Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and leans into crisp trivia, a hidden-word trick, and a compact homophone theme. Settle in for a grid that rewards both quick recall and careful listening.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, offering a mid-size grid that takes a few satisfying minutes to clear. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime.
New puzzles drop daily. The Midi offers more complexity than the Mini while remaining accessible for solvers who want a quick but substantial challenge.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 10x9
Total Clues: 32 (15 Across, 17 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 3D is the trickiest clue because its abstract description calls for an uncommon compound term rather than a familiar synonym.
Gimme Clue: 9A is the clearest gimme, since the clue directly asks what molten rock is called after it reaches the surface.
Theme Spotted: "Fa-mous Last Words"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Baldwin of "30 Rock"
Hint: Recall the first name of the Baldwin brother who played Jack Donaghy. Four letters, starts with A.
5A. They/___ pronouns
Hint: Complete the pronoun pairing with the corresponding object form. Four letters, starts with T.
9A. What magma becomes when ejected from a volcano
Hint: Name molten rock once it has emerged onto Earth’s surface. Four letters, starts with L.
10A. See-through, as fabric
Hint: Think of fabric thin enough to reveal what lies beneath it. Five letters, starts with S.
11A. Sign-off at the end of a prayer
Hint: This traditional closing word follows the final line of a prayer. Four letters, starts with A.
12A. Snorts like a pig
Hint: Write the pluralized sound associated with pigs. Five letters, starts with O.
13A. U.S. state capital whose name is Spanish for "holy faith"
Hint: Look to New Mexico for a capital whose Spanish name translates as “holy faith.” Seven letters, starts with S.
15A. Comedian/actress who wrote the 2011 best seller "Bossypants"
Hint: Recall the former “30 Rock” star who wrote “Bossypants.” Seven letters, starts with T.
18A. Car blemish that might be fixed with a toilet plunger
Hint: Picture the shallow depression left when a car panel is pushed inward. Four letters, starts with D.
19A. Irk
Hint: Use a compact verb meaning to annoy or irritate. Three letters, starts with V.
21A. Homestretch of a project ... or a homophonic hint to the ends of 13- and 15-Across, collectively?
Hint: Think of a project’s concluding stage, then listen to how the phrase echoes the ends of 13A and 15A. Ten letters, starts with F.
24A. "I just played my second-to-last card!," in a game
Hint: In this card game, players call out its title when only one card remains. Three letters, starts with U.
25A. Wears away
Hint: Choose a verb for gradually being worn down by wind, water, or friction. Six letters, starts with E.
26A. Neither here ___ there
Hint: Complete the fixed expression that begins “neither here.” Three letters, starts with N.
27A. What a 22-Down knows, with "the"
Hint: An expert knows these, meaning the practical details of how something works. Five letters, starts with R.
Down Hints
1D. "'Tis a real letdown ..."
Hint: Reach for an old-fashioned exclamation of disappointment or sorrow. Four letters, starts with A.
2D. Dalai ___
Hint: Supply the spiritual title that follows “Dalai.” Four letters, starts with L.
3D. Steadiness of personality
Hint: The clue seeks a compound term for a consistently balanced disposition. Nine letters, starts with E.
4D. Mexican saloon
Hint: Think of a Mexican bar or drinking establishment. Seven letters, starts with C.
5D. Robber
Hint: Use the ordinary noun for someone who steals. Five letters, starts with T.
6D. Farm incubator
Hint: The clue points to the female chicken that sits on eggs. Three letters, starts with H.
7D. Startled cry
Hint: Imagine the short cry prompted by a sudden fright. Three letters, starts with E.
8D. "___ Doubtfire"
Hint: Supply the courtesy title in the Robin Williams film’s name. Three letters, starts with M.
10D. Furniture found in the phrase "works of art"
Hint: Search across the word boundary inside “works of art” for a piece of living-room furniture. Four letters, starts with S.
14D. Weapon for an elk
Hint: Picture the branched bony growth an elk can use in combat. Six letters, starts with A.
16D. Slip past
Hint: Use a verb meaning to avoid capture or get around an obstacle. Five letters, starts with E.
17D. Affirmative responses
Hint: Pluralize the standard spoken response of agreement. Five letters, starts with Y.
18D. T. rex, for one
Hint: The clue wants the casual shortened category for a prehistoric reptile such as T. rex. Four letters, starts with D.
20D. Strike marks at the alley
Hint: Picture the symbols recorded for strikes on a bowling score sheet. Three letters, starts with X.
21D. "How delightful!"
Hint: Turn the delighted reaction into a noun for enjoyment. Three letters, starts with F.
22D. Expert
Hint: Use the short informal noun for a highly skilled professional. Three letters, starts with P.
23D. Bounce
Hint: Think of a small springing jump on one foot. Three letters, starts with H.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Baldwin of "30 Rock"
Answer: ALEC
5A. They/___ pronouns
Answer: THEM
9A. What magma becomes when ejected from a volcano
Answer: LAVA
10A. See-through, as fabric
Answer: SHEER
11A. Sign-off at the end of a prayer
Answer: AMEN
12A. Snorts like a pig
Answer: OINKS
13A. U.S. state capital whose name is Spanish for "holy faith"
Answer: SANTAFE
15A. Comedian/actress who wrote the 2011 best seller "Bossypants"
Answer: TINAFEY
18A. Car blemish that might be fixed with a toilet plunger
Answer: DENT
19A. Irk
Answer: VEX
21A. Homestretch of a project ... or a homophonic hint to the ends of 13- and 15-Across, collectively?
Answer: FINALPHASE
24A. "I just played my second-to-last card!," in a game
Answer: UNO
25A. Wears away
Answer: ERODES
26A. Neither here ___ there
Answer: NOR
27A. What a 22-Down knows, with "the"
Answer: ROPES
Down Answers
1D. "'Tis a real letdown ..."
Answer: ALAS
2D. Dalai ___
Answer: LAMA
3D. Steadiness of personality
Answer: EVENTENOR
4D. Mexican saloon
Answer: CANTINA
5D. Robber
Answer: THIEF
6D. Farm incubator
Answer: HEN
7D. Startled cry
Answer: EEK
8D. "___ Doubtfire"
Answer: MRS
10D. Furniture found in the phrase "works of art"
Answer: SOFA
14D. Weapon for an elk
Answer: ANTLER
16D. Slip past
Answer: EVADE
17D. Affirmative responses
Answer: YESES
18D. T. rex, for one
Answer: DINO
20D. Strike marks at the alley
Answer: XES
21D. "How delightful!"
Answer: FUN
22D. Expert
Answer: PRO
23D. Bounce
Answer: HOP
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 21A, “Homestretch of a project,” gives FINAL PHASE, the entry that defines the puzzle. The final sounds of SANTA FE and TINA FEY are both “fay,” so their collective final “fays” sound like PHASE.
Wordplay Winner: 10D wins the wordplay prize with SOFA, hidden across the boundary in “workS OF Art.” The furniture definition disguises a clean embedded answer.
Quick Fill: LAVA at 9A is the fastest confident fill because the magma clue is a direct definition. Its crossings immediately support ALAS, LAMA, EVENTENOR, and CANTINA.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Fill direct-definition entries such as LAVA, DENT, VEX, and ERODES before wrestling with abstract compounds. Those reliable letters make a difficult entry like EVENTENOR much easier to see.
When a revealer signals sound rather than spelling, say the relevant pieces aloud. SANTA FE and TINA FEY lead naturally to FINAL PHASE once their endings are heard together.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, offering plenty of direct footholds before unveiling the playful FINAL PHASE connection. Its strongest tricks were compact, audible, and satisfying once exposed.
See you at the next grid.
