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The NYT Mini Crossword brings a new challenge every day. Welcome to today's set of clues and answers for Wednesday, February 5. This bite-sized puzzle packs a clever mix of wordplay, trivia, and pattern recognition into a compact grid. Whether solving solo or racing the clock, these clues offer a fun challenge for all skill levels.
Art, fashion, sports, and pop culture make up today's puzzle. Each clue must be cracked in part with knowledge, and part with some astute thinking. Solutions to the Mini Crossword for February 5 follow.
1A: Facebook's parent company
The answer is META.
Known for its rebrand in 2021, Meta powers major social media companies, including Facebook and Instagram.
5A: Full-length skirts ... and a morning hour read backward
The answer is MAXIS.
These skirts reach to the ankles and, when flipped, read "Six AM."
6A: Written with pen
The answer is ININK.
A play on words suggesting written text is by hand, not computer keyboard.
7A: N.B.A. team that nearly renamed itself the Swamp Dragons in the 1990s
The answer is NETS.
This Brooklyn basketball team once nearly changed its name to something really bold.
8A: "___ a Wonderful Life"
The answer is ITS.
A play on words referring to the popular holiday movie, "It's a Wonderful Life."
1D: French modernist painter … and a morning hour read backward
The answer is MANET.
A major figure in impressionist art, and "ten AM" spelled backwards.
2D: What lighted signs mark in theaters
The answer is EXITS.
Critical safety signs in movie theaters and event venues.
3D: Altoids containers
The answer is TINS.
These small metal cans preserve mints.
4D: Pose a question
The answer is ASK.
A simple verb meaning to ask.
5D: Short skirt
The answer is MINI.
A stylish alternative that is well-known for reaching above the knees.
The NYT Mini Crossword is a fun, fast puzzle. The standard crossword takes time and patience; the Mini takes mere minutes and puts your mind to the test. Every grid is different: some clues snap into place quickly, while others demand more time and thought.
Not like the traditional, week-long increasing challenge of the classic NYT Crossword, The Mini is always balanced in its difficulty. Larger grids may come on Saturdays, but the experience remains generally short, engrossing, and rewarding.
The Mini Crossword is one of the many puzzles offered by The New York Times. The daily version is free to play, but archived puzzles require a subscription. Other popular puzzles, NYT Games such as Wordle and Connections, provide alternative brain teasers for those who enjoy word-based games.
Today's crossword was a mix of history, fashion, and sports references, keeping the solver engaged. Every day brings a new challenge, making the Mini a great way to stay sharp. Whether solving in seconds or struggling on a tricky clue, this daily puzzle remains a go-to brain teaser.
