Newsday.Answers
Daily Newsday Crossword

“Basketball official”

The verified answer to the Newsday Crossword clue “Basketball official”, with letter-by-letter analysis and the full puzzle context for the Tuesday, January 20, 2026 puzzle.

Published · Down · 3 letters

Hints first

Letters 3
First letter R
Last letter F
R ? F

A 3-letter down entry from the Tuesday puzzle

The Answer

R E F

The answer to “Basketball official” is REF

Letters 3
Direction Down
Published Jan 20, 2026

Letter analysis: the 3-letter answer

Vowels, consonants, and crossword construction notes
Unique 3 of 3 positions
Vowels 1 33% of word
Consonants 2 non-vowels
First letter R starts with

The clue “Basketball official” appeared in the Newsday Crossword on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 as a down entry. The verified answer is REF — a 3-letter word that begins with R and ends with F.

This answer contains 1 vowel and 2 consonants. The Newsday Crossword is published daily by Newsday on Long Island and edited by Stan Newman, whose Saturday Stumper is widely considered one of the toughest mainstream crosswords in print.

Other clues with the answer REF

REF has been used as the answer for these Newsday Crossword clues
“Penalty caller” May 24, 2026 “NHL official” Jan 15, 2026 “Gridiron judge” Dec 28, 2025 “Hoops arbiter” Nov 20, 2025 “Football official, for short” Oct 13, 2025 “Make calls” Apr 19, 2025 “Football official, for short” Feb 25, 2025 “Touchdown caller, for short” Feb 4, 2025

More clues from the January 20, 2026 puzzle

Tuesday Newsday Crossword
View full puzzle
Aid and __ (assist in a crime) 4 ℓ · D First Greek letter 5 ℓ · D Auto with a meter 4 ℓ · D Oklahoma city 5 ℓ · D Opening __ (variety show starter) 3 ℓ · D Chimps and gorillas 4 ℓ · A Sounds scared 5 ℓ · A Oust from a residence 5 ℓ · D Plumber's round rubber sealer 6 ℓ · D Number in a spreadsheet 4 ℓ · A __ of the time (now and then) 4 ℓ · D Holder for a curtain over a bathtub 9 ℓ · D Try to find 7 ℓ · D Casual short-sleeve shirts 5 ℓ · D Remain at home 6 ℓ · D Read closely (over) 4 ℓ · D Fragrances 6 ℓ · D Completely 3 ℓ · A __ to the core (evil) 6 ℓ · D Protecting fully 8 ℓ · A

Frequently asked questions about “Basketball official”

What is the answer to “Basketball official” in the Newsday Crossword?

The verified answer is REF — a 3-letter word that appeared as a down entry on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Basketball official”?

The answer REF contains 3 letters.

Was “Basketball official” an across or down clue?

This clue ran as a Down entry.

Is this site affiliated with Newsday?

No. This is an independent fan reference site — we are not affiliated with Newsday. The Newsday Crossword is a trademark of its respective owner. We solve and verify each Newsday Crossword puzzle manually before publishing the answer key.

Basketball official — Newsday Crossword Clue Answer | Newsday Crossword Answers