WSJ Crossword July 31, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for July 31, 2026, “I Got You Babe,” is a Friday puzzle by Jeff Jerome with 142 clues on a 21×21 grid. Friday is the Journal’s contest puzzle, so beyond filling the grid there is a hidden meta answer to deduce from the finished solution. The longest entry is BOWLINGPINSCHER 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 ACCESS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
7 Across is IPOD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with I and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
11 Across is LAM, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with L and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
14 Across is SEAM, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with S and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
18 Across is GLOAMIN, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with G and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
19 Across is AARE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 9. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
20 Across is APE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 14. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
21 Across is ATNO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 18. It begins with A and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
22 Across is ELPRADO, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with E and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
23 Across is DWARFSTARCHER, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 9. It begins with D and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
26 Across is NOTIN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with N and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
27 Across is RAMA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 7. It begins with R and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
29 Across is RESTAREAS, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 13. It begins with R and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
30 Across is TWOBASEHITCHER, a 14-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with T and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 14 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
34 Across is PIERRE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 16. It begins with P and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
35 Across is TAROT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 5. It begins with T and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
36 Across is HER, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 11. It begins with H and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
37 Across is SIT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
38 Across is CANOEIST, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with C and ends with T, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
42 Across is GREENTEACHER, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 10. It begins with G and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
48 Across is ANEW, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with A and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
49 Across is WII, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with W and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
50 Across is EIS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 14. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
51 Across is RUDE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 18. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
52 Across is BOWLINGPINSCHER, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with B and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 15 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
59 Across is JOLIE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 17. It begins with J and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
60 Across is SST, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with S and ends with T, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
61 Across is PALIN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 5. It begins with P and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
62 Across is TOAD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 11. It begins with T and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
63 Across is GAWKED, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 16. It begins with G and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
64 Across is BAYONET, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 4. It begins with B and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
66 Across is TRIBUNE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with T and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
68 Across is BADASS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with B and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
71 Across is ERAT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 8. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
73 Across is INURE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 13. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
74 Across is SPA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 19. It begins with S and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
77 Across is AMISS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
78 Across is ANYTHINGBUTCHER, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 7. It begins with A and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 15 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
81 Across is RAVI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with R and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
82 Across is ICU, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 6. It begins with I and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
83 Across is ERG, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 11. It begins with E and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
84 Across is AUNT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 18. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
85 Across is BLACKCATCHER, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with B and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 12 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
89 Across is NAMELESS, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 14. It begins with N and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
93 Across is AER, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 5. It begins with A and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
94 Across is OUI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 9. It begins with O and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 3 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
95 Across is ROSES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 13. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
96 Across is ASSESS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
100 Across is AMENTOTHATCHER, a 14-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 8. It begins with A and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 14 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
106 Across is PHONECASE, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with P and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
108 Across is HAHA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 12. It begins with H and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
109 Across is ALIVE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 17. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
110 Across is PANAMAHATCHER, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with P and ends with R, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
113 Across is MOTORED, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 15. It begins with M and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
115 Across is TRAC, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with T and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
116 Across is PAD, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 6. It begins with P and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
117 Across is CURE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 10. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
118 Across is ELEVENS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 15. It begins with E and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
119 Across is SERT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
120 Across is ESO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 6. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
121 Across is CHER, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 10. It begins with C and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
122 Across is DESERT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 15. It begins with D and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
Down
1 Down is ALLOW, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with A and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
2 Down is COPTO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
3 Down is CARIB, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with C and ends with B, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
4 Down is EMANATE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with E and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
5 Down is SID, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with S and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
6 Down is SNORERS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. 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.
7 Down is IADMIT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with I and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
8 Down is PAWAT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with P and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
9 Down is ORA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with O and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
10 Down is DER, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with D and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
11 Down is LASER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with L and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
12 Down is APTS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with A 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.
13 Down is MEATPIES, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with M and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
14 Down is SACRE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
15 Down is ETHER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with E and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
16 Down is ANEAR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with A and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
17 Down is MORSE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
18 Down is GENT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with G and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
24 Down is FRERE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 13. It begins with F and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
25 Down is RAITA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 17. It begins with R and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
28 Down is AHOT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 8. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
31 Down is SAI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with S and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
32 Down is CHRIST, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with C and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
33 Down is HEE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
37 Down is STIR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with S and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
38 Down is CABS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with C and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
39 Down is ANOS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 2. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
40 Down is NEWT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 3. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
41 Down is OWL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 4. It begins with O and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
42 Down is GIN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 10. It begins with G and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
43 Down is NEEDING, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 14. It begins with N and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
44 Down is CROWE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 18. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
45 Down is HULK, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 19. It begins with H and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
46 Down is EDIE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 20. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
47 Down is REED, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 21. It begins with R and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
49 Down is WINERY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with W and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
53 Down is IPASS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with I and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
54 Down is NAYS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 6. It begins with N 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.
55 Down is GLO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 7. It begins with G and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
56 Down is PINENUT, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with P and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
57 Down is COT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 12. It begins with C and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
58 Down is HARING, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 13. It begins with H and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
59 Down is JANET, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 17. It begins with J and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
63 Down is GURU, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 16. It begins with G and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
64 Down is BASIC, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 4. It begins with B and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
65 Down is TAT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
67 Down is BUB, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 15. It begins with B and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
68 Down is BARB, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with B and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
69 Down is AMAL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 2. It begins with A and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
70 Down is DIVA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 3. It begins with D and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
72 Down is THEEIN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with T and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
74 Down is SHUE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 19. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
75 Down is PENS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 20. It begins with P 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.
76 Down is ARTS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 21. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
78 Down is ACAR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 7. It begins with A and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
79 Down is IRR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 12. It begins with I and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
80 Down is CAL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 18. It begins with C and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
82 Down is ICESCAPE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 6. It begins with I and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
86 Down is KASEM, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 5. It begins with K and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
87 Down is COMET, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 9. It begins with C and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
88 Down is HUE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 10. It begins with H and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
89 Down is NOTH, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 14. It begins with N and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
90 Down is ASHAMED, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 15. It begins with A and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
91 Down is MEA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 16. It begins with M and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
92 Down is ESTATES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 17. It begins with E and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
95 Down is ROARER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 13. It begins with R and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
96 Down is APPTS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
97 Down is SHARE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 2. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
98 Down is SONAR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 3. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
99 Down is ENACT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 4. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
100 Down is ASADO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 8. It begins with A and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
101 Down is THERE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 12. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
102 Down is CLOVE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 18. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
103 Down is HIRER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with H and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
104 Down is EVENT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 20. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
105 Down is REDS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 21. It begins with R and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
107 Down is AHAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 7. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
111 Down is CCC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 10. It begins with C and ends with C, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
112 Down is HUH, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 11. It begins with H and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
114 Down is OLE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 16. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 62 Across and 80 Down entries, with 75 black squares. Friday is the Journal’s contest puzzle, so beyond filling the grid there is a hidden meta answer to deduce from the finished solution.
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.