idly pluck as a banjo crossword

The crossword answer for “idly pluck, as a banjo” is THRUM.

Clue meaning

• “Idly pluck” suggests casually or repetitively picking at strings without playing a full tune.

• “Thrum” means to make a low, rhythmic, often monotonous strumming or humming sound, especially on a stringed instrument like a banjo, which fits the clue and the typical 5-letter crossword pattern.

Puzzle context

• This clue appears in the New York Times crossword for January 1, 2026, where the officially listed answer is THRUM.

• Crossword databases and helper sites also record THRUM as the sole 5-letter match for “idly pluck, as a banjo,” confirming it as the standard solution.

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