NYT Mini Answer for Oct 17, 2024

Happy solving, mini crossword enthusiasts!

As you tackle today's puzzle, remember that every clue is an opportunity to flex your brain muscles and exercise your problem-solving skills. You're not just filling in squares, you're building mental bridges and connecting the dots between words and ideas.

And don't worry if you get stuck - that's where this page comes in! We've got hints and tips to help you overcome those pesky roadblocks and get back on track. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the world of mini crosswords, our hints are here to guide you every step of the way.

So take a deep breath, grab your thinking cap, and get ready to conquer the puzzle! And when you need a little extra help, come back to this page for the hints you need to keep your solving streak going strong. Happy solving!

Possible words for each clue

1-Across. Human's cousin

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

MON APE MAN MON CAT

4-Across. Word after party or prescription

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

AIRT DRUG DOSE BILL NOTE

5-Across. With the circled letters (literally!), two options when riding an elevator

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

UPPER GOING STOPS BUTTO FLOOR

6-Across. Gobsmacks

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

AWES GASP SMOK BANK SLAM

7-Across. Show on which Bowen Yang plays J.D. Vance, for short

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

CAT SNL BOY ACT

1-Down. The Little Mermaid's name

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

FLUTE MERMA ARIEL SEINE FLORA

2-Down. Plays on words

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

PUNS GAME PLAY WITS JEST

3-Down. ___ + flour = pasta dough

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

EGG WAT FAT KNE BRO

4-Down. OK (with), informally

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

OKAY DOWN YESO LIKE AOKS

5-Down. Electric vehicle's lack

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

CAT GAS RAN FUN TAX

Based on the hints provided, have you determined the solution? If you are still unable to think of it, refer to the answers that follow.

Today's Answers Explained

Human's cousin

The hint "Human's cousin" refers to the fact that apes, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, are closely related to humans and share a common ancestor.

Word after party or prescription

The hint "Word after party or prescription" is referring to the word "DRUG".

With the circled letters (literally!), two options when riding an elevator

The hint "With the circled letters (literally!), two options when riding an elevator" is referring to the buttons on an elevator that have the letters "UP" and "DOWN" circled around them.

Gobsmacks

The hint "Gobsmacks" is related to the word "AWES" because "Gobsmacks" is a British slang term that means to shock or amaze someone, and "AWES" is an acronym for "Awesome".

Show on which Bowen Yang plays J.D. Vance, for short

The hint "Show on which Bowen Yang plays J.D. Vance, for short" is referring to the Saturday Night Live (SNL) show. Bowen Yang is a cast member on SNL, and J.D. Vance is a character he has portrayed on the show.

The Little Mermaid's name

The hint "The Little Mermaid's name" refers to the main character in the classic Disney movie "The Little Mermaid", which is Ariel.

Plays on words

The hint "Plays on words" is closely related to the word "PUNS".

___ + flour = pasta dough

The hint "___ + flour = pasta dough" is likely referring to the ingredient "EGG". In traditional pasta-making, eggs are mixed with flour to create the dough.

OK (with), informally

The hint "OK (with), informally" is related to the word "DOWN" because "OK" is often used informally to mean "alright" or "agreed", and "DOWN" can be used to indicate agreement or confirmation, similar to how one might say "OK, down" to indicate that they are ready to proceed or agree with something.

Electric vehicle's lack

The hint "Electric vehicle's lack" is referring to the fact that electric vehicles do not have a gas tank or use gasoline as a fuel source.