The final entry in the New York Times crossword puzzle often holds special significance. It’s typically a longer word or phrase, and its placement signifies the successful completion of the puzzle. For example, a recent puzzle might have culminated with a term like “EVENINGSTAR,” requiring solvers to piece together clues related to astronomy and language.
This culminating entry serves several purposes. It provides a sense of accomplishment for solvers and often introduces less common vocabulary or interesting trivia. Historically, the final entrys length and complexity have evolved alongside the puzzle itself, reflecting changing trends in language and cultural knowledge. The position of this final answer, usually in the bottom right corner, has become a standard convention in crossword design.
