Find the clue you need
Reveal one answer or the full solution.
- 1
Middle clue 1 — original clue text unavailable
FIRE - 2
Middle clue 2 — original clue text unavailable
FIRS - 3
Middle clue 3 — original clue text unavailable
AIRS - 4
Middle clue 4 — original clue text unavailable
AIMS - 5
Middle clue 5 — original clue text unavailable
ARMS
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.
- FINETop endpoint
- FIREFINE → FIRE changes position 3 from N to R.
- FIRSFIRE → FIRS changes position 4 from E to S.
- AIRSFIRS → AIRS changes position 1 from F to A.
- AIMSAIRS → AIMS changes position 3 from R to M.
- ARMSAIMS → ARMS changes position 2 from I to R.
- ARTSARMS → ARTS changes position 3 from M to T.
How the endpoints answer the clue
FINE + ARTS = FINE ARTS
FINE can mean excellent or delicate and begins the endpoint phrase.
Clue meanings and letter changes
| Clue | Answer & meaning | Change from previous word |
|---|---|---|
| Top endpoint | FINE FINE can mean excellent or delicate and begins the endpoint phrase. | Start of ladder |
| Middle clue 1 | FIRE FIRE is the classical element paired with earth, air, and water. | FINE → FIRE changes position 3 from N to R. |
| Middle clue 2 | FIRS FIRS are evergreen trees with needle-like leaves. | FIRE → FIRS changes position 4 from E to S. |
| Middle clue 3 | AIRS AIRS means expresses something publicly, such as grievances. | FIRS → AIRS changes position 1 from F to A. |
| Middle clue 4 | AIMS AIMS are goals or intended outcomes. | AIRS → AIMS changes position 3 from R to M. |
| Middle clue 5 | ARMS ARMS are upper limbs extending from the shoulders. | AIMS → ARMS changes position 2 from I to R. |
| Bottom endpoint | ARTS ARTS completes FINE ARTS, the creative disciplines valued for expression and beauty. | ARMS → ARTS changes position 3 from M to T. |
How to work out the order
FIRE → FIRS → AIRS is the central hinge. Once AIRS is placed, AIMS, ARMS, and ARTS all share the same outer frame and arrange cleanly.
- Build FINE → FIRE → FIRS from the top endpoint.
- Change the opening letter to reach AIRS, then preserve A and S.
- Order AIMS → ARMS → ARTS and read FINE ARTS across the endpoints.
One takeaway
When several words share their first and last letters, compare only the middle. Tiny positional bookkeeping beats staring heroically at seven words and hoping inspiration clocks in.
More CrossClimb
Nearby editions: #823 · 2026-08-01 · #821 · 2026-07-30