Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a playful run of rhyming clues gives the grid a jaunty opening before entertainment and political trivia enter the mix. Come on in and let the familiar clues get you rolling.
How The Mini Works
The Mini is a compact version of the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring a 5x5 grid with five Across and five Down clues. Saturdays expand to a larger grid with more clues. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime. No streak tracking here, but the built-in timer lets you compete against yourself or challenge friends.
New puzzles drop at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday's Mini arrives earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 5x5
Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 9A is the toughest spot because recognizing the politicians still leaves you needing their organization's abbreviated name.
Gimme Clue: 1A is the inviting gimme, a familiar candy phrase with a natural completion.
Theme Spotted: There's a light theme in the sound pattern linking the clues at 1A, 5A and 7A.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Gummy ___
Hint: Picture the animal shape of a chewy candy. Four letters, starts with B.
5A. Dummy
Hint: Think of an insult for someone showing no sense, rather than a mannequin. Five letters, starts with I.
7A. Tummy
Hint: Look for another informal word for your stomach. Five letters, starts with B.
8A. Mean facial expression
Hint: Picture a facial expression that conveys contempt. Five letters, starts with S.
9A. Left-wing political org. that includes Zohran Mamdani and A.O.C.
Hint: The abbreviated organization needs initials, and the named politicians point toward its political affiliation. Three letters, starts with D.
Down Hints
1D. Garments worn in high chairs
Hint: Think of what protects a baby's clothing during a meal. Four letters, starts with B.
2D. Garden for Adam and Eve
Hint: Recall the biblical setting before the expulsion. Four letters, starts with E.
3D. Felt sick
Hint: Use a past-tense verb meaning suffered from illness. Five letters, starts with A.
4D. Willy Wonka and Bob Dylan, for Timothée Chalamet
Hint: Think about what these figures represent in an actor's career. Five letters, starts with R.
6D. Banks of "America's Next Top Model"
Hint: Think of the model associated with the named television competition. Four letters, starts with T.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Gummy ___
Answer: BEAR
5A. Dummy
Answer: IDIOT
7A. Tummy
Answer: BELLY
8A. Mean facial expression
Answer: SNEER
9A. Left-wing political org. that includes Zohran Mamdani and A.O.C.
Answer: DSA
Down Answers
1D. Garments worn in high chairs
Answer: BIBS
2D. Garden for Adam and Eve
Answer: EDEN
3D. Felt sick
Answer: AILED
4D. Willy Wonka and Bob Dylan, for Timothée Chalamet
Answer: ROLES
6D. Banks of "America's Next Top Model"
Answer: TYRA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 4D, "Willy Wonka and Bob Dylan, for Timothée Chalamet," leads to ROLES. Pairing a fictional chocolatier with a real musician makes the actor's connection the satisfying key.
Wordplay Winner: 5A, "Dummy," earns the wordplay nod with IDIOT. The clue leaves the mannequin meaning available, but the answer selects the insult.
Quick Fill: BEAR at 1A is the quickest confident foothold because "Gummy ___" supplies such a familiar phrase. It seeds BIBS, EDEN, AILED and ROLES, giving the upper grid useful traction.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
If the political abbreviation stalls you, switch to the Downs. AILED, ROLES and TYRA supply every letter of DSA, so the crossings can resolve the recall hurdle.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The rhyming opening makes this grid welcoming, while ROLES provides its neatest connection. The political abbreviation adds a sharper recall test, with helpful crossings ready to carry you through.
See you at the next grid.