Quick Answer
Clue: “Lots and lots”
Answer: ATON
Length: 4 letters
Position: 1-Down
The New York Times–style crossword clue “Lots and lots” is answered with ATON, which fits neatly in a four-square Down slot.
Why “ATON” Is the Right NYT Answer
- “Loads,” “lots,” and “tons” are all informal ways to say “a large amount,” and crossword editors often convert “a ton” into the grid form ATON. The clue “Lots and lots” matches that informal sense of “a huge amount,” so ATON is a natural fit.
- Clue and answer agree in number and tone: a casual, colloquial phrase in the clue points to a casual, colloquial entry in the grid.
What “ATON” Means in Plain English
- In plain English, “a ton” is a loose, figurative way of saying “very many” or “a great deal,” not literally 2,000 pounds. Written as ATON in crosswords, it preserves the sound while dropping the space.
- So when you see “lots and lots,” “oodles,” or similar wording, you are being steered toward a phrase like “a ton,” which in grid form becomes ATON.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Crossings, and Variants
- At 1-Down, ATON fills the pattern A–T–O–N, one letter per square. With crossings, you might see patterns like A T O _, making ATON the only sensible completion that still means “lots and lots.”
- This entry is fairly common in American-style crosswords and may reappear with clues such as “Oodles,” “A whole lot,” or “Very many.”
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- Watch for informal quantity phrases: clues like “Lots,” “Loads,” “Tons,” or “Oodles” often aim at ATON, ALOT, or ALOTTA, depending on length.
- Match register and length: a casual plural clue with a 4-letter slot is a strong hint that ATON could be in play.
Remember that constructors love compressing spoken phrases removing spaces to make grid-friendly entries like ATON, ALOT, or INSYNC.
