Breaking down the “First Generation” theme for Friday.
Expert Solve & Verification
Getting stuck on a crossword is part of the fun, but sometimes you just need that one word to break the grid open. At wordfindertips.com, we solve the USA Today crossword every morning as soon as it drops. We don’t use bots or scrapers; we sit down and solve it to make sure every hint and answer provided here is 100% accurate for the 2026-02-06 puzzle.
Today’s USA Today puzzle, themed “First Generation”, is a great example of how the editor uses daily trends to build a cohesive grid. It’s a 15×15 layout that balances easy “gimme” clues with a few tricky intersections that might require a second look.
How to Solve Today’s Grid
If you’re finding the “First Generation” theme a bit tough, try these tips:
Start with the Blanks: Look for “Fill-in-the-blank” clues. They are usually the most straightforward and help you get some letters on the board fast.
The Suffix Rule: Check your plural clues early. If the clue is plural, the answer almost always ends in ‘S’. This can help you reveal the starting or ending of crossing clues.
Cross-Check the Vowels: If a long Across word isn’t clicking, solve the 3-letter Down clues around it. USA Today loves using common 3-letter words (like ERA, ORE, or ANT) as anchors.
Theme Logic: Once you solve one or two theme clues, you’ll see a pattern related to “First Generation”. Use that logic to guess the remaining long entries.
26. South American country with eight competitors at the 2026 Winter Olympics (Abbr.)
Starts with “A” (3 letters)ARG
27. “Honest” president
Starts with “A” (3 letters)ABE
28. Norwegian city that hosted the 1952 Winter Olympics
Starts with “O” (4 letters)OSLO
30. Rodents, to snakes
Starts with “P” (4 letters)PREY
31. Makes fun of
Starts with “T” (6 letters)TEASES
34. Sunlit lobbies
Starts with “A” (5 letters)ATRIA
37. Treasure map phrase
Starts with “X” (13 letters)XMARKSTHESPOT
41. “You sure about that?”
Starts with “W” (5 letters)WASIT
42. Synagogue greeting
Starts with “S” (6 letters)SHALOM
44. Performs in “Hadestown”
Starts with “A” (4 letters)ACTS
47. Politician Buttigieg
Starts with “P” (4 letters)PETE
49. Nest egg initials
Starts with “I” (3 letters)IRA
50. Mary ___ Retton
Starts with “L” (3 letters)LOU
51. Hosp. areas
Starts with “E” (3 letters)ERS
53. Come apart
Starts with “U” (7 letters)UNRAVEL
56. “Everything’s OK”
Starts with “I” (6 letters)IMFINE
58. Large property
Starts with “E” (6 letters)ESTATE
59. Software trial runs
Starts with “B” (9 letters)BETATESTS
61. Tennis star Osaka
Starts with “N” (5 letters)NAOMI
64. Agenda detail
Starts with “I” (4 letters)ITEM
65. Close with wax
Starts with “S” (4 letters)SEAL
66. Made an effort
Starts with “T” (5 letters)TRIED
67. Lays down turf
Starts with “S” (4 letters)SODS
68. Make simpler
Starts with “E” (4 letters)EASE
69. Window ledges
Starts with “S” (5 letters)SILLS
Today’s Down Clues
01. Short albums
Starts with “E” (3 letters)EPS
02. Furry friend
Starts with “F” (3 letters)FAT
03. Moose Tracks, e.g.
Starts with “A” (6 letters)ALIBIS
04. Word before “sprint” or “slalom” at the Summer Olympic Games
Starts with “P” (3 letters)PET
05. Act nosy
Starts with “I” (4 letters)IBEX
06. Characteristics
Starts with “C” (6 letters)COMETO
07. ___ on (decide)
Starts with “I” (8 letters)ICECREAM
08. Comcast, for one
Starts with “T” (6 letters)TUFTED
09. “Hell is ___ people”
Starts with “C” (5 letters)CANOE
10. Animals that outnumber people, in Montana
Starts with “S” (4 letters)SAWS
11. Online likeness
Starts with “I” (4 letters)IAMS
12. Really admire
Starts with “S” (5 letters)SNOOP
13. What Celsius drinks provide
Starts with “E” (3 letters)ERA
19. Common batteries
Starts with “E” (3 letters)ENT
21. Mall stands
Starts with “K” (6 letters)KIOSKS
23. “My Big ___ Greek Wedding”
Starts with “R” (5 letters)REESE
24. Goat with long horns
Starts with “T” (6 letters)TRAITS
25. Insect drawn to light
Starts with “S” (4 letters)SIPS
29. Milky coffee order
Starts with “S” (3 letters)SEA
30. Dad
Starts with “R” (4 letters)RULE
32. Woodworkers’ tools
Starts with “L” (5 letters)LATTE
33. Historical period
Starts with “E” (4 letters)ETAS
35. Feel salty about
Starts with “I” (3 letters)ISP
36. “. . . kinda”
Starts with “M” (4 letters)MOTH
38. Tiny tastes of sake
Starts with “T” (6 letters)TUSSLE
39. Base for many salad dressings
Starts with “O” (5 letters)OTHER
40. Ripped apart
Starts with “R” (6 letters)RESENT
43. What makes practice imperfect?
Starts with “A” (3 letters)AAS
44. Cover stories
Starts with “I” (3 letters)ISH
45. Regain consciousness
Starts with “R” (5 letters)RANTS
46. Like some textured throw pillows
Starts with “C” (4 letters)COWS
48. Small skirmish
Starts with “P” (4 letters)PAPA
51. Doc who treats sinusitis
Starts with “A” (5 letters)ATARI
52. “Election” star Witherspoon
Starts with “A” (6 letters)AVATAR
54. Tirades sometimes posted online
Starts with “O” (8 letters)OLIVEOIL
55. Adventure console
Starts with “R” (6 letters)REVERE
57. Meow Mix alternative
Starts with “T” (4 letters)TORE
58. Incoming flight stats
Starts with “M” (3 letters)MEL
60. ___ lion
Starts with “E” (6 letters)ENERGY
62. First name of two Spice Girls
Starts with “M” (3 letters)MAL
63. Passports, e.g.
Starts with “I” (3 letters)IDS
USA Today Crossword FAQ
Is today’s USA Today crossword hard?
Generally, USA Today crosswords are considered accessible for all skill levels. Today’s “First Generation” grid has a medium difficulty curve, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced solvers.
How are the answers verified?
Every solution you see on wordfindertips.com is checked manually. We solve the grid just like you do to ensure that every letter and intersection is correct before we publish.
What time does the USA Today crossword refresh?
The daily puzzle is typically updated at midnight ET. You can find our updated solver guide shortly after the new grid is released.
