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Jul 23, 2025
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The NYT Mini Crossword is a smaller, faster version of the world-famous New York Times crossword. This puzzle is ideal for anyone looking for a short yet challenging experience that will give them some mental exercise. The simplicity of the puzzle makes it perfect for squeezing in a crossword session on an otherwise busy day. Even though it may seem straightforward, every day's puzzle is unique and will challenge the solver's skills.
For Friday, December 6, 2024, the puzzle presented an intriguing combination of straightforward and tricky clues. The clues range from pop culture references to wordplay that requires a quick mental leap. For those needing help solving the NYT Mini Crossword today, here’s a quick guide to the answers.
1A Clue: "We haven’t decided yet," on schedules
Answer: TBA
This is a short way of saying "To Be Announced." It usually pops up in schedules where specifics haven't been decided upon yet.
4A Clue: Analyze grammatically, as a sentence
Answer: PARSE
A grammatical term meaning to take an expression apart to see the pattern it follows.
6A Clue: Dice game for sidewalk gamblers
Answer: CRAPS
A dice game very common among sidewalk gamblers. It's one of the most commonly rolled games on the sidewalks, probably because it's easier and more accessible.
7A: Gently gives a?
Answer: POKES
This refers to a gentle touch or nudge, commonly known as a poke.
8A Clue: Lionel Messi's jersey number
Answer: TEN
Messi is famously known for wearing the number 10 jersey in soccer.
1D: Deck with cards like The Fool and The Hermit
Answer: TAROT
The Tarot deck is famous for its symbolic cards, including The Fool and The Hermit, often used for fortune-telling.
2D Clue: Slow the car down
Answer: BRAKE
The brake is the main mechanism applied in slowing or stopping a car.
3D Clue: Colorado ski town
Answer: ASPEN
Aspen is one of the worlds most famous ski resort towns in Colorado and is known for its slopes as well as winter sports.
4D Clue: Doctor you visit for a checkup, for short
Answer: PCP
PCP means Primary Care Physician. He/She is the doctor who follows up on routine checkup and health issues.
5D Clue: Letter that can be added to the fronts of 4-, 6-, and 7-Across to make new words
Answer: ESS
The letter "S" can be attached to the beginning of several of the answers from across the clues, forming new words.
The NYT Mini Crossword is a great challenge in bite-sized puzzle form, usually a 5x5 grid. Every clue is designed to make the solver think quickly, and it's an excellent way to get the brain going in a short burst. Published daily, this is the staple for crossword enthusiasts who are looking for something quick yet satisfying.
It sometimes gets a little challenging, especially on Fridays when it gets tough on the clues. But on the other hand, this tiny version is a good time to sharpen everyone solving skills for those complex crosswords that come each day in The New York Times.
While the NYT Mini Crossword is generally easier, it can still be a challenge in and of itself. Wordplay abounds, and knowing one's abbreviations and pop culture references can be crucial. Consider such clues as "TBA" for "To Be Announced" and "PARSE" for analyzing a sentence structure.
Online clues or answer checking can sometimes work if anyone is stuck. For anyone looking for additional support, the NYT Mini Crossword has a good hints section where all tricky clues can be resolved.
On December 6, 2024, the Mini Crossword did not deviate. Simple clues such as "CRAPS" and "BRAKE" were blended with a few creative ones, like "POKES" and "TAROT," that would require some thought to understand. The overall effect was that of a pleasant puzzle that could be completed within a short time.
The appeal of the NYT Mini Crossword is in its accessibility and brevity. It is an excellent daily brain exercise, especially when there is not much time to spare. Clues are often straightforward but can also be wordplay or cultural references, making it fun and engaging.
For those who want to be more challenged, the clues for the NYT Mini Crossword vary throughout the week. Fridays, like today's puzzle, are more challenging and require a quick wit.
On a lighter note, the clue set of the NYT Mini Crossword for December 6, 2024, was something funny, so enjoyable to everyone to solve: be it from one's very first crossword attempts with the Mini or for many experienced solvers. What a great combination of hardness and delight in today's puzzle: there's sure to be eye-popping fun for all the fans checking the puzzle each day as well.
To complement your solving of puzzles like today's NYT Mini Crossword, check out the archive or explore hints to make sure you're always ready. With the NYT Mini Crossword, a quick brain workout is always only just a few clues away.
