Best Crossword Puzzle Dictionaries: Online and In Print (2024)

Are you looking for a dictionary to help you up your game? Whether you want a book you can thumb through or you prefer a website or app, there are plenty of great options that can help you solve hard-to-crack crossword clues. Peruse this list of the best crossword puzzle dictionaries, and you'll be on your way to solving the puzzle of finding the best crossword solver tool that best meets your needs.

Best Crossword Puzzle Dictionaries: Online and In Print (1) Woman doing Crossword

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4 Top Crossword Puzzle Dictionary Books

Every serious crossword puzzler needs at least one crossword puzzle dictionary on their bookshelf! These top-rated crossword puzzle dictionary options are considered some of the best of the best by puzzle enthusiasts. Not only are they simple to use and easy on the eyes, but they also have a large library of answer words and word strategies to help you solve even the toughest crossword puzzles.

Andrew Swanfeldt Crossword Puzzle Dictionary

The Andrew Swanfeldt Crossword Puzzle Dictionary offers an instant finder system that groups words by the number of letters rather than putting them in alphabetical order. For instance, if you are looking for an eight-letter word that means "with joy," you can look under "joy" in the instant finder system and instantly find a synonym with eight letters (happiness).

This dictionary's unique instant finder feature truly makes Swanfeldt's dictionary one of the best for puzzlers. That's why it's among the ten best crossword puzzle dictionaries recommended by BestReviews Guide. Amazon reviewers say that the book is comprehensive and has a clear and easy-to-follow format. You can find this at multiple bookstores online for about $17.

The Million Word Crossword Dictionary, 2nd Edition

The Million Word Crossword Dictionary gets high marks for its comprehensive list of words, along with the fact that it includes modern slang and is printed with easy-to-read large type. These are a few of the reasons why it's MSN.com's highest-rated crossword dictionary.

This comprehensive puzzle-solving resource has over a million answers and covers literary works, TV shows, brand names, films, synonyms, and famous people like Jim Carrey. Taking crossword puzzle dictionaries to the next level, The Million Word Crossword Dictionary features an introduction by Will Shortz, editor of The New York Times crossword puzzle games section. It retails for around $20.

The Beginners' Crossword Dictionary

Are you just getting into the crossword solving game? if so, The Beginners' Crossword Dictionary is designed for you. Created with the newbie in mind, this crossword puzzle dictionary offers tips and tricks, such as avoiding common crossword puzzle pitfalls, such as the fact that both "spar" and "spat" are four-letter synonyms for quarrel.

The Beginners' Crossword Dictionary offers a common crossword entry guide that you can use as a quick reference. Available for less than $10, this one-stop spot for crossword newbies is featured on the Amazon Best Seller List.

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Webster's New World Crossword Puzzle Dictionary, 2nd Ed.

Last but certainly not least among print crossword dictionaries, Webster's New World Crossword Puzzle Dictionary is a fan favorite. Featured in the top spots on many best lists, including MSN's best crossword dictionary list, this comprehensive reference for puzzle enthusiasts offers more than 300,000 answers and quick reference guides.

One of the reasons that puzzlers love this dictionary so much is that it is convenient and speedy, featuring lists in alphabetical order as well as by the number of letters in a word. It has a table for subcategories, like Shakespearean plays, so finding a tough entry can be a breeze. You can get this at most bookstores for about $17.

4 Top Free Online Crossword Dictionaries

If you'd rather do an online search than use a print dictionary, there are plenty of online dictionaries and crossword solver apps designed with word game enthusiasts in mind. These easy-to-use gems typically aren't as comprehensive as a book but can be much more convenient. You can use your hint to search definitions, anagrams and word lists. Many online dictionaries also let you search, for example, for six-letter words that start with "a" or three-letter words that end with "e." Explore the top online dictionaries that crossword puzzle lovers might try.

YourDictionary.com

You've come to the right place! A comprehensive online dictionary with thousands of entries, YourDictionary lets you look for answers by letter or search definitions. Finding synonyms is a snap with the site's simple thesaurus feature. The quotes topics in the example section can also be helpful for puzzlers looking for hard-to-find literary references or celebrity sayings.

WordFinder by YourDictionary is particularly useful for crossword puzzle enthusiasts. WordFinder offers an anagram solver, along with a multitude of other cheats that crossword puzzlers can use. Using WordFinder for a crossword puzzle is easy. All you need to do is use "?" for up to two wildcard spaces to get to your answer fast. For example, "hammer" might come to you from "?amm?r."It's also available as a mobile app,

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Chambers Dictionary

The Chambers online dictionary is a crossword lover's go-to resource for online searching. In addition to the free online edition, this tool is available in a highly-rated app via Google Play. This search guide allows puzzlers to peruse through a full dictionary as well as a thesaurus and biographical dictionary.

The Chambers word wizard feature offers instant word game solutions. Designed with puzzlers in mind, this unique feature allows you to type a "?" for any missing letters. This online resource also includes a general knowledge base full of information by expert puzzlers to help you on your crossword journey.

Collins Dictionary

A top online dictionary that's popular among crossword solvers, Collins Online English Dictionary offers an array of features that players can utilize for quick crossword solving. That's why it's rated among the top choices by LanguageLearningBase.

Its easy-to-use search tool allows you to quickly look through the dictionary, thesaurus and even the translator. Collins also features popular tools, like trending words and a word of the day, to grow your vocabulary. The word list feature in this dictionary can provide quick access to politicians, composers and writers.

Crossword Heaven

Crossword Heaven is a basic, yet powerful online resource for solving crossword puzzles. The description on the website calls it a "crossword clue search engine." it's recommended by Android Authority as one of the best online crossword dictionaries. The site has around a million clues and its database includes most English words.

Crossword Heaven allows you to search by clue, as well as to input any information you already know (such as certain letters in specific positions). Rather than entering a question mark for unknowns, with this site you will need to leave blank spaces. You can also put in a pattern and get a list of words that follow the pattern.

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Best Resources for Word Puzzle Answers

It's not hard to find a crossword puzzle dictionary, as there are many options in print or online. Use the suggestions here to narrow your search to the best of the best. Whether you like to solve printable crossword puzzles or puzzles in books or newspapers, the resources you find here will help you succeed.

While you're at it, go beyond crossword puzzles and find a word jumble solver. You may also find these anagram examples to be helpful. With the right tools, you can have a lot of fun solving all types of word puzzles!

Jennifer Betts

Staff Writer

Best Crossword Puzzle Dictionaries: Online and In Print (2024)

FAQs

Which is the best crossword solver machine? ›

Highest-rated products
  • Seiko Electronic Oxford Spellchecker - Blue (ER1100) ...
  • Seiko ER3700 Oxford Crossword Solver Thesaurus Spellchecker Calculator. ...
  • Franklin SPQ109 Collins Pocket Speller - Black. ...
  • Seiko ER-3200 Oxford Crossword Solver. ...
  • teXet Bloomsbury Spell Checker and Phonebook With Word Games BSP50.

What is the most popular crossword puzzle? ›

The New York Times crossword puzzle.

Are there any good crossword apps? ›

Clean Crossword has distinctive features and is the best crossword app for Android and iOS devices. The clues are posted in the puzzle grid, making puzzles easy to locate and fun to play with for every crossword fan.

Which paper has the best crossword? ›

1. New York Magazine Sunday Night Crossword. Certainly one of the most iconic crosswords in history, you don't need a subscription to New York Magazine in order to play its weekly puzzle.

Are crossword puzzles good brain exercise? ›

A 2013 review of previously published studies found that forms of mental exercise, such as crossword puzzles, were among the most effective ways to preserve memory and cognitive function — in fact, there was better evidence for these approaches than for some medications.

Can you print USA Today crossword puzzle? ›

It' definitely free to play the game and can also print it out. From the homepage menu of freedailycrosswords.com, click “USA TODAY CROSSWORD.” A new page will show up on your screen that automatically downloads the puzzle.

What is the best free crossword puzzle maker? ›

Verdict: Wordapp is probably the best crossword puzzle maker for Android users. Featuring a great variety of handy features, this generator is uncomplicated in usage and offers numerous automatic options. Besides, Wordapp will find the most suitable puzzle template, based on a set of words entered by a user.

Can I print the Times crossword? ›

Puzzles can be printed on a computer, but there is no printing functionality in the Crossword apps or on the mobile website.

What is a 7 letter word for best? ›

There are Crossword Clues with 3 to 15 Letters for BEST. 7 Letters: MAXIMAL.

What does crosswords do for the brain? ›

Researchers speculate the protective powers of crossword puzzles is because they help users develop a “cognitive reserve” which serves to protect them from the impacts of dementia. Doing challenging puzzles has also been shown to slow the buildup of amyloid plaques—that cause Alzheimer's symptoms—on the brain.

What is the most popular puzzle in the world? ›

In 1974, Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik created his eponymous Cube as a teaching tool for his students. His students loved playing with the Cube which inspired him to make it more widely available. Forty years on, the Cube has sold 350 million copies making it the most popular puzzle of all time.

Are there any free crossword apps? ›

On Google Android, it's called Crossword Puzzle Free. Hop over to an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, and you've got Crossword Puzzle Redstone. Both names are accurate, since it is indeed a free app published by Redstone Games. Enjoy free packs of crossword puzzles every week.

What is the best free crossword puzzle app for iPhone? ›

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  • Logo Quiz 2022: Guess the logo. Games.
  • Wordgrams - Crossword Puzzle. Games.

Is using a crossword solver cheating? ›

First, the obvious out of the way: if you're solving a crossword for class or for a competition, it's almost definitely cheating to use crossword puzzle help. The directions given will most likely confirm this.

What day of the week is the easiest crossword? ›

Mondays have the most straightforward clues and Saturday clues are the hardest, or involve the most wordplay. Contrary to popular belief, the Sunday puzzles are midweek difficulty, not the hardest.

What is the best pencil to use for crossword puzzles? ›

Putting a Fine Point on Your Puzzle

Others brands recommended by pencil aficionados included the Blackwing 602; Palomino HB; Craft Design Technology HB, and Swiss-made Caran d'Ache HB Yellow School Pencil.

What newspaper has the best crossword puzzle? ›

The Telegraph and Guardian are the joint victors with the Times, depressingly, at the back of the pack. It should not need to be repeated that none of these scores relates to the clues, setters, editors, puzzles or even the culture of the crosswords.

Do puzzles increase IQ? ›

They can Improve Your IQ Score. Since puzzles can improve our memory, concentration, vocabulary, and reasoning skills it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that they also raise our IQs. A study at the University of Michigan showed that doing puzzles for at least 25 minutes a day can boost your IQ by 4 points.

Do puzzles prevent Alzheimer's? ›

What is dementia? Tackling a tricky crossword or a challenging Sudoku puzzle will not fend off age-related mental decline, new research has shown.

Are crossword puzzles good for seniors? ›

In addition to the fun, studies have shown that brain exercises can keep seniors sharper for up to 10 years longer. And, games like crosswords may even help older adults prevent brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.

How can I get a free crossword puzzle? ›

BestCrosswords.com is the largest supplier of free crossword puzzles on the web, publishing 15 grids daily from an archive of more 100,000. You can play in your web browser, smartphone, tablet or print in high resolution. No registration required.

Can I download the NY Times crossword puzzle? ›

You can download and play The New York Times Crossword app on iOS and Android devices.

Can I print the Boston Globe crossword puzzle? ›

You can also print the crossword puzzle through the ePaper at epaper.bostonglobe.com.

What is No 1 online game? ›

1. PUBG. There is a huge fan following of PUBG in the world. The main highlight of this game is its realistic graphics and top-notch gameplay.

What is the #1 online game? ›

List
GameNumberPublisher(s)
PUBG: Battlegrounds1,200 million downloadsKrafton / Tencent
CrossFire1,000 millionSmilegate / Tencent
Dungeon Fighter Online850 millionNexon / Tencent
Minecraft738 millionMojang / NetEase
72 more rows

What are the top 10 most played online games? ›

Here is a list of the Top 10 Online Games in the World.
  • PUBG | The Best Online Game: Developed By: PUBG Corporation. ...
  • Minecraft | The Best game On the Internet: Developed By: Mojang Studios. ...
  • Apex Legends: ...
  • Fortnite Battle Royale: ...
  • Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. ...
  • HearthStone: ...
  • League of Legends: ...
  • Call of Duty Mobile(COD):
9 Jun 2022

What is the best way to solve a crossword puzzle? ›

How to Solve Crossword Puzzles - YouTube

How do you get better at solving crosswords? ›

Steps
  1. Tackle fill-in-the-blanks first. ...
  2. Fill in 3- and 4-letter words you know. ...
  3. Check the tense and number in the clues. ...
  4. Look for formatting hints in the clues. ...
  5. Familiarize yourself with common crossword answers. ...
  6. Check intersecting words when you guess an answer. ...
  7. Jump around to different parts of the puzzle.
24 Mar 2022

How do I print a crossword from a digital newspaper? ›

How to print puzzles and more from The Oregonian's digital edition

How do I print the Times crossword? ›

Open the puzzle on the main Games page and locate the “Print” button in the upper right-hand corner. This button will also appear when the puzzle is open.

What do Amazon retirees enjoy most? ›

We found 1 solutions for What Amazon Retirees Enjoy Most? . The most likely answer for the clue is BOXINGLESS.

How do I get the NYT crossword for free? ›

The New York Times Crossword is free to download, and all users get free unlimited access to the daily puzzle and calendar archive for seven days upon downloading. After the seven days, simply subscribe to the New York Times Crossword for full access to The Crossword on your Windows devices and at NYTimes.com*.

What is a 7 letter word with Z? ›

7-letter words starting with Z
ZabaismZabalas
zakuskiZamalek
zamangsZamanis
zamarrazamarro
ZambesiZambezi
25 more rows

What is the 27 letter word? ›

The longest word in that dictionary is electroencephalographically (27 letters). The longest non-technical word in major dictionaries is floccinaucinihilipilification at 29 letters.

Are crosswords good for anxiety? ›

For people with Anxiety issues, crosswords can be a great grounding exercise. They help our minds to calm down and focus on processing the puzzle at hand, which can alleviate anxiety symptoms or at least take the edge off it. Improves Focus – Crosswords need continued attention and focus to complete them successfully.

Why are some people good at crosswords? ›

Dr Philip Fine, who led the study, said: "We think that cryptic crossword solvers as a whole may have an innate aptitude for problem solving, making cryptic crossword solving an attractive and rewarding pastime.

What does it mean if you like crosswords? ›

One of the reasons why people love solving crosswords is because it makes them smarter. It forces them to think and this improves their cognitive abilities. This is why doctors and other experts encourage parents to give their kids crossword puzzles. It's simply a fun way to learn new things and exercise your brain.

Which puzzle is best for brain? ›

Jigsaw puzzles are great because they exercise both the left and right sides of your brain at once. Puzzles require both logic, intuition, and creativity, and it's easy to get lost for hours working on them.

What is the hardest puzzle to solve in the world? ›

The Isis Adventure, often dubbed the world's hardest game, starts as players find a way to open a round puzzle they can hold in their hands. Once inside, a key leads them on a search for a real hidden prize. It is, after all called an "adventure," so removing the puzzle itself from the box is only the beginning.

What brand of puzzle is the best? ›

The Top 10 Premium Puzzle Companies
  • New York Puzzle Company.
  • MasterPieces.
  • Cobble Hill.
  • Eurographics.
  • Gibsons.
  • Ravensburger.
  • Heye.
  • White Mountain Puzzles.

What is the hardest puzzle on the Internet? ›

Notpron (originally stylized as Not Pr0n) is an online puzzle game and internet riddle created in 2004 by German game developer David Münnich. It has been hailed by fans, journalists, and Münnich himself as "the hardest riddle available on the internet".

What is the biggest puzzle ever put together? ›

The puzzle, which was put together at the Phu Tho Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on September 24, was made up of 551,232 pieces and was completed with an overall measurement of 14.85 x 23.20 m (48 ft 8.64 in x 76 ft 1.38 in).

What is the most useful next crossword puzzle? ›

'What's Most Useful Next Is To ' Crossword Clue
RankWordClue
94%GOOVERTHEEDGE'What's most useful next is to ___'
3%ALONGNext to
3%ADJOINBe next to
3%THAT'What's ___?'
16 more rows
8 Aug 2021

What is the best free crossword puzzle maker? ›

Verdict: Wordapp is probably the best crossword puzzle maker for Android users. Featuring a great variety of handy features, this generator is uncomplicated in usage and offers numerous automatic options. Besides, Wordapp will find the most suitable puzzle template, based on a set of words entered by a user.

Do crossword puzzles improve vocabulary? ›

Crossword puzzles teach new vocabulary and improve spelling in people of all ages. Keeping a dictionary near you or looking up the meanings of words you don't know online takes the learning even further. With a wider range of words at your disposal, you'll certainly feel and sound smarter.

Which crossword is hardest? ›

The Saturday crossword is actually the hardest puzzle of the week. Mondays have the most straightforward clues and Saturday clues are the hardest, or involve the most wordplay. Contrary to popular belief, the Sunday puzzles are midweek difficulty, not the hardest.

Do crosswords improve brain function? ›

Brain Fact: Crosswords are fun and may improve your ability to find words, but they don't help your brain's overall cognition or memory. A lot of people do crossword puzzles each day with the belief that this activity will help keep the brain young and even keep Alzheimer's or dementia at bay.

Is doing crossword puzzles good for the brain? ›

According to a University of Exeter study, older adults who regularly did word and number puzzles had increased mental acuity. A 2011 experiment with members of the Bronx Aging Study found that a regular regimen of crosswords might delay the onset of cognitive decline.

Are crossword puzzles good brain exercise? ›

A 2013 review of previously published studies found that forms of mental exercise, such as crossword puzzles, were among the most effective ways to preserve memory and cognitive function — in fact, there was better evidence for these approaches than for some medications.

Where can I download free crosswords? ›

Crossword Puzzle Free (Redstone)

On Google Android, it's called Crossword Puzzle Free. Hop over to an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, and you've got Crossword Puzzle Redstone. Both names are accurate, since it is indeed a free app published by Redstone Games. Enjoy free packs of crossword puzzles every week.

Where can I find free crosswords? ›

BestCrosswords.com is the largest supplier of free crossword puzzles on the web, publishing 15 grids daily from an archive of more 100,000. You can play in your web browser, smartphone, tablet or print in high resolution. No registration required.

Is there an app that can solve crossword puzzles? ›

Shortyz Crosswords has been the definitive Android crossword app for many years, and it shows no signs of relinquishing its position. Its standout feature is its ability to download free puzzles from a number of sources.

Which puzzle is best for brain? ›

Jigsaw puzzles are great because they exercise both the left and right sides of your brain at once. Puzzles require both logic, intuition, and creativity, and it's easy to get lost for hours working on them.

Do crosswords help with dementia? ›

Participation in crossword puzzles delayed the onset of accelerated memory decline in subjects who developed dementia by 2.54 years compared to non-puzzlers. However, once the memory decline began, the rate of decline was 3.31 SRT points per year more rapid for crossword puzzlers compared to non-puzzlers.

Are crossword puzzles good for seniors? ›

In addition to the fun, studies have shown that brain exercises can keep seniors sharper for up to 10 years longer. And, games like crosswords may even help older adults prevent brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.

What do circles mean in crossword? ›

The letters that will appear in the circles when the Answers are written in spell out words related to the puzzle's theme. the letters in squares that contain circles spell out words related to the theme either when read consecutively or when rearranged to form theme-related words.

How do you master crossword puzzles? ›

In an interview with Business Insider, Barkin broke down how the average person can improve their crossword skills.
  1. Start off with easier puzzles. ...
  2. Try to learn a little of everything. ...
  3. Google is your friend. ...
  4. Start with the blanks. ...
  5. Recognize words that appear over and over. ...
  6. Stay cool.
19 Apr 2016

What is a good crossword time? ›

Top solvers can complete a Sunday Times crossword, on average, in 8-12 minutes. Ordinary people, of course, can't finish it at all. If you find certain puzzles too hard, do just the ones you enjoy. The more you solve the better you'll get.

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