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The August 18 NYT Mini Crossword features a mix of pop culture, everyday expressions and wordplay.
Clues cover Disney, coffee, inside information, emotions and animals.
The compact grid offers a quick challenge with a few clues requiring extra thought.
A fresh NYT Mini Crossword brings another quick word challenge for Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The compact puzzle features familiar words, pop culture, everyday expressions and a few clues that may need extra thought.
Today’s grid has a fun mix of answers. Disney fans may spot a familiar character in the 6-Across clue. Other entries focus on coffee, inside information, emotions and animals.
The NYT Mini remains popular because the puzzle takes only a few minutes to complete. The small grid also makes each answer important. A single difficult word can slow down the entire problem.
For anyone stuck on today’s clues, the complete answers are listed below.
The Across section starts with a cozy expression and quickly moves into Disney territory. The remaining clues cover coffee, slang and a familiar emoji reaction.
1A: Big ___ (cuddling partner)
Answer: SPOON
The clue points to the phrase ‘big spoon.’ It describes the person positioned behind a cuddling partner. The answer is SPOON, a simple word that fits neatly into the opening slot.
6A: Mickey Mouse’s pet dog
Answer: PLUTO
Disney fans may find this clue especially easy. Pluto is Mickey Mouse’s well-known pet dog. The character has appeared alongside Mickey for decades and remains one of Disney’s most recognizable characters.
The answer is PLUTO.
7A: Foamy coffee order
Answer: LATTE
A popular coffee drink fills the next entry. A latte combines espresso with steamed milk and a layer of foam. The answer is LATTE, a familiar choice for coffee lovers and crossword solvers alike.
8A: Inside information, informally
Answer: INTEL
The clue uses an informal term for useful inside information. “Intel” commonly refers to information or intelligence about a situation. The answer is INTEL.
9A: Blue streams down a yellow emoji’s face
Answer: TEARS
The final Across clue describes the blue drops often shown on a crying emoji. The answer is TEARS. The clue relies on a visual image rather than a traditional definition.
The Down section adds more everyday language to the puzzle. The clues include a restaurant-related action, transportation, a familiar expression and two nature-themed words.
1D: Divide, as the check
Answer: SPLIT
When a restaurant bill gets divided among several people, the check can be “split.” That makes SPLIT the fitting answer.
2D: It comes with wings on the side
Answer: PLANE
This clue takes a playful approach to transportation. A plane has wings on either side of its body. The answer is PLANE.
3D: “Get ___ town!”
Answer: OUTTA
The phrase sounds like an informal command to leave. “Get outta town!” uses “outta” as a casual form of “out of.” The answer is OUTTA.
4D: Furry animal seen swimming around a kelp forest
Answer: OTTER
Kelp forests provide a natural home for sea otters. These furry marine animals often float and swim among kelp. The answer is OTTER.
5D: Christmas carols
Answer: NOELS
The final Down entry uses a word associated with Christmas songs. “Noels” refers to Christmas carols or songs celebrating Christmas. The answer is NOELS.
The August 18 puzzle keeps the challenge short but varied. SPOON and PLUTO provide recognizable starting points. LATTE and INTEL use common modern vocabulary. TEARS adds a visual clue.
The Down answers continue that mix. SPLIT and PLANE are straightforward words. OUTTA adds conversational language. OTTER brings a nature reference, while NOELS gives the grid a seasonal touch.
That variety helps make the Mini feel different from a basic vocabulary test. Each clue uses a slightly different way of reaching the answer.
The NYT Mini Crossword delivers a new puzzle every day. Each edition offers a compact grid that can fit into a short break, morning routine or quick word-game session.
Tuesday’s puzzle follows that familiar format. The clues are brief, but some answers depend on wordplay or cultural references. The small size does not always mean an effortless solution.
The August 18 grid stands out for its combination of Disney, coffee, slang, emojis and nature. PLUTO may be the most recognizable pop-culture entry, while OUTTA adds an informal twist.
For crossword fans, the next challenge arrives with another new set of clues. Until then, today’s answers provide a complete solution for the Tuesday, August 18, 2026, NYT Mini Crossword.
Also Read: Wordle Hints and Answers for August 17, 2026
