Mini Crossword November 8, 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

   5–5 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Thin winter coat? (5)

   Coat you'd wear in chilly weather

   6 Across — When morning people like to wake up (5)

   Time of day for morning routines

   7 Across — Option on the "How would you like to receive your receipt?" screen (5)

   Digital way to get a receipt copy

   8 Across — "Please, it would be my pleasure" (5)

   Polite way to accept a task gladly

   9 Across — Villain's facial expression (5)

   Facial expression showing contempt strongly

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Perceives by touch (5)

   Sense used to detect texture or shape

   2 Down — Japanese dish with a name from Chinese ("pulled noodles") (5)

   Popular Japanese noodle soup dish type

   3 Down — Give a grand speech (5)

   Speak formally and confidently in public

   4 Down — Gooey kids' toy (5)

   Messy, gooey substance kids play with

   5 Down — ___ Durden, Brad Pitt's character in "Fight Club" (5)

   Character name associated with Fight Club

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   F… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   E… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   E… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   L… (5 letters)

   9 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   1 Down

   F… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   R… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   O… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   S… (5 letters)

   5 Down

   T… (5 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 Across was the shortest entry at 5 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue