WSJ Crossword August 3, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for August 3, 2026, “Spreading a Whopper,” is a Monday puzzle by Alan Siegel with 74 clues on a 15×15 grid. Monday grids at the Journal are the gentlest of the week, with direct clues and familiar vocabulary, so most entries can be confirmed from a single crossing. The longest entry is VANILLAICECREAM 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 UTAH, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with U and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
5 Across is RACES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
10 Across is MAP, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with M and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
13 Across is SEGA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
14 Across is EXALT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 6. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
15 Across is SOLO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 12. It begins with S and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
16 Across is DREI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with D and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
17 Across is DELLA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with D and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
18 Across is TWAS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 12. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
19 Across is ISRAELIEMBASSY, a 14-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 2. It begins with I and ends with Y, with 6 vowels among its 14 letters.
22 Across is TIA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 4. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
23 Across is POI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with P and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
24 Across is VANILLAICECREAM, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with V and ends with M, with 7 vowels among its 15 letters.
33 Across is OBIES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with O and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
34 Across is PRADA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 7. It begins with P and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
35 Across is ALA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
36 Across is CAPS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with C 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.
37 Across is SHAPE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 6. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
38 Across is OTIC, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with O and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
39 Across is ACA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with A 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.
40 Across is ALINE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
41 Across is WAITA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with W and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
42 Across is LITTLEDIDWEKNOW, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with L and ends with W, with 5 vowels among its 15 letters.
45 Across is ADE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 4. It begins with A 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.
46 Across is HEF, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with H and ends with F, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
47 Across is PHILIPPINEPESO, a 14-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with P and ends with O, with 6 vowels among its 14 letters.
55 Across is LIDO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
56 Across is LANCE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 6. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
57 Across is RUNS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 12. It begins with R and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
59 Across is IRON, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with I and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
60 Across is ARIAL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 6. It begins with A and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
61 Across is NILE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 12. It begins with N and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
62 Across is EEL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with E and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
63 Across is BETAS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 6. It begins with B and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
64 Across is STYX, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 12. It begins with S and ends with X, with 0 vowels among its 4 letters.
Down
1 Down is USD, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with U and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
2 Down is TERI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with T and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
3 Down is AGES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
4 Down is HAIRTIES, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with H and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
5 Down is REDEAL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with R and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
6 Down is AXEL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with A and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
7 Down is CALI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with C and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
8 Down is ELLE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with E and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
9 Down is STAMPEDE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
10 Down is MOWS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with M and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
11 Down is ALAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
12 Down is POSY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with P and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
15 Down is STAIR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 12. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
20 Down is AILS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 5. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
21 Down is BOCA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 11. It begins with B and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
24 Down is VOCAL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with V and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
25 Down is ABACI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 2. It begins with A and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
26 Down is NIPAT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 3. It begins with N and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
27 Down is APHID, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 7. It begins with A and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
28 Down is IRANI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with I and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
29 Down is CAPED, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with C and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
30 Down is EATIN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 13. It begins with E and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
31 Down is ALITO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 14. It begins with A and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
32 Down is MACAW, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with M and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
37 Down is SLEEPLAB, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 6. It begins with S and ends with B, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
38 Down is OAKFERNS, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 12. It begins with O and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
40 Down is ALDI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
41 Down is WEEP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 11. It begins with W and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
43 Down is TALON, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 4. It begins with T and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
44 Down is WHEELS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with W and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
47 Down is PLIE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
48 Down is HIRE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 2. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
49 Down is IDOL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 3. It begins with I and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
50 Down is PARE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 7. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
51 Down is INIT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 8. It begins with I and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
52 Down is NCAA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 9. It begins with N and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
53 Down is SUIT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 13. It begins with S and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
54 Down is ONLY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 14. It begins with O and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
58 Down is SEX, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 15. It begins with S and ends with X, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Monday grid contains 35 Across and 39 Down entries, with 40 black squares and 12 circled squares that carry the theme. Monday grids at the Journal are the gentlest of the week, with direct clues and familiar vocabulary, so most entries can be confirmed from a single crossing.
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.