This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Saturday, July 18, 2026 (4 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Saturday puzzles are the hardest of the week and themeless, so clues are often deliberately misleading.
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: 5 squares
First letter
M _ _ _ _
First and last letters
M _ _ _ O
Show the answer
About the answer
MARIO as a word: A male given name from Italian or Spanish; (automotive, motor racing, figurative) Ellipsis of Mario Andretti (“one who drives fast or recklessly”). [(figuratively) Someone who drives fast or recklessl....
MARIO has been an answer 2 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since February 15, 2026.
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