"Once upon ___ ..." (classic story starter): 2 wds. Crossword Clue

We have the 5-letter answer for "Once upon ___ ..." (classic story starter): 2 wds. crossword clue, last seen in the Daily Themed Crossword August 18, 2026 puzzle. Let us help you solve the crossword clue that has you stumped so you can finish the puzzle.

"Once upon ___ ..." (classic story starter): 2 wds. Crossword Answer

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Helpful Hints

Hint 1: Clue Definitions

CLASSIC (adjective)
1. of or relating to the first significant period of a civilization, culture, area of study, etc.
2. well-known and long-established in form or style
CLASSIC (noun)
1. a creation of the highest excellence
2. an artist who has created classic works
STARTER (noun)
1. an electric motor for starting an engine
2. a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle

More Daily Themed Crossword (8/18/2026) Answers

Across

1. Facebook founder Zuckerberg

5. Bill at a bar

8. Kill, as a dragon

12. Where China and India are located

13. ___ tear (common sports injury): Abbr.

14. Flat ___ (car problem)

15. Hammer-wielding Norse god featured in the "Avengers" movies

16. "___ It Go," Elsa's song from "Frozen"

17. Picnic-raiding bugs

18. Exit key on a keyboard

20. ___ like fine wine (gracefully grow old)

21. LeBron ___, NBA superstar who appeared as himself in "Trainwreck," playing the loyal, penny-pinching best friend to Bill Hader's character

24. Part played in a movie (often "himself," for a famous person making a cameo)

27. "Thanks, I ___ you one"

28. Saucepan cover

31. Take home the trophy

32. Letter after “emm”?

33. Alternative to "com" in university URLs

34. Location for a movie scene

35. ___ up (exasperated)

36. ___ Garnett, NBA legend who appeared as himself in "Uncut Gems," trying to buy a rare opal from Adam Sandler's jeweler character

38. Hawkeyes' home state

39. "All jokes ___ ..." ("On a serious note ...")

40. ___ Patton, lead singer of the band Faith No More

42. Settle into a chair

43. Game before the final, for short

44. Snake said to have killed Cleopatra

46. "The Winner Takes It All" pop group

50. Crew in blue at a baseball game, for short

51. ___ Trevino, golf legend who appeared as himself in "Happy Gilmore," always shaking his head at Adam Sandler's character

52. A foot has five of them

53. "The ___ Baby," Alec Baldwin's animated feature

54. Cutting-edge tool?

55. Tie up loose ___

All Answers

Down

1. Wrestler's surface

2. ___ Wednesday (first day of Lent)

3. ___ de Janeiro, Brazilian city that hosted the 2016 Olympics

4. ___ Abdul-Jabbar, NBA icon who appeared as himself in "Airplane!" denying his true identity and pretending to be a co-pilot named Roger

5. Mineral used in baby powder

6. Untouched serve in tennis

7. Crunchy three-ingredient sandwich: Abbr.

8. Performer's platform

9. "Hook, ___, and sinker"

10. Painting or sculpture, e.g.

11. What a nod means

19. Opposite of "NNW" on a compass: Abbr.

20. Pub order, often

21. Classic 1975 thriller about a man-eating shark

22. "It's ___" ("The scores are equal"): 2 wds.

23. Mojito-garnishing herb

24. ___ Rousey, UFC star who appeared as herself in the "Entourage" movie, promising the character Turtle a date if he survives a bout with her

25. "Go Your ___ Way," Fleetwood Mac hit

28. ___ Strauss, big name in denim

29. "___ my part, now it's your turn": 2 wds.

30. Desert mound

32. "Wee" backwards

35. The Green Goblin, to Spider-Man

36. "Cobra ___," hit martial arts series

37. Real ___ (property)

38. "___ Your Hand, Madame" (romantic Bing Crosby song): 2 wds.

40. Office note, briefly

41. Little devils

42. Gush like a volcano

43. One coming off the bench, for short

44. Hilton ___, Pulitzer-winning critic for The New Yorker

45. Poseidon's realm, in myth

47. "___ Appetit!"

48. It has to be made every day

49. Horse's cousin

All Answers