Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid brings automotive wordplay with car brand combinations alongside classic crossword fare.
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: 40 (13 Across, 15 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Volvo + Infiniti = ___?" (13A) - requires combining car brand names
Gimme Clue: "Father's brother" (25A) - straightforward family relation
Theme Spotted: Car brand combination puzzles
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Sounds made by pressing the middle finger into the thumb
Hint: Finger gesture sound, five letters
6. Roadside assistance request
Hint: Vehicle pull, three letters
9. Closing bit of a song
Hint: Musical conclusion, five letters
10. All Hallows' ___ (Halloween)
Hint: Night before, three letters
11. Source of Andrew Carnegie's fortune
Hint: Industrial metal, five letters
12. Crossed (out)
Hint: Marked with an X, three letters
13. Volvo + Infiniti = ___?
Hint: Combine letters from both car brands, six letters
15. Subaru + Toyota = ___?
Hint: Combine letters from both car brands, seven letters
18. Great Lake that borders Cleveland
Hint: Ohio's lake, four letters
19. Big Apple subway inits.
Hint: NYC transit authority, three letters
21. Porsche + Isuzu + Nissan = ___?
Hint: Combine letters from three car brands, nine letters
24. "Washboard" muscles, informally
Hint: Core muscles, three letters
25. Father's brother
Hint: Family relative, five letters
26. Spike who directed "Inside Man"
Hint: Director Lee, three letters
27. Coen who co-directed "A Serious Man"
Hint: Filmmaker Ethan, five letters
Down Hints
1. Sinking ship's distress signal
Hint: Morse code emergency, three letters
2. Pecan or pistachio
Hint: Edible seed, three letters
3. Had a nibble
Hint: Consumed food, three letters
4. Advance screening of a movie
Hint: Early showing, eight letters
5. ___ as a rock
Hint: Very firm, five letters
6. The Red Raiders of the N.C.A.A.
Hint: Texas university, nine letters
7. Finished
Hint: Completed, four letters
8. Unites in marriage
Hint: Marries, four letters
14. Material whose non-dry form may tempt you to leave handprints in it
Hint: Wet construction material, six letters
15. Outer part of a flower
Hint: Floral structure, five letters
16. "Survivor" unit
Hint: Reality show group, five letters
17. Wash off
Hint: Clean with water, five letters
20. Penne ___ vodka
Hint: Italian pasta style, four letters
22. Shade of color
Hint: Color variation, three letters
23. Mark Kelly or Mark Warner: Abbr.
Hint: Congressional title, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Sounds made by pressing the middle finger into the thumb
Answer: SNAPS
6. Roadside assistance request
Answer: TOW
9. Closing bit of a song
Answer: OUTRO
10. All Hallows' ___ (Halloween)
Answer: EVE
11. Source of Andrew Carnegie's fortune
Answer: STEEL
12. Crossed (out)
Answer: XED
13. Volvo + Infiniti = ___?
Answer: VICARS
15. Subaru + Toyota = ___?
Answer: STRIDES
18. Great Lake that borders Cleveland
Answer: ERIE
19. Big Apple subway inits.
Answer: MTA
21. Porsche + Isuzu + Nissan = ___?
Answer: PINWHEELS
24. "Washboard" muscles, informally
Answer: ABS
25. Father's brother
Answer: UNCLE
26. Spike who directed "Inside Man"
Answer: LEE
27. Coen who co-directed "A Serious Man"
Answer: ETHAN
Down Answers
1. Sinking ship's distress signal
Answer: SOS
2. Pecan or pistachio
Answer: NUT
3. Had a nibble
Answer: ATE
4. Advance screening of a movie
Answer: PREVIEW
5. ___ as a rock
Answer: SOLID
6. The Red Raiders of the N.C.A.A.
Answer: TEXAS TECH
7. Finished
Answer: OVER
8. Unites in marriage
Answer: WEDS
14. Material whose non-dry form may tempt you to leave handprints in it
Answer: CEMENT
15. Outer part of a flower
Answer: SEPAL
16. "Survivor" unit
Answer: TRIBE
17. Wash off
Answer: RINSE
20. Penne ___ vodka
Answer: ALLA
22. Shade of color
Answer: HUE
23. Mark Kelly or Mark Warner: Abbr.
Answer: SEN
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Volvo + Infiniti = ___?" for VICARS. This clue requires combining letters from both car brands to form a new word, testing both automotive knowledge and wordplay skills.
Wordplay Winner: "Material whose non-dry form may tempt you to leave handprints in it" for CEMENT. The clue cleverly describes both the material and the childhood temptation.
Quick Fill: "Father's brother" for UNCLE. This straightforward family relation provides an easy entry point for solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Car brand combination clues follow letter-mixing patterns. Once you solve VICARS (Volvo + Infiniti), STRIDES (Subaru + Toyota) and PINWHEELS (Porsche + Isuzu + Nissan) use similar logic.
Watch for abbreviated clues like "inits." for MTA and "Abbr." for SEN. These shortcuts are common crossword conventions.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The automotive wordplay with VICARS, STRIDES, and PINWHEELS created a distinctive Thursday challenge alongside classic crossword fare like STEEL and UNCLE.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
