LinkedIn CrossClimb #633 Solution Guide

Game: LinkedIn CrossClimb | Puzzle ID: #633 | Published: January 23, 2026

Understanding CrossClimb: The Word Ladder Challenge

LinkedIn CrossClimb is a word puzzle game that combines trivia with word ladder mechanics. Players must answer clues correctly, then arrange the answers in a sequence where each word differs by exactly one letter from the previous word. This puzzle structure tests both vocabulary knowledge and logical reasoning as you "climb" from a starting word to a target word.

Solving CrossClimb #633 Step-by-Step

Step 1: HONES - Makes Sharper

The first clue asks for a word meaning "makes sharper, as a sword or as a skill at work." The answer is HONES. This five-letter word is the starting point of your word ladder and means to sharpen or refine something—whether a physical tool like a blade or an abstract skill through practice.

Step 2: BONES - Set of 206 Typically in the Adult Human Body

From HONES to BONES, you change the first letter from H to B. BONES refers to the skeletal system—there are approximately 206 bones in an adult human body. This demonstrates the word ladder rule: only one letter changed (H→B), while the remaining letters (ONES) stay in the same positions.

Step 3: BORES - Tells the Least Interesting Stories

Moving from BONES to BORES, replace the second letter N with R. BORES refers to someone who tells dull or uninteresting stories—the type of person who might put an audience to sleep with tedious anecdotes. Again, only one letter changes in the sequence.

Step 4: CORES - Apple Leftovers

Change the second letter R to R... wait—change the third letter E to R? Actually, from BORES (B-O-R-E-S) to CORES (C-O-R-E-S), you modify the first letter B to C. CORES are the central parts of apples that remain after eating the flesh. This is a common kitchen reference that most solvers immediately recognize.

Step 5: COMES - The Beatles Connection

The final step transforms CORES to COMES by changing the R to M. The clue references "Here ___ the Sun" by The Beatles—the missing word is COMES, which means "shows up" or "arrives." This completes your word ladder before unlocking the compound question.

The Compound Answer: Solving HONEY COMBS

Once you've correctly arranged your word ladder (HONES → BONES → BORES → CORES → COMES), the puzzle unlocks the top and bottom rows. The compound clue asks for a "compound word for masses of hexagons in a hive."

The answer spans from the top word HONEY to the bottom word COMBS. A honeycomb consists of countless hexagonal cells—the structure where bees store honey and raise larvae. HONEYCOMB is the complete compound word that answers the final clue.

CrossClimb Strategy Tips for Future Puzzles

• Think of synonyms: If a clue has multiple interpretations, consider alternative words that fit the letter count
• Work with vowels: Changing vowels often creates new valid words—try A, E, I, O, U transitions first
• Use common words: LinkedIn CrossClimb puzzles typically avoid obscure vocabulary; focus on dictionary words you encounter regularly
• Try changing one letter at a time: Systematically modify each position until the word fits the clue
• Work backwards if stuck: Sometimes starting from the final clue and working toward the beginning reveals the path more clearly

Why CrossClimb Tests Your Skills

LinkedIn CrossClimb combines several cognitive challenges: trivia knowledge (knowing definitions and facts), vocabulary breadth (recognizing multiple word forms), and spatial reasoning (visualizing letter substitutions). The word ladder structure ensures there's typically only one correct sequence, making it both challenging and satisfying to solve.

Daily CrossClimb puzzles offer an excellent mental exercise for word game enthusiasts and anyone looking to improve their vocabulary and puzzle-solving abilities.