CATS is the answer to this USA Today crossword clue about animals with retractable claws. Domestic cats and most wild felines possess this unique evolutionary adaptation that keeps their claws sharp for hunting and climbing. Unlike dogs and other animals with fixed claws, cats can extend and retract their claws at will through specialized tendons and muscles.

ERASE perfectly fits this USA Today crossword clue meaning to rub out or remove completely. The verb "erase" comes from the Latin word "erasus," meaning to scrape away, and is commonly used for removing pencil marks, digital data, or memories. In crosswords, "rub out" is a classic indicator for ERASE, making it a frequently appearing five-letter answer.

COCO is the first name of tennis sensation Coco Gauff, featured in this USA Today crossword clue. The American tennis prodigy has been making waves in professional tennis since her teenage years, becoming one of the youngest players to win major championships. Her nickname "Coco" is actually derived from her given name Cori, making it a perfect four-letter crossword answer.

AGUA is the Spanish word for water, making it a common answer in USA Today crosswords. This essential vocabulary word is one of the first Spanish terms many English speakers learn, and its four-letter structure makes it ideal for crossword grids. The word appears in many Spanish phrases like "agua fresca" (fresh water drink) and "agua mineral" (mineral water).

RELAY is the answer to this USA Today crossword clue about a team racing event. In track and field, relay races involve teams of runners who take turns carrying a baton around the track, passing it within designated exchange zones. The most common relay events are the 4x100m and 4x400m races, which are highlights of major athletic competitions including the Olympics.

IRON is the key nutrient found abundantly in liver, answering this USA Today crossword clue. Liver is one of the richest dietary sources of iron, containing heme iron that's easily absorbed by the body. This essential mineral plays a crucial role in producing hemoglobin and transporting oxygen throughout the bloodstream, making liver a traditional remedy for anemia.

TINDERDATE is the modern answer to this USA Today crossword clue about online dating meetups. Tinder revolutionized dating with its swipe-right-to-like mechanism, making "swiping right" synonymous with expressing romantic interest. A Tinder date refers to the in-person meeting that follows a successful match on the popular dating app, representing contemporary romance in the digital age.

TAME perfectly answers this USA Today crossword clue meaning domesticated or gentle. The word describes animals that have been trained to live with humans or wild creatures that have become docile through human interaction. In broader usage, "tame" can also describe anything that's been subdued, controlled, or made less wild, from hairstyles to party behavior.

CLE is the abbreviation for Cleveland, home of the MLB's Guardians, solving this USA Today crossword clue. The Cleveland Guardians, formerly known as the Indians until 2021, play at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. This three-letter airport code and city abbreviation is a crossword regular, especially in sports-themed puzzles.

PASSÉ (often spelled PASSE in crosswords) is the French-derived answer to this USA Today crossword clue about being outdated. This term describes something that's no longer fashionable, relevant, or current - from clothing styles to social trends. The word literally means "passed" in French, suggesting something that has passed its prime or moment of popularity.

GENE is the clever answer to this USA Today crossword clue using wordplay about inheritance. While inheritance typically refers to money or property, genes are the biological units of heredity we inherit from our parents. This question mark clue plays on the double meaning of inheritance, making GENE a witty four-letter solution about our genetic legacy.

HERMIT completes this USA Today crossword clue about the resourceful hermit crab. These unique crustaceans don't grow their own shells but instead inhabit empty shells left by mollusks, upgrading to larger ones as they grow. The name "hermit" reflects their solitary lifestyle, living alone in their borrowed homes and carrying their shelter wherever they go.

SKY is the name of Chicago's WNBA team, answering this USA Today crossword clue. The Chicago Sky, founded in 2006, won their first WNBA championship in 2021 and play their home games at Wintrust Arena. This three-letter team name is perfect for crosswords and reflects Chicago's iconic skyline and its nickname as the "Windy City" where the sky is always in motion.

GOD is the straightforward answer to this USA Today crossword clue about a deity or supreme being. This three-letter word represents the object of worship in monotheistic religions and can also refer to any deity in polytheistic belief systems. In crosswords, GOD is a versatile answer that can be clued religiously, mythologically, or even colloquially as in "guitar god."

APART perfectly captures the physical separation in this USA Today crossword clue about long-distance relationships. Couples maintaining romance across cities, states, or countries live apart while staying emotionally connected through technology and visits. This five-letter word succinctly describes the defining characteristic of LDRs - being separated by distance while remaining together in commitment.

IMMUNE describes Ellie's unique condition in this USA Today crossword clue referencing the popular video game and TV series "The Last of Us." Ellie's immunity to the cordyceps fungal infection makes her humanity's potential savior in the post-apocalyptic world. This plot point drives the entire narrative as she becomes the key to potentially developing a cure for the pandemic that destroyed civilization.

PRE is the prefix opposite of "post-" in this USA Today crossword clue. While "post-" means after (as in postwar or postpone), "pre-" means before (as in preview or prepare). These Latin-derived prefixes are fundamental building blocks in English, creating temporal relationships in countless words and making PRE a three-letter crossword staple.

IRIS is the colored part of the eye referenced in this USA Today crossword clue. This ring-shaped membrane gives eyes their distinctive colors - blue, brown, green, hazel, or gray - and controls the size of the pupil to regulate light entering the eye. Named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, the iris contains pigments that determine each person's unique eye color.

ITIS is the contracted form of "it is" used as an emphatic agreement in this USA Today crossword clue. This colloquial expression emphasizes strong agreement or confirmation, often heard in casual conversation as "It is!" or "'Tis true!" The four-letter answer plays on the informal contraction, similar to how "'twas" means "it was" in older English usage.

FLINTMICHIGAN is the hometown of activist Amariyanna "Mari" Copeny in this USA Today crossword clue. Known as "Little Miss Flint," Copeny became a national figure at age 8 when she wrote to President Obama about the Flint water crisis. Her activism brought international attention to the lead contamination affecting her community, making her one of the youngest civil rights activists in America.

LION is what Simba is in this USA Today crossword clue referencing Disney's "The Lion King." The beloved animated character whose name means "lion" in Swahili follows the journey from cub to king of the Pride Lands. This four-letter answer connects pop culture with zoology, as Simba represents the archetypal lion in one of Disney's most successful franchises.

CATCH represents a fielder's successful achievement in this USA Today crossword clue. In baseball and cricket, making a catch is a fundamental defensive play that can result in an out, preventing runs and changing game momentum. Whether it's a routine fly ball or a spectacular diving grab, a catch showcases a fielder's skill, positioning, and athletic ability.

TUNER is the piano technician in this USA Today crossword clue. These skilled professionals adjust piano strings to achieve perfect pitch, requiring a trained ear and specialized tools. Regular tuning keeps pianos sounding their best, especially with temperature and humidity changes, making TUNER a five-letter answer representing the intersection of music and mechanical precision.

SAD describes someone down in the dumps in this USA Today crossword clue. This simple three-letter word captures the universal human emotion of unhappiness, whether from disappointment, loss, or melancholy. Its brevity makes it perfect for crosswords while its meaning resonates with everyone who's experienced life's inevitable low moments.

ERRATA is the formal list of corrections in this USA Today crossword clue. This Latin plural term appears in books and publications to acknowledge printing errors discovered after publication. Publishers include errata sheets to maintain accuracy and credibility, making ERRATA a six-letter answer that represents the humility of admitting and correcting mistakes in print.

REDS is the Cincinnati team of shortstop Elly de la Cruz in this USA Today crossword clue. The Cincinnati Reds, baseball's oldest professional franchise, play at Great American Ball Park. Known for the Big Red Machine dynasty of the 1970s, the Reds continue developing exciting young talent like de la Cruz, making this four-letter answer represent both history and baseball's future.

AGILE perfectly describes someone nimble in this USA Today crossword clue. The word conveys quick, graceful movement and the ability to think and respond rapidly to changing situations. In modern business contexts, "agile" also refers to flexible project management methodologies, but its core meaning of physical and mental quickness makes it an ideal five-letter crossword answer.

ISLE is the perfect tropical vacation destination in this USA Today crossword clue. These small islands surrounded by water offer paradise settings with beaches, palm trees, and crystal-clear waters. From the Caribbean isles to Pacific atolls, these isolated spots provide the ultimate escape from everyday life, making ISLE a four-letter answer that evokes dreams of tropical getaways.

NUN is the religious sister found at church in this USA Today crossword clue. These women have taken sacred vows dedicating their lives to religious service, prayer, and community work. Often addressed as "Sister," nuns live in convents and serve in various capacities including teaching, nursing, and charitable work, making NUN a three-letter answer representing devoted spiritual life.

ESTEEM captures the meaning of high regard in this USA Today crossword clue. This six-letter word represents respect, admiration, and favorable opinion held toward someone or something. Whether discussing self-esteem or the esteem of colleagues, this word conveys a sense of value and worthiness that's earned through character, achievement, or merit.

LEASE is the rental document that might include a pet policy in this USA Today crossword clue. This legal agreement between landlord and tenant outlines terms including rent, duration, and rules such as whether pets are allowed. Modern leases often specify pet deposits, breed restrictions, and size limits, making LEASE a five-letter answer reflecting contemporary rental realities.

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) is what someone wants when asking this question in this USA Today crossword clue. This three-letter acronym has become ubiquitous in text messaging and casual conversation when coordinating meetups. From ride-sharing apps to flight tracking, ETA helps us plan and manage expectations about when someone or something will arrive.

MEG is the eldest March sister from Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" in this USA Today crossword clue. Margaret "Meg" March is the responsible, traditional sister who dreams of a comfortable domestic life. Her character represents conventional femininity in contrast to Jo's independence, making MEG a three-letter answer from one of American literature's most beloved families.

LILACS are the fragrant spring flowers in this USA Today crossword clue. These purple, pink, or white blooms are renowned for their sweet, intoxicating scent that signals spring's arrival. Growing on shrubs that can live for decades, lilacs have inspired poets and perfumers alike, making LILACS a six-letter answer that evokes memories of gardens and romance.

BRIE is the creamy, spreadable cheese in this USA Today crossword clue. This soft French cheese with its characteristic white rind becomes perfectly spreadable at room temperature. Known as the "Queen of Cheeses," brie pairs wonderfully with crackers, fruit, and wine, making it a four-letter answer that represents sophisticated entertaining and gourmet dining.

REDID means decorated anew or did over again in this USA Today crossword clue. This past tense verb indicates someone has renovated, redecorated, or completely changed a space or project. Whether referring to a room makeover or redoing homework, REDID is a five-letter answer that captures the act of starting fresh with something previously completed.

MEH is the perfect expression of indifference in this USA Today crossword clue. This internet-age interjection conveys a shoulder shrug in word form, expressing that something is mediocre, boring, or not worth getting excited about. Popularized by "The Simpsons" and internet culture, MEH has become a three-letter staple for expressing underwhelming reactions.

HUMOR is the genre category for joke books in this USA Today crossword clue. This literary classification encompasses everything from puns and one-liners to satirical essays and comedic memoirs. The humor section of bookstores offers laughter therapy through written wit, making HUMOR a five-letter answer that represents the universal human need for comedy and levity.

OXYGENBAR is the wellness establishment where patrons wear masks in this USA Today crossword clue. These trendy venues offer concentrated oxygen through nasal cannulas or masks, claiming benefits like increased energy and stress relief. Popular in cities with air quality concerns, oxygen bars represent modern wellness culture where people literally pay to breathe, making this a clever nine-letter answer.

AMONG means in the presence of or surrounded by in this USA Today crossword clue. This preposition indicates being in the midst of a group or collection, whether among friends, among the trees, or among other things. The word gained renewed popularity through the game "Among Us," making AMONG a five-letter answer that bridges classic grammar with modern gaming.

OPEN describes someone receptive to new ideas in this USA Today crossword clue. Being open means welcoming suggestions, feedback, or experiences without prejudgment or resistance. This versatile four-letter word can describe minds, hearts, doors, or businesses, making OPEN a crossword staple that represents accessibility and willingness to engage.

ELSE is the threatening word that ends ultimatums in this USA Today crossword clue. "Or else!" implies consequences if demands aren't met, creating dramatic tension in negotiations and arguments. This four-letter word transforms statements into warnings, making ELSE a crossword answer that captures the power dynamics of conditional threats and final warnings.

SPREE captures the excitement of a shopping frenzy in this USA Today crossword clue. This burst of unrestrained activity often involves impulse buying and credit card damage during sales or retail therapy sessions. Whether it's a shopping spree, spending spree, or crime spree, this five-letter word represents periods of intense, often excessive activity.

MOSS is the perfect terrarium plant in this USA Today crossword clue. These primitive plants thrive in the humid, enclosed environments of glass containers, creating miniature forest floors. Requiring minimal care and no soil, moss adds lush green carpeting to terrariums, making it a four-letter answer representing both ancient plant life and modern indoor gardening trends.

WEED is the unwanted garden intrusion in this USA Today crossword clue. These persistent plants grow where they're not wanted, competing with cultivated plants for nutrients and space. What's considered a weed varies by gardener - dandelions might be weeds to some but salad greens to others, making WEED a four-letter answer about perspective and garden maintenance.