Solving Cryptic Crosswords: The Basics
Rules
There are rules - Some claim there are no rules when it comes to cryptic crosswords. This isn’t true. It’s not
possible for one person to create a challenge for another without a common understanding between the two.
Common understanding - may be loosely defined or strictly defined, but nonetheless, it’s defined.
What’s known - a solver knows they must find an answer to each clue, that there are normally two ways to the
same answer, that all components contribute to the answer in some way, and that each clue contains a definition.
Cryptic Clue Structure
The key to understanding how to solve cryptic clues is to learn the basic structures involved, and the devices used.
Over time, with practice and experience, solvers will be able to spot the devices and successfully break down
clues.
Overview
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Cryptic clues should not be read and understood as straight clues. That is, even though the entire clue
may suggest an answer, it’s unlikely that it will be the right answer.
Generally cryptic clues appear to be normal sentences, and contain standard sentence structures such as
nouns, verbs, adjectives etc. In a “normal” sentence the relationship between these word forms is defined
by their position and use, tense etc. This is not necessarily the case in a cryptic clue. Each word should be
considered in isolation, and any form of a word may be in play. That is, a word that appears to be a noun
in a clue (by context) may be something else.
Punctuation should be ignored, although it could have some role. The setter can use punctuation to guide
the solver’s thinking, which may create a different impression than the solver needs to find an answer to a
clue.
Two Parts – Two Ways to the Answer
*** 99% of clues are made up of two parts: the DEFINITION (DEF), and the WORDPLAY (WP), which is
everything but the DEFINITION. ***
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The DEFINITION is the same as with any other type of crossword, in fact, you could erase the
WORDPLAY from all the cryptic clues in a crossword and be left with a "normal" crossword. The
DEFINITION may be a synonym, or it may be more generic ("One who eats..." = CONSUMER), or it
may be a pun ("Old timer..." = HOUR GLASS).
The DEFINITION will be at one end of a clue, never in the middle.
The WORDPLAY is an alternative way to reach the same answer, that is, the DEFINITION and the
WORDPLAY equal the same thing. Therefore, every cryptic clue should provide the solver with two
ways to the answer, and of course this means you KNOW the answer is right when it fits both.
The clue-writer's job is to connect these two parts as seamlessly as possible to disguise which part is
which. The better clues will have no obvious seam. The weaker clues will contain mismatched parts, that
is, the DEFINITION and the WORDPLAY will appear quite distinct.
Some joining words are allowed, but should indicate some kind of equivalence, thus: DEF is WP, WP is
DEF, DEF in WP, DEF from WP, etc.
The WORDPLAY may contain a number of cryptic devices including anagrams, hiddens, container and
its contents, word building etc. It's these devices that a solver must learn to spot, as once the WP has been
identified, the DEF will become apparent. Finding the DEF is the solver's prime objective. We will look
at each device later on, and the indicators that give them away.
The WORDPLAY may itself be a DEFINITION, that is, two definitions are given ("Heavy metal cable
(4)" = LEAD). These clues are relatively easy to spot (usually short), but not so easy to solve.
Definition
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the ultimate pointer to the solution
may be one or many words
may be disguised through language (ie, not as it appears)
will always be present
Wordplay
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Generally describes the part of a cryptic clue that redefines the answer in its component parts. This
description is just one of many possible for the same answer, as there are many ways to manipulate letters
to achieve the desired outcome.
Can be instructional, descriptive or definitional, and is determined by the language used. No matter which
style is used, the setter must indicate to the solver how to get to the answer.
Is constructed using indicators and structures to guide the solver – no action can be assumed, everything
the solver needs to solve a clue must be in a clue. Indicators may be used for subtracting, joining,
anagramming, putting one word inside/outside another, shortening, hiding etc. Knowing and identifying
these indicators can be an important step in determining how the clue is structured and therefore which
part is likely to be the definition.
Employs a number of techniques to derive the components needed to complete the wordplay. These
include synonyms, “clear” text, abbreviations, parts of words (suitably indicated), Roman numerals,
foreign words etc.
May consist of just one device (eg an anagram), or may use a number of different devices (eg anagram of
a word inside another word). The greater the number of devices used, the longer the clue will be.
Where to go from here
New solvers need to understand the basic structure of cryptic clues, and focus on identifying the definition. In
coming weeks we will nail down the different devices crossword setters use in creating wordplay, devices that
can be largely identified through telltale indicators. Once these devices are clearly understood, cryptic clues will
no longer be a mystery, and the all-important definition will stand out like a beacon (in most cases). Experienced
solvers can generally read a cryptic clue and know how it works, even if they don’t instantly know the answer.
This is where we want to end up.
Practise identifying the definition:
1. Look at any daily cryptic crossword, and simply read each clue.
2. Try to divide each clue into its definition and wordplay parts by drawing a line to separate them.
3. As the definition will be at one end or the other, they may be a number of choices – select the one most
likely.
4. Check the answers the next day, and see how accurate your choices were.
5. Review those clues where you were wrong.
6. Don’t attempt to solve these clues just yet, it will only lead to frustration, as the definition is only one part
of a cryptic clue.
David Stickley