To solve today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, you’ll need to know shorthand, titles for English upper class, common word associations, and a little bit of French.
Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!
Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.
So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Monday, August 31, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!
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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Monday, August 31, 2026
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Spider ___ — HINT: Starts with the letter “M”
4 Across: Quaint term for a boyfriend, from the French — HINT: Ends with the letter “D”
5 Across: Crocodile ___ — HINT: Ends with the letter “P”
6 Across: ___ bird — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
7 Across: ___ wolf — HINT: Ends with the letter “N”
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NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Feeling tired and worn out — HINT: Ends with the letter “H”
2 Down: British noble title — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”
3 Down: ___ bee — HINT: Ends with the letter “N”
4 Down: Panda ___ — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”
5 Down: Detective, in old shorthand — HINT: Starts with the letter “T”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Monday, August 31, 2026
Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: Spider ___ — WEB
4 Across: Quaint term for a boyfriend, from the French — BEAU
5 Across: Crocodile ___ — TEARS
6 Across: ___ bird — EARLY
7 Across: ___ wolf — CRY
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Feeling tired and worn out — WEARY
2 Down: British noble title — EARL
3 Down: ___ bee — BUSY
4 Down: Panda ___ — BEAR
5 Down: Detective, in old shorthand — TEC
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