Mini Crossword October 25, 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 — Music genre for Joni Mitchell or Woody Guthrie (4)

   Genre often associated with acoustic instruments and storytelling

   5 Across — Flood embankment (5)

   Structure built to prevent river overflow

   6 Across — "That is to say ..." (5)

   Phrase used to clarify or rephrase a statement

   7 Across — Music genre with the same first and last letters as 1-Across (4)

   Style of music characterized by a strong rhythmic groove

   8 Across — Hosp. areas that are usually on the ground floor (3)

   Hospital sections often near emergency entrances

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Strongest bone in the human body (5)

   Bone extending from hip to knee joint

   2 Down — Array in a culinary classroom (5)

   Appliances used for cooking, often in a row

   3 Down — Plumbing problem (4)

   Common issue with pipes or faucets

   4 Down — He's a doll! (3)

   Term of endearment for a fashionable person

   5 Down — Magazine whose cover featured Elizabeth Taylor a record 14 times (4)

   Iconic American magazine known for celebrity covers

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   F… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   L… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   I… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   F… (4 letters)

   8 Across

   E… (3 letters)

   1 Down

   F… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   O… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   L… (4 letters)

   4 Down

   K… (3 letters)

   5 Down

   L… (4 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