77 Across

NYT Daily ? September 14, 2025

Emulate an owl

Answer:

HOOT

Hint:

Think of the sound a nocturnal bird of prey makes when communicating at night, often in short bursts.

Explanation:

"Emulate an owl" is a straightforward clue asking for a sound or action associated with owls. The answer "HOOT" fits because it’s the distinctive call owls make, especially at night. There’s no hidden wordplay here—just a direct reference to mimicking the noise an owl would produce. Think of the classic "hoo-hoo" sound you’d hear in nature or cartoons.

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General solving tip

A question mark usually flags wordplay or a non-literal reading. Expect a pun, a twist, or a definition that's one step removed from the surface meaning.

More tips → General Hints