The NYT Mini Crossword packs a full crossword into a tiny 5×5 grid — solvable in under two minutes, free every day, with a timer to chase your personal best. Here’s how to play and how to get faster. How…
NYT Strands hides theme words in a 6×8 letter grid — and every single letter gets used exactly once. Find them all, including the special “spangram,” to win. Here’s how the game works and how to earn hints. How to…
The best Wordle starting words are SLATE, CRANE, and TRACE — five-letter openers packed with common letters in their most frequent positions. Here’s what the data (and the NYT’s own WordleBot) says about picking your first guess. Why Your Starting…
NYT Connections gives you 16 words and asks you to sort them into 4 groups of 4 — each group sharing a hidden category. You get only 4 mistakes before the game ends. Here’s exactly how it works and how…
The answer to "Small case for needles" in the NYT Crossword is ETUI — four letters, the classic crosswordese word for a needle case. Why ETUI? ETUI is royalty in crossword land — one of the defining words of "crosswordese,"…
The answer to "Cosmetics alternative to Essie" in the NYT Crossword is OPI — three letters, the other giant of nail polish. Why OPI? Essie and OPI are the twin titans of the nail polish aisle — if you've ever…
The answer to "Aromatherapy destination, say" in crossword puzzles is SPA — three letters, the home of massages, facials, and scented oils. Why SPA? The little word "say" is doing important work in this clue — it signals that the…
The answer to 'Feeling described as "hoping for the best, but fearing the worst"' in the NYT Crossword is CAUTIOUSOPTIMISM — sixteen letters, the mindset of expecting good while bracing for bad. Why CAUTIOUSOPTIMISM? This is a quotation-style definition clue…
The answer to "Find another purpose for" in the NYT Crossword is REUSE — five letters, to use something again in a new way. Why REUSE? The clue is a plain-English definition wearing work clothes. To "find another purpose for"…
The answer to "Website for finding professional services" in the NYT Crossword is ANGI — four letters, the home-services marketplace formerly known as Angie's List. Why ANGI? Angi is the online platform where homeowners find and hire local professionals —…
