NYT Mini Crossword Hints: The New York Times Mini Crossword is a quick and fun puzzle that many people enjoy every day. It is smaller than the regular crossword and takes just a few minutes to complete. The Mini usually has a 5×5 grid and includes clues for both across and down words. It is great for beginners and also for those who want a fast brain exercise.
Playing is easy. You read the clue and type your answer in the boxes. If you are stuck, you can try other clues and come back later. The Mini helps improve vocabulary and thinking skills. It is also a great way to relax during a short break.
Every day, the NYT Mini brings new clues and answers. Many puzzle lovers look forward to solving it. In this article, we will give you the clues, answers, and full solution for the NYT Mini Crossword for April 12, 2025.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword (April 12, 2025) offers a fun and challenging puzzle for crossword enthusiasts. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced solver, the puzzle promises a satisfying challenge today.
Mini across clues and answers
1) Do, re, mi, fa, ___, la …: SOL
Meaning: In the solfège system, sol is the fifth note in the scale, following fa and preceding la.
4) Still up in the air, for short: TBD
Meaning: TBD stands for “To Be Determined”. It’s commonly used when something is not yet decided or finalised.
7) With 14-Across, “?????”: CONFUSING
Meaning: Since the clue for 7-Across is simply “C”, it seems to be pointing to a very short or simple answer. Given this, 14-Across: “See 7-Across: C” would then lead us to interpret “C” as part of the larger clue. The answer for 14-Across (“?????”) being CONFUSING makes sense—it’s pointing out a situation that’s unclear or puzzling.
9) ___ Grande: RIO
Meaning: Rio Grande is a major river in North America, flowing from Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico.
10) Bone connecting the elbow and wrist: ULNA
Meaning: The ulna is one of the two long bones in the forearm, located on the inner side, connecting the elbow to the wrist.
11) Things issued by the D.M.V.: IDS
Meaning: The DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) issues various forms of identification, including driver’s licences and identification cards, commonly referred to as IDs.
12) Elaborate hairstyle: COIF
Meaning: A coif is a styled, often elaborate hairstyle, particularly one that is carefully arranged or elaborately done.
13) Part of the eye that contains the iris: UVEA
Meaning: The uvea is the middle layer of the eye and includes the iris, which is the coloured part of the eye.
14) See 7-Across: C
Meaning: Connected to 7) With 14-Across, “?????”
15) “Sure, whatever you say …”: OKAY
Meaning: Okay is a casual, often non-committal response used to agree or acknowledge something, typically when someone doesn’t have a strong opinion or simply wants to go along with what’s being said.
16) 24 cans of beer: CASE
Meaning: A case of beer typically contains 24 cans or bottles, making it a common term used when purchasing beer in bulk.
Mini down clues and answers
1) Plaster wall coating: STUCCO
Meaning: Stucco is a material made from aggregates, a binder, and water. It’s applied wet and hardens into a dense solid, often used as a decorative or protective coating for walls and ceilings.
2) “Hey, check it out!”: OH LOOK
Meaning: This phrase is commonly used to grab someone’s attention or point out something interesting or surprising.
3) Weather phenomenon that translates to “the girl”: LA NINA
Meaning: La Niña is a climate pattern that describes the cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. The term comes from Spanish and is the counterpart to El Niño (“the boy”).
4) It’s full of questions: TRIVIA
Meaning: Trivia refers to bits of interesting or obscure information, often presented in the form of questions during quizzes or games.
5) White House family during the 2020s: BIDENS
Meaning: The Bidens refer to the family of President Joe Biden, who assumed office in January 2021.
6) Medicinal amount: DOSAGE
Meaning: Dosage refers to the specific amount of medicine prescribed to be taken at one time or over a period.
8) Chewy candy: TAFFY
Meaning: Taffy is a soft, chewy candy made by stretching and pulling a sugary mixture until it becomes light and fluffy.
13) Sch. that plays home football games at the L.A. Coliseum: USC
Meaning: USC (University of Southern California) is a prominent university in Los Angeles, and its football team plays its home games at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
