Hidden Clues (2024)

It’s right there on the page.
Under your nose.
Starring you in the face.

Hidden word clues are just as they sound: a clue in which the answer is embedded within the words of the clue itself.

And yet, hidden word clues can be sooooo hard to see. That’s the power of a well-written cryptic crossword clue!

How Can You Tell It's a Hidden Word Clue?

Often, hidden word clues have a "tip-off" word. For example, the clue might have the word "contained” in it. That could mean that a portion of the clue "contains" the answer, which is the hidden word.

Other possible tip-offs include the words “concealed,”“inside” and “within”.
It could also just the word “in”.

To make it easier, I've given you the definition portion of the sample clue, which is "arm band".

In classic cryptic crossword puzzle style, the answer to the clue above has nothing to do with a celebrity or a letter that a celebrity might have sent regarding a race. In this clue, the answer (a word that means "arm band") is "concealed" within the words "Celeb race letter".

Can you see what it is?

Hidden word clues are fairly unusual, which is a shame because they're really fun. You will typically only have one per puzzle. Most cryptic crossword puzzles don't have any at all.

Want to Try Some Hidden-Word Clues?

Hint:

Especially if the answer is a word that is unfamiliar to you, you’ll find that spotting the hidden word becomes much easier when you already have one of the letters of the clue filled in.