NYT Mini Crossword Answers for January 27, 2026
Updated
Tap a clue to reveal its answer. By Joel Fagliano.
No spoilers until you tap Reveal.
Hint: letter count and first letter of every answer
1A S____ · 6A H____ · 7A I____ · 8A N___ · 9A E__ · 1D S____ · 2D C____ · 3D A____ · 4D R___ · 5D F__
Across
1A: Bit of clothing for a snowman
SCARF · more answers for this clue
6A: "___ is just another defense against the universe": Mel Brooks
HUMOR · more answers for this clue
7A: Say without saying
IMPLY · more answers for this clue
8A: River whose basin spans 11 countries
NILE · more answers for this clue
9A: Opposite of WSW
Down
1D: Excel
SHINE · more answers for this clue
2D: Spice in curry powder
CUMIN · more answers for this clue
3D: More than enough
AMPLE · more answers for this clue
4D: Queen Elizabeth I or II, for Helen Mirren
ROLE · more answers for this clue
5D: Cook in oil
Completed grid
Show the full grid
SCARF
HUMOR
IMPLY
NILE
ENE
FAQ
1-Across: Bit of clothing for a snowman
SCARF.
6-Across: "___ is just another defense against the universe": Mel Brooks
HUMOR.
7-Across: Say without saying
IMPLY.
8-Across: River whose basin spans 11 countries
NILE.
9-Across: Opposite of WSW
ENE.
1-Down: Excel
SHINE.
2-Down: Spice in curry powder
CUMIN.
3-Down: More than enough
AMPLE.
4-Down: Queen Elizabeth I or II, for Helen Mirren
ROLE.
5-Down: Cook in oil
FRY.