Good morning, word lovers! Welcome to your daily NYT Mini Crossword run-through. Today’s puzzle (Friday, July 18, 2025) is compact, clever, and ready to brighten your brain. Here are the answers, along with fresh hints—and a quick FAQ for new solvers.
Bold Answers at a Glance
| Direction | Answer | Brief Hint |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | HALF | Think “half-___”: prefix that ties multiple crossings |
| 5A | EMILE | Remy’s brother in Ratatouille |
| 7A | MO | Missouri’s postal shorthand |
| 8A | ON | Flip it to turn the switch to “on” |
| 9A | INFUN | Done for laughs |
| 11A | GERE | Richard from Pretty Woman |
| Direction | Answer | Brief Hint |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | HEMI | Prefix meaning “half” — links back to 1A |
| 2D | AMONG | Means “in the midst of” |
| 3D | LI | That big Super Bowl comeback — 28–3 |
| 4D | FLOUR | Bakers can’t rise without it |
| 6D | ENNE | A dated feminine suffix (-ienne) |
| 10D | FE | Iron on the periodic table |
Fresh Insights & Tips
- Grid link-ups: “HEMI” and “HALF” nod to each other—first across clue echoes the down!
- Cinematic cameo: Ratatouille fans will smile at “EMILE.”
- Mind the state code: USPS-style abbreviations like “MO” often appear in short puzzles.
- Solid trivia: “LI” refers to the incredible Super Bowl lead reversal—Patriots’ comeback!
- Wordplay alert: “IN FUN” implies “done for laughs”—a great little twist on phrasing.
Frequently Asked: NYT Mini Crossword
Q: What is the NYT Mini Crossword?
A: A daily 5×5 (weekday) or 7×7 (Saturday) mini version of the NYT crossword—quick, compact, and designed for a short mental workout.
Q: When does it drop?
Available each day at 10 PM ET (that’s 7:30 AM IST the next morning)—perfect for your morning routine .
Q: How long does it take?
Most solvers finish in under 3 minutes—some even attempt speed runs!
Pro Tips for Faster Solving
- Begin with short answers like “MO,” “ON,” and “LI” to fill the grid anchors.
- Keep an eye out for themes or linked clues (like “HALF” and “HEMI”).
- Proper nouns and pop-culture references are Mini puzzle favorites—so stay alert!
