Mini Crossword October 16, 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

   6 × 5

   Clues

   5 across, 6 down

   Answer lengths

   4–6 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Stream of molten rock (4)

   Geological term for volcanic flow

   5 Across — "Cut that out!" (6)

   Informal way to tell someone to cease

   7 Across — Sticky note (6)

   Small adhesive note for temporary reminders

   8 Across — ___ Earhart, first woman to cross the Atlantic by airplane (6)

   Pioneering female aviator's first name

   9 Across — Website for restaurant bookings (4)

   Platform for online restaurant reservations

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Takes the L (5)

   Suffers a defeat or setback

   2 Down — How sprinter Usain Bolt is named (5)

   Describes a name that suits its bearer

   3 Down — Eight, on a grandfather clock (4)

   Roman numeral for eight o'clock

   4 Down — "___ boy!" (4)

   Expression of praise or admiration

   5 Down — Engage in a playful back-and-forth (4)

   Engage in light, playful conversation

   6 Down — Heavy book (4)

   Large, often scholarly, book volume

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   L… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   S… (6 letters)

   7 Across

   P… (6 letters)

   8 Across

   A… (6 letters)

   9 Across

   R… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   L… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   A… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   V… (4 letters)

   4 Down

   A… (4 letters)

   5 Down

   S… (4 letters)

   6 Down

   T… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 Across was the shortest entry at 4 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue