61 Across

NYT Daily ? September 18, 2025

Close contemporary

Answer:

AGEMATE

Hint:

Think of someone who shares the same birth year or life stage as you, like a classmate or teammate from your generation.

Explanation:

"Close contemporary" hints at someone who is roughly the same age as another person. The word "contemporary" means existing or occurring in the same time period, while "close" reinforces the idea of similarity. The answer, "AGEMATE," directly combines "age" with "mate" (meaning companion or peer), making it a straightforward term for someone of the same age group. No wordplay or hidden meanings—just a clear definition.

More Clues from This Puzzle

11 Down

5 letters

Barrier to entry, perhaps

12 Down

7 letters

Chewed out

13 Down

7 letters

Slothfulness

14 Down

7 letters

Fortuitous gift

General solving tip

'Perhaps,' 'maybe,' or 'e.g.' usually signal an example, not the category name. You're looking for one member of a broader set.

More tips → General Hints