WSJ Crossword October 9, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for October 9, 2026, “Under the Weather,” is a Friday puzzle by Alan Olschwang with 140 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 REHEARING at 9 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 SHOWERS, 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 CLOUDS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with C and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
14 Across is CABLED, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with C and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
20 Across is LOVESET, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with L and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
21 Across is LAPSAT, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 9. It begins with L and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
22 Across is HALITE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 16. It begins with H and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
23 Across is ARALSEA, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with A and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
24 Across is AVEENO, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 9. It begins with A and ends with O, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
25 Across is ICEMAN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 16. It begins with I and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
26 Across is MALLE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
27 Across is LAMAR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 7. It begins with L and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
29 Across is RICHNESS, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 14. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
31 Across is ENCLS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 4. It begins with E 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.
33 Across is ATTACHED, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 11. It begins with A and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
36 Across is VESSEL, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with V and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
39 Across is PAK, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 8. It begins with P and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
42 Across is REGAIN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 12. It begins with R and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
43 Across is DEW, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 19. It begins with D and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
46 Across is ILK, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 1. It begins with I and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
47 Across is SEW, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 5. It begins with S and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
49 Across is MARINER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 9. It begins with M and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
51 Across is LOBO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 18. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
52 Across is RAID, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 1. It begins with R and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
54 Across is MACARENA, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 6. It begins with M and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
56 Across is ETAILER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 15. It begins with E and ends with R, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
59 Across is ATRIP, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with A and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
61 Across is SUNSHINE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 7. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
63 Across is REFARM, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 16. It begins with R and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
64 Across is LETGO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with L and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
65 Across is ABATE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 7. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
66 Across is TSAAGENTS, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 13. It begins with T and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
68 Across is ARUBA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 4. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
70 Across is SAW, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 10. It begins with S and ends with W, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
72 Across is TRYIT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 14. It begins with T and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
73 Across is LIGHTNING, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with L and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 9 letters.
77 Across is REGAL, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with R and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
79 Across is NINJA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with N and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
83 Across is INROAD, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with I and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
84 Across is ORDINATE, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 8. It begins with O and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
86 Across is AMOUR, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 17. It begins with A and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
87 Across is APOLLOS, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 1. It begins with A and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
89 Across is OINTMENT, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with O and ends with T, with 3 vowels among its 8 letters.
91 Across is ELLS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 18. It begins with E 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.
92 Across is RUSE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 1. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
93 Across is CLUNGTO, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 7. It begins with C and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
95 Across is EOS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 15. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
97 Across is TIO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 19. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
98 Across is STS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
99 Across is SIRING, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 5. It begins with S and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
101 Across is OWL, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with O and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
103 Across is ANDEAN, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 16. It begins with A and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
105 Across is SPLENDOR, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 4. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 8 letters.
107 Across is INDIA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 14. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
109 Across is TADPOLES, a 8-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with T 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.
112 Across is ACELA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 11. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
115 Across is FRONT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 17. It begins with F and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
119 Across is OSIRIS, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. 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.
120 Across is EASILY, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 8. It begins with E and ends with Y, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
123 Across is PETERII, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 15. It begins with P and ends with I, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
125 Across is MANILA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with M and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
126 Across is EDITOR, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 8. It begins with E and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
127 Across is EREMITE, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 15. It begins with E and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
128 Across is SPOTTY, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 6 letters.
129 Across is DOTAGE, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 8. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
130 Across is SERENER, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 15. It begins with S and ends with R, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
Down
1 Down is SLAM, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
2 Down is HORA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with H and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
3 Down is OVAL, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with O and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
4 Down is WELLES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with W and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
5 Down is ESSENES, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with E and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
6 Down is REE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 6. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
7 Down is STALL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
8 Down is CLAM, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with C and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
9 Down is LAVA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with L and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
10 Down is OPERA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with O and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Down is USE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 12. It begins with U and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
12 Down is DAN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with D and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
13 Down is STORAGE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with S and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
14 Down is CHICHI, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 16. It begins with C and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
15 Down is AACHEN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 17. It begins with A and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
16 Down is BLEND, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with B and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
17 Down is LIME, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with L and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
18 Down is ETAS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
19 Down is DENS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with D 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.
28 Down is ASP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 8. It begins with A and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
30 Down is ICARE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 4, column 15. It begins with I and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
32 Down is CLEM, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with C and ends with M, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
34 Down is TRINI, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with T and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
35 Down is TENANT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 13. It begins with T and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
36 Down is VIRAL, 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.
37 Down is ELATE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 2. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
38 Down is SKIRT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 3. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
40 Down is AMANA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 9. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
41 Down is KARSTS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 10. It begins with K 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.
43 Down is DOLAN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 19. It begins with D and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
44 Down is EBERT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 20. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
45 Down is WORMS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 21. It begins with W and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
48 Down is WASABI, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 7. It begins with W and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
50 Down is REHEARING, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with R and ends with G, with 4 vowels among its 9 letters.
51 Down is LIFETIME, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 18. It begins with L and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
53 Down is DIGAHOLE, a 8-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 4. It begins with D and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 8 letters.
55 Down is CUBANO, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 8. It begins with C and ends with O, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
57 Down is TRAY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 16. It begins with T and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
58 Down is AEGINA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 17. It begins with A and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
60 Down is PORTAL, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 5. It begins with P and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
62 Down is ESTATE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 14. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
67 Down is ARLENE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 15. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
69 Down is UNDO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with U and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
71 Down is WENTTO, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with W and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
73 Down is LIARS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with L and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
74 Down is INPUT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 2. It begins with I and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
75 Down is GROSS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 3. It begins with G and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
76 Down is GROUND, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 9. It begins with G and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
78 Down is GAMOW, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 13. It begins with G and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
80 Down is NOLTE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 19. It begins with N and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
81 Down is JULIA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 20. It begins with J and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
82 Down is ARSON, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 21. It begins with A and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
85 Down is DINGO, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with D and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
88 Down is SCREE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 7. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
90 Down is TOAD, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 14, column 16. It begins with T and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
94 Down is LINSEED, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 8. It begins with L and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
96 Down is SNIFTER, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 17. It begins with S and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
99 Down is SPOILT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 5. It begins with S and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
100 Down is ILLSAY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 6. It begins with I and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
102 Down is LIL, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 14. It begins with L and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
104 Down is DAREME, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 18. It begins with D and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
105 Down is SPRIT, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 4. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
106 Down is RAITA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 11. It begins with R and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
108 Down is NAPES, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 15. It begins with N 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.
109 Down is TOMS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with T 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.
110 Down is ASAP, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 2. It begins with A and ends with P, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
111 Down is DINO, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 3. It begins with D and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
113 Down is CLOG, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 12. It begins with C and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
114 Down is EYRE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 13. It begins with E and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
116 Down is ORIN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 19. It begins with O and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
117 Down is NITE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 20. It begins with N and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
118 Down is TIER, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 21. It begins with T and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
121 Down is ADO, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 9. It begins with A and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
122 Down is SIT, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 10. It begins with S and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
124 Down is ERE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 16. It begins with E and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 65 Across and 75 Down entries, with 68 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.