Least well-done (6) - Crossword Clue
Answer: RAREST
Understanding "Least Well-Done" in Crossword Clues
- Rarest is the answer to "least well-done (6)" because it describes meat cooked for the shortest time with the most red or pink interior.
- When steak is cooked rarest, it receives minimal heat exposure, making it the least well-done option on the cooking spectrum from rare to well-done.
Related Crossword Patterns
- "Not done well" could indicate RARE or MEDIUM
- "Bloody, in butcher's terms" suggests RARE
- "Still mooing" humorously describes RAREST steaks
- "Chef's least cooked" points to RAREST preparation
Tips for Solving Similar Clues
- Look for double meanings: Words like "well-done" can reference both quality and specific terminology. Consider alternative interpretations before settling on obvious meanings.
- Consider context markers: The letter count (6) immediately suggests a comparative form, hinting at superlatives like rarest, longest, or shortest.
- Think about opposites: "Least" signals you need the extreme opposite of the stated condition, making rarest the logical antonym of well-done.
- Culinary vocabulary helps: Familiarity with cooking terms, restaurant menus, and food preparation expands your solving toolkit for cuisine-related clues.
Least well-done (6) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Is "rarest" a real cooking term?
A: Yes, rarest describes meat cooked even less than rare, though it's less common on restaurant menus than rare, medium-rare, or well-done.
Q: Could the answer be "rawest" instead?
A: While "rawest" is six letters, it refers to uncooked meat rather than minimally cooked meat. Rarest specifically indicates the cooking preparation that's least well-done.
Q: Why use "least well-done" instead of just "rare"?
A: Crossword clues aim for wordplay and misdirection. The hyphenated "well-done" creates ambiguity that makes solvers work harder, increasing puzzle difficulty and satisfaction.
Q: Are there other six-letter answers that could fit?
A: Given the culinary context and the "least...done" construction, rarest is the most defensible answer. Alternatives don't capture both the cooking method and the superlative comparison.
Q: How do I recognize food-related crossword clues?
A: Look for cooking verbs (done, prepared, cooked), restaurant terminology, ingredient names, or phrases that could have culinary double meanings like this one.
