Looking for a quick mental workout? The NYT Mini Crossword is a fast-paced brain teaser that only takes a minute—or five—of your day. But don’t let its size fool you: The clues can still trip you up. That’s why we’re here with all the hints and answers for Wednesday, May 14, to help you through today’s grid without frustration.
Before diving into today’s puzzle, here’s a quick refresher for Tuesday’s clues and answers:
May 13 NYT Mini Crossword Answers Recap:
- 1 Across: FELINE
- 6 Across: STORK
- 1 Down: FAST
- 3 Down: INN
- 5 Down: END
Now, on to Wednesday’s NYT Mini Crossword, which features a fun mix of geography, animals, astrological signs, and everyday lingo.
Also read: Today’s Wordle Hints and Answer for May 14, 2025 – #1425
NYT Mini Crossword Hints May 14, 2025
Scroll slowly if you just want the hints. Full answers are further down.
Across Hints
1 Across: People from the nation known for pierogi, Chopin, and Kraków.
6 Across: This massive creature is the second-largest land mammal—though its “white” and “black” varieties are both gray.
7 Across: What you do when you add a YouTube video directly into your website.
8 Across: A famous Boy George hit: “____ Chameleon.”
9 Across: What a senator might say instead of voting “yes.”
Down Hints
1 Down: A common early education option in the U.S., abbreviated.
2 Down: A casual exclamation when you’re surprised or exasperated—“Give me a break!”
3 Down: The astrological sign symbolized by the scales.
4 Down: Your archrival or nemesis—one word.
5 Down: A fizzy drink, or a baking ingredient that can clean your sink.
NYT Mini Crossword Answers May 14, 2025
If you’re stuck or just want to check your answers, here’s the full solution:
Across Answers
1 Across: POLES – Citizens of Poland. Also refers to the geographic North and South.
6 Across: RHINO – Short for rhinoceros, both the “white” and “black” species are actually gray.
7 Across: EMBED – Used in coding or blogging to place media like videos within a webpage.
8 Across: KARMA – What’s coming to you, good or bad. Popularized in the Culture Club song.
9 Across: NAY – The opposite of “aye”; a negative vote.
Down Answers
1 Down: PRE-K – Short for pre-kindergarten, early childhood education for ages 3–5.
2 Down: OH MAN – An exasperated or surprised expression.
3 Down: LIBRA – The astrological sign that follows Virgo.
4 Down: ENEMY – A person who is actively opposed or hostile.
5 Down: SODA – Can refer to a carbonated drink or baking soda.
Puzzle Commentary
Today’s puzzle had a bit of everything—from geography to pop culture to astrology.
- Trickiest Across: RHINO threw me off at first, mostly because the clue cleverly points out a common misconception—neither the “black” nor the “white” rhino is actually that color.
- Funniest Clue: KARMA was clued as “What’s coming to you”—a light touch of poetic justice!
- Satisfying Fill: EMBED was a nice word to see, especially for anyone familiar with web design or social media.
Related:
My Solve Time: 0:48
I nearly stumbled on PRE-K because I briefly thought it might be “PRE-S” (as in “preschool”), but the Down clues helped me course-correct.
If you’re new to the Mini, don’t worry about the timer. This is about stretching your brain and having fun, not racing against the clock—unless you want to.
Also read: Today’s Quordle Hints & Answers – May 14, Game #1206
See You Tomorrow!
Come back daily for more hints and answers to the NYT Mini Crossword. Whether you’re trying to beat your time or just learn a few new words, this tiny puzzle packs a lot of wordplay punch.
Follow me for more daily crossword tips, games coverage, and a bit of word nerd fun. Got a favorite clue? Drop it in the comments!
Enjoyed this post?
Share it with a crossword-loving friend
Bookmark for your daily NYT Mini fix
Sign up for the newsletter to get puzzles and games insights delivered
