Links between definition and wordplay

Link words and phrases slot in between the definition and the wordplay in a clue and tell the solver either that the wordplay leads to the definition (where the wordplay comes first) or that the definition is derived from the wordplay (where the definition comes first). So in the clue “Curtailed sporting fixture becoming flat (4)”, the ‘becoming’ links the wordplay EVEN(t) to the defined answer EVEN, while in “Lady from western country (5)” the answer WOMAN is derived ‘from’ W + OMAN. Such links are entirely optional, and some purists prefer not to see them; at the same time, there are those who feel that they are essential when the wordplay involves an imperative indicator.

A few link words and phrases can work in either direction. These are ones which imply equivalence between the two parts of the ‘equation’, the most commonly used being ‘and’, as in the clue “Conservative noisy and dull (5)” for CLOUD (C + LOUD).

In double definition clues, either definition can be treated as the wordplay at the discretion  of the setter, so the ‘direction’ of the link is irrelevant. Links which suggest some sort of aggregation or manipulation, such as ‘made of’ or ‘prepared from’, should be avoided in such clues.

Link words and phrases must obey the rules of grammar in both the surface and cryptic readings. In the cryptic reading of the unsound clue “Minute ones are weapons (5)” for MACES (M + ACES), the ‘are’ would need to be ‘is’; an alternative link such as ‘making’ would solve the problem.

When the wordplay uses an imperative indicator, a link can only be used if the wordplay precedes the definition, and the link must be chosen to fit the particular grammatical demands associated with the imperative, so in a clue like “School means => celebrities” for NAMES (MEANS*), although prepositions like ‘for’ would be fine, the normal verbal links (eg ‘produces’) will not work – something like ‘to produce’ is necessary.  Care is also needed when the definition precedes the wordplay; for example, while “Class keeps quiet for fun (5)” is valid for SPORT (SORT around P), “Man from capital keeps hotel (4)” is not a sound clue for CHAP (CAP around H) – this would need to be “Man from capital keeping hotel”.

There is a school of thought which says that in certain circumstances the link can point from the definition to the wordplay. This seems not unreasonable when (i) a suitable link is chosen, and (ii) the wordplay involves a basic construction, such as a charade or a reversal. An example of a clue with satisfies these requirements would be “Film that makes son laugh (4)” for SHOOT (S + HOOT).

In the list below, D stands for definition and W for wordplay, so a link which is shown as suitable for ‘W=>D’ would follow the wordplay and precede the definition. There are one or two link words here which are regularly seen in puzzles, and whose use can probably be justified using the full weight of Chambers, although their validity seems marginal to me, the one that appears most frequently being ‘of’ to link definition to wordplay.

The list below can be sorted alphabetically on Expression (default) and Direction, in ascending (default) or descending sequence. The Search box allows full and partial searching of the first two columns in the list.

Date last modified: 28/11/25.