The USA Today Crossword challenges players daily with a mix of easy and tough clues that test your vocabulary and knowledge. If you’re stuck on the December 27, 2025 puzzle, don’t worry! We’ve gathered today’s clues and answers in one handy place so you can keep solving without frustration. Whether you need help with one tricky clue or the entire grid, our friendly guide has you covered. Enjoy sharpening your mind and having fun!

Across

1A Hot dog holders — BUNS

5A Not genuine — FAKE

9A Behind schedule — LATE

13A Kyrgyzstan’s continent — ASIA

14A ___heart (superhero with a metal suit) — IRON

15A Something to “fly under” — RADAR

16A Penny’s value — CENT

17A Transmit — SEND

18A *First day of Kwanzaa (Unity) — UMOJA

19A *Second day (Self-determination) — KUJICHAGULIA

22A El ___, Texas — PASO

23A Sprinted — RAN

24A Fast vehicle in a Tracy Chapman hit — FAST CAR

27A Palmed off — FOISTED

31A Lion’s hair — MANE

32D Singer Andra who portrayed Billie Holiday — DAY

34A Country west of Sudan — CHAD

35A Fertile area in a desert — OASIS

36A Calligrapher’s tool — PEN

37A Plantain’s exterior — PEEL

38A *Third day (Collective work and responsibility) — UJIMA

39A *Fourth day (Cooperative economics) — UJAMAA

41A Not mandatory — OPTIONAL

44A Walking back and forth — PACING

45A *Fifth day (Purpose) — NIA

46A Be a good ___ model — ROLE

47A Weasel’s semiaquatic relative — OTTER

49A “thx” counterpart — YW (You’re Welcome)

51A Terse response to an invitation — CANT

53A “Just a ___!” — SEC

55A *Sixth day (Creativity) — KUUMBA

60A More senior — ELDER

62A Like faked records — COOKED

64A *Seventh day (Faith) — IMANI

65A Fastened like a dress shirt — BUTTONED

66A Rodeo rope — LASSO

67A Dishes dirt — GOSSIPS

Down

1D “I’ve got your ___” — BACK

2D Deplete — USE UP

3D Feudal Japanese spy — NINJA

4D Make content — SATE

5D Minnow or marlin — FISH

6D Vicinity — AREA

7D Hong ___ — KONG

8D Withstood — ENDURED

9D Dalai ___ — LAMA

10D Commotion — ADO

11D ___ Mahal — TAJ

12D The “E” in BCE — ERA

15D Render unsalvageable — RUIN

20D Dove’s sound, or a corporate title — COO

21D Young chap — LAD

24D Place to gamble — CASINO

25D Word after “party” or “pack” — ANIMAL

26D Flipper’s transaction — RESALE

28D Long periods with reduced global temperatures — ICE AGES

29D ___/her — SHE

30D Sharp part of a hawk — TALON

31D College concentration — MAJOR

32D ___ vu — DEJA

33D Big boas — ANACONDAS

35D French word whose opposite is “non” — OUI

36D Baby wolf — PUP

37D Breathe heavily — PANT

40D Winter handwear — MITTENS

42D Gladys Knight backer, or a word after “toodle” — PIP

43D Chats with — TALKS TO

48D Striped shirt wearer in sports — REF

50D Two- or three-piece outfits — SUITS

51D Slinky’s shape — COIL

52D ___ mater — ALMA

54D Metered vehicle — CAB

56D Flying saucers — UFOS

57D Bite-size — MINI

58D Microwave sound… by hitting “Stop” — BEEP

59D Computes a sum — ADDS

61D Brazilian city, for short — RIO

63D Carry with difficulty — LUG

Be sure to check back every day for fresh hints and answers to keep your puzzling skills sharp!