Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and retro gaming, sweet-shop nostalgia and playful definitions give this grid a lively mix. Settle in and let the familiar clues get you started.
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: 10x10
Total Clues: 24 (12 Across, 12 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 14A gets the trickiest nod because recognizing the candy is easier than recalling its unconventional spelling.
Gimme Clue: 4A is the clearest foothold, with a familiar expression that practically completes itself.
Theme Spotted: "All My Exes Live in Texas"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Tight-lipped
Hint: Think of someone keeping a secret and refusing to speak. Three letters, starts with M.
4A. By ___ means necessary
Hint: The expression signals determination regardless of the method required. Three letters, starts with A.
5A. Furry new members of the family, maybe
Hint: Picture tiny feline adoptees exploring their new home. Seven letters, starts with K.
10A. Display at a museum
Hint: Think of a curated presentation of objects for visitors to view. Seven letters, starts with E.
11A. Places to cash out?
Hint: Think of machines where a bank card lets you withdraw bills. Four letters, starts with A.
14A. ___ Stix (powdered candy)
Hint: Recall the brand of sugary powder sold in paper straws, with a playful spelling. Four letters, starts with P.
15A. Practiced backstroke or breaststroke, say
Hint: Use a past-tense verb for moving through a pool. Four letters, starts with S.
16A. ___-Ball (arcade game)
Hint: Picture rolling a ball up an arcade ramp toward scoring rings. Four letters, starts with S.
17A. Like the graphics of the original Super Mario Bros.
Hint: Focus on the visible square blocks that form the characters and scenery. Nine letters, starts with P.
20A. Photocopies
Hint: A copier brand supplies this verb for duplicating documents. Seven letters, starts with X.
21A. Like British humor vis-à-vis American humor, stereotypically
Hint: Think more understated and deadpan, expressed as a comparison. Five letters, starts with D.
22A. French fashion initials
Hint: Picture the interlocking monogram on a French luxury label's bags. Three letters, starts with Y.
Down Hints
1D. Rings in the New Year, perhaps
Hint: Look for a festive phrase meaning celebrates with good cheer. Ten letters, starts with M.
2D. Operating system developed at Bell Labs
Hint: Think of the pioneering operating system associated with shell commands and a family of descendants. Four letters, starts with U.
3D. "Swallowed gum stays in your body for seven years," e.g.
Hint: Classify the gum claim as a persistent false belief. Four letters, starts with M.
6D. Betting adviser
Hint: Think of someone who passes along wagering recommendations. Seven letters, starts with T.
7D. Two-wheeled vehicles that need charging
Hint: Pedaling gets assistance from a battery-powered motor. Six letters, starts with E.
8D. Vetoed
Hint: Use an informal past-tense verb meaning rejected or canceled. Five letters, starts with N.
9D. Eye affliction that rhymes with "eye"
Hint: Think of a tender bump on an eyelid. Four letters, starts with S.
11D. Egyptian snake that bit Cleopatra
Hint: Recall the venomous serpent associated with the Egyptian queen's death. Three letters, starts with A.
12D. Candy with the slogan "Two is more than one"
Hint: Think of chocolate-covered cookie bars topped with caramel. Four letters, starts with T.
13D. Reached full capacity, with "out"
Hint: Picture a credit card pushed to its spending limit, then supply the verb before out. Five letters, starts with M.
18D. Fictional reporter Lane
Hint: Think of the Daily Planet journalist closely associated with Superman. Four letters, starts with L.
19D. Skating jump
Hint: Think of the figure-skating leap launched from a forward outside edge. Four letters, starts with A.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Tight-lipped
Answer: MUM
4A. By ___ means necessary
Answer: ANY
5A. Furry new members of the family, maybe
Answer: KITTENS
10A. Display at a museum
Answer: EXHIBIT
11A. Places to cash out?
Answer: ATMS
14A. ___ Stix (powdered candy)
Answer: PIXY
15A. Practiced backstroke or breaststroke, say
Answer: SWAM
16A. ___-Ball (arcade game)
Answer: SKEE
17A. Like the graphics of the original Super Mario Bros.
Answer: PIXELATED
20A. Photocopies
Answer: XEROXES
21A. Like British humor vis-à-vis American humor, stereotypically
Answer: DRIER
22A. French fashion initials
Answer: YSL
Down Answers
1D. Rings in the New Year, perhaps
Answer: MAKESMERRY
2D. Operating system developed at Bell Labs
Answer: UNIX
3D. "Swallowed gum stays in your body for seven years," e.g.
Answer: MYTH
6D. Betting adviser
Answer: TIPSTER
7D. Two-wheeled vehicles that need charging
Answer: EBIKES
8D. Vetoed
Answer: NIXED
9D. Eye affliction that rhymes with "eye"
Answer: STYE
11D. Egyptian snake that bit Cleopatra
Answer: ASP
12D. Candy with the slogan "Two is more than one"
Answer: TWIX
13D. Reached full capacity, with "out"
Answer: MAXED
18D. Fictional reporter Lane
Answer: LOIS
19D. Skating jump
Answer: AXEL
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 17A, "Like the graphics of the original Super Mario Bros.", earns PIXELATED and captures the grid's nostalgic appeal. The reference makes a technical description instantly visual.
Wordplay Winner: 11A, "Places to cash out?", wins with ATMS. The clue redirects cashing out from collecting winnings to withdrawing actual bills.
Quick Fill: 4A's ANY is the fastest confident fill because the familiar expression leaves little room for doubt. It feeds MAKESMERRY at 1D, UNIX at 2D and MYTH at 3D, giving the top of the grid a useful foothold.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Separate recognition from spelling on branded fills. For PIXY at 14A, use NIXED at 8D and STYE at 9D to confirm the unusual ending before committing.
Check grammar before hunting for a synonym. At 21A, the comparison calls for DRIER, while 15A's past-tense wording points to SWAM.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid rewards familiar phrases while keeping the spelling checks lively. PIXELATED supplies the strongest image, and the compact cash-machine joke adds a satisfying wink.
See you at the next grid.