The New York Times Mini Crossword for January 20, 2025, provides an exciting and quick mental exercise for puzzle enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or new to the game, this guide covers all the answers, their explanations, and helpful tips to make your solving experience more enjoyable.
NYT Mini Crossword Answers for January 20, 2025
Across Clues and Answers
- Button whose icon is a triangle above a rectangle
Answer: EJECT
Explanation: The ‘Eject’ button is commonly represented by a triangle above a horizontal line, symbolizing media ejection. - Only primate species that can have blue eyes, aside from humans
Answer: BLACK LEMUR
Explanation: The Black Lemur is the only primate species, besides humans, known to occasionally exhibit blue eyes. - “Of course,” in Spanish
Answer: POR SUPUESTO
Explanation: A common Spanish phrase translating to “of course,” used to affirm agreement. - Star-studded group
Answer: GALAXY
Explanation: A galaxy is a system comprising stars, gas, dust, and dark matter, bound together by gravity. - Classic fixture outside a barbershop
Answer: POLE
Explanation: The barber’s pole, with red and white spiraling stripes, is a traditional symbol indicating a barbershop.
Down Clues and Answers
- Famous Yosemite landmark, familiarly
Answer: EL CAP
Explanation: “El Cap” refers to El Capitan, a granite monolith in Yosemite National Park, renowned among climbers. - What jiggles after it’s set
Answer: JELLO
Explanation: Jello, a gelatin-based dessert, is famous for its wobbly consistency once set. - One might end with “Best,”
Answer: EMAIL
Explanation: “Best regards” is a common closing for emails, often shortened to “Best.” - “$%@!,” e.g.
Answer: CURSE
Explanation: “$%@!” represents a typographical substitution for an expletive or curse word. - Jogging gait
Answer: TROT
Explanation: A trot is a moderate pace, often faster than walking but slower than running.
What Makes the NYT Mini Crossword Special?
The NYT Mini Crossword is a compact version of the classic New York Times Crossword. It’s designed for quick solving, typically taking under five minutes. With its 5×5 grid, it caters to both beginners and seasoned puzzle solvers by combining accessible clues with clever wordplay.
Tips for Solving the Mini Crossword
- Start with Easy Clues: Focus on the answers you know to build momentum.
- Leverage Crossings: Use intersecting letters to figure out tougher answers.
- Think of Common Phrases: Many clues are based on idioms or widely recognized phrases.
- Stay Persistent: The smaller grid doesn’t mean less challenge—think critically and try alternative interpretations.
Engaging with the Crossword Community
The Mini Crossword has cultivated a vibrant community of solvers who share tips, solutions, and insights on platforms like Reddit and social media. By engaging with others, you can improve your solving skills and gain new perspectives on challenging clues.
