Reconstructed NYT Mini Puzzle Solutions and Tips for December 18, Wednesday
If you're curious about yesterday's NYT Mini and missed it, you can check out the answers below:
Could you name an orchestra instrument that uses the alto clef? Are you puzzled by a "born on this day" rhyme on a birthday card? Well, you're in luck, since I'm here to assist you with the crossword puzzle solutions for today's NYT Mini.
The NYT Mini is a compact version of the paper's well-known and long-running crossword. Typically, this puzzle contains between 3 to 5 clues in each direction within a 5x5 grid, but the size may vary, especially on Saturdays.
Unlike its larger counterpart, the NYT Mini is available for free to play on the New York Times website or through the NYT Games app. To access older puzzles in the archive, you'll likely need to have an NYT Games subscription.
Below, you'll find the solutions for the NYT Mini Crossword on Wednesday, December 18 (Warning: Spoilers ahead, of course):
NYT Mini Crossword Clues and Answers
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: Only instrument in a typical orchestra that reads the alto clef — VIOLA
6 Across: Aggravate — ANNOY
7 Across: Type of cold brew coffee with an abundance of tiny bubbles — NITRO
8 Across: Affirmative head gesture — NOD
9 Across: Key on a piano — NOTE
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Vehicle with a sliding door — VAN
2 Down: Pen or pencil with which one signs a document — INK WRITER
3 Down: Way a ballerina usually dances — ON POINTE
4 Down: "Look who's 40!" (rhyming birthday card line) — LURDY
5 Down: Emmy-winning actress on The Bear — AYO EDEBIRI
It took me 1:22 to complete today's NYT Mini.
I made a couple of mistakes that slowed me down significantly. I thought VIOLA was PIANO and misspelled NOD as NOT. I had no idea what NITRO was, while the Down words/phrases in the center left me perplexed. But solving for AYO unlocked the rest of the grid.
Don't forget to subscribe to my blog for more coverage of the NYT Mini and other word games, as well as video game news, insights, and analysis. Your support means a lot to me! Also, check out my profile on Bluesky. It's a fun place to be.
If you're seeking hints for tomorrow's NYT Mini, you might find 'nyt mini hints' online. If you're looking for yesterday's solution, you can find 'nyt mini answers' or 'nyt mini solution' from the archives. For those interested in the spangram version, there's 'nyt mini spangram'. The NYT Mini is available daily, including on 'nyt mini wednesday', and can be accessed through 'nyt mini today'. If you're interested in older puzzles, you might need a subscription for 'nyt mini archive'.