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The New York Times Mini Crossword is back with a new set of clues for February 18, 2025. The puzzle is quick but requires some clever thinking.
The NYT Mini Crossword brings a fresh set of clues each day, offering a daily brain teaser that’s both fun and challenging. Today’s puzzle for February 18, 2025, is no exception. Although not very hard, it has its own particular challenges. A couple of clues depend on crossing answers to open up others, so it is a puzzle to figure out.
Here's today's breakdown of the clues and answers to solve the challenge in no time.
The Mini Crossword provides instant gratification but with a catch. To complete the puzzle in its entirety, some answers need to fall into place initially. Here are today's clues and answers to guide through the challenge.
1A: Urban green space
Answer: PARK
A simple and old-fashioned clue. Everyone recognizes a park when they see one. It's a must-have in any cityscape.
5A: Place to store computer files
Answer: DRIVE
Flash drive, cloud drive, or local hard drive, this one should be a no-brainer.
6A: “Inside Out” girl
Answer: RILEY
For "Inside Out" fans, this is an entertaining retro. Riley is the protagonist, and the answer's obvious if one is familiar with the film.
7A: The "E" of E.M.T.: Abbr.
Answer: EMER
The simple abbreviation indicating "Emergency" that's typically used in emergency and medical scenarios.
8A: Word that can follow 1- and 5-Across to make locales for cars
Answer: WAY
When paired with the responses from 1A and 5A, "PARKWAY" and "DRIVEWAY" are both typical places that vehicles go.
1D: ___ donna
Answer: PRIMA
An Italian opera reference, "prima donna" is the principal woman of an opera. It's sort of a cultural indicator for those who know the term.
2D: Alvin of dance
Answer: AILEY
This is the legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey, famous for establishing the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
3D: One going cross-country in a camper, for short
Answer: RVER
This is a person who loves life on the road, frequently traveling cross-country in a recreational vehicle.
4D: Escape room item
Answer: KEY
In an escape room, the key is the item you’re seeking to unlock the mystery. A fitting answer for this type of puzzle.
5D: Played a round of Pictionary
Answer: DREW
Anyone who has played Pictionary knows that drawing is a big part of the game. "Drew" fits perfectly here.
The NYT Mini Crossword is a condensed, quicker version of the traditional crossword puzzle. A new challenge every day, but the clues are consistent, so they become easier to solve with time. While the puzzles are usually easier, they still need quick thinking and sharp problem-solving.
For beginners, it is a good idea to begin with the simpler clues. It enables you to open up other answers since many clues rely on the previous words. As one can see from today's puzzle, solving 1A and 5A gives you the clues to solve 8A.
One of the things that makes the Mini Crossword so much fun is how short it is. With only a few clues to solve, players can finish the puzzle in a matter of minutes. But the difficulty lies in the wordplay and how the clues are all connected.
This little crossword is ideal for a quick brain exercise, either on a coffee break or during a commute. Its brevity is a welcome respite from longer puzzles that consume so much more time.
A new series of puzzles is introduced each day in The New York Times Games section both online and in the NYT Games app. The Mini Crossword, though small, follows the same strategy as the larger version, needing creativity and knowledge. It doesn't require much more than a few minutes to play through, yet it challenges just enough to satisfy the players.
For the ones who love to solve the Mini Crossword, it is an excellent morning or evening pick-me-up. If a clue is tricky, assistance is never far away with hints and solutions. The feeling of satisfaction at completing the puzzle, even on the bad days, brings the players back for more.
The NYT Mini Crossword offers a speedy means to indulge in crosswords with a lighthearted, daily challenge. Clues are easy to tricky, but today's puzzle is more than manageable. Novice or expert, every clue is an invitation to a moment of delight when solved. Come back every day for fresh clues, and relish the excitement of rapid crossword victory.
