Quick Answer
The New York Times crossword clue “Second-highest-scoring Scrabble word with four tiles (20)” is answered with JEEZ.
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Answer: JEEZ
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Length: 4 letters
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Clue number and direction: 1 Down
In the grid, it appears as a four-letter vertical entry for 1 Down: J E E Z.
Why “JEEZ” Is the Right NYT Answer
The clue refers to Scrabble scoring and specifies four tiles totaling 20 points, so you’re looking for a 4‑letter word that adds up to 20 under standard tile values. In Scrabble, J is worth 8 points, each E is worth 1, and Z is worth 10, giving JEEZ a total of 8 + 1 + 1 + 10 = 20.
The clue’s wording “Second-highest-scoring Scrabble word with four tiles (20)” suggests that among 4‑letter words, JEEZ comes just behind the top scorer (often clued as QUIZ with 22 points), making it the intended answer once you see a J and Z in a 4‑letter slot.
What “JEEZ” Means in Plain English
In everyday English, JEEZ is an informal exclamation used to show surprise, annoyance, or disbelief—similar to “gee” or “wow.” It appears frequently in speech and dialogue to express a reaction, not a literal meaning.
For this clue, though, the emphasis is on its letter values and Scrabble score, not its emotional nuance, which is why the clue talks about tiles and points instead of definition.
How “JEEZ” Fits the Grid and Crossings
For 1 Down, the entry length is 4 letters, so the pattern before solving looks like:
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Pattern:
_ _ _ _ -
Final fill:
J E E Z
Because it’s 1 Down, its first letter “J” 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 J E _ Z or J E E _, which strongly point to JEEZ, especially when combined with the Scrabble‑score hint in the clue.
The unusual letters J and Z are also strong anchors: once those are fixed by crossings, very few valid English words fit the pattern and length, making JEEZ stand out.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
When you encounter Scrabble‑ or tile‑score‑themed clues, these tips help:
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Pay attention to the number in parentheses: Here “(20)” clearly signals a point total that you can verify via tile values.
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Recall key high‑value letters: J, Q, X, and Z carry big points; combining them in short words often yields the “highest‑scoring” entries.
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Match length and theme: If the clue mentions four tiles and you see rare letters like J and Z, test high‑value 4‑letter words first.
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Use crossings to narrow options: Even one or two letters from Across answers can quickly reduce the field of candidates.
Possible Alternate Clues for “JEEZ”
The same answer JEEZ might show up under more natural language clues, such as:
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“Exasperated exclamation”
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“Word of mild annoyance”
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“Reaction to bad news, informally”
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“Surprised interjection”
All of them focus on the expressive, informal use of JEEZ, rather than its Scrabble value.
