Newsday.Answers
Daily Newsday Crossword

“First __”

The verified answer to the Newsday Crossword clue “First __”, with letter-by-letter analysis and the full puzzle context for the Saturday, October 4, 2025 puzzle.

Published · Down · 4 letters

Hints first

Letters 4
First letter M
Last letter E
M ? ? E

A 4-letter down entry from the Saturday puzzle

The Answer

M A T E

The answer to “First __” is MATE

Letters 4
Direction Down
Published Oct 4, 2025

Letter analysis: the 4-letter answer

Vowels, consonants, and crossword construction notes
Unique 4 of 4 positions
Vowels 2 50% of word
Consonants 2 non-vowels
First letter M starts with

The clue “First __” appeared in the Newsday Crossword on Saturday, October 4, 2025 as a down entry. The verified answer is MATE — a 4-letter word that begins with M and ends with E.

This answer contains 2 vowels 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 MATE

MATE has been used as the answer for these Newsday Crossword clues
“Second glove” Mar 12, 2026 “Aussie's pal” Jan 22, 2026 “Second glove” Sep 4, 2025 “Wife or husband” Apr 16, 2025 “Matching sock” Feb 23, 2025

More clues from the October 4, 2025 puzzle

Saturday Newsday Crossword
View full puzzle
What you'd expect to find in coat closets 4 ℓ · D "Avoid fertilizer," from Angler Magazine 6 ℓ · D Trying to advance 10 ℓ · D Chew toy staple 7 ℓ · A Pioneers in freeze-drying (c. 13th century) 4 ℓ · D Job successor 6 ℓ · A Pigeons' plaint 11 ℓ · D __-high 3 ℓ · D Approves with enthusiasm 5 ℓ · D Vette body redesign 3 ℓ · D Gifts with 32 kukui nuts 4 ℓ · D What you take in 4 ℓ · D Save-yourself saw 10 ℓ · D Cardigan elbow, often 5 ℓ · D Impede opposite 4 ℓ · D Threw hard, per the OED (since 2022) 6 ℓ · D Constantly shifting, say 5 ℓ · A Start to matter 4 ℓ · A [!!!] 3 ℓ · A Practice grp. 3 ℓ · A

Frequently asked questions about “First __”

What is the answer to “First __” in the Newsday Crossword?

The verified answer is MATE — a 4-letter word that appeared as a down entry on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

How many letters is the answer to “First __”?

The answer MATE contains 4 letters.

Was “First __” 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.

First __ — Newsday Crossword Clue Answer | Newsday Crossword Answers