The world’s first known crossword puzzle was created by British-born journalist Arthur Wynne and published in the New York World newspaper in 1913. His puzzle featured in the “Fun” section of the paper.

And our games let you keep a monthly points score, so you can see how your performance is developing and challenge yourself to keep on improving. These are clues that are less obvious and use wordplay. This means that one of the words may have multiple meanings, for example, “crane” can mean: Wynne called his creation a Word-Cross Puzzle and it was inspired by a range of word puzzles. What made his contribution unique was the introduction of vertical and horizontal lines that gave people boxes to input letters.If you're looking for a free, not-too-tough, larger-size crossword to relax with for an hour or two, you've come to the right place. This 21x21 square-themed puzzle from Stan's archives was originally published in the Long Island, New York, newspaper Newsday and hundreds of other newspapers nationwide.

These are simple, straightforward teasers that ask you to solve direct questions. There are a few common types of these clues: Practice makes perfect: play some of our more simple crossword puzzles to get you in the solving mood. The first answer you should write in a crossword should ideally be one whose clue you are sure of. This may be the very first clue in the puzzle (1 Across), but crossword authors and editors don't automatically make the first clue the easiest one. Of course, people's vocabulary and knowledge differ anyway. So review the clue list carefully until you find one that you're rather sure of, and fill that one in first. Sometimes you just need a break from work or other responsibilities in life. A crossword puzzle is the perfect tool for tuning out the world, even for just a few moments, and focusing your attention on something fun and rewarding that’s just for you. Our Medium difficulty crossword puzzles are designed to be challenging enough to keep you engaged, but easy enough to keep it fun. Improve Problem-Solving Skills Of course, the more answers you fill in, with all the hints to the answers going in the other direction, the easier the puzzle becomes for you.

We also offer larger, more challenging crosswords of varying difficulties - from easy to hard so you can find your perfect crossword match based on your personal preferences. There are a huge number of crossword puzzles you can choose from, ranging from introductory challenges all the way up to expert-level tests. That includes crisscross puzzles and specialized puzzle types and custom formats that are only available via a subscription. Take a short break and return to the puzzle in a few minutes. Many people find that this break gives them a "fresh look" at it, and they're able to come up with answers that didn't occur to them before. Your solving will be smoother and easier if you are able to concentrate on one area of the puzzle at a time, with each new answer you write connected to answers you've already filled in. If you're unable to fill in any answers in the area you're working in, look for another clue elsewhere in the crossword and begin the process again. Congratulations! Before moving on to another puzzle or to the rest of your day, take your virtual victory lap and take one last look at each of the theme answers, noting how they all relate to the title. Looking for more puzzles? Browse the full selection of Arkadium's free online crosswords and word games.

You’re going to find many clues that you’ll know the answers to right away! Here are a few examples from actual Easy Crosswords: Fill in the Obvious Answers: Next, fill in the answers you know for sure. Look for clues with straightforward answers that you're confident about. This can help you build a foundation for solving the rest of the puzzle. Once you have a handful of fundamental strategies under your belt, you'll discover that solving crossword puzzles becomes not just achievable but incredibly satisfying. Here are some tried and true tips for becoming a master solver:In the case of the more challenging days, it’s fine to get started with one or more answers that you may be less than sure of, getting confirmation of your answers as you proceed (see below). A joint 2017 study by King's College London and the University of Exeter Medical School suggests people who play crossword puzzles are more likely to have a sharper brain in later life. Solving a crossword puzzle is one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary. Every time you spend a few minutes on any of our Medium difficulty crossword puzzles, you will discover new words you can impress your friends with. Talk about a fun way to learn! As you fill out the crossword, you will either learn a new word’s meaning from the clue itself, or you may have to look up the word in a dictionary. Learn New Things Crossword puzzles are good for your brain’s health because they help improve your memory and reasoning skills. The Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times puzzles are staples when people envision the icon of daily crossword puzzling.