Let’s be honest: what kind of clue is “Surface?” The NYT Crossword is notoriously challenging, but this clue could mean a lot of things. Is it a table? A dresser? A floor? If, like me, those words came to mind when you saw this clue, you’re way off.

Before I give you the answer to this clue, I'll give you a few hints so you can try to figure it out for yourself.

As the Spice Girls once said: "Stop right now" if you don't want the answer (they were definitely referring to the NYT Crossword). Below I give you the solution.

The answer to the NYT clue "Surface" is "ARISE." In this case, surface is not a noun, so it doesn't mean a surface on which you put something. Instead, surface is a verb, which means to bring to the surface. According to Merriam-Webster, "arise" means "to begin to happen or exist: to come into being or to receive attention."