Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a tech-forward theme with AI references and clever meta-cluing.
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: 28 (14 Across, 14 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 19A - "Business that would like to have a chat? ... or a hint to 7-, 8- and 14-Across"
Gimme Clue: 4A - "Naughty"
Theme Spotted: AI/tech references with meta-clue connections
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. "Steady as ___ goes!"
Hint: Pronoun for a female, three letters
4A. Naughty
Hint: Opposite of good, three letters
7A. Arguing ... or working hard
Hint: Two words, four letters total, starts with A
8A. "Like that's ever going to happen!"
Hint: Two words, four letters total, starts with A
10A. Decomposes
Hint: What fruit does when left out too long, four letters
11A. Poker buy-in
Hint: Initial bet in card games, four letters
12A. Handy note for tracking a debt
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for "I owe you"
13A. Gobbled up
Hint: Past tense of eat, three letters
14A. Popular music player discontinued in 2022
Hint: Apple product, nine letters
18A. Drawings, sculptures, paintings, etc.
Hint: Creative works, three letters
19A. Business that would like to have a chat? ... or a hint to 7-, 8- and 14-Across
Hint: Tech company focused on artificial intelligence, nine letters
25A. One might hold candles for a birthday
Hint: Dessert item, four letters
26A. Discipline with a lotus poses
Hint: Mind-body practice, four letters
27A. "Eww! Keep that to yourself!"
Hint: Abbreviation for "too much information", three letters
28A. Preschooler's go-to question
Hint: Three-letter question word starting with W
Down Hints
1D. Bend down
Hint: Lean forward, five letters
2D. Approach for some money, casually
Hint: Two words, five letters total, starts with H
3D. U.F.O. passengers, for short
Hint: Extraterrestrials abbreviation, three letters
4D. Sheep's sound
Hint: Animal noise, three letters
5D. "It's ___!" ("Easy-breezy!")
Hint: Two words, five letters total, starts with A
6D. "That goes for me, too"
Hint: Word meaning "same here", five letters
7D. Opera solo
Hint: Musical piece for one singer, four letters
9D. Provide with a meal
Hint: Give food to, four letters
15D. Running behind schedule
Hint: Opposite of early, four letters
16D. Period of history
Hint: Three-letter word for a historical age
17D. Faux-humble reply to "Great job!"
Hint: Two words, four letters total, starts with I
19D. Perform in a play
Hint: Three-letter verb for theatrical performance
20D. "That would be me!"
Hint: Two words, three letters total, starts with I
21D. Hit the slopes
Hint: Winter sport activity, three letters
22D. Transport to the impound lot
Hint: What happens to illegally parked cars, three letters
23D. "Oooof! That's awful!"
Hint: Exclamation of disgust, three letters
24D. Cough up the money
Hint: Three-letter verb meaning to give payment
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. "Steady as ___ goes!"
Answer: SHE
4A. Naughty
Answer: BAD
7A. Arguing ... or working hard
Answer: ATIT
8A. "Like that's ever going to happen!"
Answer: ASIF
10A. Decomposes
Answer: ROTS
11A. Poker buy-in
Answer: ANTE
12A. Handy note for tracking a debt
Answer: IOU
13A. Gobbled up
Answer: ATE
14A. Popular music player discontinued in 2022
Answer: APPLEIPOD
18A. Drawings, sculptures, paintings, etc.
Answer: ART
19A. Business that would like to have a chat? ... or a hint to 7-, 8- and 14-Across
Answer: AISTARTUP
25A. One might hold candles for a birthday
Answer: CAKE
26A. Discipline with a lotus poses
Answer: YOGA
27A. "Eww! Keep that to yourself!"
Answer: TMI
28A. Preschooler's go-to question
Answer: WHY
Down Answers
1D. Bend down
Answer: STOOP
2D. Approach for some money, casually
Answer: HITUP
3D. U.F.O. passengers, for short
Answer: ETS
4D. Sheep's sound
Answer: BAA
5D. "It's ___!" ("Easy-breezy!")
Answer: ASNAP
6D. "That goes for me, too"
Answer: DITTO
7D. Opera solo
Answer: ARIA
9D. Provide with a meal
Answer: FEED
15D. Running behind schedule
Answer: LATE
16D. Period of history
Answer: ERA
17D. Faux-humble reply to "Great job!"
Answer: ITRY
19D. Perform in a play
Answer: ACT
20D. "That would be me!"
Answer: IAM
21D. Hit the slopes
Answer: SKI
22D. Transport to the impound lot
Answer: TOW
23D. "Oooof! That's awful!"
Answer: UGH
24D. Cough up the money
Answer: PAY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 19A "Business that would like to have a chat? ... or a hint to 7-, 8- and 14-Across" for AISTARTUP. This meta-clue serves double duty as both a standalone answer and a clever hint connecting to ATIT, ASIF, and APPLEIPOD.
Wordplay Winner: 19A again takes the prize for its layered construction. The clue references AI chatbots while simultaneously pointing solvers to three other answers in the grid.
Quick Fill: 4A "Naughty" for BAD. This three-letter answer provides immediate entry points with minimal thought required.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with the theme clue (19A) once you have crossing letters. AISTARTUP reveals the puzzle's tech focus and helps unlock related answers.
Watch for short fill like BAD, ART, ATE, and WHY. These common crossword entries provide quick anchor points for longer answers.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The AI theme and meta-clue construction offered a modern twist on classic crossword mechanics.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one. See you at the next grid.
