NYT Mini Answer for May 31, 2025

Happy solving, mini crossword enthusiasts!

You're just a few clues away from a thrilling victory. Don't worry if you're stuck - it's all part of the fun. Take a deep breath, and let's dive into the world of words.

This page is here to help you overcome those pesky obstacles and unlock the secrets of the mini crossword. You'll find helpful hints and guidance to nudge you in the right direction.

Remember, the key to success lies in persistence and creativity. Think outside the box, and don't be afraid to take risks. With each solved clue, your confidence will grow, and you'll be one step closer to completing the puzzle.

So, take a moment to relax, and let the words flow. You've got this! Browse through our hints, and let the solving magic begin. Good luck, and happy puzzling!

Possible words for each clue

1-Across. This one and that one

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

THIS BOTH THAT

5-Across. Ballet-inspired fitness class

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE BARRE LEAPS PLATE POISE

6-Across. Mississippi ___ (rich chocolate dessert)

Possible 6-letter words for this clue:

MUDPIE FLANCA CAKEST TRUFFL

7-Across. Sea creature with the scientific name Monodon monoceros ("one tooth, one horn")

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

NARWHAL MONSTER OCTOPUS MARLINE CETACEA

8-Across. Like some soccer shots

Possible 6-letter words for this clue:

FENCER ONGOAL DRIBBL SHOOTE STRIKE

9-Across. Strict in tone

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

SEVER STERN AUSTE SEVER STERN

10-Across. Place for a "For Sale" sign

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

HOUS YARD LAWN SIGN LOTS

1-Down. $#!&, e.g.

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

BADWORD ACCENTS CENSURE STAMPED LAZIEST

2-Down. Harry Potter, Annie or Bruce Wayne

Possible 6-letter words for this clue:

HEROIC ORPHAN VILLAI ALIGNE LEGEND

3-Down. ___ and error

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

FAULT TRIAL ERROR FAULT

4-Down. Dog trainer's "Walk next to me!"

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

HEEL LEAD GUID WALK SIDE

5-Down. Hot dog alternative

Possible 6-letter words for this clue:

PANINI BURGER SANDWI WRAPPE SUBWAY

6-Down. Relative of a stingray

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

RAJAH MANTA RAIDE

7-Down. All up in one's business

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

GABS NOSY MIND PEEP SPYS

Based on the hints provided, have you managed to deduce the solution? If you're still unable to come up with an answer, please refer to the solutions listed below.

Today's Answers Explained

This one and that one

The phrase "This one and that one" is often used to refer to two separate entities or individuals. In English, the word "BOTH" is used to indicate that two or more entities are being referred to together, emphasizing their joint inclusion or consideration.

The relationship between the phrase "This one and that one" and the word "BOTH" lies in their shared meaning of referring to two entities together. While "This one and that one" is a more informal and conversational way of expressing the idea, "BOTH" is a more formal and precise word that explicitly conveys the same meaning.

In many cases, "This one and that one" can be replaced with "BOTH" to convey the same idea, as in:

• "I'm going to meet this one and that one at the party." (Informal)
• "I'm going to meet both of them at the party." (Formal)

Overall, the phrase "This one and that one" and the word "BOTH" are related in that they both refer to the joint consideration of two entities, with "BOTH" being a more formal and precise way of expressing the idea.

Ballet-inspired fitness class

The word "barre" in English is related to the hint "Ballet-inspired fitness class" because a barre is a horizontal bar used in ballet as a support for dancers to hold onto while performing exercises and movements. In a ballet-inspired fitness class, participants often use a barre as a prop to perform various exercises and stretches, mimicking the movements and techniques of ballet.

Mississippi ___ (rich chocolate dessert)

The word "MUDPIE" is related to the hint "Mississippi ___ (rich chocolate dessert)" because the dessert is actually called a "Mississippi Mud Pie".

Sea creature with the scientific name Monodon monoceros ("one tooth, one horn")

The word "NARWHAL" in English is related to the scientific name "Monodon monoceros" through its etymology.

The name "Narwhal" is derived from the Old Norse word "nar", which means "corpse" or "carcass", and the Old Norse word "hvalr", which means "whale".

The name "Monodon monoceros" is derived from the Greek words "monos" (meaning "one") and "odous" (meaning "tooth"), and the Latin word "monoceros" (meaning "one horn").

The narwhal's distinctive tusk, which resembles a horn, is the basis for the name "Monodon monoceros".

Like some soccer shots

The hint "Like some soccer shots" is related to the word "ONGOAL" in English because it is a play on words.

In soccer, a shot that goes over the goal is often referred to as an "over the goal" or "over the net" shot.

The word "ONGOAL" is a pun on the phrase "over the goal" and the word "goal" itself.

Strict in tone

The word "STERN" in English is an adjective that means strict, severe, and unyielding in tone or manner. It is often used to describe someone who is firm, authoritative, and unyielding in their opinions or actions.

The relationship between the hint "Strict in tone" and the word "STERN" is that they convey the same meaning. The hint suggests a tone that is firm, unyielding, and perhaps even severe, which is exactly what the word "STERN" implies.

Place for a "For Sale" sign

The word "YARD" in English can be related to the hint "Place for a 'For Sale' sign" because in many countries, especially in the United States, a yard is often the front area of a house where a "For Sale" sign is typically placed when a house is being sold. This is a common practice in real estate, making the yard a direct connection to the hint.

$#!&, e.g.

The hint "$#!&, e.g." is a euphemistic representation of a profane word in English. The "$#!&" is a common abbreviation for a four-letter word that is considered profane or obscene. The "e.g." at the end stands for "exempli gratia," which is Latin for "for example." This is often used to soften the impact of the word or to avoid explicit language.

Harry Potter, Annie or Bruce Wayne

The hint "Harry Potter, Annie or Bruce Wayne" refers to characters from popular stories who are orphans.

• Harry Potter is an orphan from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.
• Annie is a character from the classic musical "Annie," who is an orphan living in an orphanage.
• Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, is an orphan from the DC Comics universe.

The word "ORPHAN" in English is a noun that refers to a child whose parents have died or are unknown. The hint is using these characters to illustrate the concept of an orphan.

___ and error

The hint "___ and error" is related to the word "TRIAL" in English.

In a trial, there is a process of testing or proving something, and there is also the possibility of error in the outcome or the process itself.

Dog trainer's "Walk next to me!"

The phrase "Walk next to me!" is a command often given by dog trainers to instruct a dog to walk beside its handler, rather than pulling on the leash. The word "HEEL" in English is related to this command, as it is a common instruction given to dogs to walk by their handler's left side, with the dog's left side next to the handler's left side.

Hot dog alternative

The hint "Hot dog alternative" is related to the word "BURGER" in English because a burger is often considered a hot dog alternative in the sense that it is a type of sandwich or ground meat patty served on a bun, similar to a hot dog. However, a burger typically consists of a beef patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and condiments, whereas a hot dog is a sausage served in a bun with condiments.

Relative of a stingray

The word "MANTA" in English is related to the hint "Relative of a stingray" because a manta ray is a type of marine animal that is closely related to stingrays.

All up in one's business

The phrase "All up in one's business" is an idiomatic expression that means to be overly involved or concerned with someone else's personal affairs or private matters.

The word "NOSY" in English is an adjective that describes someone who is excessively curious or intrusive about other people's private lives or business.

The relationship between the two is that "NOSY" people are often the ones who are "all up in one's business," meaning they are overly interested in and involved in other people's personal affairs, often to the point of being intrusive or annoying.