Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid delivers a sports triple-header with basketball, soccer, and hockey terminology alongside Italian culinary references.
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: 11x10
Total Clues: 70 (37 Across, 33 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Plot device in a murder mystery novel [hockey]" (31A) - requires connecting literary and sports terminology
Gimme Clue: "In the past" (26A) - straightforward temporal reference
Theme Spotted: In it to win it
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Possesses
Hint: Owns or has, three letters
4. Jazz (up)
Hint: Energize or amplify, three letters
7. The only even prime number
Hint: Mathematical constant, three letters
10. Type
Hint: Kind or sort, three letters
11. Cream-and-mozzarella cheese from southern Italy
Hint: Italian dairy product, seven letters
13. Personalized Nintendo avatar
Hint: Wii character, three letters
14. How an irked person might storm off
Hint: Angry departure phrase, three words
15. Shift with extra pay [basketball]
Hint: Extended game period, eight letters
17. "Wheel of Fortune" creator ___ Griffin
Hint: Television personality, four letters
18. Pants, informally
Hint: Clothing abbreviation, four letters
22. Famous event at the O.K. Corral [soccer]
Hint: Tie-breaking method, eight letters
26. In the past
Hint: Time reference, three letters
29. Bird that can turn its neck 270°
Hint: Nocturnal bird, three letters
30. Org. that works through a lot of baggage
Hint: Airport security agency, three letters
31. Plot device in a murder mystery novel [hockey]
Hint: Sudden conclusion, two words
34. Gets wrinkles out
Hint: Clothing maintenance, five letters
35. Noshes on some noms
Hint: Consumes food, four letters
36. Vibe
Hint: Atmosphere or feeling, four letters
37. Regret
Hint: Feel sorrow about, three letters
Down Hints
1. Words on a homemade poster at a sporting event, perhaps
Hint: Two-word message to parent, two words
2. Wanted: Dead or ___
Hint: Alternative to dead, five letters
3. One getting on and off a chairlift
Hint: Winter sports participant, five letters
4. Ever so slightly
Hint: Small amount phrase, two words
5. City bond, familiarly
Hint: Municipal security, four letters
6. British baby stroller
Hint: Carriage, four letters
7. Greek letter that resembles a "T"
Hint: Nineteenth Greek letter, three letters
8. "Srsly?!"
Hint: Internet slang expression, three letters
9. Bumbling sort
Hint: Clumsy person, three letters
12. ___ McLaughlin, co-host of YouTube's "Good Mythical Morning"
Hint: First name, five letters
16. Campers' campers, in brief
Hint: Recreational vehicles, three letters
19. Do a 360, say
Hint: Turn around, six letters
20. Forces out of power
Hint: Removes from position, five letters
21. Home to Bryce Canyon National Park
Hint: Western state, four letters
23. Garden tools for tilling
Hint: Farming implements, four letters
24. Possess
Hint: Have or own, three letters
25. More senior
Hint: Older, five letters
26. Continent with Earth's highest and lowest land points
Hint: Largest continent, four letters
27. Spiritual advisor
Hint: Religious teacher, four letters
28. Stench
Hint: Bad smell, four letters
32. What makes you "you," for short
Hint: Genetic material, three letters
33. ___ de parfum
Hint: French for water, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Possesses
Answer: HAS
4. Jazz (up)
Answer: AMP
7. The only even prime number
Answer: TWO
10. Type
Answer: ILK
11. Cream-and-mozzarella cheese from southern Italy
Answer: BURRATA
13. Personalized Nintendo avatar
Answer: MII
14. How an irked person might storm off
Answer: IN A HUFF
15. Shift with extra pay [basketball]
Answer: OVERTIME
17. "Wheel of Fortune" creator ___ Griffin
Answer: MERV
18. Pants, informally
Answer: TROU
22. Famous event at the O.K. Corral [soccer]
Answer: SHOOTOUT
26. In the past
Answer: AGO
29. Bird that can turn its neck 270°
Answer: OWL
30. Org. that works through a lot of baggage
Answer: TSA
31. Plot device in a murder mystery novel [hockey]
Answer: SUDDEN DEATH
34. Gets wrinkles out
Answer: IRONS
35. Noshes on some noms
Answer: EATS
36. Vibe
Answer: AURA
37. Regret
Answer: RUE
Down Answers
1. Words on a homemade poster at a sporting event, perhaps
Answer: HI MOM
2. Wanted: Dead or ___
Answer: ALIVE
3. One getting on and off a chairlift
Answer: SKIER
4. Ever so slightly
Answer: A BIT
5. City bond, familiarly
Answer: MUNI
6. British baby stroller
Answer: PRAM
7. Greek letter that resembles a "T"
Answer: TAU
8. "Srsly?!"
Answer: WTF
9. Bumbling sort
Answer: OAF
12. ___ McLaughlin, co-host of YouTube's "Good Mythical Morning"
Answer: RHETT
16. Campers' campers, in brief
Answer: RVS
19. Do a 360, say
Answer: ROTATE
20. Forces out of power
Answer: OUSTS
21. Home to Bryce Canyon National Park
Answer: UTAH
23. Garden tools for tilling
Answer: HOES
24. Possess
Answer: OWN
25. More senior
Answer: OLDER
26. Continent with Earth's highest and lowest land points
Answer: ASIA
27. Spiritual advisor
Answer: GURU
28. Stench
Answer: ODOR
32. What makes you "you," for short
Answer: DNA
33. ___ de parfum
Answer: EAU
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Plot device in a murder mystery novel [hockey]" for SUDDEN DEATH. This clue connects literary terminology with sports jargon, requiring solvers to recognize both contexts.
Wordplay Winner: "Srsly?!" for WTF. The clue captures internet slang perfectly while maintaining crossword-appropriate abbreviation.
Quick Fill: "In the past" for AGO. This straightforward temporal reference provides an easy entry point for solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Sports terminology appears in brackets. When you see [basketball], [soccer], or [hockey], expect terms specific to those sports like OVERTIME, SHOOTOUT, and SUDDEN DEATH.
Watch for abbreviated clues like "inits." and "Abbr." These shortcuts are common crossword conventions that signal shortened answers.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you?
The sports triple-header with OVERTIME, SHOOTOUT, and SUDDEN DEATH created a distinctive Thursday challenge alongside Italian culinary references like BURRATA. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
