Cryptic brain teasers are word puzzles that ask you to look beyond the obvious meaning of the words.
Each example below demonstrates a different type of cryptic wordplay clue. And each clue type features its own type of wordplay.
Charades is a type of clue that joins words in some way to create one other ultimate word. Each hint within the clue forms its own word, and each word joins with the others to form the ultimate answer.
Clue: Social media (abbr.) and visual expression leading to sharp stinging pain.
Bridge: Blending words or parts of words together.
Reveal
smart
Double meaning is a type of clue that provides two distinct meanings for the same ultimate word. Each hint within the clue phrase points to the answer all by itself.
Clue: You are highly intelligent or elegantly dressed (5).
Bridge: Finding common synonyms for each hinted word.
Reveal
smart
For lots more practice, buy Another Word For Double Meaning.