Occasionally, a crossword clue appears so sparing in its wording that its deeper meaning lies in subtle cues. The clue “Very, very tall” is one such example—simple on the surface, yet carefully crafted to guide the solver toward a precise answer. In one notable appearance, the puzzle setter offered this clue with an eight-letter space, and the answer was TOWERING.
Decoding the Clue
The phrase begins with “very, very,” where the repetition acts as an intensifier. It jumps beyond the usual “very tall” and signals something of even greater height or dominance. That linguistic doubling is more than poetic; in the puzzle-world it functions as a red flag to solvers: expect a superlative-level word. Then, the term “tall” anchors the meaning: height, elevation, prominence. Together the wording invites a response that embodies both height and extraordinary degree.
When the puzzle grid shows eight letters, the solver knows short synonyms (“lofty,” “high,” “towering” truncated) won’t fit. The clue’s structure primes the solver’s mindset: an intensified adjective, eight letters long, likely ending in -ING to show a state of being. Thus TOWERING emerges as the standout candidate—both meaning “extremely tall” and matching the letter count exactly.
The Anatomy of a Good Clue
It’s useful to pause and reflect on what makes this clue effective—and why it’s worth spotlighting. First, the modifier: by repeating “very,” the constructor conveys more than a simple “tall.” It signals extreme tallness. Second, the simplicity: there’s no extraneous meaning or pun, no trick wording. That lends clarity. Third, length-constraint: eight letters, which narrows the pool of possibilities meaningfully. Fourth, tone: the phrase is plain but emphatic, which aligns with the answer’s straightforward, strong feel.
From a solver’s perspective, these are the signals that help turn a guess into a confident fill. The doubling of “very” triggers the expectation of an intensifier. The word “tall” supplies the meaning. The eight-letter space focuses the guessing. The solver who recognizes this pattern will land quickly on the correct word.
What Solvers Can Learn
For anyone working through puzzles—whether daily crosswords or themed challenges—the “Very, very tall” clue teaches several key lessons:
- Modifiers matter: Words like “very,” “really,” “super,” “most,” when doubled or combined, hint at superlatives or extra-strong synonyms.
- Letter count counts: Don’t ignore the length of the answer. If the slot is eight letters, aim high—both figuratively and literally in this case.
- Phrase structure matters: When a clue uses repetition (“very, very”) it’s not just style—it’s signal. The solver who picks up on that is one step ahead.
- Vocabulary depth helps: If you know words like “towering,” “colossal,” “monolithic,” you’re better equipped to slot in an answer that satisfies both definition and length.
Why This Clue Resonates
In the broader ecosystem of crosswords, the clue stands out because it strikes a balance between accessibility and subtlety. A novice solver might look at “very, very tall” and guess a simple word like “superhigh” or “extremely tall” (which doesn’t fit succinctly). An experienced solver sees the pattern: intense modifier + adjective = elevated synonym. The resolution—TOWERING—feels inevitable once the logic clicks.
In addition, the clue offers an opportunity for discussion: why not “giant” or “immense”? Because the clue demands an eight-letter answer, and “giant” is five letters, “immense” is seven. “Towering” hits at the idea of “standing above,” which is a vivid metaphor for extreme height. Thus the answer is both precise and evocative.
Applying the Logic in Your Own Solving
Next time you face a crossword cue with repetition or amplified modifiers, pause and ask: What stronger synonym fits the length? For example:
- “Really, really quiet” → might point toward whispering (10 letters) rather than silent.
- “More than very busy” → could suggest overwhelmed (12 letters) or swamped (8 letters) depending on length.
- “Very, very far” → might lead to distance-wise (12 letters), astronomical (12 letters) or simply remote (6 letters) if length is shorter.
In short: repetition means you’re not just looking for “somewhat strong”—you’re looking for strongest in that class. Then check the answer length, think of further synonyms or adjectives, and pick the one that fits both meaning and meter.
A Solver-Friendly Mindset
If you’re coaching friends or writing for readers new to puzzles, you can present this clue as a mini-case study:
- Show them the clue: “Very, very tall.”
- Ask: What does the extra “very” do? It amplifies.
- Look at the answer length: eight letters.
- Brainstorm: What synonyms for “tall” come to mind? Lofty, towering, high-rising.
- Which fits both meaning and length? Towering.
- Fill it in.
- Reflect: Why not “lofty”? Because it’s only five letters. Why not “high-rising”? Because that hyphenated idea isn’t one standard word and doesn’t fit the eight letters.
This process illustrates how clue-craft and solver logic align. It becomes less about random guessing, more about pattern recognition.
Concluding Thoughts
The clue “Very, very tall” may appear modest at first glance, but it reveals a great deal about crossword design and solver technique. The repetition of “very” signals amplitude; the word “tall” anchors meaning; the eight-letter length frames the solution; and the chosen answer—TOWERING—delivers an elevated image of height that satisfies all parts of the clue. For anyone eager to sharpen crossword skills, it’s a worthy example.
And for the blog world, examining such micro-moments of puzzle logic shows that even short clues can open rich insight into language, form, and pattern. Whether you’re new to crosswords or a seasoned solver, noticing these little details gives you an edge—and a deeper appreciation for the craft.
Thank you for coming along on this exploration of “very, very tall” in the New York Times crossword. If you enjoyed this deep dive into wordplay, keep puzzling and honing your instincts.
— From Empire Magazines
