wordplay puzzles – Crossword Nexus

Crossword clue types explained with examples

Crossword puzzles are more than just lists of questions and answers. Each crossword clue follows certain conventions, patterns, and traditions that help solvers interpret what the constructor is asking for.…

Alexander January 31, 2026

Solving skills

Techniques for solving tricky crossword clues

Crossword puzzles are loved for their cleverness, challenge, and sense of accomplishment. Yet even seasoned solvers sometimes hit a wall when facing tricky crossword clues that seem deliberately opaque. For…

Alexander December 31, 2025

Crossword basics

A brief history of crossword puzzles

Crossword puzzles are so common in newspapers, magazines, and apps that it is easy to forget they had a beginning. Understanding the history of the crossword puzzle helps solvers appreciate…

Alexander December 18, 2025

Crossword basics

What is a crossword puzzle and how does it work

A crossword puzzle is much more than a simple word game. For over a century, crosswords have entertained, educated, and challenged millions of people around the world. From newspapers and…

Alexander December 18, 2025