Mini #17 — the answers

The Mini crossword from September 18, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Aged — OLD
2. 4. Velocity — SPEED
3. 6. Calm — PEACE
4. 7. Archer’s missile — ARROW
5. 8. "___ questions?" — ANY

Down

1. 1. Sung drama — OPERA
2. 2. Pick up — LEARN
3. 3. Duck hunter’s prop — DECOY
4. 4. Massage spot — SPA
5. 5. Morning moisture — DEW

The walkthrough

One way through: start at 1-Across, then let each answer feed the words it crosses — the slot with the most letters already showing is the one to fill next.

1. 1-Across, “Aged” — nothing given yet: OLD.
2. 1-Down, “Sung drama” — O···· from the crossings: OPERA.
3. 4-Across, “Velocity” — ·P··· from the crossings: SPEED.
4. 2-Down, “Pick up” — LE··· from the crossings: LEARN.
5. 6-Across, “Calm” — ·EA·· from the crossings: PEACE.
6. 3-Down, “Duck hunter’s prop” — DEC·· from the crossings: DECOY.
7. 7-Across, “Archer’s missile” — ·RRO· from the crossings: ARROW.
8. 8-Across, “"___ questions?"” — already spelled out by its crossings: ANY.
9. 4-Down, “Massage spot” — already spelled out by its crossings: SPA.
10. 5-Down, “Morning moisture” — already spelled out by its crossings: DEW.

The answer

Previous: Mini #16 (Thu, Sep 17) · Next: Mini #18 (Sat, Sep 19)

About Mini

Mini is Noggin’s five-by-five crossword, on the second shelf: one grid a day against the clock, outside the daily line-up. How to play Mini, or play today’s.