Crossclimb #655 Answer – February 14, 2026

HORNSBRASS

Answer

HORNSBRASS

HORNS
MORNS
Early parts of the day, in poetry
MOANS
Makes a sound like a ghost
MEANS
Some averages, in statistics
BEANS
Common protein source for a vegetarian
BRANS
Some healthy cereals
BRASS

Combo Clue

Two words that are used to describe some or all of the instruments in one section of the orchestra

📖 How I Solved It

I tackled puzzle #655 on Valentine's Day, and let me tell you, it was quite the brain teaser! The combo clue about two words describing instruments in the orchestra really tripped me up at first. I kept thinking of strings and woodwinds, but I just couldn't see 'HORNSBRASS' coming together. After some failed guesses—like trying 'WOODHORN' (which I now realize is totally not a thing)—I finally figured it out! The word ladder was a fun distraction, but I got stuck on 'MORNS' because I didn't even know it was a poetic term for early parts of the day. Once I got past that, the rest of the ladder flowed a bit easier. Just goes to show, sometimes the clues can lead you down a rabbit hole before you find the right path!

💡 Tips for This Puzzle

❓ FAQ

The Crossclimb answer for February 14, 2026 (#655) is HORNSBRASS. The complete word ladder is: HORNS → MORNS → MOANS → MEANS → BEANS → BRANS → BRASS.