Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword
Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword Answers & Hints - October 17, 2026
Work through the 2026-10-17 Guardian Quick Cryptic grid at your own pace. Select a square, reveal one answer, or check the completed crossword when you need it.
Editorially checked for the puzzle.
Puzzle date
October 17, 2026
Search Crossword Solver
Verified puzzle answer data is available for this published grid.
Click a square to reveal its letter. Get hints below.
Revealed 0 of 84 squares (0%).
Clue index
All Across and Down clues
Across
1.Fools, they often have a drink in them4 letters3.Talk at length with small furry animal6 letters7.Coastal iceberg covering girl who fell through hole?5 letters9.Person involved in box-ticking exercise?5 letters10.Rod, Dawn and Len cavorting in marvellous place10 letters13.Darts venue, drunken escapades10 letters17.Claw hit earth that holds chalky colour5 letters19.Entertain, performing as Emu5 letters20.Take note of moment in time6 letters21.Give direction for starring role4 letters
Down
1.Catcalls?6 letters2.Engineering nerd with gin smiled7 letters4.Inhuman villain holding blacksmith’s tool5 letters5.Hit flying mammal3 letters6.Biting dessert?4 letters8.First Lady3 letters11.Rearing against nature?7 letters12.Rise for boisterous dances6 letters14.Eleven troopers guarding sports activity5 letters15.Awkwardly ate meal3 letters16.Advance in school?4 letters18.Pub hidden by ruin nearby3 letters
About this crossword
Solve Guardian Quick Cryptic without losing the thread
A shorter route into Guardian-style cryptic solving. The grid preserves the original Across and Down numbering, including linked clue references where supplied.
Use a single-letter reveal for a gentle nudge. Each clue also has a stable detail page, and dated links let you return to earlier verified puzzles without changing the answer shown for this date.
Common questions
Guardian Quick Cryptic answer FAQ
Are these answers for October 17, 2026?
Yes. The page date comes from the puzzle record itself, including weekly titles and sources that do not publish every day.
Can I reveal only one clue?
Yes. Select an Across or Down clue, then reveal individual letters or the complete entry without opening the rest of the grid.