If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I complete all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Wordle and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword too!Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan-following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m. on the weekdays, unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on Monday, May 5, 2025, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Monday, May 5, 2025

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Thinnest U.S. coins, at around 1/20th of an inch — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”

6 Across: “Sorry, already have plans” — HINT: It starts with the letter “I”7 Across: Silent but deadly sort — HINT: It starts with the letter “N”8 Across: George _____, pen name of the Victorian writer Mary Ann Evans — HINT: It ends with the letter “T”

9 Across: “That’s great news!” — HINT: The second letter is “A”

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Wine pairing? — HINT: It ends with the letter “E”

2 Down: In a chilly manner — HINT: It starts with the letter “I”

3 Down: Ending with klepto or ego — HINT: The second letter is “A”

4 Down: Waiter’s “Hope you like the food!” — HINT: It starts with the letter “E”

5 Down: Batting average, e.g. — HINT: It starts with the letter “S”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Monday, May 5, 2025

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Thinnest U.S. coins, at around 1/20th of an inch — DIMES

6 Across: “Sorry, already have plans” — ICANT7 Across: Silent but deadly sort — NINJA

8 Across: George _____, pen name of the Victorian writer Mary Ann Evans — ELIOT

9 Across: “That’s great news!” — YAY

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Wine pairing? — DINE

2 Down: In a chilly manner — ICILY

3 Down: Ending with klepto or ego — MANIA

4 Down: Waiter’s “Hope you like the food!” — ENJOY

5 Down: Batting average, e.g. — STAT

That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!

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