This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, July 16, 2026 (25 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
How to read this clue
This is a fill-in-the-blank clue: the answer completes the phrase, title or quotation.
Answer length: 3 squares
First letter
R _ _
Show the answer
About the answer
RIO as a word: A grade of Spanish saffron, in quality below mancha and coupé but above standard and sierra; A town and former municipality of Achaea regional unit, West Greece region, Greece.
RIO has been an answer 14 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 10, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
- Home of the Christ the Redeemer statue
- Animated 2011 film set in Brazil
- City on Guanabara Bay, familiarly
- Host of the 2016 Olympics
- Copacabana locale
- City with Carnival samba parades, informally
- Site of the world's largest Carnival celebration
- Carnaval locale, familiarly
- Birthplace of the bossa nova, informally
- Carnaval city, informally
- Grande opening?
- ___ de Janeiro
More clues from this puzzle
- Fast-food restaurant that sells Frostys (14 Down)
- ___-pedi (19 Down)
- Oft-injured part of the knee, for short (20 Down)
- Clock-setting std. (24 Down)
- Certain tie score (26 Down)
- Mince words? (27 Down)
- Frost piece (30 Down)
- Sound of dissatisfaction (32 Down)
Play today's NYT Crossword at The New York Times
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