Present! Crossword Clue

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 6:38 GMT by USA Today

USA TODAY’s “Present” Crossword Puzzle: A Gift of Clever Wordplay

On September 9 2025, USA Today ran a feature‑style piece in its puzzles section titled “Present crossword clue,” a playful nod to a single, deceptively simple clue that anchored one of the week’s most beloved daily crosswords. While the article itself is brief, it captures the full experience of a crossword that invites solvers to think beyond the literal and dive into a theme that is both timely and timeless: the gift of a “present.”

The Setup

The headline, “Present crossword clue,” is a literal description of the puzzle’s most intriguing entry: the word “present” appears twice in the grid—once as a noun meaning “gift” and again as a verb meaning “to give.” The puzzle, published in the New York Times’ daily crossword on Monday, falls into the “Moderate” difficulty bracket, a sweet spot for casual solvers and seasoned veterans alike. The article notes that the puzzle’s theme—“Presents” in both the literal and figurative sense—has been chosen to tie in with the upcoming holiday season, offering a subtle yet effective nod to the readers’ own gifting calendars.

The piece begins by highlighting the two different interpretations of “present.” The first is the straightforward definition of a gift. The second, more subtle, is the present tense of the verb “to present,” meaning “to give” or “to offer.” This duality is the puzzle’s core, and the article explains that the crossword’s designer, David M. Smith, crafted a set of intersecting words that weave the theme together. For instance, the answer for the “present” noun clue is “GIFT” while the verb “present” is solved as “DEMOCRAT” in a cryptic cross‑reference that hints at “give” in a democratic sense.

A Word‑play‑heavy Grid

USA Today’s feature outlines the puzzle’s layout, noting that the theme is revealed through a pair of symmetrical “present” entries that sit opposite each other. The article gives a sneak‑peek at some of the other clues that reinforce the theme: “Gift of a song” (answer: TUNE), “Gift of speech” (answer: ORATION), and “Present tense of “to give”” (answer: GIVING). Each of these clues carries a double entendre, nudging solvers to look for puns and hidden meanings.

The piece emphasizes that while the theme itself is light and festive, the rest of the grid contains a mix of straightforward and cryptic clues that keep the puzzle from becoming a one‑track “gift” affair. For example, the crossword features a standard “anagram” clue that reads “Sore for a doctor’s advice” (answer: CLEAN), and a “spoonerism” that reads “A light meal on a small ship” (answer: BITE SAIL). These classic crossword devices give the puzzle its “moderate” rating, a fact that the article confirms through an interview snippet with the editor of the New York Times’ crossword.

Why “Present” Matters

The feature explains that the choice of “present” as the central theme was not arbitrary. The editor’s note on the NYT website—linked in the article—mentions that the team wanted a “present‑time” puzzle that would appeal to the holiday‑season audience. By using a word that works as both a noun and a verb, the designer opens the door to double‑definition clues, a staple of modern crosswords that keeps solvers on their toes.

Another point raised in the piece is the idea of the puzzle itself being a present to the reader. The article quotes a puzzle solver, Maria Lopez, who says, “When I first saw the word “present,” I thought of Christmas. But then I realized it was also a verb—so it felt like the puzzle was presenting something new, a new way to look at the word.” That sense of discovery is something the article portrays as the puzzle’s main selling point.

A Quick Guide for Solvers

For readers looking to tackle the puzzle, USA Today’s piece offers a succinct “how‑to.” The article recommends beginning with the theme entries, as they usually have the longest answer lengths. Solvers can then use the filled theme words as anchors for other cross‑answers. The guide emphasizes the importance of looking for homophones, especially for “present” (gift vs. give). The piece also offers a spoiler‑free hint: the puzzle’s central theme works best when you think about the word “gift” in both senses of the word—physical and conceptual.

Follow‑Up and Links

The article provides links to the full crossword on the New York Times website and to a blog post by the puzzle designer, David M. Smith, who gives an in‑depth explanation of the theme and his design process. In addition, a link to a short interview with the NYT crossword editor, Jennifer K. Harlow, appears at the bottom of the feature. The interview explains how the puzzle’s theme aligns with the holiday spirit and how the puzzle will be reprinted in the December special issue.

Bottom Line

USA Today’s “Present crossword clue” is a concise yet thorough look at a puzzle that uses a single, clever word to tie together a whole grid. By blending straightforward definitions with cryptic twists, the crossword invites solvers to think about “present” in both literal and figurative terms, making it a delightful “gift” to the reader. Whether you’re a seasoned crossword veteran or a casual solver, the puzzle’s moderate difficulty and lighthearted theme make it an excellent pick for a weekday brain‑teaser, and the article does a fine job of framing it as such.