This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Saturday, September 19, 2026 (45 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Saturday puzzles are the hardest of the week and themeless, so clues are often deliberately misleading.
Answer length: 5 squares
First letter
I _ _ _ _
First and last letters
I _ _ _ L
Show the answer
About the answer
IDEAL as a word: Optimal; being the best possibility; Perfect, flawless, having no defects.
IDEAL has been an answer 9 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 18, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
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