WSJ Crossword October 26, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for October 26, 2026, “Just for Kicks,” is a Monday puzzle by AJ Phillips with 78 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 SOLEPROPRIETORS 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 DIG, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with D and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
4 Across is TATA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
8 Across is OBITS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with O 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.
13 Across is EMILYPOST, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with E and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
16 Across is RADIO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 11. It begins with R and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
17 Across is SOLEPROPRIETORS, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 6 vowels among its 15 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
19 Across is INANE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
20 Across is SAG, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 8. It begins with S and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
21 Across is CLEO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 12. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
22 Across is TORO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 4. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
25 Across is SOFA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 9. It begins with S and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
27 Across is CAPO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
30 Across is ARCHRIVALS, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 6. It begins with A and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 10 letters.
35 Across is ALES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. 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.
36 Across is MAE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 6. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
37 Across is SEEIN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with S and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
38 Across is RAN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with R and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
39 Across is BALLPIT, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 5. It begins with B and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
42 Across is SKI, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 13. It begins with S and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
43 Across is AMNIO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with A and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
45 Across is LIT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 8. It begins with L and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
46 Across is COED, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 12. It begins with C and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
47 Across is TOETHELINE, a 10-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with T and ends with E, with 5 vowels among its 10 letters.
50 Across is APSE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 12. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
51 Across is SOLO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 4. It begins with S and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
52 Across is EMIR, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 9. It begins with E and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
54 Across is ECHO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
57 Across is MAN, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 6. It begins with M and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
59 Across is DARTS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with D 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.
63 Across is THINKONYOURFEET, a 15-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with T and ends with T, with 6 vowels among its 15 letters.
67 Across is COSMO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
68 Across is SENTIENCE, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 7. It begins with S and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
69 Across is HOSES, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with H 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.
70 Across is TEES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with T and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
71 Across is OHM, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 13. It begins with O and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
Down
1 Down is DESI, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with D and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
2 Down is IMON, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with I and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
3 Down is GILA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with G and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
4 Down is TYPEO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
5 Down is APR, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with A and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
6 Down is TOO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
7 Down is ASPS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. 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.
8 Down is ORE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
9 Down is BATCAVE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with B and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
10 Down is IDOL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with I and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
11 Down is TIRE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with T and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
12 Down is SOSO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with S and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
14 Down is LENTOS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 4. It begins with L 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.
15 Down is TRASH, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 9. It begins with T and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
18 Down is IGOR, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 10. It begins with I and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
23 Down is RAMA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with R and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
24 Down is ORAL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 7. It begins with O and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
26 Down is FIST, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with F and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
27 Down is CARAT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with C and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
28 Down is ALAMO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 2. It begins with A and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
29 Down is PENNE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 3. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
31 Down is CELLI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with C and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
32 Down is AESOP, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 13. It begins with A and ends with P, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
33 Down is LIKES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 14. It begins with L and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
34 Down is SNIDE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 15. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
39 Down is BOHO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 5. It begins with B and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
40 Down is PINE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 9. It begins with P and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
41 Down is ITEM, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with I and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
44 Down is ITSONME, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 4. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
46 Down is CARAFE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 12. It begins with C and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
48 Down is ELMO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 6. It begins with E and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
49 Down is LOANS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with L 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.
53 Down is IDRIS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 11. It begins with I and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
54 Down is ETCH, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with E and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
55 Down is CHOO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 2. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
56 Down is HISS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 3. It begins with H and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
58 Down is NYET, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 8. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
60 Down is RENO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 13. It begins with R and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
61 Down is TECH, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 14. It begins with T and ends with H, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
62 Down is STEM, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 15. It begins with S and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
64 Down is KOS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 5. It begins with K and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
65 Down is ONE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with O and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
66 Down is UTE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with U and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Monday grid contains 35 Across and 43 Down entries, with 38 black squares. 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.