This clue appeared in the Mini Crossword on Monday, August 31, 2026 (3 Down) and the Mini Crossword on Saturday, November 22, 2025 (8 Across and 12 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it.
How to read this clue
This is a fill-in-the-blank clue: the answer completes the phrase, title or quotation.
Mini Crossword, August 31, 2026, 3 Down
Answer length: 4 squares
First letter
B _ _ _
First and last letters
B _ _ Y
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About the answer
BUSY as a word: Crowded with business or activities; having a great deal going on; Engaged with or preoccupied by an activity or person.
BUSY has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
Mini Crossword, November 22, 2025, 8 Across
Answer length: 8 squares
First letter
S _ _ _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
S _ _ _ _ _ _ G
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About the answer
SPELLING as a word: (uncountable) The act, practice, ability, or subject of forming words with letters, or of reading the letters of words; orthography; (uncountable) The manner of spelling of words; correct spelling.
SPELLING has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
Mini Crossword, November 22, 2025, 12 Across
Answer length: 8 squares
First letter
S _ _ _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
S _ _ _ _ _ _ A
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About the answer
SAMANTHA as a word: A female given name from Hebrew.
SAMANTHA has been an answer 2 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 22, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
- ___ bird (6 Across)
- ___ wolf (7 Across)
- Feeling tired and worn out (1 Down)
- British noble title (2 Down)
- Panda ___ (4 Down)
- Detective, in old shorthand (5 Down)
Play today's Mini Crossword at The New York Times
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