The Guardian Quick Crossword is the perfect daily dose of wordplay! Unlike its notoriously difficult Cryptic sibling, the Quick Crossword is definition-based and highly accessible, offering a snappy, satisfying challenge that’s great for a coffee break or a morning commute. We know how addictive this daily puzzle can be, so to help you out (or just confirm your brilliant solves!), here are the answers for today’s Guardian Quick Crossword for December 22, 2025 (Puzzle No. 17,357) .
Today’s Guardian Quick Crossword Answers for December 22, 2025
Let’s dive into the answers for the Guardian Quick Crossword for today.
1 Across: A stroke (9) – BUTTERFLY
8 Across: Sign up (5) – ENROL
9 Across: Careful examination (7) – PERUSAL
10 Across: Firing system (8) – IGNITION
11 Across: Put back to factory settings (4) – ZERO
13 Across: Louden (anag) – swelling on root (6) – NODULE
14 Across: Soya-based food (6) – TEMPEH
16 Across: Mother’s ___ (4) – RUIN
17 Across: A herb (8) – MARJORAM
19 Across: Breast cut of meat (7) – BRISKET
20 Across: Walk with pronounced nicety (5) – MINCE
21 Across: Sleepwear (9) – NIGHTGOWN
1 Down: Make small (8) – BELITTLE
2 Down: Very best (6) – TIPTOP
3 Down: Pound (US poet) (4) – EZRA
4 Down: Temporary home-provider for children (6-6) – FOSTERPARENT
5 Down: Bird – colourful too!? (12) – YELLOWHAMMER
6 Down: Three-wheeler – needy bird? (7,5) – RELIANTROBIN
7 Down: Dangerous crime on the highway (5-7) – DRINKDRIVING
12 Down: Bunny or Button (8) – BENJAMIN
15 Down: Military performance (6) – TATTOO
18 Down: Satirical sketch (4) – SKIT
What do you think of today’s Guardian Quick Crossword puzzle? Were you able to guess all the answers?
This Guardian Quick Crossword had a satisfyingly tactile, almost physical quality to it, with many clues prompting images of movement, texture, and bodily action rather than abstract ideas alone. I liked how the puzzle flowed between scrutiny, mechanical processes, food, and everyday human behavior, giving the solve a grounded, real-world rhythm. Straightforward definitions nicely balanced the wordplay-heavy clues, resulting in a steady alternation between decoding and recognition that kept the momentum strong. A few longer, vividly descriptive entries anchored the grid and gave it personality, while the downs added social and ethical weight that made the puzzle feel substantial rather than breezy. Overall, it felt classic yet lively, with a confident structure and plenty of satisfying clicks along the way. I’d rate it 3.5 out of 5.
You can also check out today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
- NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Hints and Answers
- LA Times Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- Washington Post Mini Meta Crossword
- Boston Globe Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- USA Today Crossword Hints and Answers
- The New Yorker Crossword Answers
- The New Yorker Mini Crossword Answers
How to Play The Guardian Quick Crossword
Playing The Guardian Quick Crossword is simple, making it a great daily habit.
- The Goal: Fill in the full 15×15 grid with words that fit the clues, both Across and Down.
- The Clues: Unlike the main Cryptic puzzle, these clues are direct definitions or synonyms of the answer word. The number in parentheses at the end of the clue tells you the exact number of letters in the answer.
- The Grid Size: This is a full-sized crossword, meaning the words are longer than those in the Mini, giving you a substantial but still manageable puzzle.
- Intersections: The key to solving is using the intersecting letters. A letter you fill in for an “Across” word must also be the correct starting or middle letter for a “Down” word, and vice versa. This cross-referencing is your greatest solving tool.
- Daily Refresh: The puzzle refreshes daily on The Guardian’s website, so there’s always a new puzzle waiting.
