USA TODAY Crossword · 14-Across · 3 letters

"Totally awesome!" USA TODAY Crossword clue

Editorially reviewed September 1, 2026

Read the shorthand

Reveal the entry now—or expand the clue first.

3 letters

or use the form and register cue below

Form cue

Use a three-letter bit of enthusiastic surf-and-skate slang.

Open the answer and decode the shorthandOne click · no signup

Answer

RAD

How the short form works

RAD is the enthusiastic three-letter slang equivalent of “Totally awesome!” The quotation marks and exclamation point establish the casual spoken register.

Continue this puzzle"Mad ___" (Christina Hendricks series) →

Abbreviation or register signal

The casual intensifier and exclamation mark call for an equally informal adjective.

Expanded meaning

Rad is informal slang meaning excellent, exciting, or impressive.

Where this clue appeared

14-Across in USA TODAY Crossword puzzle for September 1, 2026.

Browse selected USA TODAY Crossword clues →

More selected clues from USA TODAY Crossword · September 1, 2026

Continue with independently explained clues from the same puzzle date. This is a selected learning set, not a complete answer list.

"Mad ___" (Christina Hendricks series)USA TODAY Crossword · Fill in the blank 3 Singer ParksUSA TODAY Crossword · Name or title 4 "For here" alternativeUSA TODAY Crossword · Crossword clue 4 "I'm an annoyed dog!"USA TODAY Crossword · Crossword clue 3

See RAD meaning and common clue patterns →

Related reviewed clues

“Oh, buzz off”The New York Times Crossword · Informal usage 6 Looking for a fight, informallyNYT Mini · Informal usage 5 "Awesome!"The New York Times Crossword · Informal usage 3 Totally awesomeNYT Mini · Crossword clue 3

Solve the next clue here.

Paste another clue, add the letters you trust, and keep solving without returning to search.

Open saved clues →

This independently written explanation is for learning and clue analysis. Crossword Clue Tutor is not affiliated with or endorsed by USA TODAY Crossword or its publisher.