CrypticHelper

Hidden Word Clue Practice

Ten original hidden word clues arranged from easy to hard. Each clue conceals the answer as a consecutive sequence of letters spanning across words in the clue text. The key is to spot the containment indicator (words like “found in”, “buried in”, “hidden in”, or “concealed in”), scan the surrounding words for the hidden answer, and match it to the definition. Try to solve each one before revealing the solution.

#1Easy

Scottish snack offered in disco nearby (5)

Reveal answer

Answer: SCONE

  1. Containment indicator:offered in
  2. Carrier text: disco nearby
  3. Hidden span: diSCO NEarby
  4. Definition:Scottish snack

"Offered in" is the containment indicator. The letters S-C-O-N-E are hidden consecutively across "disco" and "nearby". The definition is "Scottish snack".

#2Easy

Hero buried in each amplifier (5)

Reveal answer

Answer: CHAMP

  1. Containment indicator:buried in
  2. Carrier text: each amplifier
  3. Hidden span: eaCH AMPlifier
  4. Definition:hero

"Buried in" is the containment indicator. The letters C-H-A-M-P are hidden consecutively across "each" and "amplifier". The definition is "hero".

#3Easy

Regret harboured by guru, explanation follows (3)

Reveal answer

Answer: RUE

  1. Containment indicator:harboured by
  2. Carrier text: guru, explanation
  3. Hidden span: guRU Explanation
  4. Definition:regret

"Harboured by" is the containment indicator. The letters R-U-E are hidden consecutively across "guru" and "explanation". The definition is "regret".

#4Easy

Courage found in the art I display (5)

Reveal answer

Answer: HEART

  1. Containment indicator:found in
  2. Carrier text: the art
  3. Hidden span: tHE ART
  4. Definition:courage

"Found in" is the containment indicator. The letters H-E-A-R-T are hidden consecutively across "the" and "art". The definition is "courage".

#5Medium

Musical work hidden in top eraser brand (5)

Reveal answer

Answer: OPERA

  1. Containment indicator:hidden in
  2. Carrier text: top eraser
  3. Hidden span: tOPERAser
  4. Definition:musical work

"Hidden in" is the containment indicator. The letters O-P-E-R-A are hidden consecutively across "top" and "eraser". The definition is "musical work".

#6Medium

Anger concealed in extra generous offer (4)

Reveal answer

Answer: RAGE

  1. Containment indicator:concealed in
  2. Carrier text: extra generous
  3. Hidden span: extRAGEnerous
  4. Definition:anger

"Concealed in" is the containment indicator. The letters R-A-G-E are hidden consecutively across "extra" and "generous". The definition is "anger".

#7Medium

Fruit spotted in little monster (5)

Reveal answer

Answer: LEMON

  1. Containment indicator:spotted in
  2. Carrier text: little monster
  3. Hidden span: littLEMONster
  4. Definition:fruit

"Spotted in" is the containment indicator. The letters L-E-M-O-N are hidden consecutively across "little" and "monster". The definition is "fruit".

#8Hard

Curve seen in lunar chief (4)

Reveal answer

Answer: ARCH

  1. Containment indicator:seen in
  2. Carrier text: lunar chief
  3. Hidden span: lunARCHief
  4. Definition:curve

"Seen in" is the containment indicator. The letters A-R-C-H are hidden consecutively across "lunar" and "chief". The definition is "curve".

#9Hard

Agreement expressed when came near (4)

Reveal answer

Answer: AMEN

  1. Containment indicator:expressed when
  2. Carrier text: came near
  3. Hidden span: cAME Near
  4. Definition:agreement

"Expressed when" is the containment indicator. The letters A-M-E-N are hidden consecutively across "came" and "near". The definition is "agreement".

#10Hard

Finished, as revealed in move round the bend (4)

Reveal answer

Answer: OVER

  1. Containment indicator:revealed in
  2. Carrier text: move round
  3. Hidden span: mOVE Round
  4. Definition:finished

"Revealed in" is the containment indicator. The letters O-V-E-R are hidden consecutively across "move" and "round". The definition is "finished".

Learn more about hidden word clues

If you want to understand hidden word clues in depth, see the full teaching page. It covers how to spot containment indicators, common patterns, and worked examples from real Parseword puzzles.

Hidden word clues — full guide
All practice packsCryptic crossword guideIndicator words dictionaryToday's hints