This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Friday, October 30, 2026 (25 Across). 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
This is a fill-in-the-blank clue: the answer completes the phrase, title or quotation.
Answer length: 4 squares
First letter
H _ _ _
First and last letters
H _ _ S
Show the answer
About the answer
HENS as a word: A female chicken (Gallus gallus), especially a sexually mature one kept for her eggs; A female of other bird species, particularly a sexually mature female fowl.
HENS has been an answer 4 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since January 26, 2026.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
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- Unrestricted, in a way, in brief (24 Across)
- Running things (26 Across)
- Like the ingredients in a French chef's mirepoix (30 Across)
- Classic potluck dish (32 Across)
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