Sometimes you just need a break from work or other responsibilities in life. A crossword puzzle is the perfect tool for tuning out the world, even for just a few moments, and focusing your attention on something fun and rewarding that’s just for you. Our Medium difficulty crossword puzzles are designed to be challenging enough to keep you engaged, but easy enough to keep it fun. Improve Problem-Solving Skills If you’ve written in all the answers that you can and some blank squares still remain, here are three proven ways to get you to the finish line: Playing our free online crossword puzzles is very easy. Start by choosing your favorite puzzle (or puzzles, for some crossword-heads). Then, choose which crossword you would like to play.

The first answer you should write in a crossword should ideally be one whose clue you are sure of. This may be the very first clue in the puzzle (1 Across), but crossword authors and editors don't automatically make the first clue the easiest one. Of course, people's vocabulary and knowledge differ anyway. So review the clue list carefully until you find one that you're rather sure of, and fill that one in first. A joint 2017 study by King's College London and the University of Exeter Medical School suggests people who play crossword puzzles are more likely to have a sharper brain in later life. We also offer larger, more challenging crosswords of varying difficulties - from easy to hard so you can find your perfect crossword match based on your personal preferences. There are countless crossword puzzles available in the world, with new ones being created and published regularly to cater to a wide range of interests and skill levels. How do you know which one is right for you?Use crossings to confirm your answer: confirm your answer is right by solving the clues that run across it. Some of our crossword puzzles are updated daily, while others are altered weekly. After you make a selection, you can begin filling in the puzzle! Simply read the clues and then type the answers into the crossword puzzle. Fill in the Obvious Answers: Next, fill in the answers you know for sure. Look for clues with straightforward answers that you're confident about. This can help you build a foundation for solving the rest of the puzzle. Additionally, you can reveal the answers for the whole crossword puzzle, individual words, or even certain letters.

Your solving will be smoother and easier if you are able to concentrate on one area of the puzzle at a time, with each new answer you write connected to answers you’ve already filled in. If you’re unable to fill in any answers in the area you’re working in, look for another clue elsewhere in the crossword and begin the process again. You should always look at the puzzle title before doing anything else. The title is there to give you a hint about the theme of the puzzle—the subject matter or the common element among the longest answers. When you have filled in the first long answer, take another look at the title; you should be able to make a guess now as to what the theme is. Once you have correctly identified the theme, the remaining theme answers should be much easier for you to puzzle out. Look for Fill-in-the-Blanks: Scan for clues that include fill-in-the-blank phrases, which are typically easier to solve because they rely on common expressions or idioms.

Watch Word Patterns: Pay attention to word patterns and the number of letters required for each answer. This can help you eliminate incorrect guesses and narrow down possibilities. The researchers stated that their findings reveal a link between word puzzles, like crosswords, and memory and thinking skills, but we can’t say definitively that regular puzzling improves these skills. Who Invented Crossword Puzzles? You’re going to find many clues that you’ll know the answers to right away! Here are a few examples from actual Easy Crosswords:

Solve the Short Words First: Fill in the shorter words first, as they often cross multiple longer answers and can give you hints about the intersecting words. Many puzzle fans utilize this increasing challenge each Monday through Saturday to sharpen their solving skills. Congratulations! Before moving on to another puzzle or to the rest of your day, take your virtual victory lap and take one last look at each of the theme answers, noting how they all relate to the title. Looking for more puzzles? Browse the full selection of Arkadium's free online crosswords and word games. If you've written in all the answers that you can and some blank squares still remain, here are three proven ways to get you to the finish line: Stanley Newman is the editor of the nationally syndicated Newsday Crossword and the author/editor of over 150 books --It’s possible that you have one or more incorrect answers filled in. So try erasing or deleting one or more answers that you may be “less than sure” of, and take another look at the area with the answers you’ve just removed. Crossword puzzles are the perfect way to put your vocabulary skills and logical thinking to the test. They ask you to reach into your word bank, decipher clues, and build connections between letters. The world’s first known crossword puzzle was created by British-born journalist Arthur Wynne and published in the New York World newspaper in 1913. His puzzle featured in the “Fun” section of the paper. Start with an Easy Puzzle: Look for puzzles designed for beginners or labeled as "easy." Stan Newman, the editor of the Easy Crossword partnered with online gaming company Arkadium to create a puzzle that both challenges and delights beginners. In the case of the more challenging days, it’s fine to get started with one or more answers that you may be less than sure of, getting confirmation of your answers as you proceed (see below).