Crossword puzzles, a daily ritual for many, offer a delightful mental workout. Each neatly numbered square, each terse phrase, is a breadcrumb leading us down a path of wordplay and logic, inviting us to unravel the setter’s cleverly woven web. Today, we’re taking a closer look at a particularly intriguing
crossword clue
that recently caught my eye and sparked a fascinating exploration of language: “Accommodation (7)“.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
seems straightforward enough. “Accommodation” immediately conjures images of places to stay. A hotel, a motel, an inn, a lodge – these are the immediate associations that spring to mind for many a solver tackling such a
crossword clue
. The (7) at the end, indicating the precise number of letters, is our first critical piece of information, helping us filter the vast lexicon of potential answers. But as seasoned solvers know, the deceptively simple
crossword clue
often hides layers of meaning, designed to misdirect and delight in equal measure, transforming a seemingly common word into a true test of one’s linguistic agility.
The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
like “Accommodation (7)” lies in its multifaceted nature. “Accommodation” isn’t solely about lodging in the sense of a temporary dwelling. It carries a broader semantic weight. Consider its other definitions: it can refer to an agreement or a compromise, a process of adapting or adjusting to something new. Think about how one might “accommodate” a request, or how a space might “accommodate” a certain number of people, implying suitability or capacity. This flexibility, this rich tapestry of meanings, is a setter’s playground, transforming what appears to be a simple synonym prompt into a potential cryptic challenge or a sophisticated double definition.
When faced with a
crossword clue
like this, the first step is always to cast a wide net across its potential interpretations. Is the setter looking for a direct synonym for a place to reside? Or are they hinting at a different, perhaps more abstract, sense of the word, playing on its less common but equally valid meanings? The seven-letter constraint becomes immensely powerful here. It’s the filter through which all possibilities must pass, immediately eliminating many common lodging terms that are either too short or too long. This forces us to think beyond the most obvious candidates and delve deeper into our vocabulary reserves.
Perhaps the
crossword clue
is playing on a less common usage, or a specific type of dwelling that fits the letter count precisely. Could it be a word that describes the act of making something fit, or a solution reached between parties? The nuances of English vocabulary are vast, and setters are masters at exploiting them to create an engaging challenge. They might even be looking for a word that describes the
process
of providing accommodation, or the
state
of being accommodated, rather than the physical place itself. This kind of lateral thinking is often key to unlocking a tricky
crossword clue
.
The genius of a
crossword clue
lies in its ability to force us to slow down, to unpack every syllable, and to consider every angle. “Accommodation (7)” is a prime example of a
crossword clue
that invites this kind of deep dive. It’s not just about knowing a word; it’s about understanding its full spectrum of meanings and how they might be twisted, turned, or recontextualized within the confines of a puzzle grid. The interplay of the word itself with the given length is what makes such a clue so compelling.
For solvers, the process involves a delicate dance between intuition and systematic elimination. We brainstorm, we recall similar
crossword clues
we’ve encountered in the past, and we test our hypotheses against the given letter count and any intersecting letters we might already have filled in from other clues. The satisfaction comes not just from filling in the squares, but from the journey of discovery, the “aha!” moment when the setter’s true intention becomes clear and the solution clicks into place. This particular
crossword clue
, “Accommodation (7)“, offers a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the layers of complexity that can be packed into just a few words, challenging us to look beyond the immediate and to consider the broader implications of the term.
Available Answers:
HOUSING.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Sunday, 10 August 2025