This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (28 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Wednesday sits mid-week in difficulty, with more wordplay than Monday or Tuesday.
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
D _ _
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About the answer
DNA as a word: (informal, loosely) The part of a living thing that carries genetic information; (figuratively) The fundamental nature or values of a person, or an organization or other thing, especially when considered as innate and/or immutable.
DNA has been an answer 15 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 14, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
- Tool for tracing family trees
- Part of what makes you you
- Letters from your folks?
- Genome component
- "Blueprint" for life
- Stuff with strands
- Molecule that might be modeled with Twizzlers and gummies in biology class
- Bit of forensic evidence
- Molecule containing adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine
- The stuff of life
- Cellular data plan?
- Double-helix molecule
More clues from this puzzle
- "Really?" (22 Across)
- Astrophysicist ___ deGrasse Tyson (24 Across)
- "I should care because ...?" (25 Across)
- It's just a little bit off (26 Across)
- Chocolate toffee bar since 1981 (29 Across)
- Modern component in a digital display, in brief (30 Across)
- Places to stretch out (32 Across)
- What may precede a texter's two cents (35 Across)
Play today's NYT Crossword at The New York Times
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