‘NYT Mini’ Clues And Answers For Friday, February 21
Answers for today’s NYT Mini Crossword are just ahead.
In case you missed Thursday’s NYT Mini, you can find the answers here:
Wondering what the evil corporation on Apple TV+ show Severance is? Not sure what “a head of our time” might mean? Don’t worry, because I’m here to help you with the answers for today’s NYT Mini crossword.
The NYT Mini is a quick and dirty version of the newspaper’s larger and long-running crossword. Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.
Unlike its larger sibling, the NYT Mini crossword is free to play on the New York Times website or NYT Games app. However, you’ll need an NYT Games subscription to access previous puzzles in the archives.
To help you avoid getting stuck and having to reveal missing letters, here are the NYT Mini Crossword answers for Friday, February 21 (spoilers lie ahead, of course):
Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.
1 Across: Elevator alternative – STEPS
6 Across: Evil corporation on Apple TV+’s Severance – LUMON
7 Across: Ring-shaped coral reef – ATOLL
8 Across: Aura of confidence – MOJO
9 Across: ___ Lanka – SRI
1 Down: Severely criticizes – SLAMS
2 Down: One-on-one academic coach – TUTOR
3 Down: A head of our time? – EMOJI
4 Down: Preppy shirt – POLO
5 Down: Show with a recently aired 50th anniversary special – S.N.L.
Completed NYT Mini crossword for Friday, February 21.
It took me 0:54 to complete today’s NYT Mini.
Not a great time, but I’m happy with anything below a minute for a weekday puzzle.
STEPS eluded me at first because I initially thought it was “stair” and I came back to that one later. It took me a moment to remember LUMON even though I’m really enjoying Severance. ATOLL and SRI were the others I got on my first pass of the Across clues, then I got TUTOR, POLO and SNL on the Down side.
STEPS then finally made sense. But it took me several seconds of bouncing between the remaining words before I figured them out.
Make sure to follow my blog for more coverage of the NYT Mini and other word games, as well as video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot! Also, follow me on Bluesky! It’s fun there.
One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers
Join The Conversation
Major Lawsuits Against Trump And Musk: Judge Declines To Hold Administration In Contempt For Suspending Foreign Aid Funds
White House And Treasury Department Agree To Block DOGE From Personal Taxpayer Data, Report Says—Here’s What To Know
‘Severance’ Season 2, Episode 6 Recap And Review: ‘Atilla’
NYT Mini Across Answers
NYT Mini Down Answers
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Friday, Feb. 21
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Feb. 21.
Need help with the NYT Mini Crossword?
Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword has a couple of TV-related clues. If you watch Severance and a certain NBC sketch comedy show, you’ll get at least two answers right. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Feb. 21, 2025.
1A clue: Elevator alternative
Answer: STEPS
6A clue: Evil corporation on Apple TV+’s “Severance”
Answer: LUMON
7A clue: Ring-shaped coral reef
Answer: ATOLL
8A clue: Aura of confidence
Answer: MOJO
9A clue: ___ Lanka
Answer: SRI
1D clue: Severely criticizes
Answer: SLAMS
2D clue: One-on-one academic coach
Answer: TUTOR
3D clue: A head of our time?
Answer: EMOJI
4D clue: Preppy shirt
Answer: POLO
5D clue: Show with a recently aired 50th anniversary special
Answer: SNL
The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.
Mini across clues and answers
Mini down clues and answers
How to play more Mini Crosswords
Gaming Guides
NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for February 20, 2025
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times’ revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player’s flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
Here are the clues and answers to NYT’s The Mini for Thursday, February 20, 2025:
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
