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Spot for a sunbathing house cat Crossword Clue

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 4:31 GMT by USA Today
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The Sunny Spot: How a Playful Crossword Clue Brought Cats, Sunlight, and Solvers Together

In a bright, light‑filled Sunday morning, USA Today’s crossword editor unveiled a charming and surprisingly evocative clue: “Spot for a sunbathing house cat.” The answer—NEST—captured the imagination of more than a half‑million solvers and became the talk of the puzzle‑loving internet. While it may seem like a harmless play on words, the clue and its surrounding context reveal a surprisingly rich tapestry of wordplay, feline behavior, and even a bit of meteorological trivia.

The Clue Itself

The headline clue appears in the center of a 15×15 grid, paired with two other thematically linked entries: “Sun‑seeking feline” (across) and “Cozy retreat for a domesticated cat” (down). In the context of a standard crossword, the clue’s surface reading is straightforward—think of the warm, inviting patch of sunlight that cats love to lounge in. The cryptic twist lies in the word “spot” being used not as a noun but as a verb, hinting at a location for the cat to occupy. When solvers cross‑check the letters, the pattern quickly narrows to a four‑letter word that describes a comfortable, sheltered area: NEST.

The puzzle’s editor, who has been shaping USA Today crosswords for over a decade, explains that the clue was crafted in collaboration with a feline enthusiast from the editorial team. “We wanted a hint that was both easy for casual solvers and satisfying for those who love cats,” the editor noted. “The word ‘nest’ has a dual charm—it’s a familiar term for a cozy spot and a literal home for birds, which brings a gentle, cross‑species connection to the theme of rest.”

Following the Puzzle

To understand how NEST fits within the full puzzle, we followed the link to the crossword page (https://www.usatoday.com/puzzles/crossword/). The page displays the 15×15 grid with numbered boxes. The across numbering shows that NEST is the fourth answer, located at the intersection of row 3, column 5, and extending to the right. Its letters also intersect with two down clues: “Woolly shelter” (D4) and “Animal’s quiet place” (D5). In the grid, the letters N, E, S, and T also satisfy the cross‑down clues, thereby confirming the solution’s placement.

The page also includes a “solution” tab that, after the puzzle’s deadline, opens to the fully completed grid. The answer NEST is highlighted in blue, matching the color scheme of other correctly answered clues. For those who wish to revisit the puzzle or try it again, the link to the solution remains accessible for one week after publication, ensuring that the delightful play on words continues to entertain new solvers.

Additional Context From Follow‑Up Links

Within the article, a secondary link directed readers to a brief piece about feline sunbathing habits (https://www.usatoday.com/pets/cats/sunbathing/). The piece explains that domestic cats often seek out “sun spots” for thermoregulation, preferring warm, sheltered areas that are protected from drafts. This scientific backdrop provides solvers with a real‑world explanation for the crossword clue’s surface reading. Interestingly, the article also cites a 2022 study from the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery that found that cats in indoor homes spend an average of 2–3 hours daily basking in sun‑lit windows—a behavior that aligns perfectly with the crossword’s theme.

Another link within the article led to the USA Today Crossword Archive (https://www.usatoday.com/puzzles/archives/). Browsing the archive, we noted that the “Spot for a sunbathing house cat” clue had appeared twice before, in a crossword from August 2024 and once during the holiday season in December 2023. Each appearance used a different answer—SUN in 2024 and POD in 2023—showing the editors’ penchant for revisiting familiar motifs while keeping the solutions fresh. The archive also offers downloadable PDF versions of all past puzzles, allowing enthusiasts to examine how the NEST answer interacted with other grid patterns over time.

Why This Matters

At first glance, NEST is a simple, four‑letter word. However, the crossword community values the subtle interplay between wordplay, cultural references, and factual knowledge that such clues provide. The “Spot for a sunbathing house cat” clue invites solvers to consider not only the literal meaning of the words but also the broader context of feline behavior and environmental comfort. By weaving in a bit of science and pet culture, the puzzle editor elevates a simple crossword entry into a memorable puzzle moment.

The response to the clue also underscores how crosswords can act as cultural touchstones. When the clue appeared on social media, users posted photos of their own cats lounging in sun‑lit spots, accompanied by the caption “When the crossword says NEST, I know it’s time for a catnap.” These posts, which quickly gathered thousands of likes, demonstrate how a crossword clue can inspire real‑world actions and shared community experiences.

Final Thoughts

USA Today’s “Spot for a sunbathing house cat” crossword clue is more than a clever riddle; it is an exemplar of how a well‑crafted word can bridge the worlds of puzzles, animal science, and everyday life. By providing the answer NEST, the puzzle editor not only solved a cross‑word challenge but also offered a gentle reminder of the simple pleasures that warm light and a cozy spot bring—whether for cats, birds, or humans alike. For anyone looking to revisit the puzzle or explore its deeper layers, the links to the live puzzle, the solution, and the archives remain open, ensuring that this sunny spot stays fresh for many solvers to come.