Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and a hidden-word trick gives the longer fills an extra job, with playful wording tucked among direct definitions. Come on in and let the crossings guide you.
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: 11x9
Total Clues: 36 (16 Across, 20 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 23A is the trickiest clue because its linked phrase must work as both a literal description and an instruction about the grid.
Gimme Clue: 3D is the clearest gimme, with a direct invitation to name what goes into your lungs.
Theme Spotted: "Double Coverage"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Aftermath of a scrape
Hint: Think of the crust that forms over a healing wound. Four letters, starts with S.
5A. Body part targeted by bench presses
Hint: Focus on the upper torso muscles doing the pushing. Five letters, starts with C.
10A. Punxsutawney ___
Hint: Recall the groundhog invoked for a winter weather prediction. Four letters, starts with P.
11A. Party with a piñata, perhaps
Hint: Use the Spanish word for a celebration. Six letters, starts with F.
12A. Worker associated with a red truck
Hint: Think of the emergency responder who handles hoses and ladders. 11 letters, starts with F.
14A. Word before a maiden name, from the French
Hint: This French borrowing means born and introduces a birth surname. Three letters, starts with N.
15A. Discord or Dropbox
Hint: Think of the general term for a program installed on your phone. Three letters, starts with A.
16A. "Nonsense!"
Hint: Imagine an old-fashioned, emphatic dismissal of utter rubbish. Ten letters, starts with B.
21A. Up to the task
Hint: Look for an adjective meaning competent enough to do the job. Four letters, starts with A.
22A. Puppy's bark
Hint: Think of a small dog's short, high-pitched cry. Three letters, starts with Y.
23A. With 25-Across, shelters from the sun ... or what some squares in 12- and 16-Across do?
Hint: Read the linked phrase as both a description and an instruction. Five letters, starts with S.
25A. See 23-Across
Hint: Finish the sun-shelter phrase begun at 23A. Five letters, starts with T.
29A. Marge Simpson's pet name for her husband
Hint: Hear Marge's affectionate nickname for Homer in her familiar rasp. Five letters, starts with H.
30A. Polynesian island nation
Hint: Think of the Pacific kingdom whose capital is Nukuʻalofa. Five letters, starts with T.
31A. Sort in order of preference
Hint: Arrange the choices from favorite to least favorite. Four letters, starts with R.
32A. In first place
Hint: Use a phrase describing the position of the leader. Five letters, starts with O.
Down Hints
1D. Initials on a beach bottle
Hint: Look for the sunscreen abbreviation beside its protection rating. Three letters, starts with S.
2D. Tai ___ (martial art)
Hint: Complete the name of the martial art known for slow, flowing movements. Three letters, starts with C.
3D. Breathe it in!
Hint: Think of the mixture of gases that fills your lungs. Three letters, starts with A.
4D. Didn't stand out from the crowd
Hint: Use a past-tense phrase for looking just like everyone nearby. Nine letters, starts with B.
5D. What becomes a butt after it's bummed, informally
Hint: Think of a borrowed smoke, shortened in casual speech. Three letters, starts with C.
6D. "That's kinda funny"
Hint: Hear a restrained chuckle rather than a full laugh. Three letters, starts with H.
7D. "Cómo ___?"
Hint: Complete the informal Spanish greeting asking how you are. Five letters, starts with E.
8D. N.B.A. star Curry
Hint: Think of the Golden State basketball star renowned for long-distance shooting, using his familiar short name. Five letters, starts with S.
9D. Waterproof cover
Hint: Picture a heavy protective sheet spread over outdoor equipment. Four letters, starts with T.
11D. Impassioned
Hint: Think of a speech delivered with blazing intensity. Five letters, starts with F.
13D. Extra charge
Hint: Look for an added cost on a bill. Three letters, starts with F.
16D. Thwack, as a piñata
Hint: Use a forceful verb for striking something with a stick. Four letters, starts with B.
17D. Absolutely despise
Hint: This goes beyond dislike to intense loathing. Five letters, starts with A.
18D. Llong-necked animall lliving near Llima?
Hint: The conspicuous spelling points toward an Andean pack animal. Five letters, starts with L.
19D. "Same here"
Hint: Use a compact reply that echoes the previous speaker's view. Five letters, starts with D.
20D. Garment for a chef
Hint: Think of the protective layer tied over a cook's clothes. Five letters, starts with A.
24D. Interjection that aptly rhymes with "shriek"
Hint: Hear the sudden squeal of someone startled by a mouse. Three letters, starts with E.
26D. Doc who might treat a sinus infection
Hint: Use the specialist's initials for ear, nose and throat care. Three letters, starts with E.
27D. Sense of self
Hint: Think of the psychological term for your conception of yourself. Three letters, starts with E.
28D. Sticky liquid
Hint: Picture the liquid that oozes from damaged bark. Three letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Aftermath of a scrape
Answer: SCAB
5A. Body part targeted by bench presses
Answer: CHEST
10A. Punxsutawney ___
Answer: PHIL
11A. Party with a piñata, perhaps
Answer: FIESTA
12A. Worker associated with a red truck
Answer: FIREFIGHTER
14A. Word before a maiden name, from the French
Answer: NEE
15A. Discord or Dropbox
Answer: APP
16A. "Nonsense!"
Answer: BALDERDASH
21A. Up to the task
Answer: ABLE
22A. Puppy's bark
Answer: YIP
23A. With 25-Across, shelters from the sun ... or what some squares in 12- and 16-Across do?
Answer: SHADE
25A. See 23-Across
Answer: TREES
29A. Marge Simpson's pet name for her husband
Answer: HOMIE
30A. Polynesian island nation
Answer: TONGA
31A. Sort in order of preference
Answer: RANK
32A. In first place
Answer: ONTOP
Down Answers
1D. Initials on a beach bottle
Answer: SPF
2D. Tai ___ (martial art)
Answer: CHI
3D. Breathe it in!
Answer: AIR
4D. Didn't stand out from the crowd
Answer: BLENDEDIN
5D. What becomes a butt after it's bummed, informally
Answer: CIG
6D. "That's kinda funny"
Answer: HEH
7D. "Cómo ___?"
Answer: ESTAS
8D. N.B.A. star Curry
Answer: STEPH
9D. Waterproof cover
Answer: TARP
11D. Impassioned
Answer: FIERY
13D. Extra charge
Answer: FEE
16D. Thwack, as a piñata
Answer: BASH
17D. Absolutely despise
Answer: ABHOR
18D. Llong-necked animall lliving near Llima?
Answer: LLAMA
19D. "Same here"
Answer: DITTO
20D. Garment for a chef
Answer: APRON
24D. Interjection that aptly rhymes with "shriek"
Answer: EEK
26D. Doc who might treat a sinus infection
Answer: ENT
27D. Sense of self
Answer: EGO
28D. Sticky liquid
Answer: SAP
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 23A and 25A define the puzzle with SHADE TREES, answering the sun-shelter clue while turning the phrase into an instruction to shade hidden tree names. Tree names hide in both long answers: FIR and FIG in FIREFIGHTER, ALDER and ASH in BALDERDASH.
Wordplay Winner: 18D wins for LLAMA, with doubled Ls planted throughout its deliberately misspelled clue. The wording supplies the animal's long neck and location, while the spelling supplies the wink.
Quick Fill: AIR at 3D is my quickest confident fill because the breathing clue is so direct. Its crossings with SCAB, PHIL and FIREFIGHTER put useful letters into the upper-left corner and the long themed Across.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Read linked clues together before committing to a phrase. Here, SHADE TREES becomes much easier to confirm when you test its instruction against FIREFIGHTER and BALDERDASH.
Treat conspicuous spelling as useful evidence. The doubled Ls in 18D help distinguish LLAMA from other long-necked animals, so the odd typography earns a close look.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct clues give this grid a welcoming foothold, while SHADE TREES rewards a closer look at the long answers. LLAMA adds a cheerful final wink.
See you at the next grid.