Crossclimb 738 Answer & Solution Guide
Answer: MONEY MAKER 💰
🎮 Puzzle Overview
Top word: MONEY
Bottom word: MAKER
Combined answer: MONEY MAKER
Puzzle clue: "The top + bottom rows = A compound word for a thing or person that produces a lot of cash."
Note: The clue warns "The first word may be at the bottom" - meaning MAKER is at the bottom!
🪜 Complete Word Ladder
| Position | Word | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| Top | MONEY | Cash |
| Rung 1 | MOLEY | Holy ___ (surprise expression) |
| Rung 2 | MOLES | Burrowing animals |
| Rung 3 | MALES | Bucks and stallions |
| Rung 4 | MATES | Romantic partners |
| Rung 5 | MATER | Alma ___ (university) |
| Bottom | MAKER | Producer |
🧠 Player Solution Walkthrough
Step 1: Understanding the Puzzle
MONEY MAKER - a person or thing that produces a lot of cash! The clue warns "first word may be at the bottom" - so MAKER is at the bottom.
Step 2: Starting from the Middle
When solving Crossclimb, I often start from the middle clues and work outward. The middle clues are:
- MOLEY - "Holy ___ (rhyming surprise)" ✓
- MOLES - "Burrowing animals" ✓
- MALES - "Bucks and stallions" ✓
- MATES - "Romantic partners" ✓
- MATER - "Alma ___ (university)" ✓
These five words form a chain: MOLEY → MOLES → MALES → MATES → MATER
Step 3: Connecting to the Ends
Now I need to connect MONEY (top) to MOLEY, and MATER to MAKER (bottom).
MONEY → MOLEY:
- MONEY: M-O-N-E-Y
- MOLEY: M-O-L-E-Y
- Change N→L at position 3 ✓
MATER → MAKER:
- MATER: M-A-T-E-R
- MAKER: M-A-K-E-R
- Change T→K at position 3 ✓
Step 4: The Full Ladder
MONEY → MOLEY (N→L at position 3) ✓
MOLEY → MOLES (Y→S at position 5) ✓
MOLES → MALES (O→A at position 2) ✓
MALES → MATES (L→T at position 3) ✓
MATES → MATER (S→R at position 5) ✓
MATER → MAKER (T→K at position 3) ✓
Step 5: Answer
MONEY + MAKER = MONEY MAKER 💰
A person or thing that produces a lot of cash!
📚 Word Reference
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MONEY | Currency, cash |
| MOLEY | Rhyming expression of surprise (holy moley) |
| MOLES | Small burrowing mammals |
| MALES | Male animals (bucks, stallions) |
| MATES | Romantic partners or friends |
| MATER | Alma mater (university) |
| MAKER | Producer, creator |
❓ FAQ
Q1: What is the answer to Crossclimb 738? MONEY MAKER - a compound word for a person or thing that produces a lot of cash.
Q2: How many steps in the ladder? 7 steps: MONEY → MOLEY → MOLES → MALES → MATES → MATER → MAKER
Q3: What does "money maker" mean? It refers to a person, business, or thing that generates a lot of money or profit.
Q4: Why is MAKER at the bottom? The puzzle clue warns "The first word may be at the bottom." In this case, MAKER is the bottom word, and MONEY is at the top.
Q5: What's the trick to solving this puzzle? Start with the middle clues (MOLEY, MOLES, MALES, MATES, MATER) which form a clear chain, then figure out how to connect MONEY to MOLEY and MATER to MAKER.
🎯 Strategy Tips
- Start from the middle: The middle clues often form a clearer chain
- Look for single-letter changes: Each step changes exactly one letter
- Check positions carefully: Note which position (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th) changes
- Use the top/bottom clue: The combined answer hint helps verify your solution
This puzzle was a nice reminder that sometimes the best strategy is to build from the middle outward—and that everyone loves a good money maker! 💰