61 Across
NYT Daily • August 14, 2025
Key ring?
Answer:
ATOLL
Hint:
Think of a circular island chain that might sound like it belongs on your keychain.
Explanation:
This clue plays on the double meaning of "key." While a key ring usually holds keys for locks, here "key" hints at the Florida Keys—a chain of islands. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral island, so "atoll" fits as a "ring" made of land (or "keys"). The question mark signals it’s a pun, not a literal key ring.