This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (58 Across). 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.
Answer length: 3 squares
First letter
C _ _
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About the answer
CEL as a word: A piece of celluloid on which has been drawn a frame of an animated film; A diminutive of the female given name Celia.
CEL has been an answer 7 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 9, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
- Stare in astonishment (52 Across)
- Just peachy (53 Across)
- Possible response to "Tu veux du chocolat?" (54 Across)
- Idiomatic partner of "lose" (55 Across)
- Directive written in currants in "Alice in Wonderland" (60 Across)
- Tendency to reinforce one's established beliefs … or a hint to answering this puzzle's starred clues (62 Across)
- Playwright Chekhov (65 Across)
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