Mini Crossword October 11, 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 — Towel (off) (4)

   Common verb for drying off after a shower

   5 Across — Result of brainstorming (4)

   Concept born from a creative session

   6 Across — What jellyfish and bees do (5)

   Action associated with certain painful creatures

   7 Across — Glowed bright (5)

   Past tense of a verb meaning to emit light

   8 Across — Surface over which to skip a stone … as illustrated in the circled letters (5)

   Medium for a popular outdoor game

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — The Beatles' "___ Little Help From My Friends" (5)

   Partial title of a Beatles song with a helpful plea

   2 Down — Dummy (5)

   Informal term for someone lacking intelligence

   3 Down — Pasta that can be made "alla vodka" (5)

   Type of tube-shaped pasta often used in Italian dishes

   4 Down — Like a beaver, in a saying (5)

   Adjective describing someone with a strong desire to work

   6 Down — Direction from N.Y.C. to Miami: Abbr. (3)

   Compass direction for a southeasterly route

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   W… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   I… (4 letters)

   6 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   W… (5 letters)

   1 Down

   W… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   I… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   P… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   E… (5 letters)

   6 Down

   S… (3 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

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

   Open the answers, clue by clue