20ac retired fading star

Archive answer — September 25, 2026

17 Across

Scroll down for the rest of the crossword answers

Clue explained

“NOVA” is the published 4-letter fill for 17 Across. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

Guardian Cryptic Crossword

This clue’s Friday, September 25, 2026 appearance

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Crossword solution grid

Select a square to hide or reveal its letter in the 15 by 15 crossword grid.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

15 clues
  1. 720ac to nip out in car
  2. 8Author’s copyright, say, written in artificial language lacking in use
  3. 9Cloth sample in Mombasa rickshaw
  4. 10Digital discomfort caused as actor pressed remote
  5. 12Worry after starts to get ready in August
  6. 13Rated clue quid pro quo?
  7. 15Softies on the right left
  8. 1620ac found in 20ac in woods
  9. 1720ac retired fading starNOVA
  10. 18Cosiest room in pub with guest not fit for all
  11. 20Banker’s club lost its head
  12. 21Those making trunk calls when footballer rejected by county
  13. 22Drab moving from black to white when on scale?
  14. 24Frantic when fool includes sex education
  15. 25French street to get quiet routine back during break

Down

15 clues
  1. 1Message hidden in alliterative passage?
  2. 2Those who spread filth include source of plot revelations
  3. 3Consequence of lob?
  4. 4How one is knocked as team trails?
  5. 5Coward’s spirit thusly seen in barrel drunk by that man?
  6. 6Strike a blow to groin having struck backside previously?
  7. 11Worn-out, he meant to work out
  8. 12Driver’s aim is to be ecologically responsible
  9. 14Passion for first under any circumstances
  10. 16Thrashed out addition to the capital’s skyline
  11. 17Direct a neat dodge to collect interest on the street
  12. 19Like café might be when smothered by 22
  13. 20Sappers’ prompt relief
  14. 21Before final curtain, First Lady will be flush
  15. 23Take home note, following musical talent

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 7. 20ac to nip out in car

    Answer: LIMPOPO

  2. 8. Author’s copyright, say, written in artificial language lacking in use

    Answer: KIPLING

  3. 9. Cloth sample in Mombasa rickshaw

    Answer: SARI

  4. 10. Digital discomfort caused as actor pressed remote

    Answer: HAMMERTOE

  5. 12. Worry after starts to get ready in August

    Answer: GREAT

  6. 13. Rated clue quid pro quo?

    Answer: TRADEOFF

  7. 15. Softies on the right left

    Answer: WETS

  8. 16. 20ac found in 20ac in woods

    Answer: TREES

  9. 17. 20ac retired fading star

    Answer: NOVA

  10. 18. Cosiest room in pub with guest not fit for all

    Answer: SNUGGEST

  11. 20. Banker’s club lost its head

    Answer: RIVER

  12. 21. Those making trunk calls when footballer rejected by county

    Answer: ELEPHANTS

  13. 22. Drab moving from black to white when on scale?

    Answer: GREY

  14. 24. Frantic when fool includes sex education

    Answer: BERSERK

  15. 25. French street to get quiet routine back during break

    Answer: RUPTURE

Down

  1. 1. Message hidden in alliterative passage?

    Answer: NINA

  2. 2. Those who spread filth include source of plot revelations

    Answer: SPOILERS

  3. 3. Consequence of lob?

    Answer: UPSHOT

  4. 4. How one is knocked as team trails?

    Answer: SIDEWAYS

  5. 5. Coward’s spirit thusly seen in barrel drunk by that man?

    Answer: BLITHE

  6. 6. Strike a blow to groin having struck backside previously?

    Answer: KNEE

  7. 11. Worn-out, he meant to work out

    Answer: MOTHEATEN

  8. 12. Driver’s aim is to be ecologically responsible

    Answer: GREEN

  9. 14. Passion for first under any circumstances

    Answer: FEVER

  10. 16. Thrashed out addition to the capital’s skyline

    Answer: THESHARD

  11. 17. Direct a neat dodge to collect interest on the street

    Answer: NAVIGATE

  12. 19. Like café might be when smothered by 22

    Answer: GREASY

  13. 20. Sappers’ prompt relief

    Answer: RESCUE

  14. 21. Before final curtain, First Lady will be flush

    Answer: EVEN

  15. 23. Take home note, following musical talent

    Answer: EARN

The answer to “20ac retired fading star” in the Guardian Cryptic Crossword is NOVA — a 4-letter word. It appears in our available data for September 25, 2026 at 17-Across. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“20ac retired fading star” answer

NOVA(4 letters)

Prefer a nudge first? Use the letter tiles above to hide and reveal individual characters, or use the focused grid to confirm the crossing letters.

Why does NOVA fit?

NOVA is the published 4-letter answer at 17-Across. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “20ac retired fading star” appeared?

The same clue can return on another date, sometimes with a different fill. These are the matching appearances in the recent published records available through the Answers API.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “20ac retired fading star”?

The answer is NOVA.

How many letters are in the answer?

4 letters: NOVA.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the Guardian Cryptic Crossword for September 25, 2026 at 17-Across.

Can this clue have a different answer?

Yes. Crossword clues may be reused with a different fill depending on the grid. Recent matching appearances are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day’s answers?

Open the Guardian Cryptic answers page for September 25, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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