Welcome back, fellow word sleuths! Today, we’re diving headfirst into a real puzzler, a delightful little brain-teaser that exemplifies why we love the art of the
crossword clue
. The clue in question? It’s one that might have you scratching your head, pacing the room, or perhaps even throwing your pen in delightful frustration: ‘Competitor in event ran third (7)‘.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
seems straightforward enough, doesn’t it? ‘Competitor in event’ points you towards a specific type of person, someone involved in a race or contest. Your mind might immediately jump to common terms associated with sports or competitions. But then you hit ‘ran third’, and suddenly, the simplicity begins to unravel. This is where the true beauty – and challenge – of a well-crafted
crossword clue
shines through.
This isn’t just about finding a direct synonym. Oh no, dear solver, this is a
crossword clue
that invites you to dance with wordplay. Is ‘ran third’ a literal description of placing in a race? Or is it a clever indicator of something else entirely? Could ‘ran’ be an anagram indicator, suggesting that letters have been scrambled? Or perhaps ‘third’ is telling us something about the
position
of letters within another word, or even indicating a specific type of movement or transformation of the word ‘ran’ itself? This is the kind of
crossword clue
that makes you look at every word, every punctuation mark, every space, as a potential hint.
The number in brackets, (7), is our faithful letter count, confirming that our elusive answer is a seven-letter word. This is invaluable information, narrowing down the possibilities significantly. When tackling a
crossword clue
like this, it’s crucial to consider all angles. Is the ‘event’ specified? Not directly, so we’re looking for a general competitor. And what about that ‘ran third’? Could it be a hidden word clue, where the answer is tucked away within the phrasing itself? Or perhaps it’s a charade, where different parts of the clue lead to different parts of the answer, which are then combined? This specific type of
crossword clue
often relies on a pun, a homophone, or a double meaning to throw you off the scent before guiding you to the elegant solution.
Many expert solvers approach a complex
crossword clue
by breaking it down. First, identify the definition part – what is the clue
ultimately
asking for? In this case, it’s clearly some form of ‘competitor in event’. Then, isolate the wordplay element – how is the clue trying to mislead or guide you to that definition? Here, ‘ran third’ is the prime suspect for clever wordplay. Is it a cryptic indicator? A literal phrase with a hidden meaning? A semi-anagram? The permutations for a single, deceptively simple
crossword clue
are vast, and that’s precisely what makes them so addictive.
So, take a moment. Ponder the possibilities. Let your mind wander through the labyrinthine paths of language. Think about words that describe someone in a competition. Now, overlay the concept of ‘ran third’. What kind of wordplay would combine those ideas into a seven-letter answer? This particular
crossword clue
is a masterclass in misdirection, a testament to the setter’s skill. It challenges you to look beyond the obvious, to delve into the nuances of English vocabulary and the ingenious ways words can be manipulated. If you’ve ever wrestled with a challenging
crossword clue
and felt that satisfying “aha!” moment, you know exactly the thrill this one promises. Keep those mental gears turning, and let the linguistic gymnastics begin!
Available Answers:
ENTRANT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 19 July 2025