WSJ Crossword August 12, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for August 12, 2026, “Tribal Tunes,” is a Wednesday puzzle by Luke K. Schreiber with 76 clues on a 15×15 grid. Wednesday grids sit in the middle of the week’s difficulty curve: the fill is mostly familiar, but the theme asks for a little lateral thinking. The longest entry is FATHERCHRISTMAS at 15 letters.
Every answer is listed below in grid order, Across first and then Down, with a short explanation of how the entry sits in the grid. Use the Definition link under any entry to pull the dictionary meaning of the answer word, or click the clue to open its own page with past appearances and neighboring clues.
Across
1 Across is SLY, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
4 Across is ABS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
7 Across is AMI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
10 Across is PIT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with P and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
13 Across is PEA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with P and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
14 Across is DEADPAN, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 5. It begins with D and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
16 Across is AXE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 13. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
17 Across is UGH, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with U and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
18 Across is PETROCK, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 5. It begins with P and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
19 Across is SNL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 13. It begins with S and ends with L, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
20 Across is DUOS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
22 Across is NYALA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 6. It begins with N and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
23 Across is ETAL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with E and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
24 Across is MOTHERCOUNTRY, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 2. It begins with M and ends with Y, with 4 vowels among its 13 letters.
27 Across is ESAU, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 2. It begins with E and ends with U, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
28 Across is YAYS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 11. It begins with Y and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
29 Across is BABYBLUES, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with B and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
35 Across is CHI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with C and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
38 Across is AMOUR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 6. It begins with A and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
39 Across is IPA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 13. It begins with I and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
42 Across is FATHERCHRISTMAS, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with F and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 15 letters.
47 Across is OSCAR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with O and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
48 Across is ARK, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with A and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
49 Across is CHIRP, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 11. It begins with C and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
50 Across is SHOWME, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
52 Across is CHANTS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with C and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
53 Across is MUSICALFAMILY, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 2. It begins with M and ends with Y, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters.
57 Across is CAP, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with C and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
58 Across is NOBUENO, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 5. It begins with N and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
59 Across is OHM, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 13. It begins with O and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
61 Across is URL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with U and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
62 Across is ELECTEE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 5. It begins with E and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
63 Across is VAC, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 13. It begins with V and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
64 Across is EKE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with E and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
65 Across is SIT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 5. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
66 Across is ASS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 9. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
67 Across is ETS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 13. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
Down
1 Down is SPUD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
2 Down is LEGUME, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with L and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
3 Down is YAHOOS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with Y and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
4 Down is ADP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with A and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
5 Down is BEENE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with B and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
6 Down is SATYR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
7 Down is APOLO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with A and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
8 Down is MACAU, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with M and ends with U, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
9 Down is INK, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with I and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
10 Down is PASTRY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with P and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
11 Down is IXNAYS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with I and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
12 Down is TELL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with T and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
15 Down is DRAC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 8. It begins with D and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
21 Down is STAB, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 4. It begins with S and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
23 Down is ETAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
25 Down is HUA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 5. It begins with H and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
26 Down is NYE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with N and ends with E, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
30 Down is BAR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 6. It begins with B and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
31 Down is YMCA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 7. It begins with Y and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
32 Down is BOHR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with B and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
33 Down is LURK, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with L and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
34 Down is URI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 10. It begins with U and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
35 Down is CFOS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with C and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
36 Down is HASHMARK, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 2. It begins with H and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
37 Down is ITCOUPLE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 3. It begins with I and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
39 Down is IMINLOVE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 13. It begins with I and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
40 Down is PARTYHAT, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 14. It begins with P and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
41 Down is ASPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
43 Down is HAWS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 4. It begins with H and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
44 Down is ERMINES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with E and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
45 Down is SCHMOES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
46 Down is THAI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 12. It begins with T and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
51 Down is ECOLI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with E and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
52 Down is CANES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
54 Down is ABET, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
55 Down is LUC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 8. It begins with L and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
56 Down is FETA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 9. It begins with F and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
57 Down is CUE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
60 Down is MCS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 15. It begins with M and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
About this puzzle
This Wednesday grid contains 37 Across and 39 Down entries, with 42 black squares. Wednesday grids sit in the middle of the week’s difficulty curve: the fill is mostly familiar, but the theme asks for a little lateral thinking.
Prefer to solve it yourself first? The homepage lists every clue for the latest puzzle without answers, and the archive covers every WSJ crossword in our index by date. The official puzzle is published on the WSJ Puzzles page.