Every seasoned crossword solver knows that feeling: you’re cruising through the grid, words falling into place, a satisfying rhythm building, and then —
bam!
— a single crossword clue stops you dead in your tracks. It’s often not the longest, most obscure word, but rather a seemingly simple phrase twisted into a delightful enigma. Today, that honor goes to the deceptively innocuous yet utterly captivating crossword clue: “Collect good list (5).”
This isn’t just any five-letter challenge; it’s a prime example of the kind of clever wordplay that elevates a simple daily crossword puzzle into a true mental workout. At first glance, the words “collect,” “good,” and “list” seem perfectly straightforward. We all know what it means to gather items, to describe something as high quality, and to make a catalog. But when woven together into a single crossword clue, their individual meanings suddenly become fluid, their collective interpretation a tantalizing puzzle. This is where the beauty of solving crosswords truly shines – in dissecting these seemingly ordinary phrases.
The first step in tackling such a crossword clue is often to break down its components. “Collect” immediately conjures images of accumulation, assembly, or perhaps even receipt. What words spring to mind? Gather, amass, hoard, pick up. Then we consider “good.” This adjective is incredibly versatile. It could mean excellent, valid, correct, beneficial, or even wholesome. The challenge is to hold all these potential nuances in our mental lexicon simultaneously. Finally, “list” – a sequential enumeration, a roll, a tally, or even, in a more archaic sense, a boundary or a tilt. How these disparate interpretations might converge is the very essence of deciphering this particular crossword clue.
The parenthetical “(5)” is, of course, absolutely critical. It’s the gatekeeper, immediately ruling out hundreds of possibilities and forcing us to focus our attention on five-letter words. This constraint is what turns a broad linguistic exploration into a precise surgical strike. Are we looking for a synonym of “collect” that somehow encapsulates the idea of a “good list”? Or is it a word that cleverly combines elements of all three, perhaps in a less direct, more artful manner? The tight brevity of a five-letter answer often signals a particularly elegant solution, one that can feel both obvious and elusive until that “aha!” moment hits.
Many excellent crossword clues flirt with the line between a straightforward definition and a cryptic hint. Is “Collect good list (5)” a clever double definition, where the single answer satisfies two distinct interpretations presented in the clue? Or is it a more complex cryptic construction, perhaps an anagram disguised within the phrase, or a hidden word playing peek-a-boo? The style of the setter often provides a valuable clue in itself, but even for veteran solvers, this particular crossword clue demands a careful, open-minded approach, testing the boundaries of conventional meaning.
The joy of solving crosswords isn’t just about filling in squares; it’s about the mental journey, the wrestling with language, and the eventual triumph over a well-crafted crossword clue like this one. It’s about letting your mind wander through synonyms, exploring linguistic alleys, and discarding red herrings until the perfect five-letter word emerges, fitting snugly into the grid and making all the pieces click. This kind of challenge keeps the crossword puzzle fresh and engaging, day after day.
Available Answers:
GLEAN.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Monday, 6 October 2025