Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid brings a mix of straightforward vocabulary and clever wordplay. 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: "Peering pair?" for EYES
Gimme Clue: "Rainbow's place" for SKY
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. Feature of …
Hint: Think about what comes after "feature of" - it's a number
4A. … every clue
Hint: What every clue contains - plural form
6A. Kindle download
Hint: Digital reading material - starts with E
7A. Attempt again
Hint: What you do when you fail - starts with RE
8A. Peering pair?
Hint: Body parts used for looking - plural
Down Hints
1D. Actor Maguire
Hint: Spider-Man actor's first name
2D. Jotted (down)
Hint: Past tense of writing something quickly
3D. Foul smells
Hint: Unpleasant odors - plural form
4D. Had been
Hint: Past tense of "to be" - plural
5D. Rainbow's place
Hint: Where you see rainbows - three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Feature of …
Answer: TWO
4A. … every clue
Answer: WORDS
6A. Kindle download
Answer: EBOOK
7A. Attempt again
Answer: RETRY
8A. Peering pair?
Answer: EYES
Down Answers
1D. Actor Maguire
Answer: TOBEY
2D. Jotted (down)
Answer: WROTE
3D. Foul smells
Answer: ODORS
4D. Had been
Answer: WERE
5D. Rainbow's place
Answer: SKY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Peering pair?" for EYES. The wordplay combines "peering" (looking) with "pair" (two), creating a clever description of eyes without being too obvious.
Wordplay Winner: "Kindle download" for EBOOK. This modern tech reference keeps the puzzle current while being straightforward enough for most solvers.
Quick Fill: "Rainbow's place" for SKY. This is classic crossword filler - common knowledge that provides easy entry points into the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for modern references like "Kindle download" - tech terms are becoming more common in crosswords. When you see a device name followed by an action, think about what that device is known for.
Pay attention to clue punctuation. The question mark in "Peering pair?" signals wordplay or a pun, not a literal interpretation. This tells you to think creatively about the answer.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of straightforward vocabulary and clever wordplay like "Peering pair?" makes for a balanced Thursday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
