Crossword puzzle : Playing with words in English

Think you’ve mastered English? Put your linguistic prowess to the ultimate test with this devilishly clever crossword. From cunning wordplay and elusive idioms to rare vocabulary and tricky homophones, every clue is designed to challenge even the sharpest of minds. Whether you relish a good pun or delight in semantic subtleties, prepare to twist, stretch, and play with the English language like never before.

Horizontalement

1. 1. In a lower position
2. 5. Continuing until now
3. 6. Word blending two words together
4. 9. Having more than one meaning
5. 11. Extreme exaggeration used for effect
6. 12. Having little length or duration
7. 15. Study of the origin of words
8. 16. Word sounding like another word
9. 17. Was not in short form

Verticalement

1. 1. Short and to the point
2. 2. Question word for place
3. 3. Not clean, opposite of pure
4. 4. Easy to understand and follow
5. 6. Word reading same forwards and backwards
6. 7. Repetition of same initial consonant
7. 8. Clever or amusing use of words
8. 10. Has not in short form
9. 13. Fitting very closely
10. 14. Empty space to fill in a word