Welcome to your daily brain teaser! The USA Today Crossword for September 23, 2024, promises to challenge and entertain you with a fresh set of clues that will test your word skills and knowledge. Whether you’re a seasoned crossword enthusiast or just starting out, today’s puzzle offers a mix of easy and tricky clues, ensuring a fun experience for everyone. Grab your pencil, warm up those brain cells, and let’s dive into the world of words!

USA Today Crossword Answers September 23, 2024

Across

Handhold on a free solo climb: CRAG
(A steep or rugged cliff face.)

Breakfast chain that serves stacks: IHOP
(A popular restaurant known for its pancakes and breakfast items.)

Octavia E. Butler's genre: SCIFI
(Science fiction, a genre focused on futuristic concepts and technology.)

College building: HALL
(A building on a college campus used for various purposes.)

Food ___ (tired feeling after a big meal): COMA
(A state of extreme lethargy or drowsiness after eating.)

Rainbow fish: TROUT
(A type of freshwater fish often found in colorful varieties.)

Up-front poker payment: ANTE
(A bet placed before the start of a poker hand.)

Colored 25-Across part: IRIS
(The colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil.)

Canned tomato brand: ROTEL
(A brand known for its canned tomatoes and green chilies.)

Inspired thought: IDEA
(A concept or thought that comes to mind.)

Audition anyone can come to: CATTLE CALL
(A casting call open to all performers.)

Nothing to be shocked by: NORMAL
(Usual or expected; not surprising.)

Organ in a socket: EYE
(The visual organ housed in the eye socket.)

Tidy: NEAT
(Orderly and clean.)

Wire fastener: STAPLE
(A metal clip used to hold papers together.)

Muscat's country: OMAN
(A country located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.)

Disguising pattern, for short: CAMO
(Short for camouflage, a pattern used to conceal objects.)

Fly Me to the Moon group: NASA
(The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for the nation's civilian space program.)

The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of its fifth month: CHINESE CALENDAR
(A lunar calendar used in many East Asian countries.)

___ 2 Proud 2 Beg (TLC song): AINT
(A song title by the musical group TLC.)

Bigwig Norse god: ODIN
(The chief god in Norse mythology.)

Has the hots: LUSTS
(To have a strong desire or attraction.)

Blu-ray error message: NODISC
(A message indicating that no disc is inserted into the player.)

Cybertruck maker: TESLA
(A company known for its electric vehicles and innovative technology.)

Owns: HAS
(To possess or hold.)

Fragrant purple flowers: LILACS
(Shrubs that produce fragrant purple blooms in spring.)

High school math class: PRECALCULUS
(A course preparing students for calculus.)

Garage alternative: LOT
(A designated parking area.)

Unearthed: DUG UP
(To uncover something by removing soil or earth.)

Ball-and-stick model: ATOM
(A representation of the structure of molecules or compounds.)

Mariah Carey, for one: DIVA
(A celebrated female singer with a powerful voice.)

Fit-and-___ dresses: FLARE
(Dresses that widen towards the hem.)

Husky voice: RASP
(A rough or hoarse vocal quality.)

At any time: EVER
(At any moment or point in time.)

Puts in the mail: SENDS
(To dispatch something via postal service.)

That chick: SHE
(A pronoun referring to a female.)

Sprinkles with water: WETS
(To moisten something.)

---

Down

Walmart or Wendy's: CHAIN
(A group of establishments under the same brand.)

Someone you don't know at all: RANDO
(A casual term for a random person.)

Change: ALTER
(To make a modification or adjustment.)

Flash of light: GLEAM
(A brief, bright light or shine.)

Clear December decoration: ICICLE
(An ice formation hanging from a surface.)

Dance at a Jewish wedding: HORA
(A traditional circle dance performed at Jewish celebrations.)

Exclude: OMIT
(To leave something out or not include it.)

Ctrl-V command: PASTE
(Keyboard shortcut for pasting copied content.)

Parade spot: STREET
(A public road where parades take place.)

Holey shoe brand: CROC
(A brand known for its foam clogs with ventilation holes.)

Teeny bit: IOTA
(A very small amount.)

Diesel, for example: FUEL
(A substance that provides energy, typically for engines.)

___ be fine in the end: IT'LL
(Contraction of "it will.")

Disinfecting brand: LYSOL
(A brand known for its disinfectant products.)

Green Gables gal: ANNE
(Referring to Anne of Green Gables, a novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery.)

Got 100% on: ACED
(To perform very well, especially on a test.)

Meant but not said: TACIT
(Understood or implied without being stated.)

Once a year: ANNUAL
(Happening once every year.)

Period products: PADS
(Items used for menstrual hygiene.)

Exam in "Legally Blonde": LSAT
(Law School Admission Test.)

Corn servings: EARS
(The part of the corn plant that contains the kernels.)

Lake Erie border state: OHIO
(A U.S. state located on the southern shore of Lake Erie.)

___ your own business: MIND
(To be concerned with one's own affairs.)

___-glare glasses: ANTI
(Glasses designed to reduce glare.)

Horse's hair: MANE
(The long hair growing along the top of a horse's neck.)

Preserve, like veggies: CAN
(To seal food in a jar or container for preservation.)

East L.A.'s region: SOCAL
(Short for Southern California.)

Island in immigration history: ELLIS
(Ellis Island, a former immigration station in New York Harbor.)

Circles, squares, triangles, etc.: SHAPES
(Geometric figures defined by their boundaries.)

Opposite of a streak in sports: SLUMP
(A period of poor performance.)

Signs of surgery: SCARS
(Marks left on the skin after an injury or surgery heals.)

Still in it: ALIVE
(Remaining in existence or not dead.)

Really wish you could have: COVET
(To desire something that belongs to someone else.)

A-listers: STARS
(Celebrated or famous people, especially in entertainment.)

Attached docs, often: PDFS
(Portable Document Format files, commonly used for documents.)

Be in charge: RULE
(To have control or authority over something.)

The Candy House author Jennifer: EGAN
(A Pulitzer Prize-winning author.)

Cheese ___ (poutine topping): CURD
(Soft cheese often used as a topping on poutine.)

U.S. state where the 2002 Olympics were held: UTAH
(The state that hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.)

Get the fewest victory points: LOSE
(To fail to win a game or match.)

Morning moisture: DEW
(Condensation that forms in the morning on grass or surfaces.)

Thanks for Checking Out Today’s USA Today Crossword Answers!  

As you wrap up the USA Today Crossword for September 23, 2024, take a moment to reflect on the clues you found particularly engaging or challenging. Whether you completed it solo or collaborated with friends, each puzzle is an opportunity to expand your vocabulary and enhance your problem-solving skills. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for a new set of clues to keep the fun going. Happy puzzling!