Find the clue you need
Reveal one answer or the full solution.
- 1
Middle clue 1 — original clue text unavailable
FORK - 2
Middle clue 2 — original clue text unavailable
PORK - 3
Middle clue 3 — original clue text unavailable
PORT - 4
Middle clue 4 — original clue text unavailable
POST - 5
Middle clue 5 — original clue text unavailable
COST
Top + bottom clue
Reveal the solution to see the two endpoint words.
The complete word ladder
Read from top to bottom. Highlighted letters show what changes from the previous word.
- FORETop endpoint
- FORKFORE → FORK changes position 4 from E to K.
- PORKFORK → PORK changes position 1 from F to P.
- PORTPORK → PORT changes position 4 from K to T.
- POSTPORT → POST changes position 3 from R to S.
- COSTPOST → COST changes position 1 from P to C.
- CASTCOST → CAST changes position 2 from O to A.
How the endpoints answer the clue
FORE + CAST = FORECAST
FORE is a golf warning and the first half of the final compound.
Clue meanings and letter changes
| Clue | Answer & meaning | Change from previous word |
|---|---|---|
| Top endpoint | FORE FORE is a golf warning and the first half of the final compound. | Start of ladder |
| Middle clue 1 | FORK FORK is tableware with prongs or a point where a route divides. | FORE → FORK changes position 4 from E to K. |
| Middle clue 2 | PORK PORK is meat from a pig, including ham and bacon. | FORK → PORK changes position 1 from F to P. |
| Middle clue 3 | PORT PORT is a computer connection point as well as a harbor. | PORK → PORT changes position 4 from K to T. |
| Middle clue 4 | POST POST can mean publishing an update online. | PORT → POST changes position 3 from R to S. |
| Middle clue 5 | COST COST is the price required to obtain something. | POST → COST changes position 1 from P to C. |
| Bottom endpoint | CAST CAST means to throw or assign performers and completes FORECAST. | COST → CAST changes position 2 from O to A. |
How to work out the order
FORK ↔ PORK is a strong pair, and PORT gives PORK its only clean continuation. POST, COST, and CAST then form a forced lower chain.
- Attach FORK to FORE, then switch the first letter to reach PORK.
- Use PORT to bridge PORK and POST through separate final-letter changes.
- Complete POST → COST → CAST and read the endpoints as FORECAST.
One takeaway
Words with multiple meanings are especially useful anchors. FORK and PORT each offer more than one clue interpretation, but their spelling relationships settle the intended route.
More CrossClimb
Nearby editions: #820 · 2026-07-29 · #818 · 2026-07-27