Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and playful spoken phrases sit alongside crisp trivia and a neat rhyme clue. Settle in for a lively grid with several satisfying crossings.
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: 3D is the trickiest clue because it asks for a specific Shakespearean setting rather than a character or plot point.
Gimme Clue: 7A is the clearest gimme because the show title and judging role identify a familiar entertainer directly.
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. "Sorry about that!"
Hint: Think of the quick apology blurted after a small mistake. Four letters, starts with O.
5A. Not-so-tacky clothing material that rhymes with "tacky"
Hint: Picture the tan cotton twill used for casual trousers, then listen to the rhyme in the clue. Five letters, starts with K.
7A. Paula who judged on "American Idol"
Hint: Recall the singer and choreographer who sat on the original American Idol judging panel. Five letters, starts with A.
8A. "___ never believe this …"
Hint: The blank turns the line into a prediction addressed directly to the listener. Five letters, starts with Y.
9A. Long-haired Himalayan animals
Hint: Think of shaggy bovines adapted to the cold, high terrain of the Himalayas. Four letters, starts with Y.
Down Hints
1D. Just fine
Hint: Use a casual expression of adequacy or agreement. Four letters, starts with O.
2D. "Well, this oughta be good!"
Hint: Hear the speaker settling in for a spectacle with amused anticipation. Five letters, starts with O.
3D. Italian city where "The Taming of the Shrew" is set
Hint: Look to the Veneto city associated with Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel and a historic university. Five letters, starts with P.
4D. Walk around stealthily
Hint: Think of moving furtively while trying not to be seen. Five letters, starts with S.
6D. Society's woes
Hint: Think of broad social problems rather than physical ailments. Four letters, starts with I.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. "Sorry about that!"
Answer: OOPS
5A. Not-so-tacky clothing material that rhymes with "tacky"
Answer: KHAKI
7A. Paula who judged on "American Idol"
Answer: ABDUL
8A. "___ never believe this …"
Answer: YOULL
9A. Long-haired Himalayan animals
Answer: YAKS
Down Answers
1D. Just fine
Answer: OKAY
2D. "Well, this oughta be good!"
Answer: OHBOY
3D. Italian city where "The Taming of the Shrew" is set
Answer: PADUA
4D. Walk around stealthily
Answer: SKULK
6D. Society's woes
Answer: ILLS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5A, “Not-so-tacky clothing material that rhymes with ‘tacky,’” lands on KHAKI. The cheeky rhyme gives the clue its snap while the definition points squarely at the fabric.
Wordplay Winner: KHAKI wins the wordplay prize because the clue uses “not-so-tacky” as both a style judgment and a setup for the sound-alike rhyme.
Quick Fill: 7A, ABDUL, is the fastest confident fill because the American Idol reference points cleanly to Paula Abdul. It spans the middle row and crosses every Down entry, checking OKAY, OHBOY, PADUA, SKULK, and ILLS.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Treat quoted speech as something to hear aloud. OOPS, YOULL, and OHBOY become clearer when read as natural conversational rhythms rather than formal definitions.
When a specific place name stalls you, build it from crossings. PADUA crosses strong Across material, so ABDUL and the surrounding entries can confirm the literary geography.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid played fair, mixing direct knowledge with conversational fills and one especially sharp rhyme. KHAKI supplied the memorable punch line.
See you at the next grid.
