Word Lanes Level 9540 Answers

LAKE 4 letters - the clue is a fill-in-the-blank: LAKE completes the phrase the puzzle is looking for. At just 4 letters, it is a quick fill - the crossing letters from longer answers should confirm it.

CLOVES 6 letters - the plural form is the giveaway here - "Herbs named after the French word for nails" asks for more than one, and CLOVES fits. The trailing S is often the first letter a crossing clue hands you.

MORTENHARKET 12 letters - "Lead singer of Norwegian band a-ha" leads to MORTENHARKET by definition. It ties with RITAHAYWORTH for the longest lane in Level 9540 at 12 letters, so either one opens up the most crossings.

RITAHAYWORTH 12 letters - reading "Poster girl in The Shawshank Redemption" literally points to RITAHAYWORTH. At 12 letters this is a long lane - place it early to unlock the maximum number of crossings.

SLOOP 5 letters - "Sailboat with a single mast at the head" is a straight definition, and SLOOP is the word that matches. The doubled O is a giveaway once one crossing lands on it.

SCRAP 5 letters - the clue "Small piece, like uneaten food" describes SCRAP directly. SLOOP in this level is the same length, so check the crossing letters before you commit.

HARDEN 6 letters - "To make something firm" leads to HARDEN by definition. It begins with H and ends with N; use any crossing letters you already have to confirm it.

GUN 3 letters - the clue is a fill-in-the-blank: GUN completes the phrase the puzzle is looking for. It is the shortest lane here; leave it until the crossings make it obvious.

THEEXORCIST 11 letters - "William Friedkin's 1973 horror movie" is a straight definition, and THEEXORCIST is the word that matches. The doubled E is a giveaway once one crossing lands on it.