This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, August 20, 2026 (40 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
Answer length: 4 squares
First letter
I _ _ _
First and last letters
I _ _ E
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About the answer
IDLE as a word: Not engaged in any occupation or employment; unemployed; inactive; doing nothing in particular; Not being used appropriately; not occupied; (of time) with no, no important, or not much activity.
IDLE has been an answer 11 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since January 9, 2026.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
- Confidentiality of letters? (33 Across)
- "Done well" (37 Across)
- Short for "info flight" (38 Across)
- Sponge bath (39 Across)
- Say "minus C" (41 Across)
- Set off (42 Across)
- Practice Japanese (43 Across)
- Equal roughly (45 Across)
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