Crossword puzzle clues often employ clever wordplay, ambiguity, or words with multiple meanings to guide—or sometimes misdirect—the solver. The clue “It has many private entries” is a prime example of this technique. It uses a common word, “entries,” in a context that requires you to think beyond its most obvious meaning.
If you encountered this clue in a NYT Mini Crossword (such as the one on Friday, April 18, 2025, where this clue appeared) and found yourself pondering what could have “private entries,” let’s reveal the answer first and then break down exactly how the clue works its magic.
For the clue:
The answer is:
DIARY
Now that we know the answer is “DIARY,” let’s dissect the clue and understand why this particular word fits so perfectly and what lessons it offers for solving similar crossword entries.
Why “DIARY” Fits: The Double Meaning of “Entries”
The cleverness of this clue hinges entirely on the word “entries.” In everyday language, “entries” can mean several things:
- Ways to enter a place: Like “private entries” to a club or building, suggesting exclusive access.
- Items recorded in a list, ledger, or journal: Dated notes, records, or pieces of information written down.
The clue uses the word “entries” in the second sense. A DIARY is a journal where a person writes down dated accounts of their day, thoughts, feelings, or experiences. Each dated piece of writing is an “entry.”
The word “private” in the clue is the crucial mini crossword nyt hint that steers you towards the correct interpretation of “entries.” If the clue simply said “It has many entries,” you might think of a hotel (many entries/doors), a database (many data entries), or even a dictionary (many word entries). However, the addition of “private” immediately limits the possibilities. What kind of “entries” are typically private? Personal records, thoughts, and reflections – exactly what you’d find in a diary.
So, the clue “It has many private entries” means “It contains many written records that are personal and not for public view.” A DIARY is the perfect fit for this description.
The Nature of the Clue: A Wordplay Clue (Double Meaning)
This clue is a classic example of a wordplay clue, specifically utilizing a double meaning. Constructors frequently use words that have more than one definition to create misdirection or require the solver to think flexibly about language.
Wordplay clues often:
- Use a Homograph: A word spelled the same but with different meanings (like “entries”).
- Hint at One Meaning: The clue’s phrasing (“private entries”) points towards one specific definition or usage.
- Require the Solver to Identify That Specific Meaning: The solver must discard the more common or obvious definition in favor of the one intended by the constructor.
In this case, the constructor is counting on you first thinking of “entries” as entrances. Then, the word “private” forces you to reconsider and land on the idea of private written records. This mental pivot is characteristic of solving wordplay clues.
How a Crossword Hint Helps for This Clue
If you were puzzled by “It has many private entries,” a mini crossword nyt hint would likely focus on clarifying which meaning of “entries” is intended or providing a synonym for “diary.”
Here are some potential hints and how they would guide you:
- Hint: “Book for daily personal notes?” – This hint uses synonyms (“book for notes”) and directly confirms the “personal” aspect, strongly pointing towards a diary. It bypasses the ambiguity of “entries” entirely.
- Hint: “Journal with dated writings?” – This hint uses the synonym “journal” and specifies “dated writings,” clarifying that the “entries” are written records made over time.
- Hint: “Place for private records?” – This hint uses synonyms for “entries” (“records”) and reinforces the “private” aspect.
These hints are effective because they cut through the ambiguity of the word “entries” by either replacing it with a clearer synonym related to writing (“notes,” “writings,” “records”) or by giving a direct synonym for the answer (“journal”). Paired with knowing the answer is a 5-letter word, these hints make finding DIARY much more straightforward. Understanding how a mini crossword nyt hint focuses on the intended meaning or offers a synonym is key to using hints effectively for wordplay clues.
The Constructor’s Skill: Crafting Ambiguity
Clues using double meanings like this one showcase the constructor’s skill in crafting ambiguity that is solvable. The ambiguity isn’t meant to be unfair; it’s a puzzle in itself.
Constructors use double meanings to:
- Create a Challenge: It requires solvers to think flexibly about word definitions.
- Add Elegance: A clue that uses a common word deceptively can be quite satisfying when you figure it out.
- Control Difficulty: By picking a word with a less common but still valid meaning, the constructor can adjust the difficulty. The “entries” meaning as written records is common enough to be fair but perhaps not the first thing everyone thinks of when they hear “entries” without context.
- Fit Specific Letters/Lengths: The word DIARY fits a 5-letter slot, and its meaning aligns perfectly with the intended interpretation of the clue.
This clue is a prime example of how constructors use language precisely and sometimes deceptively to create the puzzle. Recognizing when a clue might involve wordplay is a crucial step in solving.
Solving Strategy for Double Meaning Clues
How can you improve at solving clues that rely on double meanings like “It has many private entries”?
- Identify Ambiguous Words: Look for words in the clue that you know have multiple meanings (like entries, run, bank, current, etc.).
- Consider the Context: Read the entire clue carefully. Are there other words (like “private”) that might point to one specific meaning over another?
- Think Beyond the Obvious: If your first interpretation of a word doesn’t lead anywhere, cycle through its other possible meanings.
- Use Crossing Letters! These are invaluable. If you suspect “entries” might mean written records, but aren’t sure, look at the letters you have from intersecting Down words. If you have I_R for a 5-letter word starting with D, DIARY becomes very likely, confirming your interpretation of the clue. Crossing letters are your most powerful organic mini crossword nyt hints.
- Check Word Length: Always confirm your potential answer fits the number of squares.
Solving double meaning clues often involves a process of initial interpretation, potential misdirection, re-evaluation based on other words in the clue or crossing letters, and finally, the “aha!” moment when the correct meaning clicks.
The “Aha!” Moment of Double Meaning
The satisfaction derived from solving a clue like “It has many private entries” is significant precisely because of the wordplay. You might first think of doors or access points. But then “private” makes you pause. What private “entries” are there? Not doors… ah, written entries! In a DIARY! That moment where the correct meaning of “entries” becomes clear, unlocking the answer, is a hallmark of crossword solving joy. It’s a small intellectual puzzle within the larger grid.
In conclusion, the clue “It has many private entries” leading to the answer DIARY in the April 18, 2025 NYT Mini Crossword is a wonderful illustration of the power of wordplay, specifically the use of double meanings, in crossword construction. It challenges solvers to think flexibly about language and rewards them for recognizing the less obvious interpretation of a common word, guided by crucial context like the word “private.” Mastering these types of clues, perhaps with the help of a targeted mini crossword nyt hint when needed, adds a delightful dimension to your daily puzzle-solving experience.
Keep an eye out for those seemingly simple words that might hold a hidden meaning – they often lead to the most satisfying solves!