WSJ Crossword November 13, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for November 13, 2026, “Elaboration,” is a Friday puzzle by Mike Shenk with 138 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 CHECKEREDPASTEL 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 SPONGES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
8 Across is ATARIS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 9. 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.
14 Across is BARDOT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with B and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
20 Across is RADIANT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with R and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
21 Across is CORONA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 9. It begins with C and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
22 Across is AREOLA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 16. It begins with A and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
23 Across is SKELETONCREWEL, a 14-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with S and ends with L, with 5 vowels among its 14 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
25 Across is WAGGED, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 16. It begins with W and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
26 Across is LAPAT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 5. It begins with L and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
27 Across is ACTEDBIG, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with A and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
29 Across is ACHS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. 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.
33 Across is NUI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with N and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
34 Across is DENSELY, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with D and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
36 Across is NYET, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 18. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
39 Across is FRYINGPANEL, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with F and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
42 Across is TRI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 13. It begins with T and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
43 Across is ABLE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 18. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
44 Across is RAPPEL, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with R and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
45 Across is DECKHANDEL, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 8. It begins with D and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
49 Across is ALA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 19. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
50 Across is ONESTEP, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with O and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
52 Across is GASPS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with G 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.
53 Across is ELI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with E and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
54 Across is GEM, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 19. It begins with G and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
55 Across is SKU, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with S and ends with U, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
56 Across is SETAT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 6. It begins with S and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
58 Across is SYS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 12. It begins with S and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
60 Across is ENTERS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 16. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
62 Across is SPIT, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 2. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
65 Across is SATUP, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with S and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
67 Across is LUCKILY, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with L and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
69 Across is CHECKEREDPASTEL, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 4. It begins with C and ends with L, with 5 vowels among its 15 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
73 Across is GREENIE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 2. It begins with G and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
75 Across is NERVE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with N and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
76 Across is DEPP, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with D and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
79 Across is GIORNO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with G and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
80 Across is RIB, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 8. It begins with R and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
83 Across is BOERS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 12. 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.
85 Across is AAA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 19. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 3 letters.
87 Across is ADS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with A and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
88 Across is OCT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 5. It begins with O and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
90 Across is MADAT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with M and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
92 Across is SCOOTIN, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 15. It begins with S and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
95 Across is LEE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
96 Across is WHITEHOTEL, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 5. It begins with W and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
99 Across is HIDING, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 16. It begins with H and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
100 Across is LOBO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
102 Across is ERA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 7. It begins with E and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
103 Across is SEMICOLONEL, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 11. It begins with S and ends with L, with 5 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
105 Across is SNUB, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with S and ends with B, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
106 Across is FIENNES, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 6. It begins with F and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
108 Across is VAL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 14. It begins with V and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
109 Across is MADE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 18. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
110 Across is SALINATE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 3. It begins with S and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
112 Across is BETAS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 13. 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.
114 Across is LEHMAN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
116 Across is CHICKENBROTHEL, a 14-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 8. It begins with C and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 14 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
123 Across is IDEATE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with I and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
124 Across is LAGOON, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 8. It begins with L and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
125 Across is ELLAMAI, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 15. It begins with E and ends with I, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
126 Across is PULSES, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with P and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
127 Across is ETHNOS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 8. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
128 Across is DYEPOTS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 15. It begins with D 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.
Down
1 Down is SRS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
2 Down is PAK, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with P and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
3 Down is ODE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
4 Down is NIL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with N and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
5 Down is GAEL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with G and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
6 Down is ENTANGLES, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with E and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
7 Down is STOPUP, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
8 Down is ACCT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with A and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
9 Down is TOR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with T and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
10 Down is ARE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
11 Down is ROWAN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with R and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
12 Down is INECSTASY, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with I and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
13 Down is SALTERN, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with S and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
14 Down is BAWDY, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with B and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
15 Down is ARAB, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with A and ends with B, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
16 Down is REGINA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with R and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
17 Down is DOGGYBAGEL, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with D and ends with L, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
18 Down is OLE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
19 Down is TAD, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with T and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
24 Down is NAIAD, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 8. It begins with N and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
28 Down is ELIDE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 15. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
29 Down is AFROS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with A 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.
30 Down is CRANKS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 2. 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.
31 Down is HYPEUP, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 3. It begins with H and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
32 Down is SIPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 4. It begins with S 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.
34 Down is DECATUR, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 10. It begins with D and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
35 Down is ELKS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with E and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
37 Down is ELLERY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 20. It begins with E and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
38 Down is TEAMS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 21. It begins with T and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
40 Down is NET, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 5. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
41 Down is NEGATE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
46 Down is HPS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 12. It begins with H 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.
47 Down is ELECT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 16. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
48 Down is LINKED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 17. It begins with L and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
51 Down is PESCI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 7. It begins with P and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
57 Down is TAKER, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with T and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
59 Down is SLAVE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
61 Down is TILE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 18. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
63 Down is ICER, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 4. It begins with I and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
64 Down is THENOW, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 5. It begins with T and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
66 Down is PEN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 11. It begins with P and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
68 Down is USERS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 15. It begins with U and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
70 Down is ENOCH, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with E and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
71 Down is DEBATES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with D 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.
72 Down is PROTEM, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 13. It begins with P and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
73 Down is GIDEON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 2. It begins with G and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
74 Down is ROSEBUSHEL, a 10-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 3. It begins with R and ends with L, with 4 vowels among its 10 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
77 Down is PATINA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 19. It begins with P and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
78 Down is PAINED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 20. It begins with P and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
79 Down is GALLS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with G 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.
81 Down is IMEANTHAT, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with I and ends with T, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
82 Down is BAH, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with B and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
84 Down is SCHOLARLY, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 16. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 9 letters.
86 Down is ANGLE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 21. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
89 Down is TIEIN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 7. It begins with T and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
91 Down is DOSE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 11. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
93 Down is OIL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 17. It begins with O and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
94 Down is ODOM, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 18. It begins with O and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
97 Down is TREACLE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with T and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
98 Down is LIVEN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 14. It begins with L and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
101 Down is OBAMAS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 4. It begins with O 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.
104 Down is CATBED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 15. It begins with C and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
106 Down is FINES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 6. It begins with F 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.
107 Down is NEIGH, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 10. It begins with N and ends with H, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
111 Down is LATE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 5. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
112 Down is BENS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 13. It begins with B and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
113 Down is SOLE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 17. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
114 Down is LIP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with L and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
115 Down is EDU, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 2. It begins with E and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
117 Down is CON, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 11. It begins with C and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
118 Down is KOO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 12. It begins with K and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
119 Down is TAP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 18. It begins with T and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
120 Down is HMO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 19. It begins with H and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
121 Down is EAT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 20. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
122 Down is LIS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 21. It begins with L and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 63 Across and 75 Down entries, with 72 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.