Owlish, in a way

Published by Naitik Mehta · January 11, 2026

Stuck on the clue Owlish, in a way from the New York Times Daily for January 11, 2026? We have the correct 4-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?

Clue

Owlish, in a way (4)

Answer

W
I
S
E

The answer to Owlish, in a way is Wise (4 letters).

Why does Wise fit this clue?

This clue uses a qualifier-narrowed synonym, where 'Owlish, in a way' points to WISE. Owlish literally means resembling an owl, especially in having large, round eyes or a solemn expression. The phrase 'in a way' signals that the clue is not using 'owlish' in its literal sense but rather tapping into the owl's most famous symbolic quality: wisdom. Owls have been associated with wisdom since ancient Greece, where the owl was the symbol of Athena, goddess of wisdom, making WISE a natural fit for the owlish quality being described.

Where did this clue appear?

This clue appeared as 88-across in the New York Times Daily on January 11, 2026, by Dylan Schiff, edited by Will Shortz. See all answers for this puzzle.

Read the NYT Wordplay column for this puzzle.

NYT Daily — Jan 11, 2026

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What are other crossword clues for Wise?

“Y Y Y Y Y Y Y” (4)

“Learned” (4)

“Sagacious” (4)

“Like Solomon, famously” (4)

“Hip (to)” (4)

Learn about related clues

All clues from the New York Times Daily, Jan 11, 2026 crossword

The New York Times Daily for January 11, 2026 titled “It's All Greek” was published by Dylan Schiff and has 140 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.

Across

1ATennis superstar Nadal, familiarly (4)5A"Wicked" director Jon M. ___ (3)8AUnspecified degree (3)11APack (down) (4)15A"Sign me up!" (4)16ABygone carrier that had a fleet of "Clippers" (5)19AReally like (5)21AWoodwind related to the cor anglais (4)22AArticle of sports equipment that typically has two rubber sheets of different colors (10)24ADelivery option (5)25ASound from a ragdoll (4)26ADivision signs, more formally (5)27AWord sung three times in a row in "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (4)28AEt ___ (and others) (4)29AGames on some kids' menus (5)30ABoss at a blaze (9)32AGame on some kids' menus (11)34A"King Kong" actress Wray (3)35AWhat might pop up from time to time? (7)37AItem in a numismatist's collection (4)38A"S.N.L." alum Nora (4)39AChampagne giant (4)42APatient watchers (6)46ABirthstone before opal (6)49ALongtime NASCAR sponsor (3)51ALadybug's prey (3)53ADebaters who use deceptive arguments (6)55AStag (5)56AOscar-winning actress Loren (4)57ALower-right button on YouTube ads (4)59A___ nous (between us) (5)60AKristen of "Bridesmaids" (4)61ASeduce (5)62A"In my estimation …" (5)64ARubber end of a golf club (4)65ANinth inning, usually (3)66AFlooded (5)67AIridescent jewelry material (5)68ARug cleaner, for short (3)69ALead-in to aging or anxiety (4)70ATwo-time capital of the Mughal Empire (5)71ABiting pests (5)72AFollower of catch or latch (4)74AFormer times (5)76ACameron who voiced Princess Fiona in the "Shrek" movies (4)77AFlo Rida title sung before the words "just a little" (4)78ABig cat hybrid (5)79ANo Shave November growth, informally (6)81AMimic (3)82AConnecticut governor Lamont (3)83AN.B.A. team that plays at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (6)84ACompound that ripens bananas (6)86AComputer menu heading (4)88AOwlish, in a way (4)89ABrontë heroine (4)91ABit of entertainment for a morning commute, maybe (7)94AA-one … or an "A" worth one (3)97ABeachy footwear (11)103A"I'm fine, but thanks anyway!" (9)105ALiterally, "the god" (5)106AProvocative (4)107AParcel of land (4)108AClassic origami design (5)109AMedallions might be seen in them (4)110A___ Games, event first held in 70-Across (5)111ATupac and Eminem, for two (10)113AGive off (4)114ALike an authoritarian (5)115A___ Montoya, "The Princess Bride" swordsman (5)116ATelly channel, with "the" (4)117AWell-grounded (4)118AHit title for Abba or Rihanna (3)119AEmail category (3)120AWebsite with a "Craft Supplies & Tools" page (4)

Down

1DTake to the cleaners (6)2DClass with frogs (6)3DDressy clothes (6)4DPoint of view (5)5DFiling pro (3)6DRoman emperor with a namesake wall (7)7DHits Ctrl+Z to fix (6)8DError message on a Blu-Ray display (6)9DBenedict Arnold's offense (7)10DPractice witchcraft on (3)11DBirthstone after opal (5)12DFilled with activity (5)13DMushroom often added to cream sauces (5)14DInherently (5)17DIn the air (5)18D___ Gala (3)19DWay off in the distance (4)20DClassical Greek precinct with a noted oracle (4)23DImagine (7)29DRandall who created the webcomic "xkcd" (6)31DSharpen (4)32D___-Magnon (3)33DApt name of 12 popes (4)36DFelt someone's pain (10)38DPrank of doorbell ringing and running (9)40DGradually entering, as a hot tub (10)41DModern social media craze (8)43DMelodic way of speaking (9)44DTurn off (8)45DLess laissez-faire (8)46DCutter with teeth (3)47DMake an enemy of (8)48DIdentifies digitally? (8)49DPart of the Horn of Africa (7)50DPerfect condition (8)52DThrow out (7)54DLeaf-turning mo. (3)56DPut in stitches (5)58DSubject of an R.S.V.P. (5)61DTiny amount (3)63D"Absolutely!" (3)69DTough H.S. classes (3)73DHosp. surgical sites (3)75D"You've gotta be kidding!" (6)78DSwan song (7)80DMononymous singer who popularized "New Celtic" music (4)83D"Baloney!" (4)85DBirth name of Che Guevara (7)87DComputer addresses, for short (3)88DLight bulb measure (7)90DSwirling currents (6)92DIntelligent sea mammal (5)93DComposer of the "Raindrop" prelude (6)94DHow china is often sold (6)95DShort adventure tales (6)96DBarely manages to get through (6)97DGoes up against (5)98DBeast domesticated by the Incas (5)99DLongtime TV personality Regis (5)100DTomato product (5)101DCulture medium (4)102DCountry singer Loretta (4)104D"Survivor" group (5)107DGreek letter that resembles an "I" atop an "O," as seen eight times in this puzzle (3)110DJerk (3)112DPeriod in the periodic table (3)

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Frequently asked questions about Owlish, in a way

What is the answer to Owlish, in a way?
The answer is Wise (4 letters).
Where did this clue appear?
This clue was last seen in the New York Times Daily on January 11, 2026.
How many letters does the answer to Owlish, in a way have?
The answer has 4 letters: Wise.

Author

Naitik Mehta

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 Daily — Jan 11, 2026

Get help on the whole puzzle

editor

Will Shortz

position

88 Across

answer length

4 letters

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