There are those moments in a crossword solver’s journey when a single, seemingly innocuous crossword clue stops you dead in your tracks. It’s not just difficult; it’s a masterclass in misdirection, a perfectly crafted linguistic riddle designed to stretch your gray matter to its absolute limits. These are the clues that, once solved, leave you with that inimitable ‘aha!’ feeling, a true testament to the genius of the puzzle setter. Today, we’re diving into precisely that kind of head-scratcher: “Tribe, given good, sound as a bell? (5)“.
At first glance, this particular crossword clue presents a fascinating tangle of elements. We’re looking for a five-letter word, a crucial piece of information that immediately helps narrow down the possibilities. The definition, “Tribe,” appears straightforward enough. A tribe can be a community, a group, a lineage, a classification – a fairly broad category, perhaps intentionally so, to keep us guessing in the early stages of tackling this cryptic puzzle. But, as any seasoned crossword enthusiast knows, the real meat of the matter lies in the wordplay, and this is where “given good, sound as a bell?” really starts to sparkle with cryptic potential.
Let’s unpack the wordplay within this compelling crossword clue. The phrase “given good” is a classic indicator in the world of cryptic crosswords. Often, “good” serves as a direct substitution for the letter ‘G’. This is a common convention, rooted in everything from ‘G’ standing for ‘good’ in grading to its use in various abbreviations. So, the first piece of our puzzle might very well be that singular letter. But how does it interact with the rest of the clue? This is where the true art of the crossword clue comes into play, blending these individual components into a cohesive whole.
Then we hit “sound as a bell?”. This is where the clue takes an even more intriguing turn. The word “sound” in a cryptic crossword clue is almost invariably a signal for a homophone – a word or part of a word that sounds like something else. The addition of “as a bell” merely reinforces this idea, suggesting a perfect or clear sonic resemblance. It’s not just a sound; it’s
sound as a bell
, implying precision in its auditory hint. This elevates the challenge, pushing solvers to think about not just meanings, but also the phonetics of language. The beauty of such a construction is its deceptive simplicity. You read it, you understand the individual parts, but piecing them together to form the correct answer for this captivating crossword clue requires a lateral leap of thought.
The genius of this particular crossword clue lies in how it compels you to consider multiple layers of interpretation simultaneously. You have the direct definition of “Tribe,” the conventional cryptic shorthand for “good,” and the unmistakable homophone indicator in “sound as a bell?” The task, then, is to weave these threads together into a five-letter word that satisfies all conditions. It’s a delightful exercise in linguistic gymnastics, where meaning, sound, and common cryptic conventions collide in a truly satisfying way. For those who relish the intellectual sparring that cryptic puzzles provide, this type of crossword clue is a pure joy, a miniature masterpiece of word construction. It’s a prime example of why we keep coming back to our daily crossword, eager for the next challenge and the next moment of solving triumph.
Available Answers:
CLANG.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 17 September 2025