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The free solver uses a rule-based engine (pattern matching, dictionary lookup) to suggest candidate answers. The AI explainer uses AI to understand the full semantic structure of any clue and gives you a complete explanation of why the answer works.

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Which cryptic crosswords does this work with?

Our solver works with any cryptic crossword clue in English — Guardian, Telegraph, Times, Independent, FT, and more. Just paste the clue text.

Is this a cheating tool?

We built this as a learning tool. Every explanation teaches you a wordplay pattern. The goal is to help you solve more clues on your own over time.

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Where does the example clue data come from?

Our example database uses publicly available cryptic crossword clues from eigenfoo/cryptics, licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL).

“Part of the attic is damaged (4)”

Hidden Word★☆☆☆☆

Answer

THIS

How the Wordplay Works

The answer is hidden inside the clue! Look at "t-HE ATT-ic" — the letters T-H-I-S are hidden consecutively. "Part of" is the hidden word indicator. "Is damaged" is the definition.

About Hidden Word Clues

This is a Hidden Word type cryptic clue.

Learn more about Hidden Word clues →

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