#42026-10-23·Homophone

Cryptic Clue #4

Use the 4 progressive hint tiers below or solve cleanly with 0 hints!

#4⭐ Flawless

Difficulty:

Reportedly permitted spoken message(5)

Setter: The Sounder

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Hints:

Post-Solve Analysis

Setter's Editorial Walkthrough

Setter: The Sounder

1. Tripartite Structural Breakdown

Straight Definition (Final Word)spoken messageDictionary synonym of target solution

Wordplay Indicator (Homophone)ReportedlyInstructs the operation

Fodder & EnumerationALLOWED (permitted) (5)Yields exactly 5 letters

2. Wordplay Equation

Sounds like ALLOWED = ALOUD

3. Mechanics & Setter Deception

"Reportedly" is a homophone indicator. The word ALLOWED (meaning permitted) sounds identical to ALOUD ("spoken message").

Master this mechanism: Read the complete Homophone Guide →

Check related indicators: Browse Indicator Lexicon →

Clue #4 Questions & Answers

Q1.What is the straight definition in Clue #4?▼

The straight definition is "spoken message", placed at the very end of the clue under the Extreme Placement Rule.

Q2.How does the wordplay in Clue #4 work?▼

This is a classic Homophone clue. The equation is: Sounds like ALLOWED = ALOUD. "Reportedly" is a homophone indicator. The word ALLOWED (meaning permitted) sounds identical to ALOUD ("spoken message").

Q3.What is the significance of the enumeration (5)?▼

The enumeration (5) signifies that the target solution consists of exactly 5 letters.

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