The New York Times crossword clue “Lock combinations?” most recently has the answer COIFS , a playful reference to combinations of hair locks.

Core answer

  • In the NYT crossword dated December 17, 2025, the clue “Lock combinations?” is answered by COIFS (5 letters).
  • Some crossword databases also list DOS (3 letters) as another recorded answer to the same clue in NYT-related listings, though COIFS is the confirmed 12/17/2025 grid entry.

Why “COIFS” fits

  • “Lock” here means a hair lock, and coifs are hairstyles, i.e., ways of arranging multiple locks of hair—“combinations” of locks.
  • The question mark in “Lock combinations?” signals a punny or non-literal reading, which is standard cluing style in the NYT crossword.

Extra help if you’re solving

  • If your puzzle is the 5-letter NYT daily with this clue, you almost certainly want COIFS.
  • If you’re working from an older or third-party source and see a 3-letter slot for the same clue, some helper sites suggest DOS as an alternative fill.

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