The ultimate guide to cryptic crossword clues

The Telegraph has just launched Mini Cryptic, a blend of cryptic and quick clues perfect for new and more experienced solvers. So, is it time for you to finally learn how to decode our compilers’ confounding cryptic conundrums?

Cryptics: the basic structure of a clue

It is true that cryptic clues require a bit more thought than their quick counterparts. However, arming yourself with the knowledge to spot the hidden hints and indicators will see you completing your first puzzle before you know it.

Broadly speaking, cryptic clues are split into two components: the definition of the answer and the wordplay. The two halves will often be joined so that the separation is hard to spot. Knowing how to tell these apart is key to breaking down the cryptic and finding the answer.

The definition of the answer is always found at the beginning or end of the clue, never in the middle.

The wordplay will help us work out the answer, and will often contain some key words or “indicators” that reveal the nature of the clue we are tackling. These phrases are explored in more detail below, but some common examples might be “messed up” to indicate an anagram, or “for starters” to indicate using the first letters of some words in the clue.

Hidden words are exactly that: our answer is hidden directly within the clue. Splitting the clue into the wordplay and definition, and spotting the indicator, will help us solve these.

Common indicators are words like “inside” or “within”, or words like “partially”, “somewhat”, or “to some extent”. An example might be:

Sometimes, those hidden elements need to be reversed to make sense of the clue. Indicators always tell you that the hidden word runs backwards. An example:

How to spot: Indicators for hidden words can include: “some of”, “part of” “found in” “within” “holds” etc. If the hidden word appears in reverse, there will be another indicator such as: “returning” “spinning” “retreating” “backwards” etc

2. Double definitions

These clues differ from their compatriots by lacking wordplay. Instead, they simply contain two definitions of different meanings of the same answer. The two meanings may be pronounced differently, but will be spelt the same.

One trick to tackling these clues is to insert a comma or break in the clue, and see if the two parts both lead to the same answer/meaning.

For example:

How to spot: Look for short clues, possibly just two words, and clues that can be split into two pieces, which both sound like definitions

3. First, last and alternate letters

Some clues make use of plucking letters straight out of the clue, usually either the first or last letters of certain words, or sometimes alternating letters.

Giveaway indicators for these clues might be “first” or “last”, “leading” or “final”, “heads” or “tails”, “initially” or “ultimately”, and once you spot them, they are straightforward to solve. As with other clue types, our definition must be either at the beginning or end of the clue.

If you see a word like “regularly” or “periodically”, take alternate letters.

How to spot: Look for indicators that suggest coming “first” or “last”, or words like “regularly”, “at intervals”, “from time to time”.

Now you’ve mastered the easier clues, why not put your new-found knowledge to the test? Try a Mini Cryptic on the website here and for our app users, here.

As simple as they sound, anagram clues give us all the letters we need, provided we can spot them.

Common indicator words will tell us that the letters must be “moved”, “jumbled”, “troubled”, or appear in a “strange”, “new” or “convoluted’’ form. Anagrams are a very common clue, and there are many more indicators than could be sensibly listed. An example of an anagram clue:

How to spot: there are more indicators for anagrams than one could possibly learn – but look for words that indicate movement, confusion or disorder. Even words like “drunk” can indicate an anagram. Also, look for a word or a string of words in the clue that is the same length as the answer.

5. Charades

Much like the classic party game, some clues give us the answer to the definition in sections or syllables spelt out by different parts of the clue.

Sometimes, the sections of charade clues lead to complete words that we put together to make the answer. We might also have to use common abbreviations, such as right = R / left = L, or hot = H / cold = C to build the answer.

When assembling the parts of a charade clue, pay attention to the instructions to see which word or part comes first, as in the following:

How to spot: charade clues can be longer clues, and they don’t typically have indicator words, but might have linking words such as “with”, “next to” or “following” etc.

6. Cryptic definitions and puns

These clues are just plays on words which ask you to think laterally about what else the words in the clue might mean, aside from the most obvious reading. Punctuation marks such as ? or ! at the end often indicate there is a twist in the clue to work out. These clues don’t contain wordplay and definition – the whole clue is just a kind of pun.

Most cryptic clues helpfully confirm for us the exact letters which make up the answer, so we can be 100% sure we are right. Cryptic definitions don’t – they require a bit of intuition, and we may need to get some crossing letters from other answers to help us break down the play on words.

How to spot: Short clues making use of punctuation such as “!” or “?” have a good chance of being a cryptic definition clue.

7. Homophones

Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but spelt differently, the scourge of English language learners. An example might be maul and mall, or suite and sweet. Homophone clues are usually indicated by words that refer to sound and listening, such as “sounds like”, “I hear”, “aloud” or even phrases like “on the radio”. A simple example clue:

How to spot: Indicators for these clues relate to sound, speaking, or hearing such as “by the sound of it”, “apparently”, “reportedly”, “heard” etc.

Now you’ve mastered the intermediate clues, why not put your new-found knowledge to the test? Try a Mini Cryptic on the website here and for our app users, here.

As the name suggests, in a reversal clue at least part of the answer will appear backwards. Common indicator words for reversals, unsurprisingly, include “backwards”, “reversing”, “turned around” or “flipping”. Some are specific to Down clues, such as “served up” or “northwards”. Others, like “to the west” or “from the right”, only work in Across clues. A simple example:

Reversals can appear as part of other clue types, as we saw with hidden words, but can also appear in more complex charade clues.

How to spot: Look for words that reference turning around, reversing etc.

9. Containers

For container-type clues, we need to think about putting one part of the answer inside another to match the definition. Indicator words either tell us that one word goes inside another, or goes outside another.

Harry’s friend occupying the royal chair (6)

“Royal chair” is our definition, and “occupying” is our container indicator. Harry Potter’s friend is RON. Putting that inside “the” gives THRONE, the royal chair.

How to spot: Look for indicators like “about”, “around”, “held in”, “filling” etc.

10. Deletions

Deletion clues involve removing letters or parts of words to form the answer. The indicator words will tell us which part(s) of the word should be removed. “Beheaded” as an indicator would suggest removing the first letter, whereas “unfinished” or “last off” would suggest removing the letter at the end.

How to spot: Indicator words for these clues will suggest removal, for example, “dropping” or “without”, or words like “nearly” or “almost” show us that the last letter is dropped.

11. Substitutions

Substitution clues won’t appear in the Mini Cryptic, but can be found in our other cryptic crosswords.

A less common clue type, in which one or more letters will get changed in a word to alter its meaning, is called a “substitution”. These clues also make use of common abbreviations, such as Republican = R / Democrat = D, or female = f / male = m.

How to spot: Indicators include words and phrases such as “giving way to” ‘instead of’ “replacing” and “swapping”.

Now you’ve mastered all the basics of cryptic techniques, put your skills and reasoning to the test. Try a Mini Cryptic on the website here and for our app users, here.

Puzzles written by James Brydon, explantations by Connor Ibbetson. Design by Ben Hutchings, development by Connor Ibbetson, video production by Jack Leather, and motion design by Sian Baker and Jake Cook.

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