Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Sunday's 9x9 grid delivers a cleverly constructed puzzle built on wordplay within wordplay. Answers that parse as two-word phrases serve as meta-hints for other entries, rewarding solvers who catch the layered cluing.
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: "Conversational offshoot ... or, when parsed as two words, a hint to 17-Down." The dual-layer cluing requires solving both the surface meaning and the meta-puzzle.
Gimme Clue: "Poem of praise." A crossword staple that appears in nearly every puzzle.
Theme Spotted: "Color Codes"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Family nickname
Hint: Short for sister. Three letters, starts with S.
4. Pub game with a bull's-eye
Hint: Think darts. Five letters, starts with D.
9. Poem of praise
Hint: A lyrical tribute. Three letters, starts with O.
10. Big pileup in a work inbox during vacation
Hint: The digital avalanche waiting for you. Five letters, starts with E.
11. Cost of an add-on
Hint: Extra charge. Three letters, starts with F.
12. "Ooh-la-la!"
Hint: Fancy! Five letters, starts with F.
13. Conversational offshoot ... or, when parsed as two words, a hint to 17-Down
Hint: A digression. Seven letters. The two-word parsing involves a tan and a gentleman.
15. ___ in a draw
Hint: The opposite of beginning. Three letters.
16. Censors, as a classified document ... or, when parsed as two words, a hint to 25-Across
Hint: Blacking out sensitive info. Seven letters. The two-word parsing involves the color red and actions.
20. Ice cream drink
Hint: A thick, creamy treat from a blender. Five letters.
22. Personal provider of shade
Hint: You wear it on your head. Three letters.
23. Exterior
Hint: The opposite of inner. Five letters.
24. Brewpub order
Hint: A hoppy beverage. Three letters.
25. Acts
Hint: Things done. Five letters, starts with D.
26. Church bench
Hint: Where the congregation sits. Three letters, starts with P.
Down Hints
1. Like pillows and marshmallows
Hint: The opposite of hard. Four letters.
2. Product of brainstorming
Hint: A bright thought. Four letters.
3. Witnessed
Hint: Observed with your own eyes. Four letters.
4. Players whose goal is to stop goals
Hint: Soccer positions focused on protecting the net. Nine letters.
5. Actress Seyfried of "The Dropout"
Hint: She played Elizabeth Holmes. Six letters.
6. Go on a tirade
Hint: A passionate, angry speech. Four letters.
7. ___-tac-toe
Hint: The childhood game. Three letters.
8. Crafty
Hint: Sly and cunning. Three letters.
14. Enthusiastically gushed over something nerdy, with "out"
Hint: What a fanboy does. Six letters.
16. Give a score out of ten, say
Hint: To evaluate or grade. Four letters.
17. Gent
Hint: A polite man. Four letters.
18. "Tall" story
Hint: An exaggerated account. Four letters.
19. Hearty meal made in a pot
Hint: A slow-cooked comfort dish. Four letters.
20. Landscaper's green roll
Hint: Turf for the lawn. Three letters.
21. Red or tan
Hint: A color or shade. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Family nickname
Answer: SIS
4. Pub game with a bull's-eye
Answer: DARTS
9. Poem of praise
Answer: ODE
10. Big pileup in a work inbox during vacation
Answer: EMAIL
11. Cost of an add-on
Answer: FEE
12. "Ooh-la-la!"
Answer: FANCY
13. Conversational offshoot ... or, when parsed as two words, a hint to 17-Down
Answer: TANGENT
15. ___ in a draw
Answer: END
16. Censors, as a classified document ... or, when parsed as two words, a hint to 25-Across
Answer: REDACTS
20. Ice cream drink
Answer: SHAKE
22. Personal provider of shade
Answer: HAT
23. Exterior
Answer: OUTER
24. Brewpub order
Answer: ALE
25. Acts
Answer: DEEDS
26. Church bench
Answer: PEW
Down Answers
1. Like pillows and marshmallows
Answer: SOFT
2. Product of brainstorming
Answer: IDEA
3. Witnessed
Answer: SEEN
4. Players whose goal is to stop goals
Answer: DEFENDERS
5. Actress Seyfried of "The Dropout"
Answer: AMANDA
6. Go on a tirade
Answer: RANT
7. ___-tac-toe
Answer: TIC
8. Crafty
Answer: SLY
14. Enthusiastically gushed over something nerdy, with "out"
Answer: GEEKED
16. Give a score out of ten, say
Answer: RATE
17. Gent
Answer: CHAP
18. "Tall" story
Answer: TALE
19. Hearty meal made in a pot
Answer: STEW
20. Landscaper's green roll
Answer: SOD
21. Red or tan
Answer: HUE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Conversational offshoot ... or, when parsed as two words, a hint to 17-Down" for TANGENT. The clue works on two levels: the surface meaning (a conversational detour) and a hidden instruction. Parse TANGENT as "TAN GENT" and you get a sun-kissed gentleman, pointing directly to 17-Down's answer CHAP. That's a constructor-level wink worth catching.
Wordplay Winner: "Censors, as a classified document ... or, when parsed as two words, a hint to 25-Across" for REDACTS. Split it into "RED ACTS" and the meta-puzzle reveals itself as a clue for DEEDS at 25-Across. The color + actions pairing is cleaner than it has any right to be.
Quick Fill: "Poem of praise" for ODE. Three letters, no ambiguity, a crossword evergreen. It is the fastest gimme in the grid and a reliable entry point for new solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Sunday's puzzle rewards solvers who read clue parentheticals carefully. When a clue includes "or, when parsed as two words," the constructor is embedding a second puzzle inside the first. Solve the surface meaning, then check if the answer splits into a hint for a numbered entry elsewhere in the grid.
Fill-in-the-blank clues like "___ in a draw" are among the fastest solves in any Midi. Lock in END early, and the cross letters will cascade through the surrounding grid. Short fillers (SIS, ODE, FEE, HAT, ALE, PEW) create a dense web of confirmed letters that make the longer entries fall into place.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? Between the TANGENT/CHAP and REDACTS/DEEDS meta-hooks, this Sunday puzzle rewarded solvers who think above the grid. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
