NYT Mini Crossword · Answers

NYT Mini Crossword answers for Friday, October 9, 2026

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

A Friday 5x5 by Ian Livengood built on a running joke: three Across answers double as rock band names - a coffee supplement, a Valentine's symbol and a desert watering hole. Tap a clue to show just that answer.

Across

1. "Abbott Elementary" network
ABC
4. Coffee supplement ... or a ’60s rock band
CREAM
7. Valentine's Day symbol ... or a ’70s-’80s rock band
HEART
8. Desert watering hole ... or a ’90s-’00s rock band
OASIS
9. Glorifying poem
ODE

Down

1. Sound preceding "Gesundheit!"
ACHOO
2. Basis for croutons
BREAD
3. Stop
CEASE
5. Name found in "nefarious"
ARI
6. Denali and Whitney: Abbr.
MTS

Full grid

Every answer, in grid order.

Across: ABC · CREAM · HEART · OASIS · ODE
Down: ACHOO · BREAD · CEASE · ARI · MTS

Next on the board

Spelling Bee →

Center letter Y, four pangrams, 37 words to find.