18 Across

NYT Daily • August 1, 2025

[Love ya!]

Answer:

MWAH

Hint:

["**Hint:** \"Sound of a kiss blown your way.\"\n\nThis hint keeps the playful tone of the original clue while gently pointing toward the onomatopoeic nature of the answer without giving it away directly. It suggests a sound associated with affection, making it easier than the original but still requiring a small leap to \"MWAH.\""]

Explanation:

The clue "[Love ya!]" is a playful representation of an affectionate sound often made when blowing a kiss. The answer "MWAH" is an onomatopoeic spelling of that sound, commonly used in informal or humorous contexts to mimic the noise of a kiss. The exclamation mark in the clue hints at the expressive, sound-based nature of the answer, reinforcing the connection between the affectionate sentiment and its vocalized form. No complex wordplay is involved—just a direct link between the clue's implied action and the answer's representation of that action.

More Clues from This Puzzle

10 Across

4 letters

Longtime airer of the docuseries "American Greed"

1 Across

5 letters

Stringy parts of oranges

6 Across

4 letters

Regarding

14 Across

10 letters

Offerings from a truck or cart