Close friend

Cracking the Code: Close Friend

Ah, the trusty old “close friend” crossword clue. It’s a classic, a staple, a crossword mainstay. But is it as simple as it seems? Don’t be fooled by its familiar face – this clue can be tricky in disguise.

The key to tackling “close friend” is understanding the subtle nuances of the crossword constructor’s intent. Are they looking for a straightforward synonym? Are they hinting at a specific type of relationship? Or are they throwing in a curveball, looking for a word that describes the

closeness

itself?

To decipher this clue, we need to employ our detective hats and consider the surrounding clues and the grid itself. Is the answer likely to be a short word, or is there room for something longer? Is the grid offering us any hints about the answer’s part of speech?

And remember, crosswords are all about wordplay. The answer might not be the most obvious choice, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box!

Let’s dive into some examples and see how “close friend” can be interpreted in different ways:

Direct Synonyms:

This is the most straightforward approach. Think of words like “pal,” “buddy,” “chum,” “companion,” or “confidante.”

Types of Relationships:

Here, the constructor might be hinting at a specific type of friendship, like a “schoolmate,” “colleague,” “neighbor,” or “roommate.”

Describing Closeness:

This twist focuses on the

quality

of the friendship. Consider words like “intimate,” “devoted,” “loyal,” or “trusting.”

Figurative Language:

Crosswords love to play with words! The answer could be a metaphor or an idiom, like “right hand,” “shoulder to cry on,” or “best man.”

Ready to unravel the mystery of “close friend”? Let’s get to it!

Available Answers:

Chum, Pal.

Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Daily Celebrity Crossword – 9/8/24 People Sunday
Daily Celebrity Crossword – 8/7/24 Wayback Wednesday