Crossclimb #664 Answer – February 23, 2026

ROOFTOPS

Answer

ROOFTOPS

ROOF
ROOT
Square ___ (for 529, it is 23)
BOOT
Italy’s shape, more or less
BOOS
Negative sounds (not cheers) heard at a sporting event
BOYS
Young male children
TOYS
What young children might get as gifts to play with
TOPS

Combo Clue

A compound word describing the uppermost parts of many buildings

📖 How I Solved It

I tackled puzzle #664 on a lazy Sunday afternoon, and let me tell you, the combo clue about 'ROOFTOPS' threw me for a loop at first. I kept thinking about the different elements of a building and couldn't quite wrap my head around it. It wasn't until I focused on the word 'compound' that it clicked. I did take a wrong turn with 'BALCONIES' at one point, which I thought fit well until I looked closer. The word ladder was a fun challenge too, especially 'ROOT' because I initially thought of 'square root' and then got stuck on numbers instead of words. But once I got into the groove, the ladder just unfolded beautifully, and I made my way up to 'TOPS' without too much hassle. I love how all these words connect in such creative ways. It was tricky but super satisfying to finish!

💡 Tips for This Puzzle

❓ FAQ

The Crossclimb answer for February 23, 2026 (#664) is ROOFTOPS. The complete word ladder is: ROOF → ROOT → BOOT → BOOS → BOYS → TOYS → TOPS.