There’s a particular kind of thrill that only a well-crafted crossword clue can deliver. It’s that blend of initial head-scratching frustration, followed by the slow dawning of understanding, and finally, the triumphant “aha!” moment as the perfect word slots into place. For those of us who spend our mornings, commutes, or quiet evenings wrestling with grids, these little linguistic puzzles are more than just a pastime; they’re a daily dose of mental gymnastics, a delightful challenge that sharpens the mind and rewards patience. Today, we’re dissecting a particularly elegant one that perfectly exemplifies this unique joy: “Commodity – it’s obtained by multiplying (7)“.
This specific crossword clue is a masterclass in misdirection and dual meaning, a common technique employed by skilled clue setters. At first glance, your brain might immediately jump to the definition side of the equation. “Commodity.” What comes to mind? Raw materials, goods, products, tradeable items, things of value. The mind starts sifting through synonyms, recalling terms from economics or commerce. It’s a broad category, and without further constraints, it could lead you down a dozen different paths, each one a dead end if you’re not careful. This is where the power of the
crossword clue
‘s wordplay comes into play, narrowing the field with remarkable precision.
Then we hit the second part of this intriguing
crossword clue
: “it’s obtained by multiplying.” Now, a different mental gear engages. “Multiplying” instantly pulls us into the realm of mathematics. We think of arithmetic, calculations, and the results of such operations. What do you get when you multiply numbers together? The answer is fundamental to the very fabric of numerical operations. This is where the magic of the
crossword clue
truly begins to unfold, as two seemingly disparate concepts – economics and mathematics – are cleverly hinted at, waiting for the solver to find their shared point of intersection.
The beauty of a
crossword clue
like this lies in its ability to force your brain to oscillate between different modes of thinking. You’re not just looking for a simple synonym; you’re looking for a word that perfectly satisfies
both
the definitional and the wordplay aspects. And, of course, there’s the crucial constraint of the letter count: (7). This number is your best friend and worst enemy. It eliminates countless possibilities, yet it still leaves enough room for a multitude of wrong turns if you haven’t fully grasped the setter’s cunning.
When faced with such a
crossword clue
, experienced solvers know to look for that linguistic sweet spot where a single word holds multiple, distinct meanings. It’s not uncommon for words in the English language to have a primary meaning in one domain and a secondary, perhaps less obvious, meaning in another. This ambiguity is the lifeblood of many a challenging
crossword clue
. The setter presents a common word in an uncommon context, or vice-versa, compelling you to think outside the box, beyond the first definition that springs to mind.
The satisfaction of unravelling this particular
crossword clue
comes from recognizing that elegant overlap. It’s about realizing that the word that fits the mathematical outcome of multiplication also perfectly describes something bought and sold, something of value in the market. It’s a moment of intellectual elegance, a small victory in the ongoing battle of wits between solver and setter. And that, dear fellow puzzle enthusiasts, is why we keep coming back to these fascinating challenges, day after day. The journey to the solution is as rewarding as the solution itself, especially when the
crossword clue
is as finely tuned as this one. Stay tuned, because the deeper dive into the brilliance of this answer is coming.
Available Answers:
PRODUCT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 4 July 2025