Quick Answer
The New York Times crossword clue “Agree to receive promotional emails, say” is answered with OPTIN.
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Answer: OPTIN
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Length: 5 letters
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Clue number and direction: 1 Down
In the grid, it appears as a five‑letter vertical entry for 1 Down: O P T I N.
Why “OPTIN” Is the Right NYT Answer
The phrase “agree to receive promotional emails” describes the action a user takes when they opt in to marketing communications. OPTIN is the standard, no‑space crossword form of that phrasal verb.
The clue’s wording “Agree to receive …” matches the sense of giving consent or ticking a box on a form, which is exactly what “to opt in” means. With a 5‑letter slot for 1 Down, OPTIN fits the length and the meaning cleanly.
What “OPTIN” Means in Plain English
In plain English, to opt in means to actively choose to participate in something, usually by giving permission or checking a box. In online forms and email marketing, it specifically refers to agreeing to receive emails, newsletters, or other communications.
In crosswords, the space is dropped, so you see it as OPTIN, but it still represents the same everyday phrase.
How “OPTIN” Fits the Grid and Crossings
For 1 Down, the entry length is 5 letters, so the pattern before solving looks like:
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Pattern:
_ _ _ _ _ -
Final fill:
O P T I N
Because it’s 1 Down, its first letter “O” intersects with the first Across answer in the top row, giving you an early crossing. As you fill more Across entries, you’ll see patterns like O P T _ N or _ P T I N, which strongly point to OPTIN.
Crossword convention also helps: multi‑word phrases like “OPT IN” are commonly entered without spaces, so a 5‑letter slot is a clear fit.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
Use these strategies for clues about permissions, choices, or sign‑ups:
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Watch for “agree to,” “sign up for,” or “consent to”: These often clue OPTIN or, in negative form, OPTOUT.
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Think of web forms: If the clue mentions emails, newsletters, or marketing, “opt in” is a prime candidate.
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Check for tense: Here the clue uses the base verb form (“Agree to…”), matching OPTIN rather than “OPTED IN.”
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Use letter count: For a 5‑letter slot, OPTIN is one of the most common consent‑related entries you’ll see.
Possible Alternate Clues for “OPTIN”
You might see OPTIN used with other clue styles, such as:
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“Check a subscribe box”
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“Say yes to marketing emails”
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“Join a mailing list, say”
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“Consent to receive updates”
All of these describe the same basic action of deliberately choosing to participate or receive messages.
