thumbnail

Cryptic Crossword Clues - Hidden Words

A cryptic crossword hidden word clue has three parts:
- a definition of the answer;
- the answer written in order (disguised among other words);
- a word or phrase that tells you that the answer is hidden within the clue (e.g. "included", "part of" etc)
These three parts can be in any order, but they must make grammatical sense.
You also have the number of letters in the answer to help you.
Good luck!
All answers must be spelled correctly, no type-ins.
Quiz by AlexThirkell
Rate:
Last updated: July 18, 2022
You have not attempted this quiz yet.
First submittedJanuary 13, 2021
Times taken550
Average score50.0%
Rating3.88
Report this quizReport
4:00
Enter answer here
0
 / 10 guessed
The quiz is paused. You have remaining.
Scoring
You scored / = %
This beats or equals % of test takers also scored 100%
The average score is
Your high score is
Your fastest time is
Keep scrolling down for answers and more stats ...
Clue
Answer
In Argentina, Uruguay is "a tiny country" (5)
Nauru
Arab ordered to protect boundary (6)
Border
Gmail is arbitrarily holding back capital (8)
Brasilia
Huge region is quasi-autonomous, but not all of it (4)
Asia
Written in protocol, or a document of the Centennial State (8)
Colorado
Sinbad gestured, holding evidence of success (6)
Badges
Stuck in icy Prussia, look for an island in the Med (6)
Cyprus
Capital city of Mali (Maputo) - find it there (4)
Lima
In Aspen, nine skiers find some hills (8)
Pennines
Australian island captured by Qantas maniacs (8)
Tasmania
9 Comments
+2
Level 75
Jul 18, 2022
Here's an example clue with the three parts highlighted:

Bistro service includes a romantic flower (4)

- a definition of the answer ("a romantic flower");

- the answer written in order ("bistRO SErvice" - disguised among other words);

- a word or phrase that tells you that the answer is hidden within the clue ("includes")

Warning: the answer may be written backwards in the clue, but it will still be in order.

+1
Level 85
Jan 13, 2021
*ordered

And Russia is pretty controversial, too!

+1
Level 75
Jan 13, 2021
Thanks, I fixed the typo and changed the controversial Russia clue to make it watertight - much appreciated!
+2
Level 78
Jul 18, 2022
These are very good puzzles that had me stumped, but definitely doable. I think the time limit is impossible though lol
+1
Level 95
Jul 18, 2022
+1 plz add more time!
+1
Level 75
Jul 18, 2022
Your wish is my command!
+1
Level 75
Jul 22, 2022
Bamako is the capital of Mali so the clue doesn’t make sense
+1
Level 75
Jul 22, 2022
The clues have to be grammatically correct, not true. Sure it would've been nicer if Maputo was the real capital of Mali, but you can't win them all...
+1
Level 62
Feb 6, 2023
Some fun stuff, like "Qantas maniacs" - good one there.