Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid brings a mix of sports equipment, Greek letters, and pop culture references. 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: 5D. Erotic practice in "Fifty Shades of Grey," for short
Gimme Clue: 1A. Donate
Theme Spotted: None today
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Donate
Hint: Opposite of take. Five letters, starts with G.
5A. Piece of equipment in curling or Quidditch
Hint: Used for sweeping. Five letters, starts with B.
6A. Tidbit of information
Hint: Singular form of data. Five letters, starts with D.
7A. Prone to daydreaming
Hint: Spacey alternative spelling. Five letters, starts with S.
8A. Athletic shorts fabric
Hint: Breathable net-like material. Four letters, starts with M.
Down Hints
1D. Flavor of a purple lollipop
Hint: Fruit flavor. Five letters, starts with G.
2D. Greek letter I's
Hint: Plural of a tiny Greek letter. Five letters, starts with I.
3D. Go to bat (for)
Hint: Support or endorse. Five letters, starts with V.
4D. Award with Daytime and Primetime categories
Hint: Television award. Four letters, starts with E.
5D. Erotic practice in "Fifty Shades of Grey," for short
Hint: BDSM acronym. Four letters, starts with B.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Donate
Answer: GIVE
5A. Piece of equipment in curling or Quidditch
Answer: BROOM
6A. Tidbit of information
Answer: DATUM
7A. Prone to daydreaming
Answer: SPACY
8A. Athletic shorts fabric
Answer: MESH
Down Answers
1D. Flavor of a purple lollipop
Answer: GRAPE
2D. Greek letter I's
Answer: IOTAS
3D. Go to bat (for)
Answer: VOUCH
4D. Award with Daytime and Primetime categories
Answer: EMMY
5D. Erotic practice in "Fifty Shades of Grey," for short
Answer: BDSM
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5D for BDSM. The reference to "Fifty Shades of Grey" requires specific pop culture knowledge that might stump casual solvers.
Wordplay Winner: 5A for BROOM. Cleverly connects two very different sports - curling (real) and Quidditch (fictional) - through shared equipment.
Quick Fill: 1A for GIVE. Straightforward definition with common five-letter answer that intersects helpfully with other clues.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for sports equipment clues that bridge real and fictional worlds - they often hide straightforward answers behind creative connections.
Greek letter plurals (like IOTAS) are common fill; knowing your Greek alphabet basics pays off in seconds saved.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of BROOM in both curling and Quidditch plus the BDSM pop culture reference made for an interesting Thursday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
