Hello fellow word adventurers and daily puzzle enthusiasts! Today, we’re dissecting a recent crossword clue that, while seemingly straightforward, offered a delightful little mental tussle. It’s the kind of clue that makes you nod in appreciation once the penny drops, a testament to the cleverness embedded in our favorite word grids. The crossword clue in question?
“More amusing (7)“
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Ah, the comparative adjective! These often appear in crosswords, and they always require a specific kind of linguistic gymnastics. When you first encounter a crossword clue like “More amusing (7)“, your mind immediately flags two critical pieces of information. First, the core meaning: “amusing.” And second, the instruction to make it “more,” indicating a comparative form. Then, of course, the ever-important digit: (7), telling us the exact length of our elusive answer.
Let’s unpack the “amusing” aspect first. What does it mean to be amusing? We’re talking about things that are funny, entertaining, droll, comical, witty, humorous. The English language is rich with synonyms for making us smile or laugh, and part of the challenge of any good crossword clue is sifting through this mental thesaurus. We’re looking for a word that fits the general vibe of lighthearted enjoyment.
Now, for the “more” part. This is where the grammar detective work truly begins for any solver tackling this type of crossword clue. How do we form comparatives? Most commonly, we add “-er” to the end of a shorter adjective (e.g., fast -> faster, tall -> taller). For longer adjectives, we precede them with “more” (e.g., beautiful -> more beautiful, interesting -> more interesting). The clue itself uses “More amusing,” which immediately suggests we’re looking for a single, seven-letter word that has already incorporated that sense of “more.” This leans heavily towards an adjective that takes the “-er” ending, or perhaps one of those delightful irregular comparatives that pop up now and then.
This particular crossword clue forces us to consider the base forms of words associated with “amusing” and how they transform into their comparative counterparts. Do you immediately think of a common adjective for “amusing” and then try to apply the “-er” rule? Or do you cycle through various synonyms, mentally adding the comparative suffix to each, hoping one fits the precise seven-letter count? This is the beauty of a well-penned crossword clue – it guides your thought process without giving everything away.
The constraint of “7” letters is, as always, the ultimate arbiter. It takes a broad field of possibilities generated by “amusing” and “more” and pares it down to a single, precise solution. Many potentially good comparative adjectives might come to mind, but only one will fit that exact seven-letter slot. It’s a fantastic example of how numerical clues in crosswords are just as important as the wordplay itself. They act as a critical filter, ensuring that only the truly correct answer can settle into its designated place within the puzzle grid.
Solving a crossword clue like “More amusing (7)” isn’t just about vocabulary; it’s about understanding the mechanics of English grammar and the clever ways puzzle setters exploit them. It’s about that satisfying “aha!” moment when you realize which common adjective for “amusing” can be transformed into a seven-letter comparative. It’s a rewarding exercise in precision and word knowledge, making it a truly fun and engaging challenge for any daily crossword solver.
What was your first thought when you encountered this excellent crossword clue? Did you jump straight to a solution, or did you, like me, enjoy the little journey through comparative forms and synonyms? Share your approach to unraveling this kind of crossword clue!
Available Answers:
WITTIER.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Wednesday, 12 November 2025