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Monday, December 1, 2025

XWordHint Crossword Answers December 01, 2025 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Office announcement 4
2A 5. Jump 4
3A 9. Repairs a hole 5
4A 14. Ingredient in some smoothie bowls 4
5A 15. Plus 4
6A 16. To no ___ (without success) 5
7A 17. "Remedy" for a riled-up person 9
8A 19. Dashboard instrument 5
9A 20. CR-V or Civic 5
10A 21. George who played Sulu on "Star Trek" 5
11A 23. Headstone letters 3
12A 24. Penalty for bank fraud 13
13A 27. Read thoroughly 6
14A 29. Rowing implement 3
15A 30. "Madam, I'm ___" 4
16A 31. Emu relative 4
17A 35. Locks up 5
18A 39. Lower, as the lights 3
19A 40. Hip person, in old slang 7
20A 42. Genre for Cardi B or LL Cool J 3
21A 43. Curry of the N.B.A., informally 5
22A 45. Boat tie-up location 4
23A 46. Tortilla ingredient 4
24A 47. Enjoy a banquet 3
25A 49. Goes over by hand, as a drawing 6
26A 51. Antithesis 13
27A 57. "I've solved it!" 3
28A 58. Creator of Asteroids and Pong 5
29A 59. "You should come foraging with me, because I'm a ___" (bad pun) 5
30A 62. Assigned stars, say 5
31A 64. Cause of some wintry weather ... or a hint to 17-, 24-, 40- and 51-Across 9
32A 66. Woman who bests Sherlock in "A Scandal in Bohemia" 5
33A 67. Largest joint in the body 4
34A 68. Some airport listings, for short 4
35A 69. Sends an eggplant emoji, say 5
36A 70. Feudal underling 4
37A 71. Fresh and glowing, in skin-care terminology 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Office announcement"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a written proposal or reminder
  • Similar words include: memoranda, memorandum
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Jump"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
  • Similar words include: leaping, bound, spring
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Repairs a hole"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sewing that repairs a worn or torn hole (especially in a garment)
  • Similar words include: mend, repair, fixture
  • Opposite of: break
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MENDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Ingredient in some smoothie bowls"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Plus"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that in addition
  • Similar words include: likewise, as well, too
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. To no ___ (without success)"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a means of serving
  • Similar words include: service, help
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AVAIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. "Remedy" for a riled-up person"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHILLPILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Dashboard instrument"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.
  • Similar words include: calibre, estimate, bore
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GAUGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. CR-V or Civic"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HONDA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. George who played Sulu on "Star Trek""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAKEI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Headstone letters"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dissolute man in fashionable society
  • Similar words include: rive, rake, tear
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Penalty for bank fraud"

13 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FROZENACCOUNT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Read thoroughly"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that examine or consider with attention and in detail
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PERUSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Rowing implement"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. "Madam, I'm ___""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (old testament) in judeo-christian mythology; the first man and the husband of eve and the progenitor of the human race
  • Similar words include: ecstasy, XTC, X
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Emu relative"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that fertility goddess in ancient greek mythology; wife of cronus and mother of zeus; identified with roman ops and cybele of ancient asia minor
  • Similar words include: Pterocnemia pennata, Rhea americana, nandu
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RHEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Locks up"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
  • Similar words include: John Cage, batting cage, cage in
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAGES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Lower, as the lights"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam
  • Similar words include: subdued, blind, vague
  • Opposite of: undimmed, focus
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Hip person, in old slang"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COOLCAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Genre for Cardi B or LL Cool J"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
  • Similar words include: knap, hip-hop, blame
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Curry of the N.B.A., informally"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEPH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Boat tie-up location"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
  • Similar words include: wharfage, dock, wharf
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Tortilla ingredient"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent group of closely related chadic languages spoken in the area between the biu-mandara and east chadic languages
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MASA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "47. Enjoy a banquet"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that take in solid food
  • Similar words include: exhaust, corrode, feed
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "49. Goes over by hand, as a drawing"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a just detectable amount
  • Similar words include: shadow, decipher, touch
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRACES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Antithesis"

13 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POLAROPPOSITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. "I've solved it!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. Creator of Asteroids and Pong"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATARI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. "You should come foraging with me, because I'm a ___" (bad pun)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the taxonomic kingdom including yeast, molds, smuts, mushrooms, and toadstools; distinct from the green plants
  • Similar words include: fungus kingdom, fungus, kingdom Fungi
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUNGI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "62. Assigned stars, say"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that assign a rank or rating to
  • Similar words include: fink, denounce, betray
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. Cause of some wintry weather ... or a hint to 17-, 24-, 40- and 51-Across"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COLDFRONT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. Woman who bests Sherlock in "A Scandal in Bohemia""

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IRENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Largest joint in the body"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
  • Similar words include: stifle, genu, knee joint
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: KNEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Some airport listings, for short"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Similar words include: eta, Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Freedom
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Sends an eggplant emoji, say"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the fourth of the seven canonical hours; about noon
  • Similar words include: sext
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEXTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "70. Feudal underling"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (middle ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord
  • Similar words include: villein, helot
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Fresh and glowing, in skin-care terminology"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that wet with dew
  • Similar words include: bedewed
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEWY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. ___ 1 (speed of sound) 4
2D 2. Result of yelling into a cave 4
3D 3. Supercomputer precursor 9
4D 4. Container on a ship from the Mideast 7
5D 5. Napkin's spot 3
6D 6. Best of the best 5
7D 7. Narnian talking lion 5
8D 8. Classic music style beloved by Weird Al Yankovic 5
9D 9. Performance in which a lady might be sawed in half 8
10D 10. Actress Noblezada of "Hadestown" 3
11D 11. Third-smallest country in the world (eight square miles) 5
12D 12. "Dinner is served!" 5
13D 13. Caught some Z's 5
14D 18. Country where sticky rice is a staple 4
15D 22. Prefix with friendly 3
16D 25. Zilch 4
17D 26. British singer Rita 3
18D 27. Adds unnecessary words to 4
19D 28. Computer menu heading next to "File" 4
20D 32. Preceder of skip and jump 3
21D 33. Ex-QB Manning 3
22D 34. Absolutely nail 3
23D 36. Bit of musical flair 9
24D 37. Effortlessness 4
25D 38. Establishments offering facials 4
26D 40. Game in which sound effects are banned 8
27D 41. Counterpart to sciences 4
28D 44. Split-___ soup 3
29D 46. Grew up 7
30D 48. Young 'un 3
31D 50. Bit of musical flair 4
32D 51. "Les Misérables" setting 5
33D 52. Midway Airport alternative 5
34D 53. Hospital glove material 5
35D 54. Wolf groups 5
36D 55. Disposed (to) 5
37D 56. Edmonton hockey player 5
38D 60. Chew, like a dog on a bone 4
39D 61. Teensy 4
40D 63. Tolkien tree creature 3
41D 65. "For sure" 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that austrian physicist and philosopher who introduced the mach number and who founded logical positivism (1838-1916)
  • Similar words include: Ernst Mach
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MACH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
  • Similar words include: sound reflection, reverberate, repeat
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECHO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Supercomputer precursor"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large digital computer serving 100-400 users and occupying a special air-conditioned room
  • Similar words include: mainframe computer, CPU, C.P.U.
  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAINFRAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OILDRUM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Napkin's spot"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
  • Similar words include: lap covering, swoosh, swosh
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Best of the best"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status
  • Similar words include: elite group, elect
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELITE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Narnian talking lion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASLAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that music performed for dancing the polka
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POLKA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAGICACT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an island republic on nauru island; phosphate exports support the economy
  • Similar words include: Pleasant Island, Nauru Island, Republic of Nauru
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAURU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIGIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that be able to accommodate for sleeping
  • Similar words include: kip, sleep, slumber
  • Opposite of: wake
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SLEPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern asia; achieved independence from france in 1949
  • Similar words include: Laotian, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lao
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Prefix with friendly"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ECO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Zilch"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a quantity of no importance
  • Similar words include: cypher, zip, 0
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ZERO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. British singer Rita"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a mouth or mouthlike opening
  • Similar words include: bone, oculus sinister, atomic number 76
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Adds unnecessary words to"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge
  • Similar words include: tablet, dramatize, tramp
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PADS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
  • Similar words include: edit out, cut, redact
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of hopping; jumping upward or forward (especially on one foot)
  • Similar words include: hop-skip, record hop, skip
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Ex-QB Manning"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "34. Absolutely nail"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: wiz, pass with flying colors, single
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Bit of musical flair"

9 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GRACENOTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "37. Effortlessness"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
  • Similar words include: relieve, facilitate, repose
  • Opposite of: difficulty
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EASE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Establishments offering facials"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
  • Similar words include: health spa, health club, spa
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SPAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that player acts out a phrase for others to guess
  • Similar words include: travesty, takeoff, lampoon
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHARADES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Counterpart to sciences"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
  • Similar words include: humanistic discipline, artistic creation, fine art
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. Split-___ soup"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that seed of a pea plant used for food
  • Similar words include: pea plant
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PEA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Grew up"

7 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation
  • Similar words include: get on, grow, age
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MATURED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. Young 'un"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small amount (especially of a drink)
  • Similar words include: tot up, sum up, bambino
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Bit of musical flair"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a berber living in northern morocco
  • Similar words include: flip, Riffian, leaf
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIFF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. "Les Misérables" setting"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the capital and largest city of france; and international center of culture and commerce
  • Similar words include: capital of France, French capital, genus Paris
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Midway Airport alternative"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OHARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Hospital glove material"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a milky exudate from certain plants that coagulates on exposure to air
  • Similar words include: latex paint, rubber-base paint
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LATEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Wolf groups"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a large indefinite number
  • Similar words include: load down, bundle, battalion
  • Opposite of: unpack
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PACKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Disposed (to)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having a tendency (to); often used in combination
  • Similar words include: prostrate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PRONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. Edmonton hockey player"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a worker who oils engines or machinery
  • Similar words include: oil well, tank ship, tanker
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OILER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

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

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that bite or chew on with the teeth
  • Similar words include: erode, eat at, gnaw at
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GNAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. Teensy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ITSY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "63. Tolkien tree creature"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "65. "For sure""

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

37 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: December 01, 2025 at 04:35 AM

NYT Mini Crossword December 01, 2025 Hints & Answers - Beat the Average 1-Minute Time

NYT Mini Today December 01, 2025: Complete Walkthrough with Progressive 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: August 17 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | October 01 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | May 23 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for December 01, 2025
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Monday, December 01, 2025
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 01, 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 51. Antithesis
2 Across 30. "Madam, I'm ___"
3 Across 14. Ingredient in some smoothie bowls
4 Across 17. "Remedy" for a riled-up person
5 Across 27. Read thoroughly
6 Across 39. Lower, as the lights
7 Across 31. Emu relative
8 Across 59. "You should come foraging with me, because I'm a ___" (bad pun)
9 Across 5. Jump
10 Across 42. Genre for Cardi B or LL Cool J

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. Antithesis"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 13 letters
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P___________E

Answer:

Click to reveal POLAROPPOSITE


2 Across: "30. "Madam, I'm ___""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ADAM


3 Across: "14. Ingredient in some smoothie bowls"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ACAI


4 Across: "17. "Remedy" for a riled-up person"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal CHILLPILL


5 Across: "27. Read thoroughly"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal PERUSE


6 Across: "39. Lower, as the lights"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'M'
  • Another word like this: dull

Answer:

Click to reveal DIM


7 Across: "31. Emu relative"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal RHEA


8 Across: "59. "You should come foraging with me, because I'm a ___" (bad pun)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: F___I

Answer:

Click to reveal FUNGI


9 Across: "5. Jump"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal LEAP


10 Across: "42. Genre for Cardi B or LL Cool J"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'P'
  • Another word like this: knock

Answer:

Click to reveal RAP

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 12. "Dinner is served!"
2 Down 26. British singer Rita
3 Down 63. Tolkien tree creature
4 Down 9. Performance in which a lady might be sawed in half
5 Down 8. Classic music style beloved by Weird Al Yankovic
6 Down 28. Computer menu heading next to "File"
7 Down 2. Result of yelling into a cave
8 Down 25. Zilch
9 Down 37. Effortlessness
10 Down 6. Best of the best

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

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


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

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal DIGIN


2 Down: "26. British singer Rita"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'A'
  • Another word like this: osmium

Answer:

Click to reveal ORA


3 Down: "63. Tolkien tree creature"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ENT


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

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 8 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: M______T

Answer:

Click to reveal MAGICACT


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

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal POLKA


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

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: E__T

Answer:

Click to reveal EDIT


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

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ECHO


8 Down: "25. Zilch"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ZERO


9 Down: "37. Effortlessness"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal EASE


10 Down: "6. Best of the best"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ELITE

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 45 seconds
Difficulty: Normal

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 01, 2025 at 04:34 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini, Mini crossword, today, answers, hints, December 01 2025 mini crossword