The Wall Street Journal Crossword Answers Updated for April 24, 2024

The Wall Street Journal Crossword Clues and Answers

The Wall Street Journal is a popular crossword that comes with unique and diverse clues. Many crossword enthusiasts enjoy solving this puzzle because it offers an engaging and thought-provoking challenge. This crossword is suitable for everyone, whether they are beginners or crossword pros.

Each crossword from The Wall Street Journal will have a unique theme. Today’s theme for the crossword is “Plants With Personality”. It contains 76 clues that include topics such as entertainment, pop culture, history, nature, science, language, and wordplay. The clues are simple and easy to crack. If you want to verify your answers, you can check the solutions given below.

Singer/Civil Rights Activist Staples

Answer: MAVIS

Mavis Staples is a renowned American singer and civil rights activist. She was a key member of The Staple Singers, her family’s band that became famous for their gospel music. Mavis continued to have a successful solo career and is celebrated both for her musical contributions and her activism.

Fiddle (With)

Answer: MESS

The phrase “fiddle with” refers to the action of handling something nervously or changing something foolishly. This denotes the person doesn’t know about something and is trying to handle it. The answer “mess” in this context refers to handling something in a way that is not particularly careful or organized, often leading to a disorderly result. 

Pasture Frolicker

Answer: LAMB

The term “frolicker” refers to a person or animal who plays or moves happily and in good spirits. A lamb is a young sheep, often seen frolicking in pastures where it has a space to play and graze.

Crop Up

Answer: ARISE

The phrase “crop up” is used to describe something that appears or arises unexpectedly. The answer “Arise” in this context means to emerge or appear. It is often used metaphorically to describe issues, opportunities, or situations. It suggests a sudden or unexpected appearance, similar to how crops emerge from the ground in agriculture.

Site of Kamehameha III’s Iolani Palace

Answer: OAHU

Oahu is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is where Iolani Palace is located, which was the royal residence of King Kamehameha III. It is the only royal palace on US soil, located in the capital city of Honolulu. The palace is a significant historical and cultural site.

Fiendish

Answer: EVIL

The term “fiendish” represents something that is unpleasant, wicked, or cruel. The word “evil” describes something that is immoral, wicked, or malevolent, which conveys a similar idea as “fiendish”.

Fungus With a Strict Code of Ethics?

Answer: MORALMOREL

This answer is a playful pun combining “moral” that means adhering to principles of right and wrong, with “morel,” which is a type of edible fungus with a distinctive honeycomb appearance.

Become a Puddle, Say

Answer: MELT

“Puddle” refers to a small pool of liquid, specifically water. In the context of this clue, to “become a puddle” suggests a physical transformation typically associated with ice or snow turning into water. When ice melts, it will become a small puddle.

Oscar-Winning Movie Set in Austria

Answer: AMADEUS

Amadeus is a biographical drama film. It was directed by Miloš Forman and released in 1984. This film tells the story of  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and is set in Vienna, Austria. The film won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Sound, and more.

Bear the Expense of

Answer: AFFORD

To “afford” means to have enough money or resources to bear the cost of something. The term implies financial capability or budget availability to cover expenses.

Spots for Stylists

Answer: SALONS

“Salons” refer to places where hairdressers and beauticians provide services such as hair cutting, styling, and other beauty treatments. These are professional environments where stylists work to enhance their clients’ appearance.

180

Answer: UTURN

The clue “180” refers to a complete directional change of 180 degrees. This is commonly known as making a U-turn, which is performed by drivers to reverse their direction by turning in a semicircular path until they are heading in the opposite direction.

Vegetable With a Dashing Appearance?

Answer: RAKISHRADISH

This answer is a clever wordplay. “Rakish” refers to having or displaying a dashing quality or appearance. Combining “rakish” with “radish,” a common root vegetable, creates a playful image of a vegetable with a notably stylish appearance.

“Right Back ___!”

Answer: AT YA

The phrase “Right back at ya!” is an informal way of returning a greeting or sentiment. It is often used to reciprocate feelings or actions in a friendly and casual manner.

Distinct Time

Answer: ERA 

Era is a distinct period of time. It refers to a significant period of time noted for particular events that distinguish it from other periods. It often marks a historical phase with distinct features.

Word After Mass or Social

Answer: MEDIA

“Media” refers to the means of communication that reach or influence people widely, such as newspapers, television, and the Internet. When combined with “mass” or “social,” it forms phrases like “mass media” which refers to the various platforms through which large-scale communication occurs, and “social media” like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Sound in a Park

Answer: COO

“Coo” is the soft, murmuring sound made by birds, particularly pigeons and doves, often heard in settings like parks. “Coo” also refers to the sound of a baby.

Had Something

Answer: ATE

The clue “Had Something” refers to the act of consuming food or drink. “Ate” is the simple past tense of “eat”. It is a direct and straightforward answer indicating that someone has consumed food.

Word Sometimes Reduced to Its Middle Letter in Texts

Answer: ARE

In texting and other forms of digital communication, words are often shortened to speed up typing and save space. The word “are” is frequently abbreviated to just its middle letter, “R,” in texts. This is a common practice, especially in casual conversations.

Choose

Answer: OPT

“Opt” means to make a choice or decision from a range of possibilities. It is a synonym for “choose,” which involves selecting an option or making a decision after consideration. The term is commonly used when discussing preferences or possible actions.

Head Accessory With Black Cultural Significance

Answer: DORAG

A do-rag is a cloth used to cover the head, particularly among African-American communities. It holds significant cultural value and has also become a symbol of style and identity.

Summer Refresher

Answer: ADE

Drinks with the suffix “ade” like lemonade, are often associated with refreshing qualities, especially in the summer. These beverages, typically made from lemon or other citrus fruits mixed with water and sugar, are used to refresh and hydrate during hot weather.

Otherwise

Answer: ELSE

“Otherwise” is used to describe something “in another way”. “Else” is a term used to indicate an alternative or an additional possibility. It often follows a conditional statement or suggestion to imply other options or actions that could be considered if the current one does not apply or is rejected.

Crop Known for Its Shrewdness?

Answer: CLEVERCLOVER

This answer is a play on words, combining “clever,” meaning smart or shrewd, with “clover,” which is a type of plant.

Lakers Legend Shaquille

Answer: ONEAL

Shaquille O’Neal is a retired basketball player known for his dominant presence in the NBA, particularly with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is one of the most celebrated athletes in the sport.

Left the Stage

Answer: EXITED

“Exited” means to leave a place, typically in a formal or noticeable manner. In the context of theater or performance, it specifically refers to when an actor or performer leaves the stage, marking the end of their part or presence in the scene.

Hummingbird Food

Answer: NECTAR

Hummingbirds are the smallest birds that are nectarivorous. Their primary source of food is nectar, a sweet liquid produced by flowers. These birds have long beaks to extract nectar from flowers.

Level Off

Answer: PLATEAU

A plateau refers to an area of flat landform that has a higher elevation compared to the surrounding area.

The Floor, in a Children’s Game

Answer: LAVA

In the popular children’s game commonly referred to as “The Floor is Lava,” players must avoid touching the floor as it is imaginatively considered to be made of lava. The players need to hop from one piece of furniture to another or stay in safe spots without touching the ground to avoid “burning” in the lava.

Green With a Reputation for Being Insensitive?

Answer: CRASSCRESS

This is a playful use of words combining “crass,” which means lacking sensitivity or consideration, with “cress,” a type of leafy green vegetable.

Place for the Power of the Pen

Answer: OPED

An op-ed, short for “opposite the editorial page,” is a section in a newspaper or a magazine featuring opinion pieces written by guest writers or columnists. These articles allow writers to express their viewpoints on various topics, to influence public opinion.

Flowing Garment

Answer: TOGA

A toga is a loose, flowing outer garment worn by citizens of ancient Rome. Made from a single piece of fabric, it was draped over the body in a distinctive style and was typically associated with Roman culture.

Principle

Answer: TENET

The terms “principle” and “tenet” are synonyms. A tenet is a belief or principle that is held as true by an individual or group. 

Poi Base

Answer: TARO

Poi is a traditional Hawaiian dish made from the mashed root of the taro plant. Taro root is central to many Polynesian cuisines and is known for its nutritional value.

Instruction That Overrules a Proofreader

Answer: STET

“Stet” is a Latin word meaning “let it stand,” used in proofreading and editing to instruct that a correction or deletion should be ignored and the text should remain as originally written. It is used to overrule previous editing marks.

Fresh

Answer: SASSY

“Sassy” refers to someone exhibiting a bold, fresh, spirited, and cheeky attitude. It often carries an idea of someone being fresh in the sense of showing audacity.

Half of the “Monday, Monday” Singers

Answer: MAMAS

“Monday, Monday” is a famous song performed by The Mamas & the Papas, a popular music group from the 1960s. Here, “Mamas” refers to one-half of the group, specifically the female members.

Bake Shop Enticement

Answer: AROMA

The aroma from a bake shop is often an enticing smell of freshly baked bread, cookies, cakes, and other delicious treats. This scent can attract people as it appeals to their sense of smell.

Like Many a Meme

Answer: VIRAL

The term “viral” is used to describe something, typically content such as videos or images, that quickly spreads across the internet and becomes widely shared. Memes often go viral on social media platforms because of their humorous nature.

Dancer Duncan

Answer: ISADORA

Isadora Duncan was a pioneering dancer and choreographer who laid the foundation for modern contemporary dance.

“Como La Flor” Singer

Answer: SELENA

“Como La Flor” is a song by Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, which was released in June 1992. The song was written by A. B. Quintanilla and Pete Astudillo. 

Cattle Calls

Answer: MOOS

“Moos” are the sounds that cattle make. This onomatopoeic word is used to describe the typical sound of cows and other bovine creatures, often heard in farms and ranches.

Corn Unit

Answer: EAR

An ear of corn refers to the part of the maize plant that contains the kernels. These kernels grow in rows on the cob, which is covered by husks, and each ear of corn can contain many hundreds of kernels.

Sword Protector

Answer: SHEATH

A sheath is a protective cover typically made from leather or other materials used to store a sword when it is not in use. It helps prevent injuries and protects the blade from damage and corrosion.

Element in Gunpowder

Answer: SULFUR

Sulfur is one of the key components of gunpowder, along with charcoal and potassium nitrate. It helps to facilitate the combustion process that occurs when gunpowder ignites.

French Paper of Record

Answer: LEMONDE

Le Monde is a popular French newspaper known for its comprehensive coverage of national and international news. It is often regarded as a newspaper of record in France, as it is a trusted source for accurate and official information.

Assert

Answer: AVER

To aver means to assert or affirm something to be true with confidence. This verb is commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in legal settings.

Salsa Choice

Answer: MILD

Salsa is the sauce often used in Mexican and Latin American cuisines. “Mild” refers to a version that is not very spicy.

Club Alternative

Answer: BLT

A BLT stands for a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, often considered an alternative to the club sandwich. While a club sandwich traditionally includes turkey or chicken along with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, a BLT focuses solely on the three key ingredients mentioned in its name.

Revolutionary War Weapon

Answer: MUSKET

A musket was a primary firearm used during the American Civil War. Muskets are smoothbore, long-barreled guns that are loaded from the muzzle. They played a significant role in the warfare of the 18th century, being the main weapon of infantrymen.

Set Up

Answer: FRAME

“Frame” can mean to construct or arrange something in a deliberate way. In a broader context, it can also refer to framing someone criminally, to make it look like they did something wrong when they did not. 

2028 Olympics Host Nat.

Answer: USA

The 2028 Summer Olympics is set to take place in Los Angeles, California, United States. This event is scheduled to happen from July 14, 2028, to July 30, 2028. 

Rage

Answer: IRE

“Ire” is a synonym for anger or rage. It is often used in literary or formal contexts to describe a strong feeling of anger.

Star Loved by Multitudes

Answer: IDOL

An idol often refers to a celebrity or someone greatly admired by a large number of people. This can be due to their achievements in areas like music, film, sports, or other aspects of popular culture.

Doesn’t Down

Answer: SIPS

To sip means to drink something slowly, taking small mouthfuls. This contrasts with “downing” a drink, which means drinking it quickly and in one go. Sipping is a more leisurely and controlled way of enjoying a beverage.

Can’t Abide

Answer: HATE

To say you can’t abide something means that you cannot tolerate it, you strongly dislike or hate it. The term “abide” in this context is used to express an inability to stand or endure something.

“Hells Bells” Band

Answer: ACDC

AC/DC, an iconic rock band, released the song “Hells Bells.” This song was released on October 31, 1980, as the first track of their seventh studio album, Back in Black.

Plane, for One

Answer: TOOL

A plane in this context refers to a hand tool used for shaping wood. It consists of a sharp blade set in a flat body and is used to smooth surfaces by shaving off thin layers of wood.

Times Long Gone

Answer: YORE

“Yore” is a literary term used to refer to times long past, often used in the phrase “days of yore.” It evokes a sense of nostalgia.

Bond, E.g.

Answer: AGENT

James Bond, often simply referred to as “Bond,” is a famous character who is a secret agent. In this context, “agent” refers to someone who works covertly for a government or other organization, typically in intelligence or espionage.

Fuss

Answer: ADO

“Ado” means fuss or trouble, often involving unnecessary complications. The term is famously used in the title of Shakespeare’s play, “Much Ado About Nothing”.

Lively Merrymaking

Answer: REVELS

“Revels” refers to lively and noisy festivities, especially those involving dancing, drinking, and merrymaking. The term is often associated with historical or traditional celebrations where people gather to enjoy themselves in a free-spirited manner. Revels are typically joyful and vibrant occasions.

California Roll Component

Answer: AVOCADO

Avocado is a key ingredient in California rolls, a type of sushi roll that is Westernized and often includes cucumber, crab meat or imitation crab, and avocado. The creamy texture of avocado contrasts nicely with the other ingredients and adds a rich flavor to the roll.

Greedy Desire

Answer: ALL

The term “all” in this context refers to a greedy desire to have everything or not leave anything for others. It conveys a sense of wanting to possess the entirety of something.

Country Admitted to the United Nations the Same Day as Monaco

Answer: ERITREA

Eritrea is a country in East Africa. It was admitted to the United Nations on the same day as Monaco, which is a significant historical event for the country. This happened on May 28, 1993, shortly after gaining independence.

Changes Chemically

Answer: REACTS

To react chemically means to undergo a chemical change or transformation. This term is commonly used in chemistry to describe how substances interact with each other to form new products through bonds being formed or broken.

Enticement, Figuratively

Answer: CARROT

The term “carrot” is often used figuratively to represent an enticement or a reward that is used as a motivation to perform a task or behave in a desired way.

Imposes

Answer: EXACTS

To exact something means to demand and obtain something, especially by force or authority. It often has an idea of strictness and precision in getting what is due or enforcing a penalty. The term conveys a strong sense of imposition by one party over another.

Subjects of Most John Hughes Films

Answer: TEENS

John Hughes was an American filmmaker who is popular for his coming-of-age teen comedy films like The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Sixteen Candles.

Relaxes

Answer: EASES

To ease means to make something less severe or more comfortable, or to relax. The term can refer to physical relaxation or the easing of a situation, such as reducing tension or making a process simpler.

In Need of a Swiffer

Answer: DUSTY

Something that is dusty has a lot of dust on it and needs cleaning. A Swiffer is a brand of cleaning products known for its dusting tools.

Wine Region

Answer: NAPA

Napa Valley in California is one of the most famous wine regions in the United States. It is renowned for producing high-quality wines. This region’s Mediterranean climate is highly favorable for winegrowing.

Always

Answer: EVER

“Ever” is a word used to describe an indefinite and unending period of time, often used for emphasis in phrases like “forever”. The term implies continuity or an unlimited extent of time, making it synonymous with “always.”

Hurdle for Jrs.

Answer: PSAT

The PSAT stands for Preliminary SAT. It is a standardized test that is used to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship. It is often taken by juniors in high school. The test is a significant step for students preparing for college admissions.

Large Amount

Answer: LOT

A “lot” refers to a large amount or quantity of something. The term can be used in various contexts, from describing a large number of items to a crowd of people.

Store in a Barrel, Say

Answer: AGE

To “age” something in a barrel is a process typically associated with wines, spirits, and some beers, where the beverage is stored in wooden barrels for a period to enhance its flavors.

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