NYT Daily • July 31, 2025
Bore importance
Answer:
MEANTALOT
Hint:
["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue **\"Bore importance\"** with the answer **\"MEANTALOT\"**:\n\n*\"It sounds like something that held great significance.\"*\n\nThis hint:\n- Guides the solver toward the phrase-like nature of the answer.\n- Uses \"sounds like\" to suggest wordplay without giving away the exact words.\n- Avoids repeating the original clue while making the solution more approachable."]
Explanation:
The clue **"Bore importance"** leads to the answer **"MEANTALOT"** through a combination of wordplay and meaning. - **"Bore"** can mean to drill or make a hole, but it can also be a homophone for **"boar"** (a wild pig). However, in this case, it hints at the word **"MEAN"** (as in "to signify" or "have importance"). - **"Importance"** directly suggests **"A LOT"** (meaning great significance). - Putting it together: **"MEAN" + "A LOT"** forms **"MEANTALOT"**, which sounds like the phrase "meant a lot," reinforcing the idea of importance. The wordplay relies on interpreting **"bore"** as a verb meaning "to have significance" (i.e., "meant") and combining it with a phrase denoting importance ("a lot"). The answer is a single word that encapsulates the idea of something being very meaningful.