This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Friday, December 19, 2025 (10 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Friday puzzles are themeless and hard, with clues that are vague on purpose.
How to read this clue
The question mark warns of wordplay. Expect a pun or a second meaning rather than a straight definition.
Answer length: 3 squares
First letter
R _ _
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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
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- City on Guanabara Bay, familiarly
- Host of the 2016 Olympics
- ___ Bravo (México/Tejas border)
- Copacabana locale
- City with Carnival samba parades, informally
- Site of the world's largest Carnival celebration
- Carnaval locale, familiarly
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- Carnaval city, informally
- ___ de Janeiro
More clues from this puzzle
- Yard sale? (6 Down)
- Afirmativa enfática (7 Down)
- Swim with the fishes? (8 Down)
- Larry ___, longtime owner of the Cleveland Guardians (9 Down)
- Fair ___ (concept in copyright law) (11 Down)
- Kind of school (12 Down)
- Wrinkle remover (14 Down)
- Diktat (16 Down)
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