3 Down
NYT Daily • September 1, 2025
Word after hot or lightning
Answer:
ROD
Hint:
Not available
Explanation:
This clue hints at a word that commonly follows "hot" or "lightning" in everyday phrases. "Hot rod" refers to a modified car, while "lightning rod" is a metal rod that protects buildings from lightning strikes. The answer is simply the shared word in both terms: "rod.