Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a mix of sports trivia, zoological knowledge, and straightforward 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: 6A - Animal in the family Mephitidae, which comes from the Latin for "stink"
Gimme Clue: 4D - Tattoos, informally
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. Any mentee of Yoda
Hint: Think Star Wars, Force-sensitive warriors. Four letters.
5A. Plow pullers
Hint: Farm animals, plural. Four letters.
6A. Animal in the family Mephitidae, which comes from the Latin for "stink"
Hint: Black and white mammal known for its defense mechanism. Five letters.
7A. Scotsman's wear
Hint: Traditional Scottish garment. Four letters.
8A. Sections of a play
Hint: What plays are divided into. Four letters.
Down Hints
1D. Nikola ___, three-time N.B.A. M.V.P. (2021, 2022 and 2024)
Hint: Denver Nuggets superstar. Five letters.
2D. Jump for joy
Hint: Express great happiness. Five letters.
3D. Auto body issues
Hint: Car damage from minor collisions. Five letters.
4D. Tattoos, informally
Hint: Slang term for body art. Three letters.
6D. Music similar to reggae
Hint: Jamaican music genre, three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Any mentee of Yoda
Answer: JEDI
5A. Plow pullers
Answer: OXEN
6A. Animal in the family Mephitidae, which comes from the Latin for "stink"
Answer: SKUNK
7A. Scotsman's wear
Answer: KILT
8A. Sections of a play
Answer: ACTS
Down Answers
1D. Nikola ___, three-time N.B.A. M.V.P. (2021, 2022 and 2024)
Answer: JOKIC
2D. Jump for joy
Answer: EXULT
3D. Auto body issues
Answer: DENTS
4D. Tattoos, informally
Answer: INK
6D. Music similar to reggae
Answer: SKA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1D for JOKIC. This clue references current NBA history with Nikola Jokić's three MVP awards (2021, 2022, 2024), making it timely for sports fans.
Wordplay Winner: 6A for SKUNK. The clue cleverly incorporates Latin etymology ("Mephitidae" from "mephitis" meaning stink), adding an educational twist to a common animal.
Quick Fill: 4D for INK. Straightforward slang that most solvers will get instantly, providing a confidence boost early in the solve.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for intersecting sports and pop culture references. Today's grid had JEDI (Star Wars) crossing JOKIC (NBA), creating a strong starting point for quick solvers.
Recognize common crossword fill patterns. Three-letter answers like INK and SKA often appear in Mini puzzles and can be solved quickly from crossing letters.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of sports trivia (JOKIC), Star Wars knowledge (JEDI), and zoological etymology (SKUNK) made for a balanced Wednesday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
