NYT Mini Crossword Aug 3: Hints and answers to decode the challenge under two minutes

Economic Times

4 days ago

For thousands of word game enthusiasts, the day begins not with coffee, but with a quiet moment of mental warm-up, tackling The New York Times' roster of popular puzzles. And while Wordle , Connections , and Strands are now part of that daily ritual, there's another short-and-sweet challenger in the mix: the NYT Mini Crossword .
This pint-sized puzzle, no larger than a post-it, packs just as much intrigue and satisfaction as its full-sized sibling, The Crossword , which is reserved for paid subscribers. With a new challenge published every evening at 10 p.m. IST, Sunday's grid for August 3, 2025, offered a tightly curated set of clues that tested general knowledge, word associations, and pop culture all in one go.
Below is a detailed walkthrough of today's clues, hints, and final solutions for both Across and Down words in the NYT Mini Crossword . Solvers are advised to tread carefully, this feature includes spoiler-free hints followed by complete answers for those looking to confirm or correct their grids, as per a report by Parade magazine.The NYT Mini Crossword has become a cherished daily habit for many. Created by Joel Fagliano and curated by the New York Times Games team, the puzzle typically contains 5×5 or 6×6 grids, designed to be solved in under two minutes. Yet despite its compact form, the challenge often proves stimulating, offering just the right mix of wit and wordplay.
For solvers preferring a nudge over a reveal, here are the Across hints, as mentioned in a report by Parade magazine: 1 Across: With 5-Down, it refers to a leisurely road journey punctuated by frequent tastings of reds. (Hint: Begins with 'W')
5 Across: An essential item often tucked inside office drawers and printer cabinets. (Hint: Ends with 'R')
6 Across: What one might do when craving Pad Thai at midnight. (Hint: Starts with 'O')
7 Across: Describes items that have had previous owners—common at charity shops. (Hint: Starts with 'U')
8 Across: A fictional dinosaur species appearing in a recent rebooted Jurassic franchise. (Hint: Begins with 'R')
Now for the vertical clues, equally crafted to tease the brain:
1 Down: Describes a comparative dip in quality or performance. (Hint: Ends with 'E')
2 Down: A page found at the end of most non-fiction books. (Hint: Ends with 'X')
3 Down: A basic human requirement or an expression of urgent desire. (Hint: Starts with 'N')
4 Down: A verb that captures when things don't go according to plan. (Hint: Ends with 'R')
5 Down: Completes the phrase from 1-Across, forming a two-part concept. (Hint: Ends with 'R')
These hints were intended to provide just enough context to get the mental gears turning without giving the game away.
Those ready to verify their answers, or eager to learn what they missed, can find the complete solutions below.
1 Across: WINE TOUR
5 Across: TONER
6 Across: ORDER
7 Across: USED
8 Across: REX
The pairing of 1-Across and 5-Down created the full phrase 'WINE TOUR,' referencing a trip where wine tasting at various vineyards is the central activity. 'TONER' was a logical match for printer supply, while 'ORDER' aligned with modern food delivery habits. 'USED' described secondhand items often found in thrift stores, and 'REX' nodded to a fictional creature—Distortus Rex—from Jurassic World Rebirth .
1 Down: WORSE
2 Down: INDEX
3 Down: NEED
4 Down: ERR
5 Down: WINE TOUR
Together, the down entries reflected common vocabulary but were cleverly masked in their clues. 'WORSE' referred to comparative inferiority. 'INDEX' was a bibliographic staple. 'NEED' captured urgency or necessity. 'ERR' mirrored missteps, and 'WINE TOUR' completed its horizontal counterpart to reinforce the day's casual, travel-themed vibe.Though not explicitly titled, Sunday's puzzle seemed to lean into themes of leisure, consumption, and human error. Words like WINE TOUR , ORDER , and USED suggested lifestyle habits—travel, food delivery, secondhand shopping—while entries like ERR and WORSE offered contrast, perhaps unintentionally hinting at the imperfections of modern conveniences.The NYT Mini Crossword remains an essential part of the broader crossword landscape, particularly for players seeking a brief intellectual workout amid busy schedules. The game is accessible through the New York Times app and is free to play, unlike its larger cousin, the classic crossword.The puzzle's simplicity is deceptive—it often incorporates modern slang, cultural references, and multi-layered clues that require quick wit. Sunday's grid is no exception, seamlessly weaving themes from the analog (INDEX) to the digital (ORDER) with just a handful of squares.The NYT Mini Crossword is a compact version of The New York Times' traditional crossword puzzle, typically featuring a 5×5 or 6×6 grid. Designed to be solved quickly—often in under two minutes—it offers a daily mental workout with a balance of wit and wordplay.The Mini Crossword was created by Joel Fagliano and is curated by the New York Times Games team.