Cryptic Crossword Abbreviations Guide

Cryptic crosswords use hundreds of standard abbreviations. Here are the most common ones.

Letters

• L = leader, left
• R = right, run
• O = nothing, zero, love
• C = about (circa), caught
• D = five hundred (Roman)
• M = thousand, male
• N = knight (chess), new
• T = time, bishop (chess)

Common Words

• ER = Queen (Elizabeth Regina)


• RE = about, regarding


• OP = work (opus)


• ST = saint, street


• EX = former, out of

Indicator Words

• "Initially", "firstly" = take first letters


• "Leader", "heading" = first letter


• "Endlessly", "cut short" = remove last letter


• "Around", "about" = container indicator


• "Crazy", "wild" = anagram indicator