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 Thursday, January 9, 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!

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Thursday, January 9, 2025

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: The translation of this English word is “sinister” in Latin — HINT: It starts with the letter “L”

5 Across: Brief role for a big star — HINT: It ends with the letter “O”

6 Across: Muppet with a pet worm named Slimey — HINT: It starts with the letter “O”

7 Across: Specifics, slangily — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”

8 Across: Playground retort to “Am not!” — HINT: It starts with the letter “A”

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: High-tech beam — HINT: It ends with the letter “R”

2 Down: Host with a microphone — HINT: It starts with the letter “E”

3 Down: Extraordinary achievements — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”

4 Down: Where most of the body’s organs are located — HINT: It starts with the letter “T”

5 Down: Musical finale — HINT: It ends with the letter “A”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Thursday, January 9, 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: The translation of this English word is “sinister” in Latin — LEFT

5 Across: Brief role for a big star — CAMEO

6 Across: Muppet with a pet worm named Slimey — OSCAR

7 Across: Specifics, slangily — DEETS

8 Across: Playground retort to “Am Not!” — ARE SO

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: High-tech beam — LASER

2 Down: Host with a microphone — EMCEE

3 Down: Extraordinary achievements — FEATS

4 Down: Where most of the body’s organs are located — TORSO

5 Down: Musical finale — CODA

That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!

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