The Universal Crossword puzzle from July 18, 2020 featured the clue "Idea's beginning", and we've found 95 potential answers for it. Our analysis points to GERM as the most likely solution — it's 4 letters long and matches with 99% confidence. All potential answers are ranked below for your convenience.
Answer For Idea's beginning:
Tap each ? to reveal a letter, or show all at once.
95 Other Potential Answers
Rank
Answer
Length
Source
Date
99%
GERM
Idea's beginning
(4)
Universal Crossword
Jul 18, 2020
99%
GERM
Idea's beginning
Universal Crossword · Jul 18, 2020
8%
ESS
Start at the beginning?
(3)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Aug 16, 2026
8%
ESS
Start at the beginning?
LA Times Daily Crossword · Aug 16, 2026
8%
FREEASSOCIATION
Therapy technique that encourages a thoughtful flow of ideas
(15)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jun 8, 2026
8%
FREEASSOCIATION
Therapy technique that encourages a thoughtful flow of ideas
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jun 8, 2026
8%
ECO
Logical beginning?
(3)
LA Times Daily Crossword
May 28, 2026
8%
ECO
Logical beginning?
LA Times Daily Crossword · May 28, 2026
8%
STARTOVER
Go back to the beginning, as with this puzzle's theme answers?
(9)
Universal Crossword
Feb 23, 2026
8%
STARTOVER
Go back to the beginning, as with this puzzle's theme answers?
Universal Crossword · Feb 23, 2026
8%
ONPAPER
Where bad ideas might look better
(7)
Universal Crossword
Jan 30, 2026
8%
ONPAPER
Where bad ideas might look better
Universal Crossword · Jan 30, 2026
8%
ANEW
From the beginning
(4)
Universal Crossword
Jan 2, 2026
8%
ANEW
From the beginning
Universal Crossword · Jan 2, 2026
8%
DENOVO
From the beginning
(6)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Dec 19, 2025
8%
DENOVO
From the beginning
LA Times Daily Crossword · Dec 19, 2025
8%
INTRO
Brief beginning?
(5)
Universal Crossword
Nov 28, 2025
8%
INTRO
Brief beginning?
Universal Crossword · Nov 28, 2025
8%
GISTS
Main ideas
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Nov 27, 2025
8%
GISTS
Main ideas
LA Times Daily Crossword · Nov 27, 2025
8%
SWUM
Like the beginning of a triathlon
(4)
Universal Crossword
Nov 26, 2025
8%
SWUM
Like the beginning of a triathlon
Universal Crossword · Nov 26, 2025
8%
THEMES
Main ideas
(6)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Sep 21, 2025
8%
THEMES
Main ideas
LA Times Daily Crossword · Sep 21, 2025
8%
THE
"In ___ beginning ..."
(3)
Universal Crossword
Sep 9, 2025
8%
THE
"In ___ beginning ..."
Universal Crossword · Sep 9, 2025
8%
ANY
"__ ideas?"
(3)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Sep 9, 2025
8%
ANY
"__ ideas?"
LA Times Daily Crossword · Sep 9, 2025
8%
NEO
New beginning?
(3)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Sep 6, 2025
8%
NEO
New beginning?
LA Times Daily Crossword · Sep 6, 2025
8%
NOTES
App for writing down crossword ideas
(5)
Universal Crossword
Sep 1, 2025
8%
NOTES
App for writing down crossword ideas
Universal Crossword · Sep 1, 2025
8%
ACTI
Dramatic beginning
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Aug 29, 2025
8%
ACTI
Dramatic beginning
LA Times Daily Crossword · Aug 29, 2025
8%
KEVIN
Giant bird in "Up" ... or the beginning of a word ladder inspired by a trivia game
(5)
Universal Crossword
Jul 29, 2025
8%
KEVIN
Giant bird in "Up" ... or the beginning of a word ladder inspired by a trivia game
Universal Crossword · Jul 29, 2025
8%
IMALLEARS
"Let's hear your ideas"
(9)
Universal Crossword
Jul 22, 2025
8%
IMALLEARS
"Let's hear your ideas"
Universal Crossword · Jul 22, 2025
8%
AFRESH
From the beginning
(6)
Universal Crossword
Jul 1, 2025
8%
AFRESH
From the beginning
Universal Crossword · Jul 1, 2025
8%
SCHOOLSOUT
Cry at the beginning of summer break
(10)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jun 20, 2025
8%
SCHOOLSOUT
Cry at the beginning of summer break
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jun 20, 2025
8%
COMESFULLCIRCLE
Returns to the beginning, as suggested by the phonetic formula found at the starts of 17-, 37-, and 42-Across
(15)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jun 19, 2025
8%
COMESFULLCIRCLE
Returns to the beginning, as suggested by the phonetic formula found at the starts of 17-, 37-, and 42-Across
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jun 19, 2025
8%
IFEAR
Apprehensive beginning
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jun 18, 2025
8%
IFEAR
Apprehensive beginning
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jun 18, 2025
8%
IGOTNOTHIN
"Guess who's outta ideas? Me!"
(10)
Universal Crossword
Jun 14, 2025
8%
IGOTNOTHIN
"Guess who's outta ideas? Me!"
Universal Crossword · Jun 14, 2025
8%
ORNOT
"... unless you have other ideas"
(5)
Universal Crossword
May 22, 2025
8%
ORNOT
"... unless you have other ideas"
Universal Crossword · May 22, 2025
8%
OVO
Ab — (from the beginning)
(3)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Mar 13, 2025
8%
OVO
Ab — (from the beginning)
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Mar 13, 2025
8%
LEDE
Story beginning, to a journalist
(4)
Universal Crossword
Feb 27, 2025
8%
LEDE
Story beginning, to a journalist
Universal Crossword · Feb 27, 2025
8%
WHIMS
Fanciful ideas
(5)
Premier Sunday Crossword
Feb 2, 2025
8%
WHIMS
Fanciful ideas
Premier Sunday Crossword · Feb 2, 2025
8%
GEO
Logical beginning?
(3)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Dec 12, 2024
8%
GEO
Logical beginning?
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Dec 12, 2024
8%
EDEN
Plot with a shameless beginning
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Dec 7, 2024
8%
EDEN
Plot with a shameless beginning
LA Times Daily Crossword · Dec 7, 2024
8%
SEMI
Sweet beginning?
(4)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Nov 28, 2024
8%
SEMI
Sweet beginning?
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Nov 28, 2024
8%
CMAJORSCALE
Exercise for a beginning piano student
(11)
Universal Crossword
Oct 14, 2024
8%
CMAJORSCALE
Exercise for a beginning piano student
Universal Crossword · Oct 14, 2024
8%
TEXTFILE
Document where one might keep unorganized crossword ideas
(8)
Universal Crossword
Aug 25, 2024
8%
TEXTFILE
Document where one might keep unorganized crossword ideas
Universal Crossword · Aug 25, 2024
8%
WAL
Retail store’s beginning?
(3)
Premier Sunday Crossword
Jul 7, 2024
8%
WAL
Retail store’s beginning?
Premier Sunday Crossword · Jul 7, 2024
8%
GETEM
Phrase beginning a chase scene, maybe
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jun 27, 2024
8%
GETEM
Phrase beginning a chase scene, maybe
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jun 27, 2024
8%
ARC
Character's beginning, middle, and end
(3)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jun 27, 2024
8%
ARC
Character's beginning, middle, and end
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jun 27, 2024
8%
ANTI
Climactic beginning?
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jun 20, 2024
8%
ANTI
Climactic beginning?
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jun 20, 2024
8%
FRESHSTART
New beginning, and a feature of 17-, 26-, and 44-Across
(10)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jun 10, 2024
8%
FRESHSTART
New beginning, and a feature of 17-, 26-, and 44-Across
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jun 10, 2024
8%
HTTP
URL beginning
(4)
Universal Crossword
Jun 3, 2024
8%
HTTP
URL beginning
Universal Crossword · Jun 3, 2024
8%
ARTOODETOO
Character seen at the beginning and end of "Star Wars"
(10)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Mar 15, 2024
8%
ARTOODETOO
Character seen at the beginning and end of "Star Wars"
LA Times Daily Crossword · Mar 15, 2024
8%
GETGO
Very beginning, slangily
(5)
Universal Crossword
Mar 14, 2024
8%
GETGO
Very beginning, slangily
Universal Crossword · Mar 14, 2024
8%
PLOTS
Novel ideas
(5)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Mar 9, 2024
8%
PLOTS
Novel ideas
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Mar 9, 2024
8%
ROUGHSTART
Inauspicious beginning, or a feature of 17-, 24, and 47-Across
(10)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jan 22, 2024
8%
ROUGHSTART
Inauspicious beginning, or a feature of 17-, 24, and 47-Across
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jan 22, 2024
8%
SKIPINTRO
Button at the beginning of a streaming TV show
(9)
Universal Crossword
Jan 21, 2024
8%
SKIPINTRO
Button at the beginning of a streaming TV show
Universal Crossword · Jan 21, 2024
8%
SIMPLEMACHINE
Force-multiplying device that can be found at the beginning of 18-, 33-, and 39-Across
(13)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Dec 26, 2023
8%
SIMPLEMACHINE
Force-multiplying device that can be found at the beginning of 18-, 33-, and 39-Across
LA Times Daily Crossword · Dec 26, 2023
8%
DIFFUSION
Spread of cultural ideas, e.g.
(9)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Oct 25, 2023
8%
DIFFUSION
Spread of cultural ideas, e.g.
LA Times Daily Crossword · Oct 25, 2023
8%
SQUAREONE
Go back to here for the beginning of each starred clue's answer
(9)
Universal Crossword
Sep 5, 2023
8%
SQUAREONE
Go back to here for the beginning of each starred clue's answer
Universal Crossword · Sep 5, 2023
8%
FLYINGSTART
Good beginning, or a hint to the initials of 20-, 24- or 42-Across
(11)
Universal Crossword
Jul 25, 2023
8%
FLYINGSTART
Good beginning, or a hint to the initials of 20-, 24- or 42-Across
Universal Crossword · Jul 25, 2023
8%
VAGUENOTIONS
Nebulous ideas (... the first 2 letters + the last 2)
(12)
Universal Crossword
Jun 8, 2023
8%
VAGUENOTIONS
Nebulous ideas (... the first 2 letters + the last 2)
Universal Crossword · Jun 8, 2023
8%
MID
Century beginning
(3)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Apr 26, 2023
8%
MID
Century beginning
LA Times Daily Crossword · Apr 26, 2023
8%
SOUNDINGBOARD
Someone to bounce ideas off of ... or a phonetic hint to this puzzle's theme
(13)
Universal Crossword
Apr 20, 2023
8%
SOUNDINGBOARD
Someone to bounce ideas off of ... or a phonetic hint to this puzzle's theme
Universal Crossword · Apr 20, 2023
8%
MISTYCOPELAND
American Ballet Theatre principal dancer beginning in 2015
(13)
Premier Sunday Crossword
Apr 2, 2023
8%
MISTYCOPELAND
American Ballet Theatre principal dancer beginning in 2015
Premier Sunday Crossword · Apr 2, 2023
8%
VEE
Very beginning?
(3)
Universal Crossword
Feb 23, 2023
8%
VEE
Very beginning?
Universal Crossword · Feb 23, 2023
8%
MARKETSPACE
*Virtual locale for exchanging ideas
(11)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Feb 7, 2023
8%
MARKETSPACE
*Virtual locale for exchanging ideas
LA Times Daily Crossword · Feb 7, 2023
8%
INTER
Stellar beginning?
(5)
Universal Crossword
Feb 4, 2023
8%
INTER
Stellar beginning?
Universal Crossword · Feb 4, 2023
8%
DOREMI
Musical scale's beginning
(6)
Universal Crossword
Jan 16, 2023
8%
DOREMI
Musical scale's beginning
Universal Crossword · Jan 16, 2023
8%
SCRUNCHUP
*Crumple, as notepaper filled with bad ideas
(9)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Oct 18, 2022
8%
SCRUNCHUP
*Crumple, as notepaper filled with bad ideas
LA Times Daily Crossword · Oct 18, 2022
8%
OMNI
All at the beginning?
(4)
Universal Crossword
Sep 11, 2022
8%
OMNI
All at the beginning?
Universal Crossword · Sep 11, 2022
8%
ONCE
Fairy-tale beginning
(4)
Universal Crossword
Aug 2, 2022
8%
ONCE
Fairy-tale beginning
Universal Crossword · Aug 2, 2022
8%
START
Button for beginning a video game
(5)
Universal Crossword
May 24, 2022
8%
START
Button for beginning a video game
Universal Crossword · May 24, 2022
8%
PRE
Tense beginning?
(3)
LA Times Daily Crossword
May 14, 2022
8%
PRE
Tense beginning?
LA Times Daily Crossword · May 14, 2022
8%
TENETS
Firmly held ideas
(6)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Apr 7, 2022
8%
TENETS
Firmly held ideas
LA Times Daily Crossword · Apr 7, 2022
8%
FORUM
Place to exchange ideas
(5)
Universal Crossword
Apr 7, 2022
8%
FORUM
Place to exchange ideas
Universal Crossword · Apr 7, 2022
8%
STAND
Require formality (beginning)
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Mar 17, 2022
8%
STAND
Require formality (beginning)
LA Times Daily Crossword · Mar 17, 2022
8%
SIT
Vacillate (beginning)
(3)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Mar 17, 2022
8%
SIT
Vacillate (beginning)
LA Times Daily Crossword · Mar 17, 2022
8%
FALL
Have financial difficulties (beginning)
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Mar 17, 2022
8%
FALL
Have financial difficulties (beginning)
LA Times Daily Crossword · Mar 17, 2022
1%
PANARAB
Supporting Mideast unity
(7)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jul 31, 2026
1%
PANARAB
Supporting Mideast unity
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jul 31, 2026
1%
DAWNS
New beginnings
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jul 31, 2026
1%
DAWNS
New beginnings
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jul 31, 2026
1%
EMIR
Mideast leader
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jul 12, 2026
1%
EMIR
Mideast leader
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jul 12, 2026
1%
AMMAN
Mideast capital once named Philadelphia
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Oct 17, 2025
1%
AMMAN
Mideast capital once named Philadelphia
LA Times Daily Crossword · Oct 17, 2025
1%
ZEROS
007's beginnings?
(5)
Universal Crossword
Oct 3, 2025
1%
ZEROS
007's beginnings?
Universal Crossword · Oct 3, 2025
1%
ELAL
Mideast airline
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Aug 3, 2025
1%
ELAL
Mideast airline
LA Times Daily Crossword · Aug 3, 2025
1%
DEADSEA
Mideast salt lake
(7)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Mar 20, 2025
1%
DEADSEA
Mideast salt lake
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Mar 20, 2025
1%
ADEN
Mideast gulf
(4)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Mar 18, 2025
1%
ADEN
Mideast gulf
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Mar 18, 2025
1%
ARABIA
Mideast peninsula
(6)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Feb 15, 2025
1%
ARABIA
Mideast peninsula
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Feb 15, 2025
1%
OMAN
Mideast sultanate
(4)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Jan 25, 2025
1%
OMAN
Mideast sultanate
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Jan 25, 2025
1%
SUEZ
Mideast canal
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Nov 11, 2024
1%
SUEZ
Mideast canal
LA Times Daily Crossword · Nov 11, 2024
1%
SINAI
Mideast peninsula
(5)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Oct 22, 2024
1%
SINAI
Mideast peninsula
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Oct 22, 2024
1%
EMIRS
Mideast leaders
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Sep 10, 2024
1%
EMIRS
Mideast leaders
LA Times Daily Crossword · Sep 10, 2024
1%
HABIB
Mideast envoy Philip
(5)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Jul 6, 2024
1%
HABIB
Mideast envoy Philip
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Jul 6, 2024
1%
GAZA
Strip in the Mideast
(4)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Mar 28, 2024
1%
GAZA
Strip in the Mideast
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Mar 28, 2024
1%
UAR
Former Mideast gp.
(3)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Jan 20, 2024
1%
UAR
Former Mideast gp.
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Jan 20, 2024
1%
SWINGSET
Playground fixture, or an apt description of the beginnings of the starred clues
(8)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Oct 3, 2023
1%
SWINGSET
Playground fixture, or an apt description of the beginnings of the starred clues
LA Times Daily Crossword · Oct 3, 2023
1%
SULTAN
Mideast ruler
(6)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Aug 30, 2023
1%
SULTAN
Mideast ruler
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Aug 30, 2023
1%
GOLAN
— Heights (Mideast region)
(5)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Aug 22, 2023
1%
GOLAN
— Heights (Mideast region)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Aug 22, 2023
1%
ARAB
Many a Mideast native
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jul 26, 2023
1%
ARAB
Many a Mideast native
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jul 26, 2023
1%
FIG
Mideastern fruit
(3)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Mar 31, 2023
1%
FIG
Mideastern fruit
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Mar 31, 2023
1%
STARTERHOME
36-Down's place of humble beginnings?
(11)
Universal Crossword
Mar 6, 2023
1%
STARTERHOME
36-Down's place of humble beginnings?
Universal Crossword · Mar 6, 2023
1%
ARABS
Many Mideast natives
(5)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Feb 3, 2023
1%
ARABS
Many Mideast natives
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Feb 3, 2023
1%
CHEERLEADER
One who might chant the beginnings of 17-, 23-, 38- and 47-Across?
(11)
Universal Crossword
Jan 23, 2023
1%
CHEERLEADER
One who might chant the beginnings of 17-, 23-, 38- and 47-Across?
Universal Crossword · Jan 23, 2023
1%
SEEDS
Botanic beginnings
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Dec 8, 2022
1%
SEEDS
Botanic beginnings
LA Times Daily Crossword · Dec 8, 2022
1%
ISRAEL
Mideast birthplace of actress Gal Gadot
(6)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Nov 24, 2022
1%
ISRAEL
Mideast birthplace of actress Gal Gadot
LA Times Daily Crossword · Nov 24, 2022
1%
KEFIR
Mideast drink made from fermented milk
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Oct 23, 2022
1%
KEFIR
Mideast drink made from fermented milk
LA Times Daily Crossword · Oct 23, 2022
1%
WESTBANK
Landlocked Mideast area
(8)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Apr 5, 2022
1%
WESTBANK
Landlocked Mideast area
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Apr 5, 2022
1%
SAUDIS
Mideast natives
(6)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Apr 2, 2022
1%
SAUDIS
Mideast natives
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Apr 2, 2022
Clues for Universal Crossword on July 18, 2020
With regard to
Crossword Clue
Voice actor Blanc
Crossword Clue
Alphabetic TV channel
Crossword Clue
Hobbit-at, with "the"?
Crossword Clue
Stories
Crossword Clue
Corporate honcho
Crossword Clue
*One might hold your wallet
Crossword Clue
Government guarantee?
Crossword Clue
Former Chevy whose name is Spanish for "the road"
Crossword Clue
Congressional figs.
Crossword Clue
Frequently Asked Questions
How many possible solutions does "Idea's beginning" have?
We found 1 exact solution and 95 total potential answers including similar clues. The most likely answer is GERM (4 letters).
What is the best answer for "Idea's beginning"?
The best answer for "Idea's beginning" is GERM with 4 letters.
This answer has a 99% confidence rating based on our database of crossword solutions.
Where has "Idea's beginning" been used as a crossword clue?
This clue has appeared 1 time in our database.
It has been featured in Universal Crossword.
It was last seen in the Universal Crossword on July 18, 2020.