The New York Times crossword clue “Dawdler” is most recently answered as SLOWPOKE (8 letters).

Main answer: “Dawdler” NYT clue

  • In the December 26, 2025 NYT crossword, the clue “Dawdler” is clued with the 8-letter answer SLOWPOKE.
  • Several crossword helper sites list SLOWPOKE as the most recent and common NYT solution specifically for the clue “Dawdler.”

Other possible crossword answers

When the puzzle is not the Dec 26, 2025 NYT, other common fills for “dawdler” (depending on letter count) include:

  • LAGGARD
  • LOITERER
  • SLOWCOACH
  • POKER / SLOWPOKE (variants depending on region and grid)

Different crosswords (Guardian, LA Times, etc.) may use these alternatives when the grid requires a different length.

Quick solving tips

  • Check how many letters your “dawdler” entry needs; for 8 letters in an NYT grid, SLOWPOKE is the best first guess.
  • Use your crossing letters: if you already have S–O–W–P–K–E pattern, that strongly confirms SLOWPOKE.

TL;DR: For the current NYT context, the go-to answer for the “dawdler nyt crossword clue” is SLOWPOKE.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.