Crossword enthusiasts enjoy testing their knowledge and skills with daily puzzles, including this NYT Mini Crossword.
June 15, 2025 NYT Mini Crossword Clues & Answers ACROSSLong, drawn-out story → SAGAWith 6-Down, become hopelessly infatuated → CRUSHUnsettled feeling → AGITABack tooth → MOLARPassionate student, perhaps → NERDDOWNA text saying “Congratulations! You’ve won a $1,000 gift card,” usually → SCAMElement between chlorine and potassium on the periodic table → ARGONCraftiness → GUILE“_ Is…
15 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
SAGA — A saga is a lengthy narrative or story, often epic in scope, fitting “long, drawn-out story.”
CRUSH — Paired with HARD (6-Down), “crush hard” captures the slangy phrase for falling head over heels.
AGITA — From Italian for “annoyance,” agita describes a nervous or unsettled feeling.
MOLAR — Molars are the large, flat back teeth used for grinding food.
NERD — A nerd might be a student with passionate devotion to academics or hobbies.
Down Clues 🔍
SCAM — Scam denotes a fraudulent scheme, such as a “you’ve won” text message.
ARGON — Atomic number 18, argon sits between chlorine (17) and potassium (19) on the periodic table.
GUILE — Guile refers to sly or cunning intelligence, matching “craftiness.”
ASTAR — Fills the blank in “_ Is Born,” the title of the classic film “A Star Is Born.”
HARD — Completes the pair “crush hard,” following the instruction “See 5-Across.”
15 June, 2025 – Solved

14 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
- NIH — The National Institutes of Health, where Dr. Anthony Fauci served as a leading researcher.
- WWI — Abbreviation for World War I, officially ending with the Armistice on November 11, 1918.
- BRA — A supportive undergarment featuring wire reinforcement for shape and lift.
- HAN — The first name of “Star Wars” hero Solo, famously portrayed by Harrison Ford.
- CONFIRM — To verify or establish the truth or accuracy of something.
- QUIZME — A student’s plea for testing knowledge, often used during exam preparation.
- JUKEBOX — A coin-operated music player once found in mid-20th-century diners.
- AOK — Informal shorthand for “all set” or “good to go.”
- AVI — Latin-derived prefix meaning “bird,” as in aviation or avian.
- VIA — A preposition meaning “by way of” or “through.”
- NIC — Nickname for actor Nicolas Cage used by fans and media.
- ASH — The powdery residue left after burning wood or coal.
- GEO — Abbreviation in “Nat Geo,” shorthand for National Geographic’s TV network.
Down Clues 🔍
- NBC — The television network that broadcasts “Saturday Night Live.”
- IROQUOIS — Another name for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy of Native American nations.
- HANUKKAH — The eight-day Jewish festival of lights commemorating the rededication of the Temple.
- WOWIE — Old-school slang for something sensationally successful or remarkable.
- WARFILM — A film genre exemplified by “Full Metal Jacket” and “Saving Private Ryan.”
- MEXICO — The country south of California that includes the Baja peninsula.
- FIE — The exclamation in “fee, fi, foe, fum.”
- JAVA — A programming language named after coffee, with a steaming cup as its logo.
14 June, 2025 – Solved

13 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
MDS — Abbreviation for multiple medical doctors
PORT — Rich, sweet fortified wine often served with dessert
COCOA — Hot chocolate you sip after sledding in the snow
IMHOT — Play on “I’m hot,” jokingly a “desert whine”
ASAP — Text shorthand for “as soon as possible,” meaning “right away”
Down Clues 🔍
MOCHA — Coffee shop favorite blending coffee and chocolate
DROOP — To sag or hang downward under weight
STAT — In basketball, three-point shooting is measured by this percentage
POMS — Fluffy toy dogs often called “pomeranians” for short
CIA — Spy agency featured in many Tom Clancy thrillers
13 June, 2025 – Solved

12 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
TAI — Answer for “___ chi”
PAID — Answer for “Financially compensated”
HAIRS — Answer for “Some things off the top of your head?”
AILS — Answer for “Feels sick”
MRS — Answer for “___ Peacock, character in Clue”
Down Clues 🔍
TAILS — Answer for “Coin flip call”
AIRS — Answer for “Shows on TV”
IDS — Answer for “Requests at the bar, informally”
PAIR — Answer for “Decent poker holding”
HAM — Answer for “Person who loves attention”
12 June, 2025 – Solved

11 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
SCUBA — Essential gear for underwater exploration, letting you swim with the fishes
NATAL — Pertaining to birth, as in natal charts or natal care
ARUDE — Colloquial fill meaning “a rude awakening,” used for dramatic effect
CTRLX — The common PC shortcut to cut selected content, frequently used in document editing
KENYA — East African country with Nairobi as its capital city
Down Clues 🔍
SNACK — A small quick bite between meals
CARTE — As in “à la carte,” meaning from the menu board
UTURN — A 180-degree change of direction, especially in driving
BADLY — To do something in the worst possible way
ALEXA — Voice assistant to whom you might say “Turn off the lights”
11 June, 2025 – Solved

10 June, 2025
June 15, 2025 NYT Mini Crossword Clues & Answers ACROSSLong, drawn-out story → SAGAWith 6-Down, become hopelessly infatuated → CRUSHUnsettled feeling → AGITABack tooth → MOLARPassionate student, perhaps → NERDDOWNA text saying “Congratulations! You’ve won a $1,000 gift card,” usually → SCAMElement between chlorine and potassium on the periodic table → ARGONCraftiness → GUILE“_ Is… read more
Across Clues 🧹
MAPS — Displays at a trailhead
JAMES — Pulitzer-winning 2024 novel reimagining Huck Finn from Jim’s viewpoint
ALIEN — Invader in a sci-fi movie
WISPS — Thin strands
SASS — Short for attitude
Down Clues 🔍
MALIA — Given name of one of Michelle Obama’s daughters.
AMISS — Something slightly out of place or incorrect.
PEEPS — Marshmallow candies often included in Easter baskets.
SSNS — Abbreviation for Social Security numbers used by the IRS.
JAWS — 1975 blockbuster film about a great white shark.
10 June, 2025 – Solved

9 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
POPPY — A poppy is a brightly colored flower whose name echoes the affectionate nickname “pop,” making the clue a playful nod to word similarity
AWARE — Being aware means having knowledge or understanding, a common synonym for “savvy” in everyday usage
INDIA — India is recognized as the birthplace of Buddhism, where Siddhartha Gautama taught the principles of the faith around the 5th century BCE
LIMOS — Stretch limousines are often rented for parties and special events, making “stretches outside of a party?” a pun on the vehicles’ length and occasion use
START — The “Start” button sat beside “Select” on classic Nintendo controllers, marking the beginning of gameplay
Down Clues 🔍
PAILS — Pails are small buckets commonly used to carry sand or water at the beach, fitting the clue “beach buckets”
OWNIT — To own it is to accept responsibility, matching the clue about taking charge or admitting fault
PADMA — Padma Lakshmi is a celebrity chef and host of “Top Chef,” referenced by her first name in the puzzle
PRIOR — Prior means “earlier” or “previous,” directly answering the clue about something that came before
YEAST — Yeast is the leavening agent that ferments and produces gas, causing bread dough to rise
9 June, 2025 – Solved

8 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
NBA — Organization known for its “shooting stars,” referring to professional basketball teams.
BARNS — Traditional buildings often topped with decorative weather vanes.
OMEGA — Prestigious Swiss watchmaker renowned for precision timepieces.
BEARD — Distinctive facial hair sported by Santa, Gandalf and Dumbledore.
SKY — Completes the phrase “Pie in the ___,” meaning an unattainable goal.
Down Clues 🔍
NAMES — Fills “I’m bad with ___,” a lighthearted party excuse about forgetfulness.
BREAK — The opening shot in a game of billiards, scattering the balls.
ANGRY — Feeling enraged or “seeing red.”
BOB — Character name played by Timothée Chalamet in “A Complete Unknown.”
SAD — Emotion described as “feeling blue.”
8 June, 2025 – Solved

7 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
MAT — Provides cushioning and grip during yoga poses.
COLON — Formed when you rotate an umlaut (two dots) 90 degrees, creating the punctuation mark of two vertically aligned dots.
OHMYGOD — Common exclamation of shock or surprise.
ARE — Completes the title “Are You the One?” for the reality-TV series.
OVA — Plural of ovum; the non-motile female gametes produced by organisms.
KINGBED — A “royal” mattress size, larger than queen and providing ample sleeping space.
STOOL — Tall, backless seating typically found at bars and counters.
SOX — Informal short form for the Chicago White Sox baseball team.
Down Clues 🔍
MOMENTS — Brief periods or slices of life, captured in an instant.
ALY — First name of Olympic gymnast Raisman, two-time team captain.
TOGOBOX — Container provided by restaurants for packing up leftovers.
CHRIS — First name of MSNBC host Chris Hayes.
NOVEL — A long-form fictional narrative by authors like Melville or McCarthy.
OAK — Type of wood traditionally used for aging wine barrels.
DAD — Informal term celebrating fathers, as in Father’s Day honoree.
GOO — Sticky, viscous substance such as sap or slime.
7 June, 2025 – Solved

6 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
- SAKE – Completes the exclamation “Oh, for heaven’s ___!,” a common phrase expressing exasperation
- PLEX – Appears in names like cineplex or multiplex, fitting “Ending for ‘cine’ and ‘multi.’”
- ILIUM – The uppermost part of the pelvic bone, forming the wide, flaring section of the hip
- NOTDO – Fills “This will ___!” (“Unacceptable!”), conveying that something won’t pass muster
- WHEE – The joyful shout of a child at play, matching “Excited cry from a kid”
Down Clues 🔍
- SPIN – A ballerina often spins en pointe as part of a pirouette in ballet
- ALLOW – Means to permit or give permission, fitting the clue “Permit”
- KEITH – Refers to guitarist Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones
- EXUDE – To radiate or emit, as in “exude confidence,” matching “Radiate, as energy”
- MOE – Moe Howard, known for his bowl-cut hairstyle, one of the Three Stooges
6 June, 2025 – Solved

5 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
- SPIRE – The pointed structure at the top of a church tower is called a spire, commonly seen in Gothic architecture
- HOTEL – Adding a hotel to a boardwalk can significantly raise nearby rents, often cited as increasing costs to around $2,000 per month
- YUCCA – The yucca plant belongs to the agave family, known for its spiky leaves and drought tolerance in arid climates
- CHAT – A casual or informal discussion is often referred to as a chat, commonly used in everyday conversation
- HYPE – Hype is the buzz created by marketing or public relations efforts to generate excitement about an event or product
Down Clues 🔍
- SHY – Someone who has difficulty making friends on the first day of school can be described as shy, indicating social reticence
- POUCH – A pouch is the special pocket in which a baby kangaroo rides, characteristic of marsupials
- ITCHY – Wool sweaters can feel itchy, as the coarse wool fibers often irritate sensitive skin
- RECAP – A recap is a sports write-up summarizing the key events of a game, frequently found in postgame journalism
- ELATE – To elate someone is to make them very happy, often used when positive news brings joy
5 June, 2025 – Solved

4 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
1. SAM (“Nickname that drops ‘-uel’”)
SAM is formed by removing the “-uel” from “Samuel,” a common English given name.
2. BONE (“Paleontologist’s discovery”)
Paleontologists unearth fossils—often bones—of prehistoric organisms during excavations.
3. FOGGY (“Like San Francisco during the summer”)
San Francisco’s summer weather is famously foggy due to cold ocean currents meeting warm inland air.
4. EAGLE (“‘Bald’ bird”)
The bald eagle is a large raptor native to North America, recognizable by its white-feathered head.
5. DRYER (“Clothes tumbler”)
A dryer is a household appliance that tumbles clothing in heated air to remove moisture after washing.
6. CROSSWORD (“Popular puzzle format”)
A crossword is a word puzzle that takes the form of a grid and is a favorite among puzzle enthusiasts.
Down Clues 🔍
1. SOGGY (“Damp”)
Something described as soggy is saturated with moisture, often to the point of feeling unpleasantly wet.
2. ANGLE (“Consideration for a selfie taker”)
Selfie-takers must choose the correct angle to capture themselves and their surroundings most flattering.
3. MEYER (“Sweet variety of lemon”)
The Meyer lemon is a hybrid citrus fruit with a sweeter, less acidic flavor than a common lemon.
4. BOAR (“Animal hunted by the stranded kids in ‘Lord of the Flies’”)
In William Golding’s novel, the stranded boys hunt wild boar on the island to survive.
5. FED (“Org. for Jerome Powell, with ‘the’”)
Jerome Powell is the Chair of the Federal Reserve, commonly referred to as “the Fed.”
4 June, 2025 – Solved

3 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
1. EGGS
One of three primary ingredients in sponge cake, eggs provide structure and leavening when beaten sufficiently .
2. FLOUR
Flour is the second essential ingredient for sponge cake, supplying the bulk of the dry mass and forming gluten networks that trap air .
3. LUNGE
A lunge is a lower-body exercise where one foot stretches forward and the other remains back, effectively targeting quads and glutes .
4. ATEAM
“A-team” refers to first-stringers in sports or other fields, denoting top players or performers on a roster .
5. TERRY
Terry cloth is a looped cotton fabric used for towels because of its high absorbency, making it the classic “towel cloth material” .
Down Clues 🔍
1. EFLAT
E-flat is the piano key directly above D, named for its half-step position in standard tuning .
2. GLUTE
The glute is the informal term for the gluteus maximus, the large buttock muscle involved in hip extension and standing up .
3. GONER
A goner is someone “completely toast” or beyond saving, used colloquially to mean “utterly finished” .
4. BUTTER
Butter is the third sponge cake ingredient, providing fat and moisture to achieve a tender crumb when creamed with sugar .
5. REMY
Rémy Martin is a well-known brand of cognac, often clued simply as “Rémy” in crosswords to indicate the luxury spirit .
3 June, 2025 – Solved

2 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
1. FARGO (“Film by the Coen brothers set almost entirely in Minnesota”)
Joel and Ethan Coen’s darkly comedic thriller Fargo (1996) takes place primarily in snowy Minnesota and North Dakota, winning two Academy Awards and inspiring a long-running TV series .
2. IDIOM (“Phrase that’s tough to translate, maybe”)
An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be deduced from the individual words, such as “kick the bucket,” making direct translation difficult in cross-linguistic contexts .
3. TUTUS (“Skirts often worn with pointe shoes”)
In classical ballet, dancers wear tutus—stiff, layered skirts that flare out from the hips—perfectly complementing pointe work as they perform en pointe on specially reinforced shoes .
4. LED (“Was in front”)
The verb led, pronounced like “led,” is the past tense of lead, meaning “to be at the front” or “to guide,” as in “She led the team to victory” .
5. TSA (“Org. now checking for Real IDs”)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) enforces Real ID compliance at U.S. airport security checkpoints, ensuring travelers present federally approved identification before boarding flights .
Down Clues 🔍
1. FIT (“In shape”)
To be fit means to be in good physical condition, often through regular exercise and healthy habits, such as running, cycling, or strength training .
2. ADULT (“Kind of content that might require age verification online”)
“Adult” content typically includes explicit material (e.g., sexual or graphic violence) that online platforms restrict to viewers aged 18 and older, often requiring a birthdate check or credit card verification .
3. RITES (“Baptisms and bat mitzvahs”)
Rites are ceremonial acts performed as part of religious or cultural traditions; both baptisms in Christianity and bat mitzvahs in Judaism mark coming-of-age or spiritual milestones .
4. GOUDA (“Cheese that’s frequently smoked”)
Gouda, originally from the Netherlands, is often smoked over hickory or oak, giving it a distinctive golden-brown rind and mildly sweet, smoky flavor enjoyed in sandwiches and cheese platters .
5. OMS (“Sounds from meditators”)
“Om” (spelled O-M) is a sacred syllable in Hinduism and Buddhism often chanted repeatedly during meditation to focus the mind; when pluralized as OMs, it refers to multiple utterances of the chant .
2 June, 2025 – Solved

1 June, 2025
Across Clues 🧹
- Late-night show V.I.P. → HOST
The “host” is the on-camera personality guiding monologues and celebrity interviews on any late-night talk show, so picturing Stephen Colbert or Jimmy Fallon makes this click instantly . - Island that’s home to Waimea Canyon → KAUAI
Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” is on Kauai, an island famed for dramatic red cliffs and lush valleys, so geography buffs likely nailed this quickly . - Online notice to pay utilities → EBILL
Most utilities now send an “eBill” instead of paper statements, reflecting our paperless shift; I actually got an eBill reminder in my inbox before starting this puzzle . - Action figure inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame → GIJOE
G.I. Joe, Hasbro’s iconic military action figure from the 1960s, joined the Toy Hall of Fame in 2004, so nostalgia hit hard for anyone who grew up in the ’80s . - Suffix with Kazakh and Kyrgyz → STAN
Many Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.) end with “-stan,” meaning “land of” in Persian-derived languages, which makes this a quick pop of crosswordese .
Down Clues 🔍
- Repeated activity → HABIT
A habit is an action done repeatedly, often unconsciously—like my morning coffee-and-email routine—so this one felt instantly relatable . - Spiritualist’s board → OUIJA
A Ouija board, used to allegedly contact spirits, is a horror-movie staple; picturing that wooden board with glowing letters makes the answer pop . - Business with stylists → SALON
A salon is a shop where hair stylists and beauty professionals work; whenever I see salon windows with hair dryers, I think, “Yup, that’s this clue!” . - Material for much signage in the N.Y.C. subway system → TILE
Ceramic tiles line most NYC subway station walls for durability and a classic aesthetic—next time you ride the train, check out those glossy mosaics - Big beer barrels → KEGS
Kegs are large containers for dispensing draft beer at bars and parties; I could almost hear the hiss of a tap when I filled in KEGS—summer vibes! .
1 June, 2025 – Solved

Table of Contents
Introduction
If you’re anything like me, the New York Times Mini Crossword is probably your go-to little brain teaser every day. It’s short, sweet, and sometimes sneakily tricky. Over time, I realized a few easy strategies helped me get better in solving crossword — and they might help you too.
The Mini feels approachable because it doesn’t demand an hour of your time, yet still gives your brain a workout. It’s perfect for mornings with coffee, quick breaks between meetings, or unwinding at the end of the day.
What I love most is that even when you’re not in the mood for a full-blown puzzle challenge, the Mini is like a tiny, satisfying mental snack. Plus, improving at it feels like leveling up at a small but meaningful skill.
And let’s be honest — getting that “You solved it!” screen never fails to make you smile a little. Let’s dive into some real tips that actually help.
What’s Special About the NYT Mini Crossword?
The New York Times Mini Crossword isn’t just a “smaller” puzzle. It’s designed to be finished quickly — often under 5 minutes — but it can trip you up if you’re not careful. With fewer clues, every answer matters a lot more.
Also, it’s different from big puzzles because it uses a lot of everyday words. You won’t always find super fancy vocabulary here. That’s what makes it so addictive — it feels challenging but still totally doable.
It’s a daily slice of victory if you ask me.
Simple and Realistic Tips for Solving
1. Go for the low-hanging fruit first:
Don’t waste time staring at tough clues in the beginning. Skim through and knock out the ones you instantly know. This simple step builds your momentum.
2. Short words are golden:
Mini Crosswords love three-letter words. Words like “era,” “ate,” “one,” and “spy” pop up all the time. (Honestly, after a few days, you’ll start spotting patterns.)
3. Guess and check is okay:
Don’t be afraid to lightly guess if you’re unsure. Sometimes typing in a possible word will jog your memory for the crossing clues.
4. Think casual, not academic:
Remember, the Mini is meant for quick thinking. If you find yourself reaching for a dictionary word, you’re probably overcomplicating it.
5. Don’t be too hard on yourself:
Seriously, not every day is going to be a personal record. Some puzzles are just tougher, and that’s totally fine.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
– Overthinking Simple Clues:
It’s easy to overthink a five-letter clue and miss that the answer was something basic like “apple.”
– Forgetting about slang:
The New York Times Mini Crossword often throws in casual language. Don’t always expect textbook-perfect answers.
– Ignoring Cross-Checks:
Sometimes you’re sure about a word, but the crossing doesn’t fit? Trust the crossings — they usually save you from little mistakes!
– Panicking When Stuck:
Trust me, stepping away for 30 seconds can work wonders. I can’t count how many times a “stuck” clue suddenly clicked when I blinked away from the screen for a second.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the New York Times Mini Crossword is about having fun. It’s about those little “aha!” moments that make you smile and maybe feel just a tiny bit smarter. The more you play, the better you’ll get — not just at solving crosswords, but at noticing patterns and thinking flexibly too.
If you can treat each puzzle as a playful exercise rather than a competition, you’ll get more joy out of it. Some days you’ll breeze through it. Other days you’ll trip over the simplest clue and laugh at yourself — and that’s part of the fun! Every Mini you solve strengthens your brain’s ability to adapt, recall, and think laterally.
So next time you fire up the Mini, remember: it’s okay to guess, it’s okay to laugh at your silly mistakes, and it’s absolutely okay to celebrate even the tiniest win.
Stick with it, stay curious, and most importantly — have a blast puzzling!
Is today’s Mini harder or easier than average?
Today’s June 1, 2025 puzzle is a Sunday edition, featuring five Across and five Down clues. Weekends tend to include one extra entry compared to weekdays, making them slightly more challenging but still solvable in under five minutes .
What’s the quickest strategy for solving Minis?
First, scan fill-in-the-blank clues like “___ Canyon” or “___ board.” Fill any short, common words (HOST, TILE) next. Use crossing letters to confirm tougher entries (HABIT, OUIJA). Strategic cross-checking usually unlocks the grid quickly .
Where can I practice more Mini puzzles?
Visit the NYT Games archive on the official NYT website—or filter by “Mini Crossword” in the app—to access any past Mini puzzle. Replaying previous dates is ideal for honing pattern recognition and reinforcing tricky clues . And find solutions of those mini crossword puzzles, CLICK HERE
Refernce Links
New York Times – Mini Crossword
NYTimes Games
ThePolyMathPursuit
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