First U.S. state alphabetically nyt crossword clue

The clue "First U.S. state alphabetically" is straightforward because it asks for the state that comes first when all U.S. states are arranged in alphabetical order. To solve this: 1. **Understanding the Clue**: The clue directly references the U.S. states, so we need to think about their names and how they are organized from A to Z. 2. **Alphabetical Order**: The U.S. states names are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, etc. Clearly, "Alabama" is the name that comes first. 3. **Answer**: Therefore, the answer to the clue is **"ALABAMA"**. **Tips for Solving Similar Clues**: - For clues about geographical locations (like states, countries, or cities), take a moment to recall or list them out if the answer doesn’t come immediately to mind. - Familiarity with lists such as U.S. states, provinces, countries, or major cities can significantly speed up your crossword-solving speed. - If you're working with known letters in a crossword grid, use them to narrow down the options. For example, if you already have an "A" in the appropriate position, it helps confirm Alabama is a good fit over other states. By practicing with geographic lists and reinforcing your knowledge about them, you can easily tackle similar clues in the future.