Mini #55 — the answers

The Mini crossword from October 26, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Owns — HAS
2. 4. Extreme — ULTRA
3. 7. Step — STAIR
4. 8. Derby runner — HORSE
5. 9. Earl Grey, e.g. — TEA

Down

1. 1. Quiet — HUSH
2. 2. Choir voice — ALTO
3. 3. Begin — START
4. 5. Get up — RISE
5. 6. Region — AREA

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, “Owns” — nothing given yet: HAS.
2. 1-Down, “Quiet” — H··· from the crossings: HUSH.
3. 4-Across, “Extreme” — U···· from the crossings: ULTRA.
4. 2-Down, “Choir voice” — AL·· from the crossings: ALTO.
5. 7-Across, “Step” — ST··· from the crossings: STAIR.
6. 3-Down, “Begin” — STA·· from the crossings: START.
7. 8-Across, “Derby runner” — HOR·· from the crossings: HORSE.
8. 5-Down, “Get up” — RIS· from the crossings: RISE.
9. 6-Down, “Region” — ARE· from the crossings: AREA.
10. 9-Across, “Earl Grey, e.g.” — already spelled out by its crossings: TEA.

The answer

Previous: Mini #54 (Sun, Oct 25) · Next: Mini #56 (Tue, Oct 27) · 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.