The New York Times Mini Crossword, a popular word puzzle within the Times’ games collection, presented a relatively easy challenge on January 5, 2025. One clue, “They’re rolled in annoyance,” (8 Across) momentarily stumped some solvers, though the answer became clear as other intersecting words were filled in. This daily puzzle, along with others like Wordle, Connections, Strands, and Connections: Sports Edition, provides a quick and engaging mental exercise. CNET offers helpful hints and tips for those seeking guidance on these puzzles, including the Mini Crossword. This particular crossword is freely accessible, unlike some archived puzzles that require a Times Games subscription.
The Mini Crossword for January 5, 2025, featured a straightforward grid with eight clues in total, four across and four down. The across clues included identifying the grammatical classification of “verb” or “adjective” (1 Across: NOUN), a prepositional phrase indicating freedom (5 Across: HOUSE), a person possessing a deed (6 Across: OWNER), and the description of a wide-angle photography lens (7 Across: MACRO). Finally, the slightly more cryptic clue about expressions of annoyance (8 Across: EYES) completed the across section.
The down clues offered a similar level of challenge. An exclamation of disbelief (1 Down: NOWAY) started the down clues. A unit of weight equivalent to approximately 28 grams (2 Down: OUNCE) followed. A general term for individuals using applications (3 Down: USERS) and the name of a notorious Roman emperor (4 Down: NERO) rounded out the down clues. The final down clue, “Where the heart is, it’s said” (5 Down: HOME), offered a touch of sentimentality.
Solving the Mini Crossword involves deciphering clues and fitting the answers into the grid. The intersecting letters of across and down answers help to confirm correct solutions and guide the solver towards filling in remaining words. While the January 5th puzzle was considered easier than some previous ones, the varying difficulty levels cater to a wide range of players, from casual solvers to seasoned crossword enthusiasts.
Access to the New York Times Mini Crossword is readily available online through the Times’ Games section. While the current day’s puzzle is free to play, accessing the archives of past Mini Crosswords requires a subscription. This subscription unlocks a vast library of previous puzzles, allowing enthusiasts to explore and enjoy a wider selection of challenges. The subscription model helps support the creation and curation of these engaging puzzles.
Beyond the Mini Crossword, the New York Times Games section offers a diverse range of other online games. These include the immensely popular Wordle, where players attempt to guess a five-letter word within six tries, as well as Connections, Strands, and Connections: Sports Edition. These games cater to different interests and skill sets, providing a variety of mental stimulation and entertainment for players of all levels. The Times Games section serves as a hub for word puzzles and logic games, offering a comprehensive collection for daily enjoyment.
