Tear of a clown (3)
Minute Cryptic clue · November 4, 2026 · answer and full explanation
The Minute Cryptic clue “Tear of a clown” (3) was set for Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Below is the answer — blurred until you tap — followed by the definition, the wordplay and why the letters land where they do.
Minute Cryptic · November 4, 2026
Tear of a clown
(3)
The answer isOAF
No spoilers — the answer stays blurred until you tap.
Letters 3Device AnagramSet by Ej Weisfogel (community)Par 2Solvers 18,345
The clue, colour-coded
Tear of a clown
DefinitionWordplay / fodderLinking words
How this clue works
The definition
clown
Our definition here is 'clown', and our answer will be another word for that.The wordplay
of a
This clue's fodder is 'of a'. We'll use these letters to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s).The answer
OAF
The clue reads “Tear of a clown” (3). The definition part — “clown” — points straight at OAF, and the rest of the clue builds it with anagram wordplay.
Minute Cryptic publishes a short walkthrough for this clue — watch Ej Weisfogel’s own explanation →
This clue’s puzzle day
This clue was the Minute Cryptic for Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Open the November 4, 2026 puzzle page for that day’s write-up, or browse the full Minute Cryptic archive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the answer to “Tear of a clown”?
The answer is OAF (3 letters). Tap the reveal button above to see it in the answer card.
How do I read a cryptic clue like this?
Every cryptic clue has two halves: a straight definition (at the start or the end) and a piece of wordplay that builds the same word letter by letter. Find the definition first, count the letters from the enumeration, then work out which trick the rest of the clue is playing.
Is there a new Minute Cryptic every day?
Yes — one cryptic clue a day at minutecryptic.com, plus community-set clues. We publish each day’s answer and breakdown here shortly after it goes live.