24 Across

NYT Daily • August 17, 2025

Zoom background option

Answer:

BLUR

Hint:

This effect softens your surroundings so only you stay in sharp focus.

Explanation:

This clue refers to a common video call feature where you can obscure your background to keep things private or tidy. "Zoom" hints at the popular video conferencing app, and "background option" points to settings like virtual images or—more simply—blurring what’s behind you. The answer is "BLUR" because it’s the straightforward way to soften or hide your real surroundings with a quick toggle. No tricks here, just a direct nod to a handy tech shortcut.

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