NYT Midi Crossword · The New York Times
Midi Crossword Clues, Hints & Answers for May 23, 2026
Saturday, May 23, 2026
By WordFinderZ Puzzle TeamLast updated How we make hints
This archive page covers the Midi Crossword from Saturday, May 23, 2026. The Midi is a mid-sized daily crossword that sits between the quick Mini and the full daily puzzle. It takes longer than a coffee break but less than a lunch hour. Hints come first and the solution stays hidden until you ask for it.
Across clues & answers
Down clues & answers
- 14
Know someone stuck on this one? The link opens on the hints, not the answer.
Previous Midi Crossword answer
Friday, May 22, 2026
across
- 1. Shower alternative: BATH
- 5. Spa treatment that might feature nail art, for short: MANI
- 9. ___ sabzi (potato curry): ALOO
- 10. English river that means "river" in Celtic languages: AVON
- 11. Screech: YOWL
- 12. Champagne bottle projectile: CORK
- 13. Ships off: SENDSAWAY
- 15. It's about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen: AIR
- 16. Longtime host of "The Joy of Painting" whose work is the basis of this puzzle's theme: BOBROSS
- 20. Two-sided: DUAL
- 21. Not just a want: NEED
- 23. Pain that may be helped by stretching: ACHE
- 24. Stitching line: SEAM
- 25. East Lansing sch.: MSU
- 26. "u would be doing me a big favor :prayer-hands:": PLS
down
- 1. Howls at the moon: BAYS
- 2. Soothing gel ingredient: ALOE
- 3. Village relative: TOWN
- 4. Fitting comfortably in one's hands: HOLDABLE
- 5. French desserts that look like tiny colorful hamburgers: MACARONS
- 6. Promise: AVOW
- 7. Ephron who directed "You've Got Mail": NORA
- 8. Like a leaky pen: INKY
- 14. "For once, maybe someone will call me '___' without adding 'You're making a scene'": Homer Simpson: SIR
- 16. N.F.L. athletes with a pirate flag logo, for short: BUCS
- 17. Most populous Hawaiian island: OAHU
- 18. Flow like sap: SEEP
- 19. Animal often confused with a sea lion: SEAL
- 20. Water stopper: DAM
- 22. Slack convos: DMS
More daily puzzle hints
- WordleGuess the five-letter word in six triesGuide & tips
- ConnectionsSort 16 words into four hidden groupsGuide & tips
- StrandsFind the themed words hidden in a letter gridGuide & tips
- Spelling BeeMake words from seven letters around a center letterGuide & tips
- Mini CrosswordA bite-size crossword you can finish over coffeeGuide & tips
- Connections: Sports EditionConnections with a sports-only word poolGuide & tips
- Letter BoxedChain words around a square using all 12 lettersGuide & tips
- The CrosswordThe classic daily crossword, easiest on MondayGuide & tips
What to expect from the Midi
The Midi uses a grid around nine squares wide, with a few dozen clues in total. That size leaves room for longer answers and a light theme, while keeping the clues approachable. It is a good stepping stone if the Mini feels too short and the main crossword feels daunting.
Tips for mid-size grids
- Look for the long entries. The longest Across and Down answers often share the theme. Crack one and the others follow.
- Read the question mark. A clue ending in "?" signals wordplay or a pun rather than a straight definition.
- Abbreviations match. If the clue is abbreviated (e.g. "Dept."), the answer usually is too.
- Move around the grid. If a section stalls, start somewhere new; fresh crossings will help when you return.
- Take one letter, not the answer. Our tiles let you reveal a single letter so you keep the satisfaction of finishing.
Midi Crossword FAQ
How long does the Midi take?
Most solvers finish in five to fifteen minutes, depending on the day and how familiar the theme is.
Is there a yesterday page for the Midi?
Every past Midi has its own page in our Midi archive, with the same hints and reveal tools.
Can a solver help with a single clue?
Yes. Enter the pattern you have (e.g. C?A?E) into our crossword solver to list matching words.