If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I complete all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, 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.
If you’re working on today’s Mini on Friday, April 4, 2025, 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 Friday, April 4, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Elphaba’s broom in “Wicked” or Aladdin’s lamp in “Aladdin” — HINT: It starts with the letter “P”
5 Across: Thorough investigation — HINT: It ends with the letter “E”
6 Across: Metaphor for an unquestioning rule-follower — HINT: It starts with the letter “R”
7 Across: Harvard and Yale, for two — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”
8 Across: ____ Wearhouse (department store chain) — HINT: It starts with the letter “M”
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Definitively determine — HINT: It ends with the letter “E”
2 Down: Herald of spring — HINT: It starts with the letter “R”
3 Down: Orchestral reeds — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”
4 Down: Kibble nibblers — HINT: It starts with the letter “P”
5 Down: Fastidiously proper — HINT: It ends with the letter “M”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Friday, April 4, 2025
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: Elphaba’s broom in “Wicked” or Aladdin’s lamp in “Aladdin”— PROP
5 Across: Thorough investigation — PROBE
6 Across: Metaphor for an unquestioning rule-follower — ROBOT
7 Across: Harvard and Yale, for two — IVIES
8 Across: ____ Wearhouse (department store chain) — MENS
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Definitively determine — PROVE
2 Down: Herald of spring — ROBIN
3 Down: Orchestral reeds — OBOES
4 Down: Kibble nibblers — PETS
5 Down: Fastidiously proper — PRIM
That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!
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