Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp definitions, a touch of translation, and lively cultural trivia. Settle in for a clean grid with several satisfying connections.
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: 7x7
Total Clues: 17 (7 Across, 10 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 1A is the trickiest clue because cracking it depends on translating an unfamiliar Italian menu term.
Gimme Clue: 16A is the easiest gimme because the form abbreviation points directly to its standard category.
Theme Spotted: None today, straight trivia and wordplay.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. If you order "ostriche" on an Italian menu, you actually get these
Hint: Translate the quoted Italian menu term and think of shellfish commonly served raw or grilled. Seven letters, starts with O.
8A. Microsoft's A.I. assistant
Hint: Name Microsoft's branded artificial-intelligence companion. Seven letters, starts with C.
9A. Move-in-ready, as a house for sale
Hint: Think of the real-estate label for a property ready for immediate occupancy and use. Seven letters, starts with T.
10A. Home's opposite, on scoreboards
Hint: On a scoreboard, this label identifies the visiting side rather than the hosts. Four letters, starts with A.
11A. Old and classic, as a car
Hint: Look for an adjective describing an old car prized for its classic character. Seven letters, starts with V.
15A. They're revved with a "Vroom!"
Hint: Picture the under-the-hood power units making that revving sound. Seven letters, starts with E.
16A. M, on a form
Hint: Expand the form abbreviation into the category it represents. Four letters, starts with M.
Down Hints
1D. Span from C to C, in music
Hint: Think of the musical interval running from one C to the next C. Six letters, starts with O.
2D. "Fine, I give up"
Hint: The target is a spoken concession that hands victory to the other side. Six letters, starts with Y.
3D. Pounced
Hint: Use the past-tense verb for leaping suddenly onto a target. Six letters, starts with S.
4D. Young boy saved by Scrooge's change of heart
Hint: Recall the Cratchit child whose future is transformed by Scrooge's change in A Christmas Carol. Seven letters, starts with T.
5D. Antlered animal of the Rockies
Hint: Picture a large deer relative carrying impressive antlers in the Rocky Mountains. Three letters, starts with E.
6D. Fish eggs
Hint: The clue seeks the delicacy consisting of fish eggs. Three letters, starts with R.
7D. Home with a trough of slop
Hint: Think of a pig's enclosure beside a trough of slop. Three letters, starts with S.
12D. Actress de Armas
Hint: Think of the Cuban-Spanish performer de Armas, who appeared in Knives Out and No Time to Die. Three letters, starts with A.
13D. Stylist's goo
Hint: The target is a hair product with a thick, jellylike consistency. Three letters, starts with G.
14D. Suffix with Vietnam and Senegal
Hint: Add the same adjectival ending to the names of Vietnam and Senegal. Three letters, starts with E.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. If you order "ostriche" on an Italian menu, you actually get these
Answer: OYSTERS
8A. Microsoft's A.I. assistant
Answer: COPILOT
9A. Move-in-ready, as a house for sale
Answer: TURNKEY
10A. Home's opposite, on scoreboards
Answer: AWAY
11A. Old and classic, as a car
Answer: VINTAGE
15A. They're revved with a "Vroom!"
Answer: ENGINES
16A. M, on a form
Answer: MALE
Down Answers
1D. Span from C to C, in music
Answer: OCTAVE
2D. "Fine, I give up"
Answer: YOUWIN
3D. Pounced
Answer: SPRANG
4D. Young boy saved by Scrooge's change of heart
Answer: TINYTIM
5D. Antlered animal of the Rockies
Answer: ELK
6D. Fish eggs
Answer: ROE
7D. Home with a trough of slop
Answer: STY
12D. Actress de Armas
Answer: ANA
13D. Stylist's goo
Answer: GEL
14D. Suffix with Vietnam and Senegal
Answer: ESE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, “If you order ‘ostriche’ on an Italian menu, you actually get these,” paired with OYSTERS, defines the grid. The clue turns a specific translation into a playful dining surprise while remaining perfectly precise.
Wordplay Winner: The wordplay winner is 2D, where “Fine, I give up” produces YOU WIN. The clue disguises the answer as the consequence of conceding rather than a direct synonym.
Quick Fill: MALE is the fastest confident fill because “M, on a form” is completely direct. Its crossings with TINY TIM, ANA, GEL, and ESE stabilize the lower-right corner.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Bank direct compact entries such as ELK, ROE, and STY before wrestling with translation or brand clues. Their crossings sharply constrain OYSTERS, COPILOT, and TURNKEY.
When a clue reads like dialogue, translate the situation instead of searching for a literal synonym. That approach unlocks YOU WIN and gives useful letters to several long Across entries.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid treated solvers fairly, pairing direct anchors with a few clues that rewarded a second reading. OYSTERS supplied the most memorable reveal.
See you at the next grid.
