You’re staring at your phone, the New York Times Crossword app is open, and there’s that one blank spot mocking you. "Prominent body part." Three letters. Or maybe four. Sometimes it's five. It’s one of those clues that feels so easy it’s actually painful when the answer doesn’t immediately click. Honestly, the NYT editors love to do this—taking something incredibly mundane and turning it into a linguistic trap.
If you’ve landed here, you’re probably stuck on a specific grid. Let's fix that.
Why "Prominent Body Part" is Such a Tricky Clue
Context is everything. In the world of Will Shortz and Joel Fagliano, a "prominent body part" isn't always what you'd think of first. It’s rarely something like "leg" or "arm." Those aren't "prominent" in the way a crossword needs them to be. Crossword constructors look for features that stick out—literally or figuratively.
Take the word NOSE. It’s the most common answer for this specific clue. Why? Because it’s the literal centerpiece of the face. It’s prominent. It’s also a four-letter goldmine for constructors because of those common vowels and consonants. But if NOSE doesn't fit, you have to start thinking about the anatomy of the grid itself.
Sometimes the clue is a bit more cheeky. It might be looking for EAR. Or maybe EYE. If the grid is feeling particularly "dad-joke" heavy, you might even be looking at CHIN or KNEE.
The Usual Suspects: Most Frequent Answers
When you see "prominent body part" in the NYT, your first instinct should be to check the letter count. Here is how it usually breaks down:
Three Letters
If it’s three letters, it’s almost always EAR or EYE. Occasionally, you’ll see JAW if the puzzle has a slightly more "tough guy" vibe or is referencing a specific skeletal structure.
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Four Letters
This is the sweet spot for the NYT. NOSE is the heavy hitter here. However, CHIN and KNEE show up more than you’d expect. There was a puzzle back in 2021 where BROW was the answer, which felt a little mean to some solvers, but it fits the definition of "prominent" perfectly.
Five Letters
Now we’re getting into the weird stuff. TORSO is a favorite for five-letter slots. Is a torso a "part"? Technically. Is it prominent? Well, it’s most of you. Another one that pops up is CHEEK.
Decoding the NYT Crossword Style
You have to understand the "NYT Voice." The puzzle isn't just a test of vocabulary; it’s a test of how well you can read the constructor's mind. They love puns. They love misdirection.
If the clue has a question mark at the end—Prominent body part?—throw everything I just said out the window. That question mark means they are playing with you. It might not be a human body part at all. It could be a CAPE (as in a body of land) or a RIB (part of an umbrella).
I remember one specific Saturday puzzle where the answer was PROBOSCIS. Talk about prominent. But that’s the beauty of the late-week grids; they move away from the simple and into the scientific or the obscure.
Why Does This Clue Keep Reappearing?
It’s about the letters. N-O-S-E and E-A-R are "crosswordese" staples. They help fill those difficult corners where three or four words intersect. If a constructor is stuck, they’ll drop in a nose or an ear to bridge the gap.
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It’s also a "filler" clue. Not every clue can be a brilliant piece of wordplay. Sometimes you just need a straightforward definition to give the solver a foothold. The problem is that "prominent" is just vague enough to make you doubt yourself.
Common Variations You’ll See
The NYT doesn't always use the exact phrase "prominent body part." They like to mix it up to keep you on your toes. Look out for:
- Facial feature: Usually NOSE, LIP, or EYE.
- Central feature: Often NOSE.
- Part of a head: This could be anything from EAR to SCALP.
- It sticks out: This is almost always NOSE or CHIN.
Real Examples from the Archives
Let's look at some actual data. According to crossword databases like XWord Info, which tracks every single NYT puzzle, the clue "Prominent body part" (or very close variations) has appeared dozens of times over the last decade.
In a Tuesday puzzle from 2022, the answer was NOSE. Simple.
In a 2018 Sunday puzzle—those are the big ones—the answer was actually CHEST.
There was even a weird one where the answer was SNOOT, though that was clued more playfully.
The point is, you can't just memorize one answer. You have to look at the crossing words. If you have an "N" as the first letter, just ink in NOSE and move on. If you have an "E" at the end, it’s likely KNEE or EYE.
How to Solve It Without a Dictionary
When you're stuck, stop looking at the clue. Look at the "downs" or "acrosses" that intersect it. This is the most basic crossword advice, but it’s the only thing that actually works.
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If you’re absolutely blanking, try to visualize a person. What stands out? If you’re drawing a caricature, what do you exaggerate? You exaggerate the NOSE, the EARS, the CHIN, or the BROW.
The "Aha!" Moment
Crosswords are built on the "Aha!" moment. That split second where the fog clears and the word appears. If you’re struggling with "prominent body part," you’re likely overthinking it. You’re looking for something complex like "clavicle" when the grid just wants "nose."
Crossword puzzles are a conversation between the constructor and the solver. The constructor is trying to lead you down a path. Sometimes that path is a straight line, and sometimes it’s a zig-zag. "Prominent body part" is usually a straight line, but the vagueness of the word "prominent" is what creates the obstacle.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Puzzle
Stop guessing and start solving. Here is a quick mental checklist for the next time this clue pops up:
- Count the squares immediately. Don't even read the clue fully until you know if you're looking for 3, 4, or 5 letters.
- Check for the question mark. If there’s a "?", think about landforms (Cape, Reef) or objects (Table leg, Clock face).
- Prioritize the "O" and "E". These are the most common vowels in the typical answers (NOSE, KNEE, EYE). If you have one of these, you’re 90% of the way there.
- Look for "Crosswordese" patterns. If the clue is in a Monday or Tuesday puzzle, it’s going to be a common word. If it’s a Friday or Saturday, prepare for something anatomical or weird like ANVIL (in the ear) or ISLET (of Langerhans—though that’s a stretch for "prominent").
- Use a pencil. Or, if you’re on the app, don’t be afraid to delete. If NOSE doesn't work, CHIN is your next best friend.
Crosswords are supposed to be fun, not an exercise in medical terminology. Most of the time, the simplest answer is the right one. The NYT isn't trying to fail you; it's trying to make you work for the win. Next time you see "prominent body part," just take a breath, look at the letters you already have, and remember that it’s probably just the thing you’re using to smell your morning coffee.