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NYT Daily • August 3, 2025

Belly, in kidspeak

Answer:

TUMTUM

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword clue:\n\n**\"Playful word for a little one's stomach, often repeated.\"**\n\nThis hint guides the solver toward the childlike, reduplicative nature of the answer without directly giving it away. It also emphasizes the playful and repetitive aspect of \"kidspeak.\""]

Explanation:

The clue **"Belly, in kidspeak"** leads to the answer **"TUMTUM"** through a playful, childlike interpretation of the word "belly." - **"Belly"** is a term for the stomach or abdomen. - **"Kidspeak"** suggests a child’s way of speaking, often involving repetition or cute, simplified language. - **"Tumtum"** is a whimsical, reduplicative term (repeating syllables) that children might use to refer to their belly, similar to other childlike words like "yum-yum" or "night-night." Thus, the answer cleverly captures the idea of a child’s version of the word "belly."