Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a clever mix of visual wordplay and geographic trivia.
The 9x9 puzzle features three literal clue constructions that challenge solvers to read between the lines.
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: 26 (13 Across, 13 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 11A. "Background actor, as literally seen in this clue?" (requires recognizing the phrase "EXTRA LEAN" appears in the clue text)
Gimme Clue: 9A. "Yeah, why not" (four-letter common affirmation)
Theme Spotted: Literal visual clues - three clues contain their answers within the clue text itself (Slanted views)
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. State whose primary license plate features an image of Delicate Arch
Hint: Western state known for national parks, five letters
5A. Boundary-pushing, as humor
Hint: Risqué or provocative, four letters
9A. "Yeah, why not"
Hint: Common affirmative response, four letters
10A. Currency unit in Turkey
Hint: Turkish money, four letters
11A. Background actor, as literally seen in this clue?
Hint: Look for two words hidden in the clue text itself
13A. Pro's opposite
Hint: Against, three letters
14A. Disapproving sound
Hint: Clicking tongue sound, three letters
15A. Bird appendage, as literally seen in this clue?
Hint: The answer appears within the clue text
17A. Loooong, looong time
Hint: Geological time period, three letters
18A. "Quiet on the ___!"
Hint: Film production command, three letters
19A. Hotel visitor, as literally seen in this clue?
Hint: Two-word phrase found in the clue text
23A. ___ mater
Hint: Latin for "nourishing mother," often refers to one's school, four letters
24A. Dessert that may hold candles
Hint: Birthday treat, four letters
25A. W.W. II event depicted on TV's "Band of Brothers"
Hint: Normandy invasion, three letters with hyphen
26A. Jet-black gem
Hint: Black gemstone, four letters
Down Hints
1D. Not let go to waste
Hint: Employ or utilize, three letters
2D. Black-tie party rental
Hint: Formal suit, three letters
3D. Style of movies directed by auteur filmmakers, perhaps
Hint: Two-word phrase for non-commercial cinema
4D. Bird with a long, tapering bill
Hint: Wading bird, five letters
5D. 90° angle
Hint: Right angle shape, three letters
6D. One helping count calories, maybe
Hint: Nutrition professional, nine letters
7D. Clutch tightly
Hint: Hold firmly, five letters
8D. Give a sudden tug
Hint: Pull sharply, four letters
12D. Common emotion in emo song lyrics
Hint: Teenage anxiety or existential dread, five letters
15D. "Well, ___ you look at that!"
Hint: Would contraction, five letters
16D. Verizon or AT&T, for short
Hint: Telecommunications company abbreviation, five letters
17D. Old-timey "OMG!"
Hint: Archaic exclamation of surprise, four letters
20D. Put into words
Hint: Express verbally, three letters
21D. Shade of blue worn by Manchester City or the University of North Carolina
Hint: Light blue color, three letters
22D. ___-Mex cuisine
Hint: Southwestern U.S. state abbreviation, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. State whose primary license plate features an image of Delicate Arch
Answer: UTAH
5A. Boundary-pushing, as humor
Answer: EDGY
9A. "Yeah, why not"
Answer: SURE
10A. Currency unit in Turkey
Answer: LIRA
11A. Background actor, as literally seen in this clue?
Answer: EXTRA LEAN
13A. Pro's opposite
Answer: CON
14A. Disapproving sound
Answer: TSK
15A. Bird appendage, as literally seen in this clue?
Answer: WINGTIP
17A. Loooong, looong time
Answer: EON
18A. "Quiet on the ___!"
Answer: SET
19A. Hotel visitor, as literally seen in this clue?
Answer: GUEST LIST
23A. ___ mater
Answer: ALMA
24A. Dessert that may hold candles
Answer: CAKE
25A. W.W. II event depicted on TV's "Band of Brothers"
Answer: D-DAY
26A. Jet-black gem
Answer: ONYX
Down Answers
1D. Not let go to waste
Answer: USE
2D. Black-tie party rental
Answer: TUX
3D. Style of movies directed by auteur filmmakers, perhaps
Answer: ART CINEMA
4D. Bird with a long, tapering bill
Answer: HERON
5D. 90° angle
Answer: ELL
6D. One helping count calories, maybe
Answer: DIETITIAN
7D. Clutch tightly
Answer: GRASP
8D. Give a sudden tug
Answer: YANK
12D. Common emotion in emo song lyrics
Answer: ANGST
15D. "Well, ___ you look at that!"
Answer: WOULD
16D. Verizon or AT&T, for short
Answer: TELCO
17D. Old-timey "OMG!"
Answer: EGAD
20D. Put into words
Answer: SAY
21D. Shade of blue worn by Manchester City or the University of North Carolina
Answer: SKY
22D. ___-Mex cuisine
Answer: TEX
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 11A "Background actor, as literally seen in this clue?" for EXTRA LEAN. The answer appears within the clue text itself - "EXTRA LEAN" is hidden in "Background actor, as literally seen in this clue?" - requiring solvers to read the clue text literally rather than metaphorically.
Wordplay Winner: 15A "Bird appendage, as literally seen in this clue?" for WINGTIP. The word "WINGTIP" is embedded in the clue text, creating a clever meta-puzzle element that rewards careful reading.
Quick Fill: 9A "Yeah, why not" for SURE. This common four-letter affirmation appears frequently in crosswords and requires no specialized knowledge, making it an easy entry point for solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for literal clues. Three answers (EXTRA LEAN, WINGTIP, GUEST LIST) appear within their clue texts. When a clue ends with "as literally seen in this clue?" scan the wording for hidden answers.
Use geographic knowledge strategically. Utah's Delicate Arch and Texas-Mex cuisine provide straightforward entries once you recognize the geographic references.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The literal visual clues added a meta-layer to the standard crossword solving experience.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one. See you at the next grid.
