Mini #47 — the answers

The Mini crossword from October 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. Not bright — DIM
2. 4. Molecule part — ATOM
3. 6. Gold or iron — METAL
4. 8. Skin spot — MOLE
5. 9. Cherry color — RED

Down

1. 1. Beaver’s work — DAM
2. 2. List entry — ITEM
3. 3. Engine — MOTOR
4. 5. Buck or bull — MALE
5. 7. Light bulb type — LED

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, “Not bright” — nothing given yet: DIM.
2. 1-Down, “Beaver’s work” — D·· from the crossings: DAM.
3. 4-Across, “Molecule part” — A··· from the crossings: ATOM.
4. 2-Down, “List entry” — IT·· from the crossings: ITEM.
5. 6-Across, “Gold or iron” — ME··· from the crossings: METAL.
6. 3-Down, “Engine” — MOT·· from the crossings: MOTOR.
7. 8-Across, “Skin spot” — MO·· from the crossings: MOLE.
8. 5-Down, “Buck or bull” — MAL· from the crossings: MALE.
9. 9-Across, “Cherry color” — RE· from the crossings: RED.
10. 7-Down, “Light bulb type” — already spelled out by its crossings: LED.

The answer

Previous: Mini #46 (Sat, Oct 17) · Next: Mini #48 (Mon, Oct 19) · All Mini solutions

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.