Deletion indicator
endless
“endless” is a deletion indicator in cryptic crosswords.
You remove part of a word — its head, tail, heart, or ends — before using what remains. Deletions use the imagery of loss, cutting, or being incomplete.
- Clue types
- Deletion
- Subtlety
- moderate
- Part of speech
- adjective
“Endless ball game over the border (6)”
Answer: ACROSS
Definition: "over the border" — meaning on the far side, across. "ball game" → LACROSSE (the stick-and-ball team sport). "Endless" signals a deletion — drop the outer letters at both ends. Remove the first L and the last E: L-ACROSS-E. That leaves ACROSS.
Related indicators
- abbreviate
- abridge
- after the first
- almost
- bare
- behead
- borderless
- boundless
- brief
- briefly
- centreless
- clip
- clipped at both ends
- core
- coreless
- crop
Explore indicator types
Today’s clue is waiting.
Your first solve is free, no account needed. Sign in to save your streak.
Play today’s free clueNo credit card · A new clue every day · Free to play