Four by Four hints ·

Hints for today's Four by Four puzzle

Open one hint at a time for each group. Hints go from a vague nudge to nearly naming the category, and each group stays hidden until you choose to reveal it. Play this puzzle.

The sixteen words

BUBBLE · KISS · SLIGHT · HEIR · SOURDOUGH · BAGUETTE · RYE · PITA · WHISTLE · COMPACT · MINUTE · FUSE · PETITE · GNOME · KNIGHT · WRENCH

  1. Group 1

    Hint 1: A nudge

    Head for the bakery counter.

    Hint 2: Narrowing it down

    Crusty, dark, tangy or pocket-shaped.

    Hint 3: Nearly there

    Loaves and flatbreads from various countries.

  2. Group 2

    Hint 1: A nudge

    Not very big at all.

    Hint 2: Narrowing it down

    One of them becomes a unit of time if you shift the stress.

    Hint 3: Nearly there

    Adjectives for something dainty, narrow or space-saving.

  3. Group 3

    Hint 1: A nudge

    One short verb links all four.

    Hint 2: Narrowing it down

    Three involve air from your lungs; one involves too much electricity.

    Hint 3: Nearly there

    Each follows the same word meaning to push out breath.

  4. Group 4

    Hint 1: A nudge

    Spelling and speech disagree here.

    Hint 2: Narrowing it down

    The opening letter is written but never heard.

    Hint 3: Nearly there

    Drop the first letter when you say them and nothing changes.