Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a mix of pop culture references, music nods, and a few curveballs that reward solvers with diverse trivia knowledge. At 9x9, it's a compact but satisfying challenge for a lazy Sunday morning.
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: 29 (13 Across, 16 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "___ Jackson, first Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in an individual event" (9A)
Gimme Clue: "Member of the fam" (8D)
Theme Spotted: "Media Moguls"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Floor model
Hint: Four letters, what stores put out for customers to try.
2. Editorial slant
Hint: A four-letter word for a one-sided perspective.
3. ___ Jackson, first Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in an individual event
Hint: Four letters, starts with E. Think bobsled.
4. Against
Hint: Four letters, a common prefix meaning opposed to.
5. Shapes of many auto air fresheners
Hint: Two words, think of what you hang from a rearview mirror.
6. Family member whose name may be your password
Hint: Three letters. The most common password answer.
7. Cubes in a cocktail
Hint: Three letters. Keeps your drink cold.
8. TV show right before another TV show
Hint: Two words, hyphenated. A programming term.
9. Smoldering remnant of a fire
Hint: Five letters, still glowing in the ashes.
10. "I'll take that as ___"
Hint: Three letters, two words. A yes-or-no response.
11. Rhythmic cadence of speech
Hint: Four letters. A poetic term for flow.
12. Awesome, in 1990s slang
Hint: Four letters. Something that sounds tasty but isn't food.
13. Preprinted word on a gift tag
Hint: Four letters. Indicates the giver.
14. Totally ignore, with "out"
Hint: Four letters. Like ignoring a radio station.
15. Woolly farm animal
Hint: Three letters. Ba-a-a.
16. Showing signs of wear and tear, in a way
Hint: Four letters. Not young anymore.
Down Hints
1. Johnny of "Edward Scissorhands"
Hint: Four letters. Pirates of the Caribbean star.
2. Lake that borders Buffalo
Hint: Four letters. One of the Great Lakes.
3. ___ condition
Hint: Four letters. Like-new, pristine.
4. "The loneliest number" in a Three Dog Night hit
Hint: Three letters. It's the smallest positive integer.
5. Spanish football powerhouse, to fans
Hint: Five letters. FC Barcelona's nickname.
6. "Please comfort me"
Hint: Four words. A direct request for emotional support.
7. Gobbled up
Hint: Three letters. Past tense of eat.
8. Member of the fam
Hint: Three letters. Short for sister.
9. Arena section
Hint: Four letters. Where the seats are stacked.
10. "I can take it from here"
Hint: Two words. A handoff phrase, five letters total.
11. Absurd
Hint: Five letters. Synonymous with nonsensical.
12. "Read you loud and clear"
Hint: Five letters. Acknowledged and understood.
13. ___ on the Shelf (rhyming Christmas tradition)
Hint: Three letters. A mischievous holiday character.
14. Bog down
Hint: Four letters. Get stuck in the mud.
15. Squander, as a big lead
Hint: Four letters. A sports team's worst nightmare.
16. Org. that plans school bake sales
Hint: Three letters. Parents and teachers working together.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Floor model
Answer: DEMO
2. Editorial slant
Answer: BIAS
3. ___ Jackson, first Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in an individual event
Answer: ERIN
4. Against
Answer: ANTI
5. Shapes of many auto air fresheners
Answer: PINE TREES
6. Family member whose name may be your password
Answer: PET
7. Cubes in a cocktail
Answer: ICE
8. TV show right before another TV show
Answer: LEAD-IN
9. Smoldering remnant of a fire
Answer: EMBER
10. "I'll take that as ___"
Answer: A NO
11. Rhythmic cadence of speech
Answer: LILT
12. Awesome, in 1990s slang
Answer: PHAT
13. Preprinted word on a gift tag
Answer: FROM
14. Totally ignore, with "out"
Answer: TUNE
15. Woolly farm animal
Answer: EWE
16. Showing signs of wear and tear, in a way
Answer: AGED
Down Answers
1. Johnny of "Edward Scissorhands"
Answer: DEPP
2. Lake that borders Buffalo
Answer: ERIE
3. ___ condition
Answer: MINT
4. "The loneliest number" in a Three Dog Night hit
Answer: ONE
5. Spanish football powerhouse, to fans
Answer: BARCA
6. "Please comfort me"
Answer: I NEED A HUG
7. Gobbled up
Answer: ATE
8. Member of the fam
Answer: SIS
9. Arena section
Answer: TIER
10. "I can take it from here"
Answer: LET ME
11. Absurd
Answer: INANE
12. "Read you loud and clear"
Answer: NOTED
13. ___ on the Shelf (rhyming Christmas tradition)
Answer: ELF
14. Bog down
Answer: MIRE
15. Squander, as a big lead
Answer: BLOW
16. Org. that plans school bake sales
Answer: PTA
Grid Breakdown
Standout Clue: "Please comfort me" (6D) for I NEED A HUG. A four-word answer in a 9x9 Midi is rare, and the phrasing is both literal and playful. It's the kind of clue that makes you smile when it clicks.
Wordplay Winner: "Shapes of many auto air fresheners" (11A) for PINE TREES. The misdirection is clean -- most solvers think of geometric shapes, not the iconic cardboard tree hanging from a rearview mirror.
Quick Fill: "Member of the fam" (8D) for SIS. Three letters, zero ambiguity, instant fill.
Speed Solver Tips
Sunday's grid rewards solvers who spot the pop culture and music thread early. DEPP, BARCA, ONE (Three Dog Night), and PHAT all sit in the same puzzle -- recognize the pattern and those answers come faster.
Watch for short fill words that unlock longer answers. EW (15A) and ICE (14A) are quick gimmes that give you valuable cross letters for tougher entries like PINE TREES (11A) and I NEED A HUG (6D).
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? That I NEED A HUG answer was worth the price of admission. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
