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NYT Mini Crossword · The New York Times

Mini Crossword Clues & Answers for October 27, 2021

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

By Last updated How we make hints

This archive page covers the Mini Crossword from Wednesday, October 27, 2021. The Mini is a small daily crossword, usually 5×5, that most people finish in a minute or two, so it fits easily into a short break. Hints come first and the solution stays hidden until you ask for it.

10 clues · jump to Across or Down. Tap a tile for one letter, or Answer for the whole word.

Across clues & answers

Down clues & answers

  1. 3

    Dodge

Know someone stuck on this one? The link opens on the hints, not the answer.

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Previous Mini Crossword answer

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

across

  • 1. What gets this puzzle off to a flying start?: BIRD
  • 5. ___-friendly interface: USER
  • 6. Wall painting: MURAL
  • 8. Birthday dessert: CAKE
  • 9. Joint connecting the femur and tibia: KNEE

down

  • 1. Make sad, with "out": BUM
  • 2. Self-deprecating remark: ISUCK
  • 3. Played again on TV: RERAN
  • 4. His 2021 album "Certified Lover Boy" broke the record for most top-ten singles from one album (9): DRAKE
  • 7. Gold medal-winning gymnast Sunisa: LEE
Hints and full breakdown for Oct 26

More daily puzzle hints

What makes the Mini different

The Mini packs a full crossword into a tiny grid, so every square matters: each letter belongs to both an Across and a Down answer. Clues tend to be breezy and modern (pop culture, everyday phrases, a little wordplay), and the timer makes it a favourite for friendly competition.

Grids are usually 5×5, and larger on some days. A new Mini is published the evening before its date (Eastern Time), so night owls can play tomorrow's puzzle early.

Solving faster

  • Sweep the Across clues first, filling only what you are sure of, then switch to Down. The crossings will confirm or correct your guesses.
  • Start with fill-in-the-blanks. Clues like "___ and cheese" are the quickest wins.
  • Trust the grammar. A plural clue means a plural answer; a past-tense clue usually means an answer ending in -ED.
  • Use partial reveals. On this page you can flip one letter of one answer, which is often enough to open up the whole corner.

For a specific clue in any crossword, try our crossword solver with the letters you already have.

Mini Crossword FAQ

When is the new Mini released?

The Mini usually goes live the evening before its date, US Eastern Time.

How big is the Mini?

Most days it is 5×5, occasionally a little larger. That still means every letter is checked by two clues.

Where can I find yesterday's Mini answers?

See our yesterday's Mini page, or browse every date in the Mini archive.