great lake crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you've landed here, you're likely searching for the solution to the common crossword clue "great lake crossword clue". You've come to the right place. We provide all possible answers, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your puzzle-solving skills.
Solutions for "great lake crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
ERIE: One of the five Great Lakes, bordered by Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. A very frequent answer due to its short length.
5 Letters
HURON: The second-largest of the Great Lakes, sharing its waters with both the U.S. and Canada. Often appears in puzzles.
7 Letters
ONTARIO: The smallest of the Great Lakes by surface area, but one of the deepest. Located entirely within the province of Ontario, Canada, and the state of New York, U.S.
8 Letters
SUPERIOR: The largest and deepest of the Great Lakes, and the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. A common answer for longer 'great lake' clues.
MICHIGAN: The only one of the Great Lakes located entirely within the United States. Its name often makes it a strong candidate for clues about 'a great lake'.
More About "great lake crossword clue"
The "great lake" clue is a staple in crossword puzzles, and for good reason. The five Great Lakes of North America—Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior (HOMES)—offer a convenient set of answers ranging from four to eight letters. Their geographical significance and distinct names make them ideal for fitting into various grid patterns.
Crossword constructors love these clues because they are general knowledge, yet specific enough to test solvers' recall. You might encounter clues like "A Great Lake" or "One of the Great Lakes" which points to any of the five, or more specific ones like "Great Lake bordering Ohio" for ERIE. Understanding the nuances of these clues is key to cracking them quickly.
Beyond being geographical features, the Great Lakes have played a crucial role in history, trade, and culture, adding layers of potential wordplay for advanced puzzles. Always consider the length of the required answer and any additional descriptive words in the clue to narrow down your options from the five famous lakes.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Count the Letters: Before even thinking of answers, check the number of boxes provided for the solution. This immediately filters out many possibilities for "great lake" clues.
- Look for Context: Sometimes, the clue will give a hint beyond just "great lake," such as "Great Lake near Niagara Falls" (ONTARIO) or "Great Lake shared by Michigan and Canada" (HURON or SUPERIOR).
- Check Intersecting Words: The most reliable way to confirm your answer is by seeing how it fits with other words in the puzzle. If a letter doesn't make sense for an intersecting word, your Great Lake answer might be wrong.
- Memorize HOMES: Knowing the HOMES acronym (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior) can help you quickly list potential answers when faced with a generic "great lake" clue.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common Great Lakes found in crossword puzzles?
The most common Great Lakes answers in crosswords are ERIE, HURON, ONTARIO, MICHIGAN, and SUPERIOR, as their names vary in length and are widely recognizable.
Why do crossword clues sometimes refer to 'a' great lake instead of 'the' Great Lakes?
Clues might use 'a' great lake to specify that only one of the individual lakes is required as an answer, rather than a collective term or an answer like 'HOMES' (an acronym for the lakes).
Are there any mnemonic devices for remembering the Great Lakes for crosswords?
A popular mnemonic is HOMES, representing Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. This can help quickly recall the names when a 'great lake' clue appears.