This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Friday, January 23, 2026 (51 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Friday puzzles are themeless and hard, with clues that are vague on purpose.
How to read this clue
The question mark warns of wordplay. Expect a pun or a second meaning rather than a straight definition.
Answer length: 4 squares
First letter
F _ _ _
First and last letters
F _ _ E
Show the answer
About the answer
FREE as a word: (social) Unconstrained; Not imprisoned or enslaved.
FREE has been an answer 8 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since October 27, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
- First name on the Supreme Court (43 Across)
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- It is "making the complicated simple, awesomely simple," per Charles Mingus (49 Across)
- Text insert for a flash-forward film scene (52 Across)
- Ink (53 Across)
- Apt rhyme for "pads" (54 Across)
- Guck (55 Across)
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