Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a tight 9x9 workout that balances geography, pop culture, and a few Latin curveballs. Whether you're looking for a mid-length challenge or warming up for the full-size puzzle, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring an 8x10 or 9x11 grid with 15-20 Across and 15-20 Down clues. It takes about 5-15 minutes to solve, making it perfect for a coffee break or commute. 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: 9x9
Total Clues: 27 (14 Across, 13 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 3D. Caesar's famous last words (ETTUBRUTE), the Latin-to-English translation challenge trips up solvers who haven't brushed up on their Shakespeare.
Gimme Clue: 1A. Had some food (ATE), three letters, past tense, dinner table basics.
Theme Spotted: "Bye-Bye!"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Had some food
Hint: Past tense of a four-letter verb starting with E.
4. Home to the human-made island of Palm Jumeirah
Hint: A major Middle Eastern city. Five letters, starts with D.
9. It "picks up where nature ends," per Marc Chagall
Hint: What you'd find in a gallery. Three letters, starts with A.
10. Leaves out
Hint: Skips intentionally. Five letters, starts with O.
11. Decompose
Hint: What organic matter does over time. Three letters, starts with R.
12. Spiritual leader in Judaism
Hint: Five letters, title of a synagogue leader.
13. In a petulant mood
Hint: Sulky or cranky. Five letters, starts with P.
15. "Viva ___ Vegas"
Hint: Three-letter Spanish article meaning "the."
16. Affordable beer choice, for short
Hint: Three-letter acronym. Think cheap lager.
17. Family member who might have a bed on the floor
Hint: Not a person. Three letters, starts with P.
18. "That's hysterical!," in text shorthand
Hint: Four-letter internet abbreviation for laughing.
20. Soothing song
Hint: What you'd sing to a baby at bedtime. Seven letters, starts with L.
23. State capital home to the world's busiest airport
Hint: Capital of Georgia. Seven letters.
24. Chain that sells TVs
Hint: Big-box electronics retailer. Two words, 7 letters total.
Down Hints
1. Org. looking out for the 50-and-over crowd
Hint: Four-letter acronym. Think retirement membership.
2. "___ Beverly Hills" (1989 cult classic)
Hint: A group of kids. Five letters, starts with T.
3. Caesar's famous last words
Hint: Latin phrase. Nine letters, no spaces. Et tu ___?
4. Blue tang fish in "Finding Nemo"
Hint: Four-letter character name. Starts with D.
5. Actress Thurman
Hint: "Kill Bill" star. Three letters, starts with U.
6. Book that ends "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen"
Hint: The Good Book. Five letters, starts with B.
7. Opportunity to swing, in baseball
Hint: Each player gets one. Five letters, starts with A.
8. Egyptian goddess with a repetitive name
Hint: Four letters. Say it twice and it's her full name.
14. Social media annoyances
Hint: Internet provocateurs. Six letters, starts with T.
17. Backup option
Hint: Five letters. Plan ___ .
19. ___ white (espresso drink)
Hint: Four letters. A type of coffee beverage.
20. Place for chemistry experiments
Hint: Three letters. Think high school science.
21. Air-conditioning measure, for short
Hint: Three-letter acronym. British thermal unit.
22. "Woo-hoo!"
Hint: Three letters of celebration.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Had some food
Answer: ATE
4. Home to the human-made island of Palm Jumeirah
Answer: DUBAI
9. It "picks up where nature ends," per Marc Chagall
Answer: ART
10. Leaves out
Answer: OMITS
11. Decompose
Answer: ROT
12. Spiritual leader in Judaism
Answer: RABBI
13. In a petulant mood
Answer: POUTY
15. "Viva ___ Vegas"
Answer: LAS
16. Affordable beer choice, for short
Answer: PBR
17. Family member who might have a bed on the floor
Answer: PET
18. "That's hysterical!," in text shorthand
Answer: ROFL
20. Soothing song
Answer: LULLABY
23. State capital home to the world's busiest airport
Answer: ATLANTA
24. Chain that sells TVs
Answer: BESTBUY
Down Answers
1. Org. looking out for the 50-and-over crowd
Answer: AARP
2. "___ Beverly Hills" (1989 cult classic)
Answer: TROOP
3. Caesar's famous last words
Answer: ETTUBRUTE
4. Blue tang fish in "Finding Nemo"
Answer: DORY
5. Actress Thurman
Answer: UMA
6. Book that ends "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen"
Answer: BIBLE
7. Opportunity to swing, in baseball
Answer: ATBAT
8. Egyptian goddess with a repetitive name
Answer: ISIS
14. Social media annoyances
Answer: TROLLS
17. Backup option
Answer: PLANB
19. ___ white (espresso drink)
Answer: FLAT
20. Place for chemistry experiments
Answer: LAB
21. Air-conditioning measure, for short
Answer: BTU
22. "Woo-hoo!"
Answer: YAY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 3D. Caesar's famous last words for ETTUBRUTE. The nine-letter Latin phrase is a cruciverbal classic, but the no-space formatting (ETTUBRUTE instead of ET TU BRUTE) catches solvers who expect the traditional three-word rendering.
Wordplay Winner: 8D. Egyptian goddess with a repetitive name for ISIS. The clue hints that saying the name twice gives you the full answer, a clever meta-reference to the goddess's full title.
Quick Fill: 1A. Had some food for ATE. Three letters, everyday vocabulary, no ambiguity. The kind of gimme that gets you into the grid fast.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Sunday grids often test your trivia breadth. ATLANTA (world's busiest airport) and DUBAI (Palm Jumeirah) are geography gimmes that lock in quickly once you recognize the landmarks. Fill those first to open up crossing letters.
Latin and Shakespeare references (ETTUBRUTE) are recurring crossword staples. Memorize the common Latin phrases, ET TU BRUTE, VENI VIDI VICI, AMOR, and you'll save minutes on puzzles that throw them in as long fill.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? That Latin phrase in the center was the real gatekeeper, but the geography answers (ATLANTA, DUBAI) and pop culture nods (TROOP BEVERLY HILLS, DORY) kept things fun. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
