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Tuesday, February 10, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers February 10, 2026 | 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: Tricky

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. Pep in one's step 3
2A 4. Model airplane material 5
3A 9. ___ de los Muertos 3
4A 12. Picture it! 5
5A 15. Become less intense 5
6A 16. "Holiday ___" (1942 film with Irving Berlin songs) 3
7A 17. Certain casino regular 11
8A 19. Vessel that might hold dye 3
9A 20. Online commerce 5
10A 21. First Oscar winner to be born in the 21st century (for Best Original Song) 6
11A 23. $$$ execs 4
12A 25. Psychic who examines lifelines and heart lines 10
13A 28. Leader of the Chipmunks, in an old novelty group 5
14A 30. "Lost" actor Daniel ___ Kim 3
15A 31. Art ___ (geometric architectural style) 4
16A 32. Viral dance of the 2010s 6
17A 34. 20-ounce Starbucks size 5
18A 37. "Toy Story 2" character who says "I'm packing you an extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes, just in case" 13
19A 41. Invites for a nightcap, say 5
20A 42. Prohibit from practicing law 6
21A 44. "Don't Tell ___" ("Cabaret" song) 4
22A 47. Partner of the C.D.C. and F.D.A. 3
23A 49. Sound sometimes written as Z's 5
24A 50. Device measuring audience approval 10
25A 54. Denisovich or Ilyich of Russian literature 4
26A 55. "You Pick Two" bakery chain 6
27A 56. Word after mountain or vocal 5
28A 58. QVC alternative 3
29A 59. "I could use some help here" ... or hint to 17-, 25-, 37- and 50-Across 11
30A 64. Squeak (out) 3
31A 65. One terminal on a battery 5
32A 66. Catholic university whose mascot is a lion, aptly 5
33A 67. Body part that may have a ring or a stud 3
34A 68. Program for expedited travel between the U.S. and Canada 5
35A 69. Section of a journey 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Pep in one's step"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a healthy capacity for vigorous activity
  • Similar words include: vitality, vigour, energy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Model airplane material"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that strong lightweight wood of the balsa tree used especially for floats
  • Similar words include: balsa wood, Ochroma lagopus
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BALSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. ___ de los Muertos"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an intelligence agency of the united states in the department of defense; is responsible for providing intelligence in support of military planning and operations and weapons acquisition
  • Similar words include: Defense Intelligence Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. Picture it!"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an iconic mental representation
  • Similar words include: see, epitome, effigy
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMAGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Become less intense"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make less active or intense
  • Similar words include: slake, let up, slack
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "Holiday ___" (1942 film with Irving Berlin songs)"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
  • Similar words include: hostel, auberge, hostelry
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Certain casino regular"

11 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POKERPLAYER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Vessel that might hold dye"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tax levied on the difference between a commodity's price before taxes and its cost of production
  • Similar words include: value-added tax, tub, ad valorem tax
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Online commerce"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. First Oscar winner to be born in the 21st century (for Best Original Song)"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EILISH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. $$$ execs"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the corporate executive having financial authority to make appropriations and authorize expenditures for a firm
  • Similar words include: chief financial officer, CFO
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CFOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Psychic who examines lifelines and heart lines"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PALMREADER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Leader of the Chipmunks, in an old novelty group"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "30. "Lost" actor Daniel ___ Kim"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Art ___ (geometric architectural style)"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a style of design that was popular in the 1920s and 1930s; marked by stylized forms and geometric designs adapted to mass production
  • Similar words include: art deco
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DECO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Viral dance of the 2010s"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAENAE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. 20-ounce Starbucks size"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. "Toy Story 2" character who says "I'm packing you an extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes, just in case""

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "41. Invites for a nightcap, say"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. Prohibit from practicing law"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove from the bar; expel from the practice of law by official action
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DISBAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. "Don't Tell ___" ("Cabaret" song)"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a mother
  • Similar words include: ma, mummy, mammy
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "47. Partner of the C.D.C. and F.D.A."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an agency in the department of health and human services whose mission is to employ science in the pursuit of knowledge to improve human health; is the principal biomedical research agency of the federal government
  • Similar words include: National Institutes of Health
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NIH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "49. Sound sometimes written as Z's"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the rattling noise produced when snoring
  • Similar words include: saw logs, snoring, saw wood
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SNORE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "50. Device measuring audience approval"

10 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAPOMETER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "54. Denisovich or Ilyich of Russian literature"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "55. "You Pick Two" bakery chain"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PANERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. Word after mountain or vocal"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
  • Similar words include: browse, chain of mountains, roll
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. QVC alternative"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. "I could use some help here" ... or hint to 17-, 25-, 37- and 50-Across"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIVEMEAHAND

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "64. Squeak (out)"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "65. One terminal on a battery"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a positively charged electrode by which electrons leave an electrical device
  • Opposite of: cathode
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. Catholic university whose mascot is a lion, aptly"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Body part that may have a ring or a stud"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
  • Similar words include: auricle, capitulum, spike
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Program for expedited travel between the U.S. and Canada"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the means of connection between things linked in series
  • Similar words include: link
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEXUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Section of a journey"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
  • Similar words include: peg, wooden leg, stage
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. One who gets special treatment, for short 3
2D 2. "if u ask me ..." 3
3D 3. One might involve a drastic haircut and new clothes 8
4D 4. Song suitable for a slow dance 6
5D 5. Legal org. 3
6D 6. Set (down) 3
7D 7. Part of a cattle herd 5
8D 8. American Eagle subbrand 5
9D 9. Do the splits? 6
10D 10. "One moment!" 6
11D 11. Margaret Mead's subject, informally 6
12D 13. Regularly hits the gym, say 11
13D 14. Reputation or Lover, to a Swiftie 3
14D 18. One of three in the Domino's logo 3
15D 22. Occasion for some girl talk 11
16D 23. Common food shelf donation 3
17D 24. Flim-___ 4
18D 26. Pool from a volcanic eruption 7
19D 27. Cross paths 4
20D 29. California wine valley 4
21D 33. Goddess of daybreak 3
22D 35. Land of ___ (Genesis locale) 3
23D 36. Public radio's "___ American Life" 4
24D 38. Something to whistle 4
25D 39. First and foremost 8
26D 40. Swimmer Torres with 12 Olympic medals 4
27D 43. Kylo ___, "Star Wars" antagonist 3
28D 44. John ___, longtime writer for The New Yorker 6
29D 45. State that's the subject of 44-Down's book "Coming Into the Country" 6
30D 46. Way of doing things 6
31D 48. Birkin bag maker 6
32D 51. "The Phantom of the Opera" instrument 5
33D 52. Only U.S. state with a monosyllabic name 5
34D 53. Emmy-nominated Issa 3
35D 57. Rapper Lil ___ X 3
36D 60. News website with a Latin name 3
37D 61. Email suffix once required to use Facebook 3
38D 62. Formerly named 3
39D 63. Snoopy or Scooby-Doo 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. One who gets special treatment, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an important or influential (and often overbearing) person
  • Similar words include: high-up, high muckamuck, panjandrum
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "if u ask me ...""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the united nations agency concerned with international maritime activities
  • Similar words include: International Maritime Organization
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: IMO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. One might involve a drastic haircut and new clothes"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an overall beauty treatment (involving a person's hair style and cosmetics and clothing) intended to change or improve a person's appearance
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAKEOVER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Song suitable for a slow dance"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
  • Similar words include: lay
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BALLAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Legal org."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by arabs
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Set (down)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
  • Similar words include: put, repose, set
  • Opposite of: stand, arise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Part of a cattle herd"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an indication of potential opportunity
  • Similar words include: channelize, channelise, hint
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STEER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. American Eagle subbrand"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk or eagle)
  • Similar words include: eyry, eyrie, aery
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AERIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Do the splits?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility)
  • Similar words include: disunite, fraction, separate
  • Opposite of: unite, multiply
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DIVIDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. "One moment!""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INASEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Margaret Mead's subject, informally"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANTHRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. Regularly hits the gym, say"

11 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GETSINSHAPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Reputation or Lover, to a Swiftie"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
  • Similar words include: geological era, epoch, earned run average
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. One of three in the Domino's logo"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a disease of poultry
  • Similar words include: rack up, worst, hit
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Occasion for some girl talk"

11 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LADIESNIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "23. Common food shelf donation"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
  • Similar words include: john, send away, butt
  • Opposite of: hire
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Flim-___"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Pool from a volcanic eruption"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "27. Cross paths"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
  • Similar words include: run across, see, fulfil
  • Opposite of: diverge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. California wine valley"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that plant with an elongated head of broad stalked leaves resembling celery; used as a vegetable in east asia
  • Similar words include: celery cabbage, pe-tsai, Brassica rapa pekinensis
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAPA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "33. Goddess of daybreak"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) the winged goddess of the dawn in ancient mythology; daughter of hyperion; identified with roman aurora
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "35. Land of ___ (Genesis locale)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a sign of assent or salutation or command
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "36. Public radio's "___ American Life""

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "38. Something to whistle"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
  • Similar words include: melodic line, melody, strain
  • Opposite of: untune
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TUNE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "39. First and foremost"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "40. Swimmer Torres with 12 Olympic medals"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "43. Kylo ___, "Star Wars" antagonist"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. John ___, longtime writer for The New Yorker"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MCPHEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. State that's the subject of 44-Down's book "Coming Into the Country""

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in northwestern north america; the 49th state admitted to the union
  • Similar words include: Last Frontier, AK
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALASKA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Way of doing things"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that how something is done or how it happens
  • Similar words include: mode, style, way
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MANNER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "48. Birkin bag maker"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (greek mythology) messenger and herald of the gods; god of commerce and cunning and invention and theft; identified with roman mercury
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HERMES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. "The Phantom of the Opera" instrument"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function
  • Similar words include: electronic organ, Hammond organ, pipe organ
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORGAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Only U.S. state with a monosyllabic name"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a state in new england
  • Similar words include: Pine Tree State, ME
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Emmy-nominated Issa"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "57. Rapper Lil ___ X"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group; occurs abundantly in natural compounds (especially in salt water); burns with a yellow flame and reacts violently in water; occurs in sea water and in the mineral halite (rock salt)
  • Similar words include: sodium, atomic number 11, Na
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "60. News website with a Latin name"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by the vibration of vocal folds modified by the resonance of the vocal tract
  • Similar words include: vocalization, vocalisation, vocalism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "61. Email suffix once required to use Facebook"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "62. Formerly named"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (meaning literally `born') used to indicate the maiden or family name of a married woman
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "63. Snoopy or Scooby-Doo"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of the genus canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
  • Similar words include: cad, firedog, wiener
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DOG

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

35 Across Clues
39 Down Clues
74 Total Clues

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Last updated: February 10, 2026 at 05:15 AM

Monday, February 9, 2026

Trivia Week 2 February 09, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints

Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini February 09, 2026 Solutions & Guide

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 10 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | November 20 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | June 11 2022 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for February 09, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Monday, February 09, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date February 09, 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 61. Nine-member musical group
2 Across 39. Online "haha"
3 Across 30. "Delicious!"
4 Across 45. Crow's call
5 Across 20. Main drag through Sin City
6 Across 63. Pimples
7 Across 13. Like a situation with only bad outcomes
8 Across 55. Question to a scaredy-cat ... to which the final parts of 20-, 32- and 42-Across would answer "Yes!"
9 Across 60. Lake on Ohio's northern border
10 Across 44. Explosive-sounding TV channel

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: "61. Nine-member musical group"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal NONET


2 Across: "39. Online "haha""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal LOL


3 Across: "30. "Delicious!""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal YUM


4 Across: "45. Crow's call"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal CAW


5 Across: "20. Main drag through Sin City"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal LASVEGASSTRIP


6 Across: "63. Pimples"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ACNE


7 Across: "13. Like a situation with only bad outcomes"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal NOWIN


8 Across: "55. Question to a scaredy-cat ... to which the final parts of 20-, 32- and 42-Across would answer "Yes!""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 13 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: A___________N

Answer:

Click to reveal AREYOUCHICKEN


9 Across: "60. Lake on Ohio's northern border"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ERIE


10 Across: "44. Explosive-sounding TV channel"

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 TNT

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 4. Apportioned
2 Down 56. Oceanic predator
3 Down 1. ___-Saxon
4 Down 10. Portable writing surface
5 Down 36. India's smallest state by area
6 Down 54. "Come in"
7 Down 22. "Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of ___"
8 Down 42. Period before starting more school
9 Down 21. Sanskrit word for "teacher"
10 Down 6. Wipe clean

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

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


1 Down: "4. Apportioned"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 9 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: D_______P

Answer:

Click to reveal DIVVIEDUP


2 Down: "56. Oceanic predator"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ORCA


3 Down: "1. ___-Saxon"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ANGLO


4 Down: "10. Portable writing surface"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal CLIPBOARD


5 Down: "36. India's smallest state by area"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal GOA


6 Down: "54. "Come in""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ENTER


7 Down: "22. "Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of ___""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal RUM


8 Down: "42. Period before starting more school"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 7 letters
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: G_____R

Answer:

Click to reveal GAPYEAR


9 Down: "21. Sanskrit word for "teacher""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'U'
  • Word pattern: G__U

Answer:

Click to reveal GURU


10 Down: "6. Wipe clean"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ERASE

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 52 seconds
Difficulty: Normal

Common Questions About Trivia Week 2

When can I play the Trivia Week 2 Mini?

The Trivia Week 2 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 2?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 2 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 2?

No! The Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 2 solver?

Good Trivia Week 2 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 2?

Trivia Week 2 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: February 09, 2026 at 05:17 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, February 09 2026 mini crossword