Mini Crossword October 10, 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

   7 × 7

   Clues

   8 across, 8 down

   Answer lengths

   3–7 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Poker game entry fee (5)

   Initial payment to join a game

   6 Across — Multi-story temple (6)

   Asian architectural style with multiple levels

   7 Across — Bird that can survive temperatures of -60 C° (7)

   Flightless bird with a distinctive waddle

   8 Across — Really awesome (3)

   Slang term for something extremely cool

   9 Across — ___ Burgundy, hotshot anchorman in "Anchorman" (3)

   Character from a popular comedy movie

   10 Across — Science class that really gets under your skin? (7)

   Subject that studies the human body

   12 Across — Loose-fitting garments of ancient Greece (6)

   Ancient Greek clothing with a simple design

   13 Across — Orderly pile (5)

   Neatly arranged collection of objects

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Piece of cloth tied around the head (7)

   Type of cloth worn around the head or neck

   2 Down — Brand with fleece-lined boots (3)

   Fashion brand known for casual footwear

   3 Down — "Nice job, dude!" (7)

   Informal expression of praise or approval

   4 Down — "Good egg" and "bad apple" (6)

   Phrases used to describe people or things

   5 Down — Caretaker for small kids (5)

   Professional caregiver for young children

   6 Down — Tiny bit of packing material (6)

   Small piece of material used for packing

   7 Down — Utter fools, to a Brit (5)

   British slang for foolish or silly people

   11 Down — ___-tac-toe (3)

   Game also known as noughts and crosses

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   B… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   P… (6 letters)

   7 Across

   P… (7 letters)

   8 Across

   R… (3 letters)

   9 Across

   R… (3 letters)

   10 Across

   A… (7 letters)

   12 Across

   T… (6 letters)

   13 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   1 Down

   B… (7 letters)

   2 Down

   U… (3 letters)

   3 Down

   Y… (7 letters)

   4 Down

   I… (6 letters)

   5 Down

   N… (5 letters)

   6 Down

   P… (6 letters)

   7 Down

   P… (5 letters)

   11 Down

   T… (3 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   8 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