§Puzzle terminology · crossword
Crossword
A puzzle in which the player fills a grid of squares with letters that read as words both horizontally (across) and vertically (down), guided by numbered clues.
Origin and context
Invented by Arthur Wynne in 1913 for the New York World newspaper. The modern American crossword convention requires 180° rotational symmetry and all words to interlock (every cell is part of both an across and a down word).
Related terms
Frequently asked
What is Crossword?
A puzzle in which the player fills a grid of squares with letters that read as words both horizontally (across) and vertically (down), guided by numbered clues.
Where does Crossword come from?
Invented by Arthur Wynne in 1913 for the New York World newspaper. The modern American crossword convention requires 180° rotational symmetry and all words to interlock (every cell is part of both an across and a down word).
What's related to Crossword?
Related puzzle terms include Mini Crossword, NYT Crossword. See the linked entries for full definitions.