Looking for a quick and fun way to boost your brainpower? The USA TODAY Easy Crossword is your perfect daily fit! This puzzle is designed to be accessible and solvable, offering straightforward clues and answers in a compact grid. Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking for a relaxing solve, we’re here to help you cross the finish line. Below are the clues and solutions for today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword for December 9, 2025 .

Today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword Answers for December 9, 2025
1 Across: Wood strips – SLATS
6 Across: Eve’s husband – ADAM
10 Across: Thick carpet – SHAG
14 Across: Erected – PUTUP
15 Across: Scholarly volume – TOME
16 Across: Metric weight, for short – KILO
17 Across: Defendant’s story – ALIBI
18 Across: Pirate’s tie – LOOT
19 Across: Fascinated by – INTO
20 Across: Large grocery – SUPERMARKET
23 Across: Prosecuting attys. – DAS
24 Across: Small batteries – AAS
25 Across: “Yeah, right!” – OHSURE
27 Across: In a bustling way – BUSILY
31 Across: Deserve – MERIT
33 Across: Strong __ ox – ASAN
34 Across: Droplet – BEAD
36 Across: Hospital professional – NURSE
40 Across: Current must-read – BESTSELLINGBOOK
43 Across: Drained of color – ASHEN
44 Across: Voice below soprano – ALTO
45 Across: Sky-colored – BLUE
46 Across: Carolers’ songs – NOELS
48 Across: Some cooked chickens – FRYERS
50 Across: Seller – VENDOR
53 Across: Sheep’s cry – BAA
54 Across: Pub pint – ALE
55 Across: Evening viewing – PRIMETIMETV
62 Across: Highlands miss – LASS
64 Across: Field of expertise – AREA
65 Across: “Yes __, Bob!” – SIREE
66 Across: Suffix for kitchen – ETTE
67 Across: Shades of light brown – TANS
68 Across: More chilly – ICIER
69 Across: Dry run – TEST
70 Across: Aide: Abbr. – ASST
71 Across: In want – NEEDY
1 Down: Health clubs – SPAS
2 Down: Doozy – LULU
3 Down: “Take __ from me” – ATIPS
4 Down: Toothpaste holder – TUBE
5 Down: Corkscrew shape – SPIRAL
6 Down: Mythical lifter – ATLAS
7 Down: Entrance – DOOR
8 Down: Run __ (go wild) – AMOK
9 Down: Shooting star – METEOR
10 Down: Hit the slopes – SKI
11 Down: Yoga practitioner in India – HINDU
12 Down: Place to exchange vows – ALTAR
13 Down: “Silly” bird – GOOSE
21 Down: Perhaps – MAYBE
22 Down: Person, place or __ – THING
26 Down: Short and thick, as fingers – STUBBY
27 Down: “Ali __ and the Forty Thieves” – BABA
28 Down: Puts to work – USES
29 Down: Wide belt – SASH
30 Down: Have in mind – INTEND
31 Down: Shopping meccas – MALLS
32 Down: Revise – EDIT
35 Down: Israeli airline – ELAL
37 Down: Part in a play – ROLE
38 Down: Tart-tasting – SOUR
39 Down: Scrapes by, with “out” – EKES
41 Down: Nose around – SNOOP
42 Down: Like some diet foods – NOFAT
45 Down: Misprints – ERRATA
49 Down: Dried fruit in trail mix – RAISIN
50 Down: Person paid to park cars – VALET
51 Down: Make very happy – ELATE
52 Down: Wasps’ homes – NESTS
53 Down: Cruel person – BEAST
56 Down: Some savings plans, briefly – IRAS
57 Down: Clothing-store section with ties – MENS
58 Down: Cats’ quarry – MICE
59 Down: A Great Lake – ERIE
60 Down: Started a golf round, with “up” – TEED
61 Down: Extremely – VERY
63 Down: Complete collection – SET

How did you fare with today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword? Did you cruise to a speedy victory?
Today’s USA Today Easy Crossword delivers exactly what the early-week puzzle is meant to: a smooth, steady, confidence-boosting solve that feels friendly from start to finish. The grid leans on clean everyday language, but it’s arranged with enough variety to keep the momentum lively rather than flat. Even with its straightforward clueing, there’s a pleasant sense of cohesion as longer entries anchor the puzzle and the theme ties it all together without overpowering the experience. It’s the kind of crossword that eases you in, keeps you moving, and leaves you with that small, satisfying “all done” moment. I’d rate it 4 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 Answers
How to Play the USA TODAY Easy Crossword
Playing the USA TODAY Easy Crossword is hassle-free and lightning-fast.
- The Goal: The object is to completely fill the grid with words that correctly answer the “Across” (horizontal) and “Down” (vertical) clues.
- The Clues: Use the list of clues provided for each direction.
- Word Length: The grid itself guides you on the length of the words. A correct letter in one direction will often give you a helpful starting letter for the intersecting word.
- Intersections: Look for those crossing points! Solving an easy “Across” clue can provide key letters that make a tougher “Down” clue suddenly click.
- Daily Refresh: A brand new USA TODAY Easy Crossword is released every day, guaranteeing a fresh burst of puzzle fun.