Essence of the matter Crossword Clue

We have the 3-letter answer for Essence of the matter crossword clue, last seen in the NYT Crossword January 23, 2026 puzzle. Let us help you solve the crossword clue that has you stumped so you can finish the puzzle.

Essence of the matter Crossword Answer

↓4.

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Helpful Hints

(noun)
1. a small lump or protuberance
2. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

Hint 2: Clue Definitions

MATTER (noun)
1. a vaguely specified concern
2. some situation or event that is thought about
MATTER (verb)
1. have weight; have import, carry weight
ESSENCE (noun)
1. the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
2. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

Hint 3: Anagram

Unscramble the letters below to solve for today's answer.
BUN

More NYT Crossword (1/23/2026) Answers

Across

1. Barely enough

6. What some may be dyeing to conceal?

10. Environmental concern

14. "Don't be absurd!"

16. ___ Mountain (ski area in Killington, Vt.)

17. She's out there!

18. Many a choirgirl

19. "Black-ish" patriarch

20. Dulcet

21. Fiddle with feathers, say

22. Backstreet ___

23. Like kyawthuite, among gems

25. Designer Geoffrey

27. A-list

28. Like quartzite vis-à-vis quartz

29. They really click as a pair

32. Masters of manipulation

33. Commercial preceder of Geo

34. Capital near the Red Sea

35. Micromobility option

37. On the level

38. Mouth organ

39. Internal turmoil

40. Say "I do," say

41. One may be carried in a concert hall

42. Recent recruit

43. First name on the Supreme Court

45. Zilch

48. Cushy

49. It is "making the complicated simple, awesomely simple," per Charles Mingus

51. Out of joint?

52. Text insert for a flash-forward film scene

53. Ink

54. Apt rhyme for "pads"

55. Guck

All Answers

Down

1. Completely convinced

2. French letter opener

3. Niche for a shrine

5. "I'll take the blame"

6. Some body builders?

7. Broccoli ___

8. How to look at your hot fudge sundae

9. A little possessive, perhaps?

10. Pocket money

11. Momentous moments

12. Bits in a byte, e.g.

13. 'I'm listening . . .'

15. One who's on the defense, perhaps

21. Digital applications?

22. Longing look

24. Rigi of Switzerland, e.g.

25. One setting on speakers

26. Classic toy for budding engineers

27. Long look

28. Peach or plum

30. Interest of Marco Polo, with "the"

31. Settled on the bottom?

33. Gelded

36. __ Fridays

37. Hangouts

40. Grammy-winning R&B singer named for a Revlon fragrance

41. They make streaks on cheeks

42. Mass

44. Tip

45. Trattoria tubes

46. Couple

47. Funeral __

49. Texter's "ciao"

50. Late actor Kilmer

All Answers