This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, February 19, 2026 (29 Down). 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.
How to read this clue
"Abbr." or "for short" means the answer is itself an abbreviation or a shortened form.
Answer length: 3 squares
First letter
S _ _
Show the answer
About the answer
SSN as a word: (US) Initialism of social security number. [(US) A nine-digit number issued to citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents by the Social...; (US, Navy) Initialism of sub-surface nuclear, a nuclear-powered attack submarine.
SSN has been an answer 19 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 14, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
- ID in some data breaches
- W-2 requirement, in brief
- ID used for far more than its name suggests
- ID thief's target: Abbr.
- W-9 fig.
- XXX-XX-XXXX ID
- Fig. with two hyphens
- It's often identified by its last four digits, in brief
- Digital ID?
- You might be asked for your "last four" of this, in brief
- Often-redacted fig.
- Fig. that cannot start with 9
More clues from this puzzle
- Talking back to (19 Down)
- Is really bad, in slang (20 Down)
- Formed from molten lava (26 Down)
- Sunken treasure sites (28 Down)
- "What was ___ think?" (30 Down)
- "Yeah, right!" (31 Down)
- Ruling class (32 Down)
- Fathers (33 Down)
Play today's NYT Crossword at The New York Times
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