The cryptic crossword is an American variation on the British-style crossword. The only real difference is that in cryptic crosswords, each clue consists of exactly two parts, each of which clues the answer, except for rare instances where the entire clue clues the answer two different ways. One of the parts should be a straightforward clue, like in an American crossword, while the other may be a definition of another sense of the word, or some form of wordplay.

Cryptic Crossword Clue Types