This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Friday, October 30, 2026 (5 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Friday puzzles are themeless and hard, with clues that are vague on purpose.
Answer length: 6 squares
First letter
E _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
E _ _ _ _ S
Show the answer
About the answer
ESSAYS as a word: (publishing) A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject; (dated, transitive) To attempt or try.
ESSAYS has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
More clues from this puzzle
- First name that contains four of the first five letters of the alphabet (1 Down)
- Macronutrient group? (2 Down)
- Cover-up in an old detective film? (3 Down)
- Ground cover (4 Down)
- Opposite of agitato, in music (6 Down)
- Grasps, informally (7 Down)
- Some hedge shrubs (8 Down)
- They're at least 170 times hotter than Tabasco sauce (9 Down)
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