9 Down
NYT Daily ? September 27, 2025
Firewood choice, or its destiny
Answer:
ASH
Hint:
This tree’s lightweight wood burns well, and what remains after a fire shares its name.
Explanation:
This clue plays on two meanings of "ash." First, it hints at ash wood, a common type of firewood. Then, it nods to the fact that wood eventually burns down to ash—its "destiny." The wordplay ties the literal and figurative together neatly.
More Clues from This Puzzle
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