Here is the complete detailed breakdown of today’s New York Times Mini Crossword puzzle with hints, clues, and answers for both Across and Down entries.
This edition brings a fun Halloween-themed twist with a hidden rebus element for extra enjoyment.
🔹 Across Clues, Hints, and Answers
| Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Across: Buffalo hockey player | Ends with the letter ‘E’ | SABRE |
| 6 Across: “I’ll have the ___” (frequent customer’s order) | Starts with the letter ‘U’ | USUAL |
| 7 Across: Contents of a volcano | Ends with the letter ‘A’ | MAGMA |
| 8 Across: Adjust to a new environment | Starts with the letter ‘A’ | ADAPT |
| 9 Across: With 10-Across, last car on a train | Ends with the letter ‘A’ | CA |
| 10 Across: See 9-Across | Ends with the letter ‘E’ | SE |
🔹 Down Clues, Hints, and Answers
| Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Down: “Poison” shrub | Starts with the letter ‘S’ | SUMAC |
| 2 Down: Carne ___ | Ends with the letter ‘A’ | ASADA |
| 3 Down: Imaginary cause of fear | Ends with the letter ‘A’ | BUGABOO |
| 4 Down: Accessible alternatives to staircases | Start with the letter ‘R’ | RAMPS |
| 5 Down: Make extremely happy | Starts with the letter ‘I’ | ELATE |
🎃 Puzzle Theme
Today’s Halloween-themed puzzle includes a rebus-style clue that combines 9-Across (CA) and 10-Across (SE) to form CABOOSE — the last car on a train.
This playful hidden element adds a clever touch, aligning perfectly with the Halloween spirit and the Mini Crossword’s reputation for short yet creative challenges.
🧠 Additional Notes
- The NYT Mini Crossword features a 5×5 grid and is designed to be solved in just a few minutes.
- Unlike the full-sized New York Times Crossword, the Mini does not follow a strict difficulty pattern through the week.
- Saturday puzzles may include trickier wordplay, while weekday puzzles remain light and accessible.
- The Mini resets daily at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays, and 6 p.m. EST on Sundays.
✅ Quick Recap
- Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
- Theme: Halloween Rebus — “CABOOSE” (CA + SE)
- Grid Size: 5×5
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlight: Clever rebus twist combining two answers
- Reset Time: 10 p.m. EST (6 p.m. EST on Sundays)
