May 24, 2026 Daily / 86A / 3 letters
Puzzle clues NYT Crossword
___ carte NYT Crossword Clue
Use the hint first, then reveal the answer only if you need it.
Hint
The blank is doing most of the work here. Look for a 3-letter entry that completes the phrase naturally.
How to solve it
Read the clue type first
For the clue: ___ carte, first identify whether the wording is direct, referential, abbreviated, or playful. This one is best treated as a fill-in-the-blank.
- The blank is doing most of the work here. Look for a 3-letter entry that completes the phrase naturally.
- At 3 letters, this is a compact entry, so one crossing letter can change the solve quickly.
- This clue appears at 86A in the NYT Crossword, so check the Down crossings for confirmation.
Reveal Answer Hide Answer
ALA
Explanation
Why This Answer Fits
ALA is the 3-letter answer for the clue: ___ carte. The answer supplies the missing word or phrase in the clue, so reading the clue aloud with the answer inserted is the quickest check. In this NYT Crossword, it appears at 86A, so the crossing entries help verify the exact spelling.
- Grid entry: ALA in the grid.
- Answer pattern: _ _ _.
- Clue type: Fill-in-the-blank.
- ALA has 3 letters, matching the required slot for 86A.
Answer history
Other NYT Crossword Clues Using ALA
We have not seen many previous NYT clues for this answer yet.
View all ALA clues Position 86A
Answer length 3
Puzzle type Daily
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History
Clue History
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