The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today's Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

We setters call these types of words “scrabbly” because those rarer letters score well in Scrabble. Regular solvers also appreciate these words because they’re a welcome break from familiar entries like ARENA, ELITE and IRATE. Those words are common because they follow an alternating vowel/consonant pattern which suits the Mini grid.