Quick Answer - Prone to daydreaming
Clue: “Prone to daydreaming”
Answer: SPACY
Length: 5 letters
Position: 7-Across
In the grid, 7-Across will read SPACY, matching the five-square across slot exactly
Why SPACY Is the Right NYT Answer
- In informal English, spacy describes someone who is absent-minded, distracted, or often lost in thought, which matches “prone to daydreaming.”
- The clue is a straightforward definition-style clue, with no wordplay or abbreviation, pointing directly to a descriptive adjective like SPACY.
Among 5-letter adjectives, SPACY is the most natural fit for this exact wording in a crossword context.
What SPACY Means in Plain English
- Spacy means forgetful, dreamy, or not fully paying attention to what is happening around them.
- It often implies someone is “off in their own world,” drifting into thoughts or fantasies instead of focusing on the present.
That sense aligns neatly with being “prone to daydreaming,” making SPACY a clean match.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When a clue describes a personality trait or mental state (“prone to daydreaming,” “easily distracted,” “often forgetful”), think of short descriptive adjectives like SPACY, AIRY, or VAGUE.
- Always check the letter count: a 5-letter slot plus a casual tone in the clue is a good hint that you are looking for a slangy or informal word like SPACY.
For 7-Across, crossings such as S_A_Y quickly steer you to SPACY, especially if you already have the S and Y from downs.
Possible Variant Clues for SPACY
Here are clue styles that might also lead to SPACY in this or other puzzles:
- “Absent-minded, informally”
- “Head in the clouds”
- “Not all there, so to speak”
- “Easily distracted, slangily”
All of these capture the same dreamy, unfocused quality summed up by SPACY.
