___ before beauty
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 31, 2026
Stuck on the clue ___ before beauty from the New York Times Midi for March 31, 2026? We have the correct 3-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
___ before beauty (3)
Answer
The answer to ___ before beauty is Age (3 letters).
Why does Age fit this clue?
This is a fill-in-the-blank clue where '___ before beauty' points to AGE, completing the common saying 'Age before beauty.' Age refers to the length of time someone has lived or the state of being old. The phrase 'Age before beauty' is a polite expression used when allowing an older person to go first, often said with gentle humor. It reflects traditional etiquette that defers to elders, suggesting that respect for age takes precedence over physical attractiveness.
What does ___ before beauty mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
beauty
noun
•the quality of being physically attractive or pleasing to look at
•a beautiful woman or an attractive person
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 13-across in the New York Times Midi on March 31, 2026, by Ian Livengood. See all answers for this puzzle.
NYT Midi — Mar 31, 2026
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What does Age mean?
noun
•The whole duration of a being, whether animal, plant, or other kind, being alive.
•The number of full years, months, days, hours, etc., that someone, or something, has been alive.
verb
•To cause to grow old; to impart the characteristics of age to.
•To postpone an action that would extinguish something, as a debt.
Origin of the word Age
•origin: Old French 'aage' from Latin 'aetas'
•period: 13th century
The word evolved from the Latin 'aetas' meaning 'lifetime' or 'period of life,' which is related to 'aevum' meaning 'eternity' or 'age,' giving us the connection between individual lifespan and vast periods of time.
How to use Age in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Age.
•“When they approached the narrow doorway together, Margaret smiled and said 'Age before beauty' as she gestured for her grandmother to go first.”
•“The ancient ruins showed signs of their great age, with crumbling stones and weathered carvings.”
•“Children of every age enjoyed the playground, from toddlers on swings to teenagers playing basketball.”
What are other crossword clues for Age?
and 11 more clues with the same answer
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Midi, Mar 31, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Midi for March 31, 2026 titled “Five in a Row” was published by Ian Livengood and has 33 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about ___ before beauty
- What is the answer to ___ before beauty?
- The answer is Age (3 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Midi on March 31, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to ___ before beauty have?
- The answer has 3 letters: Age.
Author
Naitik Mehta
Co-founder
Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Midi — Mar 31, 2026
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