Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Monday's grid brings a clean 5x5 mix of internet culture and everyday vocabulary. Whether you're racing the clock or just enjoying a quick brain break, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
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: 2D. "The Great Meme ___, movement to purge social media of 'brain rot'"
Gimme Clue: 8A. "Sheds tears"
Theme Spotted: None today, a clean mix of modern internet references, nature, and emotional vocabulary
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. What someone may attempt to explain in a long, drawn-out description
Hint: You had one last night. Starts with D, five letters.
6A. Back in style
Hint: Think vintage revival. Five letters, starts with R.
7A. Remnants in a recently used fire pit
Hint: What's left after the flames die down. Five letters, starts with A.
8A. Sheds tears
Hint: A synonym for cries. Five letters, starts with W.
9A. Animal in need of adoption
Hint: A homeless pet. Five letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. Takes a card from the deck
Hint: What you do before playing your hand. Five letters, starts with D.
2D. The Great Meme ___, movement to purge social media of "brain rot"
Hint: A digital do-over. Five letters, starts with R.
3D. Thin air, so to speak
Hint: A substance that's everywhere and nowhere. Five letters, starts with E.
4D. Colombian food cart dish
Hint: A stuffed corn cake. Five letters, starts with A.
5D. Green and fuzzy, as a rock
Hint: Like a stone that's been sitting in a damp creek. Five letters, starts with M.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. What someone may attempt to explain in a long, drawn-out description
Answer: DREAM
6A. Back in style
Answer: RETRO
7A. Remnants in a recently used fire pit
Answer: ASHES
8A. Sheds tears
Answer: WEEPS
9A. Animal in need of adoption
Answer: STRAY
Down Answers
1D. Takes a card from the deck
Answer: DRAWS
2D. The Great Meme ___, movement to purge social media of "brain rot"
Answer: RESET
3D. Thin air, so to speak
Answer: ETHER
4D. Colombian food cart dish
Answer: AREPA
5D. Green and fuzzy, as a rock
Answer: MOSSY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 2D "The Great Meme ___, movement to purge social media of 'brain rot'" for RESET. This is the most contemporary clue in the grid, a direct nod to internet culture's pushback against low-quality content. If you're not deep in meme discourse, this one could trip you up.
Wordplay Winner: 3D "Thin air, so to speak" for ETHER. The phrase "thin air" is a dead giveaway for a synonym meaning "empty space," but ETHER also carries a vintage sci-fi and chemistry dual meaning, a nice piece of misdirection.
Quick Fill: 8A "Sheds tears" for WEEPS. There's no ambiguity here. Shedding tears equals crying equals WEEPS. Straightforward and immediately solvable, making it the ideal entry point into the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When you see a clue referencing internet culture or current events (like 2D's "Great Meme Reset"), scan for modern five-letter terms before defaulting to crossword classics. RESET is a common Mini word, but the meme context makes it feel fresh.
Pay attention to intersecting short vowels. RETRO and RESET share the R-E pattern, and ASHES and ETHER share the E-S connection. Once you lock in one Across answer, the Down answers often fall into place instantly.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether the meme clue threw you or the quick fills carried your time, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
