Mini Crossword August 27, 2026: Clues & Answers

Mini Crossword hints, one rung at a time

Five rungs, from grid facts to a nudge per clue. The recap above already summed the grid up, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying it fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

1. 1 Hint 1: Grid facts

   Counted off the grid.

   Grid

   5 × 5

   Clues

   5 across, 5 down

   Answer lengths

   3–5 letters

2. 2 Hint 2: Across clues, with an extra nudge each

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — A watched one never boils, it's said (3)

   Common kitchen item often associated with waiting

   4 Across — "See ya later!" (5)

   Informal way to bid farewell

   7 Across — Sea ___, animal that builds the conch shell (5)

   Slow-moving creature with a protective home

   8 Across — Airplane seating choice (5)

   Part of a plane where you might choose to sit

   9 Across — James Talarico's state: Abbr. (3)

   State abbreviation for a southern US location

3. 3 Hint 3: Down clues, with an extra nudge each

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Leaning Tower city (4)

   Italian city famous for its tilted architecture

   2 Down — All: Prefix (4)

   Prefix meaning all or everything

   3 Down — In the morning, a food; in the evening, a speech (5)

   Breakfast food that's also a type of speech

   5 Down — Something that can be AirDropped (4)

   Digital item that can be shared wirelessly

   6 Down — Show off, as muscles (4)

   Verb meaning to show off one's muscles

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   P… (3 letters)

   4 Across

   I… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   A… (5 letters)

   9 Across

   T… (3 letters)

   1 Down

   P… (4 letters)

   2 Down

   O… (4 letters)

   3 Down

   T… (5 letters)

   5 Down

   F… (4 letters)

   6 Down

   F… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 Across was the shortest entry at 3 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue