WSJ Crossword June 27, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for June 27, 2026, “Happy Birthday, USA!,” is a Saturday puzzle by Randolph Ross with 140 clues on a 21×21 grid. Saturday brings the largest grid of the week, a wide-ranging themed puzzle that fills the weekend slot. The longest entry is ARTHURCCLARKEAWARD at 18 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 PEEVES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with P and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
7 Across is ATL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with A and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
10 Across is ATTYS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
15 Across is BAN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with B and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
18 Across is SAVEME, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
19 Across is POOR, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 8. It begins with P and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
21 Across is SERIALIZE, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 13. It begins with S and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 9 letters.
23 Across is TRAGICCLOWN, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with T and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters.
25 Across is THEPLAGUE, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 13. It begins with T and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
26 Across is ARTHURCCLARKEAWARD, a 18-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 4. It begins with A and ends with D, with 6 vowels among its 18 letters.
28 Across is JOHN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with J and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
31 Across is USE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 7. It begins with U and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
32 Across is ERA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
33 Across is OPEN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 18. It begins with O and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
34 Across is EGOIST, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with E and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
37 Across is ALBA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
40 Across is NERDFEST, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 14. It begins with N and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
44 Across is ELASTICCLAUSE, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with E and ends with E, with 6 vowels among its 13 letters.
48 Across is LEU, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 15. It begins with L and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
49 Across is PERMUTED, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with P and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
50 Across is ATHLETICCLUB, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with A and ends with B, with 4 vowels among its 12 letters.
56 Across is NIECE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
58 Across is FRONTLINE, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 13. It begins with F and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
59 Across is AVAST, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
63 Across is TVAD, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 9. It begins with T and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
67 Across is ARI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with A and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
68 Across is OKLA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 18. It begins with O and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
69 Across is BACH, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with B and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
70 Across is ERICCLAPTON, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with E and ends with N, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters.
74 Across is NEIN, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 18. It begins with N and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
75 Across is ODIE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with O and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
76 Across is LAT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 6. It begins with L and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
77 Across is REBA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 10. It begins with R and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
78 Across is BENTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with B 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.
79 Across is REDEPOSIT, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with R and ends with T, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
82 Across is COEUR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 13. It begins with C and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
86 Across is CRYPTICCLUES, a 12-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with C and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 12 letters.
90 Across is RECOILED, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 14. It begins with R and ends with D, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
95 Across is ASA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 5. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
96 Across is ARCTICCLIMATE, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 9. It begins with A and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters.
98 Across is HARDSELL, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with H and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
103 Across is SORT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 10. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
104 Across is ALPINE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 16. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
105 Across is OLAY, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with O and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
106 Across is ESA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 8. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
108 Across is TAU, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 13. It begins with T and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
111 Across is ETAS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 18. It begins with E 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.
112 Across is SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL, a 18-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with S and ends with L, with 8 vowels among its 18 letters.
120 Across is EXONERATE, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with E and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 9 letters.
121 Across is STATICCLING, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 11. It begins with S and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters.
125 Across is RINGINGIN, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with R and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
126 Across is COMS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 11. It begins with C and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
127 Across is ENESCU, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 16. It begins with E and ends with U, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
128 Across is SSA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with S and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
129 Across is ISOLE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 5. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
130 Across is PSY, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 12. It begins with P and ends with Y, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
131 Across is REDHOT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 16. It begins with R and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
Down
1 Down is PST, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with P and ends with T, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
2 Down is EAR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with E and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
3 Down is EVA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
4 Down is VEGANISM, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with V and ends with M, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
5 Down is EMIR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with E and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
6 Down is SECT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
7 Down is APLUS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
8 Down is TOOREAL, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with T and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
9 Down is LOWC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with L and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
10 Down is ASTAR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with A and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Down is TEHRAN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with T and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
12 Down is TREK, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with T and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
13 Down is YIPE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with Y and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
14 Down is SALA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
15 Down is BIGAPE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with B and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
16 Down is AZURES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with A and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
17 Down is NEEDNT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with N and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
20 Down is RNC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 11. It begins with R and ends with C, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
22 Down is LAWOF, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 18. It begins with L and ends with F, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
24 Down is CHU, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 7. It begins with C and ends with U, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
27 Down is LEASH, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with L and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
28 Down is JEEP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with J and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
29 Down is OGLE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 2. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
30 Down is HOAR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 3. It begins with H and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
35 Down is STUNT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 5. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
36 Down is TITI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 6. It begins with T and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
38 Down is LAA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 10. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
39 Down is BUT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 11. It begins with B and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
41 Down is ELTORO, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with E and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
42 Down is REININ, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 16. It begins with R and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
43 Down is DUCT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 17. It begins with D and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
45 Down is CEE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 7. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
46 Down is CDC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with C and ends with C, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
47 Down is ELF, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 13. It begins with E and ends with F, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
51 Down is ERAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 14. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
52 Down is CLONE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 18. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
53 Down is LIKEN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 19. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
54 Down is UNLIT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 20. It begins with U and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
55 Down is BEANS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 21. It begins with B and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
57 Down is ETC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 9. It begins with E 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.
59 Down is ABORC, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with A and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
60 Down is VADER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 2. It begins with V and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
61 Down is ACIDY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 3. It begins with A and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
62 Down is SHEEP, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 4. It begins with S and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
64 Down is VCR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 10. It begins with V and ends with R, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
65 Down is ALE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 11. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
66 Down is DAB, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 12. It begins with D and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
70 Down is ELOISE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with E and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
71 Down is RASCAL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 7. It begins with R and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
72 Down is ITIC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 8. It begins with I and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
73 Down is PAC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 13. It begins with P and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
78 Down is BROIL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with B and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
80 Down is PTAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 5. 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.
81 Down is TLA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with T and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
83 Down is ORC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 14. It begins with O and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
84 Down is EEC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 15. It begins with E and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
85 Down is UCLA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 16. It begins with U and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
87 Down is URSAE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 10. It begins with U and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
88 Down is ECO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 11. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
89 Down is STR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 12. It begins with S and ends with R, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
91 Down is IMPELLED, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 18. It begins with I and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
92 Down is LAIT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 19. It begins with L and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
93 Down is ETNA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 20. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
94 Down is DEES, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 21. It begins with D 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.
97 Down is ITTEAMS, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 13. It begins with I 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.
98 Down is HOSERS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with H and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
99 Down is ALEXIS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 2. It begins with A and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
100 Down is RAMONA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 3. It begins with R and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
101 Down is DYING, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 4. It begins with D and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
102 Down is LENTIL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 8. It begins with L and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
107 Down is SCENE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 9. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
109 Down is ANTSY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 14. It begins with A and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
110 Down is UNI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 15. It begins with U and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
113 Down is QEII, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 5. It begins with Q and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
114 Down is URNS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 6. It begins with U 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.
115 Down is IAGO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 7. It begins with I and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
116 Down is NSC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 11. It begins with N and ends with C, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
117 Down is TTOP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 12. It begins with T and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
118 Down is ICER, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 16. It begins with I and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
119 Down is ACNE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 17. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
122 Down is ISH, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 19. It begins with I and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
123 Down is NCO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 20. It begins with N and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
124 Down is GUT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 21. It begins with G and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Saturday grid contains 57 Across and 83 Down entries, with 78 black squares. Saturday brings the largest grid of the week, a wide-ranging themed puzzle that fills the weekend slot.
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.