The New York Times Mini Crossword, published on January 20, 2025, presented a compact yet engaging word puzzle, incorporating a touch of Spanish vocabulary. The puzzle’s across clues included prompts for words like “EJECT” (referencing a button with a triangle-rectangle icon), “LEMUR” (the only primate besides humans capable of having blue eyes), “CLARO” (the Spanish equivalent of “Of course”), “ALIST” (describing a star-studded group), and “POLE” (a classic fixture outside a barbershop). The down clues, meanwhile, led to answers such as “ELCAP” (a familiar abbreviation for a famous Yosemite landmark), “JELLO” (a dessert that jiggles after setting), “EMAIL” (a message that might end with “Best”), “CURSE” (represented by symbols like “$%@!”), and “TROT” (a jogging gait). This bite-sized crossword offered a quick mental workout for puzzle enthusiasts.
Accessing and enjoying the Mini Crossword is straightforward. The current day’s puzzle is freely available on The New York Times Games section. However, delving into the archives and playing past Mini Crosswords requires a subscription to the Times Games section. This subscription grants access to a vast collection of puzzles, ensuring a continuous supply of brain-teasing challenges. For those seeking assistance with the daily Mini Crossword, helpful hints and tips are available online, providing guidance and strategies for successful puzzle completion.
Beyond the Mini Crossword, the Times Games collection boasts a diverse array of puzzles and games catering to various interests. Players can find popular options like Wordle, Connections, and Strands, each offering unique gameplay mechanics and challenges. CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page serves as a valuable resource for players seeking hints and answers for these daily puzzles. This comprehensive collection provides an engaging and stimulating pastime for puzzle enthusiasts of all skill levels.
The specific clues for the January 20, 2025 Mini Crossword were as follows: Across clues included 1A: Button whose icon is a triangle above a rectangle (EJECT), 6A: Only primate species that can have blue eyes, aside from human (LEMUR), 7A: “Of course,” in Spanish (CLARO), 8A: Star-studded group (ALIST), and 9A: Classic fixture outside a barbershop (POLE). Down clues comprised 1D: Famous Yosemite landmark, familiarly (ELCAP), 2D: What jiggles after it’s set (JELLO), 3D: One might end with “Best” (EMAIL), 5D: “$%@!,” e.g. (CURSE), and 6D: Jogging gait (TROT). These clues required a blend of general knowledge, vocabulary, and logical deduction to arrive at the correct solutions.
The Mini Crossword, while compact, effectively tests players’ word recognition, vocabulary, and problem-solving skills. The inclusion of a Spanish word adds a layer of cultural awareness to the puzzle. The concise grid format makes the Mini Crossword a perfect quick mental exercise, suitable for short breaks or commutes. Its accessibility through The New York Times Games section, combined with the availability of hints and tips, makes it an enjoyable pastime for a wide audience.
For those interested in exploring further puzzle challenges, The New York Times Games collection offers a rich assortment of options. Wordle, Connections, and Strands present distinct puzzle formats, each with its own set of rules and challenges. Whether engaging with the daily Mini Crossword or delving into these other captivating puzzles, the Times Games collection provides an enriching and stimulating experience for puzzle enthusiasts of all kinds. The availability of hints and answers on CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page further enhances the accessibility and enjoyment of these daily brain teasers.
