and need you to put extra effort into solving them. You should use your maximum logical and reasoning power if you aim to solve its knotty phrases. Their most distinctive feature is their double-definition nature. Their double-definition often indicates the same answer, but it is vital to detect them.
However, this makes the cryptic crossword puzzle complex yet engaging. The puzzle solver experiences a sense of exhilaration when they solve the puzzle as if they have stumbled upon a brilliant revelation. Let’s now understand how to decode the double definitions of the cryptic crossword clues. Here we go…
- Read the clue first. Try to identify and differentiate phrases of double meaning. However, it takes a long time and more effort to learn how to detect and differentiate double-meaning phrases.
- Then, look for the linking words (i.e. and, or, by, for, etc.). There may or may not be the use of linking words to connect double-definition phrases.
- Keep in mind that punctuation does not matter.
- Work out on the first word or the last word (or phrase) to find out two double-definitions.
- Consider the underlying connection between these two definitions to find a shared solution.
For instance, Slims down and get rid of wrinkles, perhaps
There are two possible definitions. Slim down meaning decreases. Getting rid of wrinkles perhaps means reducing wrinkles. So, both of them imply a similar meaning that is Decrease.
Also See: 10 Best Free Crossword Puzzles Online
Method 2: Learn the Commonly-Used Abbreviations
Another technique that will help you solve cryptic crosswords without any hassle is to consider focusing on abbreviations. The abbreviation technique can help you solve this puzzle with ease. This method is specifically ideal for those who are well versed with the commonly used abbreviations.
The more abbreviations you know, the greater your chances are of solving cryptic crossword puzzles effortlessly. Know that cryptic crosswords are littered with abbreviations. Check out the following details to know how knowing abbreviations can help you:
- Cryptic crossword recognizes the word sailor in three abbreviations, such as AB (able-bodied sailor), OS (ordinary seaman), or J (Jack).
- Likewise, for the ship, there is a good vocabulary (SS for steamer ship, RMS for Royal Mail Ship, etc.
- Recall the periodic table that you learned in your high school days. You need to know elementary symbols to identify clues.
- Know the abbreviations of the geographical areas as well.
- Learn the abbreviations for musical notes if you have not learned to solve (P for soft, F for loud, etc).
Let’s now take a look at another method of solving cryptic crosswords. Here we go…
Method 3: Use the Anagram Technique to Rearrange the Clue’s Letters
Then there is this Anagram technique you can use to rearrange the letters in the clues and solve the puzzle. By using the anagram technique, you can scan the clues first and then fill the cryptic crossword grid with the best possible answers. Once you start filling the grid using this technique, you will find the rest of the puzzle has become easier to solve.
This technique allows you to shuffle letters in the wordplay to find out the solution. Go over the following pointers to learn about anagrams and the technique…
- The first and foremost thing that you should know is that crossword creators often use anagrams in the longest words.
- Spot the adverbs ending with ly, gerunds ending with ing, or past-participle with ed. They are the anagrams
- Adjectives such as different and dizzy indicate anagrams
- Any word that suggests doubt or confusion in the clue is an anagram
- The word that you should jumble is either before or after the anagram word
For example, Dormitory chaos (9)”. This clue suggests that the answer is related to the word “dormitory,” which involves some kind of “chaos.” which is a common hint for an anagram. The number (9) in parentheses indicates that the answer is a 9-letter word. Hence, “Dormitory” is the word that needs to be rearranged. And the answer is DIRTY ROOM.
Another example: Probably, the COVID wronger and his actions were behind the scenes. So, the COVID Wronger is an anagram here, and we have to rearrange it to get the answer. The answer here would be: OVERCROWDING.
Method 4: Consider the Number of Letters
It is obvious that ten-letter solutions are longer than three-letter solutions. This is not cryptic. However, it is puzzling that you must decipher a ten-word clue in order to discover the solution consisting of only two or three words. This will help you understand how these clues are set when you solve the puzzle.
Additionally, if you see a question mark at the end of a ten-word clue, it means that the setter has tried to make it cryptic. It can be either easy or challenging to solve. However, one thing is certain: the cryptic setter did not follow any rules while designing the crossword puzzle. Your practice of detecting two definitions can help you find the right solution.
Method 5: Find Out the Hidden Words to Answer Clues
Often, crossword setters hide an answer in the crossword clue for you to see. This is just like an open secret, but because this is embedded in a clue, you don’t get answers instantly. However, using strategies can help you solve it. Check out the following pointers to know how to find hidden answers:
- See if a hidden word is embedded with a single word or divided into two adjacent words in the clue.
- You can identify the clue with an indicator.
- Scan the entire clue from right to left to find the indicator.
- You will find it in no time.
Bottom Lines
So, these are the top 5 methods you can use to solve cryptic crosswords. Hopefully, this article has been informative for you and has helped you learn how to solve cryptic crosswords. You can use these tried and tested methods to master cryptic crossword puzzles.
This is truly a brain-teaser puzzle game that is considered the most challenging of all. You will get to experience numerous difficulty levels when solving these puzzles.
However, with the right approach and strategies, solving these crosswords becomes a breeze. All you have to focus on is learning how to do decoding, how to find hidden words, and how to solve anagram words.
Learning these and solving these puzzles consistently can help you become better each day. So, without any delay, start following these methods and enhance your cognitive skills by solving cryptic crosswords.
Happy Gaming… 😊😊
