Crossword Clue Solver with WordNet & Letter Patterns

02 / Narrow the possibilities

How to Use the Crossword Solver

1. Choose a dictionary: Standard searches 172,000+ focused ENABLE public-domain entries, Expanded searches 854,000+ Wiktionary-derived entries, and Both searches 867,000+ unique entries after duplicates are removed. Hover over or focus the selector to confirm the active choice.
2. For dependable use without an internet connection, select Enable Offline Mode to download the complete solver and local definition data to this browser. External word-definition lookups and dictionary links stay disabled until you turn Offline Mode off.
3. Enter the crossword clue as written. Straight definition clues work best; cryptic wordplay is not interpreted.
4. Add the answer pattern from your grid. Keep known letters in position and use ? for each unknown square.
5. If you only know part of the answer, use * for a flexible number of letters or set an exact Word Length.
6. Use Starts With, Ends With, Must Include, or Exclude Letters only when crossing answers support those restrictions.
7. Select Reset inside Filters to clear only the secondary filters without losing the clue, pattern, dictionary, Pick List, or current results.
8. Pause the pointer over an answer to preview its definition, or select it with a click or keyboard. Compare the highest-ranked definitions with the clue's meaning, tense, plurality, and abbreviation signals.
9. Select Add to Pick List in the definition window to save the answer with its clue, pattern, match details, grid position, and private crossing notes.
10. Assign the same Grid Position to group alternative answers together. After a position is defined, select it from the suggestions on another candidate instead of retyping it. Use the Pick List actions menu to export the complete shortlist or import it with Merge or Replace.
11. Use Insert to restore and rerun a saved candidate search, or Share to create a compact link, formatted clipboard summary, and QR code.

Have a rack of letters instead of a grid pattern? Use the Word Unscrambler & Scrabble Word Finder →

03 / Ranking

How WordNet Crossword Clue Ranking Works

The browser compares meaningful clue words with indexed WordNet definitions, synonyms, and graph relationships such as broader, narrower, and similar concepts. Literal terms and exact phrases rank higher than related meanings. Known pattern letters, exact answer length, dictionary membership, and dataset quality then refine the order.

Results are ranked possibilities, not probabilities. “Best match” means the strongest result in the current filtered set; always confirm it against the puzzle's crossings and clue style.

A strong ranking can come from several signals. An answer may share exact words with the clue, match a WordNet synonym, or connect through a broader or narrower concept. Open a candidate to see which signals contributed to its position.

Crossing letters are usually the strongest way to confirm a result. If the leading answer does not fit the clue's tense, plurality, abbreviation, or theme, compare the next candidates or add more known letters. The solver deliberately keeps plausible alternatives instead of treating the first result as certain.

Save, move, or back up a shortlist

Build, Export, and Import a Crossword Pick List

Save promising crossword answers with their clue, answer pattern, matched definition, explainable match strength, dictionary membership, grid position, notes, and timestamp. Candidates sharing a Grid Position are organized into a collapsible group, while answers without a position remain under Unassigned. Grid Position fields suggest positions already used in the Pick List, while still allowing new positions.

Select Insert on any pick to restore its clue, pattern, inferred length, and dictionary and immediately rerun the answer search. This makes it easier to revisit alternatives as crossing letters change.

Open the Pick List actions menu to export every saved candidate as a versioned JSON file. Import it later or move it to another browser without re-entering the puzzle.

Choose Merge to add new candidates while skipping duplicates, or Replace to overwrite the current Pick List after confirmation. Imported files are validated before any candidate is saved.

Share a candidate

Share Crossword Answers by Link or QR Code

Each saved pick can generate a compact Crossword Solver URL and a scannable QR code. The formatted clipboard summary includes the answer, clue, pattern, matched definition, ranking details, dictionary, timestamp, and direct solver link.

Opening a shared link fills the clue and pattern controls, infers the answer length, selects the dictionary, runs the search, and adds the candidate to the recipient's browser-local Pick List.

QR sharing is especially useful when moving a candidate from a laptop to a phone or tablet, or showing it to someone nearby. Scan the code to open the saved solving context without copying a URL, sending yourself a message, signing in, or placing the link on another device's clipboard.

Data and privacy

Private, Browser-Based Crossword Search

The clue index contains more than 129,000 automatically filtered records derived from Princeton WordNet 3.0, including over 34,000 multi-word answers. Phrase spacing is shown in results while patterns and answer length count letters as crossword grid cells. Semantic graph relationships—including broader, narrower, and similar concepts—help find answers beyond exact clue words. Answer validation can use the focused ENABLE list, the broader Wiktionary-derived list, or their 867,000+ unique combined entries. Data loads in compressed pieces only when needed, or you can install the complete crossword solver for offline searches.

Your clue, pattern, filters, Pick List, grid positions, notes, and exported JSON files remain under your control. A share link contains only the answer, clue, pattern, and dictionary selection. Standard definition lookup uses matched and local WordNet definitions before an external word-definition lookup. Offline Mode disables external lookups and dictionary links, keeping all available definition lookup local. See data sources and licensing.