For the Friday, October 3, 2025, NYT Mini Crossword, the linked answer is CLEAN PLATE CLUB. If you want a nudge before seeing every entry, start with the hints below; the complete Across and Down answers follow.
Hints for the October 3 Mini
- Across: The missing letters in “_OOGLE MA_ _”; an Amtrak express train; the first word of the dinner-finishers’ distinction; desires, with “after”; and the Honey Nut Cheerios mascot.
- Down: “Silly” birds; the middle word of that distinction; “without”; knee tissue prone to tearing, for short; and the final word of the distinction.
Across answers
- GPS — The fitting missing letters in “_OOGLE MA_ _.”
- ACELA — Amtrak express train.
- CLEAN — First part of the distinction for kids who finish their whole dinner.
- LUSTS — Desires, with “after.”
- BEE — Honey Nut Cheerios mascot.
Down answers
- GEESE — “Silly” birds.
- PLATE — Middle part of the linked distinction.
- SANS — Without.
- ACL — Knee tissue prone to tearing, for short.
- CLUB — Final part of the linked distinction.
How the linked answer fits
The shared phrase is CLEAN PLATE CLUB: CLEAN from 6-Across, PLATE from 2-Down, and CLUB from 5-Down. It names the distinction described by the clue for kids who finish their whole dinner.
About the puzzle date
Forbes published its guide at 11:44 p.m. EDT on October 2, 2025, for the Friday, October 3 puzzle. Its guide describes The Mini as a smaller version of the NYT Crossword and reports that it can be played on the web or app; it says the app is needed to use the archive. That is the guide’s access information, not confirmation of NYT’s current account or subscription terms.
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