Challenge your wordplay and lateral thinking with our latest cryptic crossword. Perfect for enthusiasts of pun-filled puzzles, test your skills with clues ranging from subtle to complex.
Across Clues
1, 5: With a terrific temper, this clue refers to a children’s ‘entertainer’. Seek out two words of seven letters each.
10: A four-letter word that means lacking passion or not showing affection.
11: A ten-letter phrase referencing a reordered arrangement that leans towards favouring men, but starts off wrong.
12: This six-letter word sounds like a deity you might be familiar with, according to what you hear.
13: An eight-letter answer that describes being robust post-bug encounter, instigated by initial hope.
14, 16: Search for a nine-letter and a five-letter term describing an ancient pig-like race engaging in a smoky explosion.
19: Hidden in this nine-letter answer is a conclusion to a program, with some extra time added.
23: Test your temperatures with an eight-letter herb featuring numerous digits but not more than three.
24: A film likely disliked by both liberals and leftists, currently visible and spelt with six letters.
26: This ten-letter word means extraordinary enjoyment from unexpected rock fractures.
27: Identify this four-letter watery fragment.
29: Not entirely poor, this hints at a prodded children’s ‘entertainer’. Composed of four and then three letters.
Down Clues
2: Reference a seven-letter musician who’s the last ‘experienced’ performer, inspired by mystical traditions.
3: A five-letter simian stopped from progressing well.
4: This seven-letter answer describes an uncovered wound with ten parts removed.
6: Only goodwill is needed when attending this six-letter event in reverse.
7: Nine letters combine an elopement tale with a valiant figure.
8: The energy of a short theme song reemerges, well-composed in three, two and two letters.
9: In seven and six letters, this clue describes deep enthusiasm involving a children’s ‘entertainer’.
15: The nine-letter phrase denotes a distorted yet visible meaning.
18: A seven-letter word describing a steadfast defence from one aquatic bird against another, with the first taking flight.
20: In seven letters, find the word that represents the vast sea containing a landing place.
21, 28: In facing sadness, a children’s entertainer, resisted suitors’ advances. Each word contains seven letters.
22: A six-letter blend of underperformance with respect at its conclusion.
25, 17: Unravel the five-letter anagrams of ‘hair faced, safe balder’ – by what means, only the sly know.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theguardian.com.