Tuesday, January 27, 2026 · Your daily stash of puzzle hints. Answers stay hidden until you ask for them.

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NYT Mini Crossword · Answers

NYT Mini Crossword answers for Tuesday, January 27, 2026

5x5 grid · Show any single answer, or the full grid at the bottom

A Tuesday 5x5 by Joel Fagliano: SCARF opens the Across clues and SHINE runs down the first column. Tap a clue to show just that answer.

Across

1. Bit of clothing for a snowman
SCARF
6. "___ is just another defense against the universe": Mel Brooks
HUMOR
7. Say without saying
IMPLY
8. River whose basin spans 11 countries
NILE
9. Opposite of WSW
ENE

Down

1. Excel
SHINE
2. Spice in curry powder
CUMIN
3. More than enough
AMPLE
4. Queen Elizabeth I or II, for Helen Mirren
ROLE
5. Cook in oil
FRY

Full grid

Every answer, in grid order.

Across: SCARF · HUMOR · IMPLY · NILE · ENE
Down: SHINE · CUMIN · AMPLE · ROLE · FRY

Next on the board

Spelling Bee →

Center letter I, two pangrams, 60 words to find.