Every seasoned crossword clue solver knows the thrill of a well-crafted cryptic. It’s not just about finding a word; it’s about deciphering a miniature linguistic puzzle, a brain teaser designed to delight and occasionally infuriate. Today, we’re dissecting a particularly neat crossword clue that perfectly encapsulates the blend of misdirection and cleverness we adore: “Monk is a cook, we hear (5).”
When you first encounter such a crossword clue, the immediate reaction might be a slight furrow of the brow. “Monk is a cook?” At face value, it seems a straightforward statement, almost too simple for a cryptic or even a tricky standard puzzle. But in the world of daily puzzles, simplicity often hides layers of ingenious wordplay, and this particular crossword clue is a masterclass in subtle misdirection. The parenthetical (5) immediately tells us the length of our target word, a crucial piece of information for any solver tackling a challenging crossword clue.
Let’s break down the components of this intriguing crossword clue. The first element, “Monk,” is a classic example of a word with multiple potential interpretations that solvers must consider. Are we talking about a religious figure, perhaps someone who lives in a monastery? Or could it refer to a famous individual named Monk, like the legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk? The beauty of a great crossword clue lies in how it prompts us to explore every semantic avenue before settling on the most fitting one. Each possibility takes the solver down a different path, illustrating the richness of the English language and the cleverness of clue setters.
Then comes “is a cook, we hear.” This phrase is where the real magic of this crossword clue begins to unfold, signalling a specific type of wordplay that experienced solvers will immediately recognize. The crucial phrase here is “we hear.” This isn’t just conversational filler; in the intricate language of word puzzles, “we hear” is a strong indicator of a homophone. It’s a linguistic wink from the setter, telling you that you’re looking for something that
sounds like
“cook” rather than literally being “a cook” or performing the action of cooking. Understanding these subtle indicators is key to unlocking many a tricky crossword clue.
The challenge then becomes: what five-letter word sounds exactly like “cook” but leads us back to the initial “Monk” element? This is where the intersection of definition, wordplay, and the homophone indicator truly shines in this crossword clue. It demands that you consider not just the meaning of words, but their phonetic properties, pushing your linguistic boundaries beyond mere dictionary definitions. It’s a testament to the elegant construction of well-designed word puzzles.
This particular crossword clue requires a moment of pause, a bit of mental juggling, and perhaps a quiet vocalization of the word ‘cook’ to really get that auditory connection. It’s a wonderful example of how a crossword clue can play with our expectations and our understanding of language, turning a simple phrase into a delightful challenge. The satisfaction of connecting “Monk” with a five-letter word that sounds like “cook” is immense, proving once again why we keep coming back to these brain-teasing puzzles. What a brilliant piece of wordplay for any crossword enthusiast!
Available Answers:
FRIAR.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 14 November 2025