Are you on the hunt for the very latest solution to The New York Times Mini Crossword puzzle? If your curiosity has drawn you here, you’re in exactly the right place. You can effortlessly access today’s edition of the Mini Crossword by following the link provided for current hints, in addition to finding the complete list of daily answers and strategic clue interpretations for The New York Times collection of beloved puzzles — including the crowd favorites Wordle, Strands, Connections, and the special Connections: Sports Edition. Each of these games offers its own unique mental challenge, yet all share the common goal of stimulating logic and creativity through wordplay.

Should you find yourself wrestling with one of today’s particularly tricky Mini Crossword clues, it may be helpful to recall some knowledge from card games — after all, the connection between strategy, pattern recognition, and memory plays a key role in both activities. For solvers craving a little extra assistance, simply keep reading for the answers that will help untangle today’s grid. And if you would like to enhance your long-term crossword-solving proficiency, you can take a moment to explore our collection of expert Mini Crossword tips, which can refine your approach and deepen your understanding of clue mechanics.

If your interest goes beyond the Mini Crossword and extends to the other popular New York Times puzzles of the day, such as Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition, and Strands, you can conveniently find up-to-date hints and complete answer sets compiled on CNET’s dedicated NYT puzzle hints page. There, you’ll discover comprehensive assistance designed to make the experience of puzzle-solving more accessible and enjoyable for enthusiasts of every level, from casual players to avid daily solvers. For additional strategies, insights, and analytical guidance, you may also want to take a deeper look at our article, ‘Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword,’ which explores techniques for improving speed, accuracy, and interpretive skill while tackling each challenge.

Now, let us turn our attention to today’s specific Mini Crossword puzzle — the edition for October 12, 2025. Below, you will find both the clues and their corresponding answers, neatly categorized by across and down entries. This completed version represents not just the solution, but also a learning tool for understanding how brief, clever wording can conceal surprisingly direct answers beneath the surface.

**Mini Across Clues and Answers**
1A clue: ‘A 5-Across might be a wild one.’ The correct answer is **CARD**, drawing on the familiar concept of a “wild card” in a deck of playing cards.
5A clue: ‘One of two in a standard deck.’ The answer is **JOKER**, referring to the playful yet optional pair of cards often used for game variations.
6A clue: ‘Homer called its oil \”liquid gold.\”‘ The appropriate answer here is **OLIVE**, referencing the ancient poet’s celebrated praise of olive oil’s value and cultural significance.
7A clue: ‘Symbolic flower in Buddhism.’ The answer is **LOTUS**, a blossom profoundly associated with spiritual enlightenment and purity in Buddhist symbolism.
8A clue: ‘Bunkers on a golf course.’ The solution is **TRAPS**, an apt term for the sandy hazards that challenge players throughout the course.

**Mini Down Clues and Answers**
1D clue: ‘Use crayons, e.g.’ The answer is **COLOR**, describing the creative act of applying crayons to fill a drawing or image with hues.
2D clue: ‘Japanese dog breed.’ The correct response is **AKITA**, a noble and loyal breed native to Japan, prized for its strength and regal bearing.
3D clue: ‘Really energize.’ The answer is **REVUP**, a vivid expression meaning to intensify activity or boost one’s energy level.
4D clue: ‘Garment that may be strapless.’ The solution is **DRESS**, a versatile clothing item that ranges in style from elegant evening wear to casual daytime outfits.
5D clue: ‘Sudden shock.’ The answer is **JOLT**, capturing the sensation of a quick, surprising impact or burst of force.

Together, these completed entries form the grid for the New York Times Mini Crossword puzzle of October 12, 2025 — a compact yet intellectually rewarding exercise that blends brevity with cleverness. Whether you use this resource to check your accuracy, hone your problem-solving technique, or simply enjoy revisiting the day’s linguistic challenges, today’s puzzle delivers a refreshing mental workout for word enthusiasts everywhere.

Sourse: https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/todays-nyt-mini-crossword-answers-for-sunday-oct-12/#ftag=CAD590a51e