Mini #30 — the answers

The Mini crossword from October 1, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Frequently, poetically — OFT
2. 4. Hunter’s gun — RIFLE
3. 6. Come in — ENTER
4. 7. Kettle output — STEAM
5. 8. Heavy weight — TON

Down

1. 1. Frequently — OFTEN
2. 2. Dog’s pest — FLEA
3. 3. Semester — TERM
4. 4. Relax — REST
5. 5. Interested in — INTO

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, “Frequently, poetically” — nothing given yet: OFT.
2. 1-Down, “Frequently” — O···· from the crossings: OFTEN.
3. 4-Across, “Hunter’s gun” — ··F·· from the crossings: RIFLE.
4. 2-Down, “Dog’s pest” — FL·· from the crossings: FLEA.
5. 6-Across, “Come in” — ··TE· from the crossings: ENTER.
6. 3-Down, “Semester” — TER· from the crossings: TERM.
7. 7-Across, “Kettle output” — ··EAM from the crossings: STEAM.
8. 4-Down, “Relax” — RES· from the crossings: REST.
9. 5-Down, “Interested in” — INT· from the crossings: INTO.
10. 8-Across, “Heavy weight” — already spelled out by its crossings: TON.

The answer

Previous: Mini #29 (Wed, Sep 30)

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.