Mini crossword clue types
Most mini crossword clues fall into a few kinds. Knowing which kind you are looking at tells you what sort of answer to try. Every example below is a real clue from the first three MINI puzzles.
Definition
The clue describes the answer. "Steep rock face" is CLIFF. "Boss's note" is MEMO. "Tied bunch of cotton" is BALE. Ask yourself what single word fits the description, and check the letter count.
Synonym
The clue is another word for the answer. "Begin" is START. "Existence" is LIFE. "Maximum" is LIMIT. "Fix a program" is DEBUG. A one or two word clue usually wants a one word answer of similar meaning.
Plural and tense
The clue and the answer match in form. "Eras" is AGES: a plural clue wants a plural answer, usually ending in S. "Begins" is OPENS: a clue with an s on the end of a verb wants a verb form ending in S. "Said aloud" is ORAL, an adjective, not a verb. Read the last letters of the clue before you guess.
Informal hints
"Understand, informally" is SEE. The word "informally" tells you the answer is a casual use of the word, not the first meaning in a dictionary.
Comparisons
"Not as many" is FEWER. A clue that describes a comparison wants a word ending in -ER, and the letter count confirms it.
Fill in the blank
A few clues have a gap, such as a phrase with one word left out. Say the phrase out loud and let your ear find the word. This is the type that crossing letters help the most with.
What MINI does not use
No question-mark wordplay clues and no hidden-word puzzles. Every clue is a plain definition written for this game.
How to use this
Read the clue, decide its type, then check the letter count and any crossing letters. The type narrows the answer, the count rules out near misses, and the crossings settle the rest. For more habits, see mini crossword tips.
MINI: daily 5x5 crossword
MINI is a 5x5 crossword with plain clues. Monday to Wednesday are the easiest.
Play MINIKeep going
Questions
What types of clues are in a mini crossword?
Mostly short definitions and synonyms. A clue can also hint at the form of the answer: a plural clue wants a plural answer, and a clue marked informal wants a casual word.
Do mini crosswords use wordplay?
Not in MINI. The clues are plain definitions written for the game. None use cryptic wordplay.
What does a blank in a clue mean?
The answer fills the gap. Say the phrase with the gap and see which word completes it.