Pick up (9) - Crossword Clue
Answer: INTENSIFY
Understanding the Crossword Clue: Pick up (9)
- The answer is INTENSIFY. This nine-letter word perfectly captures the meaning of "pick up" in the sense of increasing, strengthening, or becoming more intense.
- When something picks up momentum, speed, or strength, it intensifies - whether that's a storm gathering force, a conversation becoming more heated, or activity levels rising throughout a period.
Why INTENSIFY Fits This Clue
- The phrase "pick up" has multiple meanings in English, but in crossword puzzles, it frequently indicates an increase or escalation.
- When we say the wind is "picking up," we mean it's intensifying. When business "picks up," it becomes more active and intense.
- INTENSIFY encompasses all these nuances while fitting the required nine-letter constraint specified in the clue.
Tips for Solving "Pick Up" Crossword Clues
- Count the letters first - This immediately narrows your options and helps you focus on words matching the required length.
- Consider the context - Look at surrounding clues and intersecting letters to determine which meaning of "pick up" the setter intended.
- Think about verb forms - "Pick up" clues often lead to verbs in their base form, so consider words ending in common verb patterns.
- Check for Americanisms vs Britishisms - Some crosswords favor one dialect over another, though INTENSIFY works universally.
- Use crossing letters strategically - Once you have even one or two letters from intersecting answers, they can confirm or eliminate potential solutions.
- Remember common crossword vocabulary - Words like INTENSIFY appear frequently because they're versatile and fit multiple interpretations.
Pick up (9) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Are there other nine-letter answers for "pick up"?
A: While INTENSIFY is the most common nine-letter answer, alternatives might include ACCELERATE (10 letters, so doesn't fit) or AGGRAVATE (9 letters, though less common for this clue type).
Q: How do I know which meaning of "pick up" the clue wants?
A: The letter count and crossing answers provide crucial hints. Additionally, the publication style matters - cryptic crosswords might play with multiple meanings, while straightforward puzzles typically use the most common interpretation.
Q: Could "pick up" ever mean something physical in a nine-letter answer?
A: Theoretically yes, though INTENSIFY's metaphorical "picking up" (increasing) is far more common in crossword construction. Physical lifting rarely yields nine-letter solutions for this clue.
Q: What if INTENSIFY doesn't fit my crossing answers?
A: Double-check those crossing clues first - one mistake can cascade. If you're certain about the intersecting answers, consider whether the puzzle might contain an error or whether you've misread the clue number.
Q: Is this clue difficulty considered easy, medium, or hard?
A: This rates as medium difficulty. The phrase "pick up" is common enough, but recognizing INTENSIFY as the answer requires understanding idiomatic usage and having a strong vocabulary.Retry
