NYT Mini Crossword hints and answers for Monday, June 2: Here's how to solve the five-by-five grid
As part of the growing daily ritual for digital puzzle enthusiasts, The New York Times Mini Crossword for Monday, June 2, 2025, offered another compact yet mentally stimulating five-by-five grid challenge. Designed to be completed in minutes, the NYT Mini is steadily carving out a niche among fans of quick, daily puzzles, many of whom supplement their Wordle and Connections routines with this brief crossword.
A Game of Quick Wit and Wordplay
Unlike the more extensive main crossword offered by the
New York Times
, the Mini Crossword is free to play and available online and on the NYT Games app. With a smaller grid and fewer clues, it appeals to both seasoned solvers and casual players looking for a short mental workout.
While its brevity may suggest simplicity, the Mini often delivers a clever mix of cultural references, vocabulary challenges, and wordplay that tests even regular solvers.
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The game refreshes daily at 10 p.m. Eastern Time, distinguishing it from other puzzles like Wordle, which reset at midnight.
Hints for NYT Mini Crossword – June 2, 2025
For today's edition, the clues ranged from cultural references, including a film by the Coen brothers, to ballet attire and everyday idiomatic expressions.
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If you're still piecing it together, here are some gentle hints across both dimensions, as mentioned in a report by Forbes without spoiling the fun too early:
Across Clue Hints:
1 Across: Refers to a Coen brothers' film set in wintry Minnesota — ends with 'O.'
6 Across: A phrase with figurative meaning — starts with 'I.'
7 Across: Ballet attire paired with pointe shoes — starts with 'T.'
8 Across: A synonym for 'took the lead' — ends with 'D.'
9 Across: U.S. agency tied to airport screening — ends with 'A.'
Down Clue Hints:
1 Down: Physically well or toned — ends with 'T.'
2 Down: Content that typically requires age restriction online — starts with 'A.'
3 Down: Religious or ceremonial events — starts with 'R.'
4 Down: Dutch cheese often smoked — ends with 'A.'
5 Down: Meditative utterances — ends with 'S.'
Full Answers for NYT Mini Crossword – June 2, 2025
Spoilers ahead for those still solving.
Here are the verified answers for today's puzzle grid, as per the report by Forbes:
Across:
1 Across:
FARGO
– A film by the Coen brothers, often mistaken for being set in North Dakota, though much of it takes place in Minnesota
6 Across:
IDIOM
– A phrase not meant to be interpreted literally.
7 Across:
TUTUS
– Skirts commonly worn in ballet performances.
8 Across:
LED
– Indicating someone was in the front or guided others.
9 Across:
TSA
– The Transportation Security Administration, now also tasked with Real ID checks.
Down:
1 Down:
FIT
– A state of physical health or readiness.
2 Down:
ADULT
– Age-restricted content.
3 Down:
RITES
– Ceremonial events, often religious.
4 Down:
GOUDA
– A mild cheese from the Netherlands, frequently smoked.
5 Down:
OMS
– Sounds associated with meditation and mindfulness.
FAQs
What is the NYT Mini Crossword?
The Mini Crossword is a compact version of the New York Times' daily crossword puzzle. It features a 5x5 grid and fewer clues, designed to be completed in just a few minutes. It's free to play on the NYT Games app and website.
How is the Mini Crossword different from the regular NYT Crossword?
Unlike the larger, more challenging main crossword, the Mini is shorter, faster, and ideal for a quick mental workout. It's also free to access, whereas the main crossword often requires a subscription.
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