6 Down
NYT Daily • August 22, 2025
Peacock's display
Answer:
OSTENTATION
Hint:
Think of a showy bird’s collective noun—like a pride for lions, but flashier.
Explanation:
The word "peacock's display" hints at the collective noun for peacocks, which is "ostentation"—a term that also means a showy or pretentious display. The clue plays on the double meaning, since peacocks are famous for their flashy tail feathers, and "ostentation" perfectly describes that kind of extravagant behavior. It’s a clever way to tie the animal’s natural behavior to the word itself.