NYT Reveals Enigmatic Clues in Latest Crossword

Today's NYT Games Strands puzzle (#309, January 6, 2025) challenges players to decipher a theme from the clue "In Neutral" and locate seven related words within a letter grid. This article provides assistance, ranging from general hints to the complete solution.

The puzzle grid and the clue "In Neutral" are shown above.

Hints:

Need a helping hand? These spoiler-free hints offer guidance without revealing specific words:

Hint 1

Consider items often described as neutral in color or tone.

Hint 2

Think about colors.

Hint 3

Focus on pale, subtly tinted colors often categorized as neutral.

Partial Spoilers (One Word Each):

Prefer a small nudge without full word reveals? These offer individual word spoilers:

Spoiler 1

One of the words is "Cream".

Spoiler 2

Another word is "Eggshell".

Complete Solution:

Ready for the full answer? The solution is revealed below:

The theme is "Off-White." The seven words are: Eggshell, Vanilla, Cream, Linen, Ivory, Champagne, and the pangram.

Theme Explanation:

Still puzzled? Here's a breakdown of the theme:

Off-white colors are subtly tinted variations of white, considered neutral shades. The puzzle words all represent different off-white hues.

Enjoy the puzzle! Find the NYT Games Strands website on most devices with a browser.