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Friday, May 1, 2026

Today's Trivia Week 1 NYT Mini Crossword May 01, 2026 Answers

NYT Mini Puzzle Trivia Week 1 May 01, 2026 - Solved

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: Xwordhint Crossword Answers November 19 | April 23 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | Tuesday NYT Mini Crossword Answers |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for May 01, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Friday, May 01, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date May 01, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

  1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
  2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
  3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
  4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
  5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

  • Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
  • Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
  • Best time to play: During a coffee break
  • Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 51. Eliminates entirely
2 Across 54. Scruff : cat :: ___ : human
3 Across 57. ENE and WSW
4 Across 29. Rests on one's laurels
5 Across 35. Like some romantic resorts
6 Across 24. Holiday that's also a Hebrew letter
7 Across 30. Storybook, say
8 Across 45. Word with thou
9 Across 19. Talks and talks
10 Across 25. "WandaVision" co-star Elizabeth ___

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. Also check out these helpful guides:


1 Across: "51. Eliminates entirely"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 10 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E________S

Answer:

Click to reveal ERADICATES


2 Across: "54. Scruff : cat :: ___ : human"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: N__E

Answer:

Click to reveal NAPE


3 Across: "57. ENE and WSW"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: D__S

Answer:

Click to reveal DIRS


4 Across: "29. Rests on one's laurels"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: C____S

Answer:

Click to reveal COASTS


5 Across: "35. Like some romantic resorts"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 11 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: C_________Y

Answer:

Click to reveal COUPLESONLY


6 Across: "24. Holiday that's also a Hebrew letter"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'T'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal TET


7 Across: "30. Storybook, say"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 11 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: M_________E

Answer:

Click to reveal MAKEBELIEVE


8 Across: "45. Word with thou"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
  • Another word like this: prowess

Answer:

Click to reveal ART


9 Across: "19. Talks and talks"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: Y__S

Answer:

Click to reveal YAPS


10 Across: "25. "WandaVision" co-star Elizabeth ___"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: O___N

Answer:

Click to reveal OLSEN

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 9. Dough in tamales
2 Down 43. Swag
3 Down 3. "Crazy Rich Asians," for one
4 Down 6. Uncontroversial opinions
5 Down 44. U.N.C.'s athletic org.
6 Down 34. Impressive work
7 Down 21. "Tom ___" (classic folk song that became a #1 hit in 1958)
8 Down 28. Home of Swansea and Wrexham
9 Down 1. Bump's place, idiomatically
10 Down 50. "King Kong" studio

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:


1 Down: "9. Dough in tamales"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: M__A

Answer:

Click to reveal MASA


2 Down: "43. Swag"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: M___H

Answer:

Click to reveal MERCH


3 Down: "3. "Crazy Rich Asians," for one"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: R____M

Answer:

Click to reveal ROMCOM


4 Down: "6. Uncontroversial opinions"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 9 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: C_______S

Answer:

Click to reveal COLDTAKES


5 Down: "44. U.N.C.'s athletic org."

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'C'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal ACC


6 Down: "34. Impressive work"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O__S

Answer:

Click to reveal OPUS


7 Down: "21. "Tom ___" (classic folk song that became a #1 hit in 1958)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: D____Y

Answer:

Click to reveal DOOLEY


8 Down: "28. Home of Swansea and Wrexham"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'W' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: W___S

Answer:

Click to reveal WALES


9 Down: "1. Bump's place, idiomatically"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: O____G

Answer:

Click to reveal ONALOG


10 Down: "50. "King Kong" studio"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'O'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal RKO

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
  2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
  3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
  4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
  5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • The letter E is the most common in English
  • Words ending in S are often plurals
  • If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
  • Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds Advanced Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes Good You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes Learning You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20 clues to solve
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25 squares to fill
Average Time: Most people solve in 1 minute 10 seconds
Difficulty: Medium

Common Questions About Trivia Week 1

When can I play the Trivia Week 1 Mini?

The Trivia Week 1 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 1?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 1 Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play Trivia Week 1?

No! The Trivia Week 1 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 1 solver?

Good Trivia Week 1 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 1?

Trivia Week 1 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.


About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: May 01, 2026 at 06:25 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, May 01 2026 mini crossword

Sunday, December 7, 2025

NYT Mini Crossword Answers Today December 07, 2025 - All 20 Clues Solved & Expert Hints

NYT Mini Crossword Answers Today December 07, 2025 - All 20 Clues Solved & Expert Hints

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: June 12 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | December 07 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | Xwordhint Crossword Answers October 28 |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for December 07, 2025
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Sunday, December 07, 2025
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 07, 2025
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1     
Row 2     
Row 3     
Row 4     
Row 5     

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

  1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
  2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
  3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
  4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
  5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

  • Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
  • Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
  • Best time to play: During a coffee break
  • Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 122. Weirdly spooky
2 Across 62. Cattle calls
3 Across 86. Basic tenet of improv
4 Across 74. Like the Red Sea after a visit from Moses
5 Across 36. Emmy-winning actor Ray
6 Across 83. Hint
7 Across 123. Church staple
8 Across 124. "Vous ___ ici" (French map phrase)
9 Across 91. A urinal, according to Duchamp
10 Across 108. Bit of letter-shaped hardware

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. Also check out these helpful guides:


1 Across: "122. Weirdly spooky"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E___E

Answer:

Click to reveal EERIE


2 Across: "62. Cattle calls"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: L__S

Answer:

Click to reveal LOWS


3 Across: "86. Basic tenet of improv"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: Y____D

Answer:

Click to reveal YESAND


4 Across: "74. Like the Red Sea after a visit from Moses"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: P____D

Answer:

Click to reveal PARTED


5 Across: "36. Emmy-winning actor Ray"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: L____A

Answer:

Click to reveal LIOTTA


6 Across: "83. Hint"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T___E

Answer:

Click to reveal TRACE


7 Across: "123. Church staple"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: O___N

Answer:

Click to reveal ORGAN


8 Across: "124. "Vous ___ ici" (French map phrase)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E__S

Answer:

Click to reveal ETES


9 Across: "91. A urinal, according to Duchamp"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'T'
  • Another word like this: prowess

Answer:

Click to reveal ART


10 Across: "108. Bit of letter-shaped hardware"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'G'
  • Word pattern: O___G

Answer:

Click to reveal ORING

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 29. Starter, perhaps
2 Down 42. "Jeepers creepers!"
3 Down 52. Nullify
4 Down 92. Something for canines to sink their canines into
5 Down 13. One chain x one furlong
6 Down 9. Arabic greeting and farewell
7 Down 93. Toil
8 Down 90. McFlurry flavor
9 Down 8. Jelly you wouldn't pair with peanut butter
10 Down 114. Taxpayer IDs

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:


1 Down: "29. Starter, perhaps"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: S__P

Answer:

Click to reveal SOUP


2 Down: "42. "Jeepers creepers!""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: Y___S

Answer:

Click to reveal YIPES


3 Down: "52. Nullify"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: N____E

Answer:

Click to reveal NEGATE


4 Down: "92. Something for canines to sink their canines into"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 7 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: C_____Y

Answer:

Click to reveal CHEWTOY


5 Down: "13. One chain x one furlong"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A__E

Answer:

Click to reveal ACRE


6 Down: "9. Arabic greeting and farewell"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: S____M

Answer:

Click to reveal SALAAM


7 Down: "93. Toil"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: D____E

Answer:

Click to reveal DRUDGE


8 Down: "90. McFlurry flavor"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: O__O

Answer:

Click to reveal OREO


9 Down: "8. Jelly you wouldn't pair with peanut butter"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'C'
  • Word pattern: A___C

Answer:

Click to reveal ASPIC


10 Down: "114. Taxpayer IDs"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S__S

Answer:

Click to reveal SSNS

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
  2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
  3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
  4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
  5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • The letter E is the most common in English
  • Words ending in S are often plurals
  • If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
  • Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds Advanced Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes Good You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes Learning You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20 clues to solve
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25 squares to fill
Average Time: Most people solve in 58 seconds
Difficulty: A bit tricky

Common Questions About NYT Mini Crossword

When can I play the NYT Mini?

The puzzle comes out at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before. So you can play Monday's puzzle starting Sunday at 10 PM.

How fast should I be able to solve it?

Most people solve the Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play?

No! The NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Mini solver?

Good Mini solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder on certain days?

Unlike the big NYT crossword, the Mini stays about the same difficulty every day. Sometimes Saturday might be a tiny bit harder.


About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 07, 2025 at 04:09 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini, Mini crossword, today, answers, hints, December 07 2025 mini crossword

Monday, December 1, 2025

NYT Down Today December 01, 2025: Complete Vertical Clues Walkthrough

Down Clues NYT December 01, 2025 - Today's Complete Vertical Solutions

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Crossword has 41 Down clues. We have all the vertical answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Related Puzzles: July 07 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | September 29 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | December 17 2019 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Down Clues

NYT Down clues solutions for December 01, 2025
NYT Down Clues - Monday, December 01, 2025
Down Clues Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 01, 2025
Day of Week Monday
Total Down Clues 41 clues
Direction Vertical (Top to Bottom)
Difficulty Easy

All Down Clues - Complete List

Here are all 41 Down clues for today's puzzle. These go vertically from top to bottom.

Complete Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. ___ 1 (speed of sound)
2 Down 2. Result of yelling into a cave
3 Down 3. Supercomputer precursor
4 Down 4. Container on a ship from the Mideast
5 Down 5. Napkin's spot
6 Down 6. Best of the best
7 Down 7. Narnian talking lion
8 Down 8. Classic music style beloved by Weird Al Yankovic
9 Down 9. Performance in which a lady might be sawed in half
10 Down 10. Actress Noblezada of "Hadestown"
11 Down 11. Third-smallest country in the world (eight square miles)
12 Down 12. "Dinner is served!"
13 Down 13. Caught some Z's
14 Down 18. Country where sticky rice is a staple
15 Down 22. Prefix with friendly
16 Down 25. Zilch
17 Down 26. British singer Rita
18 Down 27. Adds unnecessary words to
19 Down 28. Computer menu heading next to "File"
20 Down 32. Preceder of skip and jump
21 Down 33. Ex-QB Manning
22 Down 34. Absolutely nail
23 Down 36. Bit of musical flair
24 Down 37. Effortlessness
25 Down 38. Establishments offering facials
26 Down 40. Game in which sound effects are banned
27 Down 41. Counterpart to sciences
28 Down 44. Split-___ soup
29 Down 46. Grew up
30 Down 48. Young 'un
31 Down 50. Bit of musical flair
32 Down 51. "Les Misérables" setting
33 Down 52. Midway Airport alternative
34 Down 53. Hospital glove material
35 Down 54. Wolf groups
36 Down 55. Disposed (to)
37 Down 56. Edmonton hockey player
38 Down 60. Chew, like a dog on a bone
39 Down 61. Teensy
40 Down 63. Tolkien tree creature
41 Down 65. "For sure"

Detailed Hints and Answers for All Down Clues

Need help? Here are comprehensive hints and answers for each Down clue. Also check these helpful guides:

Complete Down Solutions:


1 Down: "1. ___ 1 (speed of sound)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: M__H
  • Similar words: Ernst Mach
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 1

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MACH


2 Down: "2. Result of yelling into a cave"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: E__O
  • Similar words: reverberation, reverberate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 2

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ECHO


3 Down: "3. Supercomputer precursor"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: M_______E
  • Similar words: processor, CPU
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 3

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MAINFRAME


4 Down: "4. Container on a ship from the Mideast"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: O_____M
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 4

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OILDRUM


5 Down: "5. Napkin's spot"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'P'
  • Similar words: wash, lap up
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
  • This is Down clue number 5

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LAP


6 Down: "6. Best of the best"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E___E
  • Similar words: elite group, elect
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 6

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELITE


7 Down: "7. Narnian talking lion"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: A___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 7

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ASLAN


8 Down: "8. Classic music style beloved by Weird Al Yankovic"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: P___A
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: music performed for dancing the polka
  • This is Down clue number 8

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer POLKA


9 Down: "9. Performance in which a lady might be sawed in half"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: M______T
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 9

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MAGICACT


10 Down: "10. Actress Noblezada of "Hadestown""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'A'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 10

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EVA


11 Down: "11. Third-smallest country in the world (eight square miles)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: N___U
  • Similar words: Pleasant Island, Nauru Island
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 11

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer NAURU


12 Down: "12. "Dinner is served!""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: D___N
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 12

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DIGIN


13 Down: "13. Caught some Z's"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: S___T
  • Similar words: sleep, catch some Z's
  • Opposite of: wake
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: be asleep
  • This is Down clue number 13

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SLEPT


14 Down: "18. Country where sticky rice is a staple"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: L__S
  • Similar words: Laotian, Lao
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 14

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LAOS


15 Down: "22. Prefix with friendly"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'O'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 15

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ECO


16 Down: "25. Zilch"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'Z' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: Z__O
  • Similar words: cipher, zip
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a quantity of no importance
  • This is Down clue number 16

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ZERO


17 Down: "26. British singer Rita"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
  • Similar words: OS, os
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • This is Down clue number 17

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ORA


18 Down: "27. Adds unnecessary words to"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P__S
  • Similar words: dramatise, blow up
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 18

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PADS


19 Down: "28. Computer menu heading next to "File""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: E__T
  • Similar words: redact, blue-pencil
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: prepare for publication or presentation by correcting
  • This is Down clue number 19

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EDIT


20 Down: "32. Preceder of skip and jump"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'P'
  • Similar words: hop-skip, skip
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 20

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer HOP


21 Down: "33. Ex-QB Manning"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'I'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 21

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ELI


22 Down: "34. Absolutely nail"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Similar words: unity, whiz
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 22

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ACE


23 Down: "36. Bit of musical flair"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 9 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: G_______E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 23

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GRACENOTE


24 Down: "37. Effortlessness"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E__E
  • Similar words: repose, simpleness
  • Opposite of: difficulty
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
  • This is Down clue number 24

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer EASE


25 Down: "38. Establishments offering facials"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S__S
  • Similar words: resort hotel, watering hole
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
  • This is Down clue number 25

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer SPAS


26 Down: "40. Game in which sound effects are banned"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 8 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: C______S
  • Similar words: sendup, charade
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: player acts out a phrase for others to guess
  • This is Down clue number 26

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer CHARADES


27 Down: "41. Counterpart to sciences"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A__S
  • Similar words: graphics, prowess
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 27

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ARTS


28 Down: "44. Split-___ soup"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'A'
  • Similar words: pea plant
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: seed of a pea plant used for food
  • This is Down clue number 28

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PEA


29 Down: "46. Grew up"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 7 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: M_____D
  • Similar words: grow, suppurate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation
  • This is Down clue number 29

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer MATURED


30 Down: "48. Young 'un"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'T'
  • Similar words: add, sum up
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a small amount (especially of a drink)
  • This is Down clue number 30

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer TOT


31 Down: "50. Bit of musical flair"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'F'
  • Word pattern: R__F
  • Similar words: thumb, flick
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a Berber living in northern Morocco
  • This is Down clue number 31

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer RIFF


32 Down: "51. "Les Misérables" setting"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P___S
  • Similar words: City of Light, genus Paris
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 32

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PARIS


33 Down: "52. Midway Airport alternative"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O___E
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 33

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OHARE


34 Down: "53. Hospital glove material"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'X'
  • Word pattern: L___X
  • Similar words: latex paint
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 34

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer LATEX


35 Down: "54. Wolf groups"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: P___S
  • Similar words: face pack, load down
  • Opposite of: unpack
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a large indefinite number
  • This is Down clue number 35

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PACKS


36 Down: "55. Disposed (to)"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P___E
  • Similar words: prostrate
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: having a tendency (to); often used in combination
  • This is Down clue number 36

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer PRONE


37 Down: "56. Edmonton hockey player"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 5 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: O___R
  • Similar words: oil well, oil tanker
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: a worker who oils engines or machinery
  • This is Down clue number 37

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer OILER


38 Down: "60. Chew, like a dog on a bone"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: G__W
  • Similar words: wear away, eat at
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • Definition: bite or chew on with the teeth
  • This is Down clue number 38

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer GNAW


39 Down: "61. Teensy"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 4 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: I__Y
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 39

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ITSY


40 Down: "63. Tolkien tree creature"

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 40

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer ENT


41 Down: "65. "For sure""

Helpful hints for this Down clue:

  • This word has 3 letters going top to bottom
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'F'
  • This is an abbreviation or acronym
  • This is Down clue number 41

Answer:

Click to reveal the Down answer DEF

Expert Strategies for Solving Down Clues

Master the vertical clues with these professional tips:

Why Start with Down Clues?

  • Down clues often reveal key letters for intersecting words
  • Vertical patterns can unlock difficult sections
  • Many prefixes and suffixes run vertically
  • Down answers often help solve Across clues

Down Clue Patterns to Recognize

  1. Fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest Down entries
  2. Prefixes and suffixes: Common word parts often run vertically
  3. Abbreviations: Look for clues with "Abbr." or shortened forms
  4. Plural indicators: Words ending in 'S' are common in Down
  5. Pop culture references: Names and titles often appear vertically

Time-Saving Down Techniques

Technique How It Helps
Scan all Down first Get a mental map of the vertical flow
Fill short Down words 3-4 letter words are often prefixes or connectors
Use crossing letters Across letters help confirm Down answers
Look for themes Related Down answers often share a theme

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Clues

What are Down clues in crossword puzzles?

Down clues are the vertical entries in a crossword puzzle that read from top to bottom. They're numbered and correspond to specific columns in the grid.

Should I solve Down or Across clues first?

Many solvers alternate between Down and Across clues to build momentum. Down clues can help unlock difficult sections by providing key intersecting letters. The best approach is to solve the clues you find easiest first, regardless of direction.

How many Down clues are in today's puzzle?

Today's NYT crossword has 41 Down clues.

Are Down clues easier than Across clues?

Neither direction is inherently easier. The difficulty depends on the specific clues and your knowledge. However, Down clues often contain helpful prefixes, suffixes, and word parts that can be easier to guess.

How do Down clues interact with Across clues?

Down and Across clues intersect at various points in the grid. Solving one can provide letters that help solve the other, making the puzzle easier as you progress.


About This Page: We provide comprehensive Down clues solutions and hints for the NYT Crossword to help you improve your solving skills. This site is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last Updated: December 01, 2025 at 05:22 AM

Search terms: NYT Down, Down clues, vertical, crossword answers, top to bottom, December 01 2025 down clues