Mini #63 — the answers

The Mini crossword from November 3, 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 many — FEW
2. 4. Alone — SOLO
3. 5. Handbag — PURSE
4. 6. Push — URGE
5. 7. Buzzer in a hive — BEE

Down

1. 1. Blacksmith’s shop — FORGE
2. 2. Otherwise — ELSE
3. 3. Sorrow — WOE
4. 4. "Of course!" — SURE
5. 5. Tavern — PUB

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 many” — nothing given yet: FEW.
2. 1-Down, “Blacksmith’s shop” — F···· from the crossings: FORGE.
3. 4-Across, “Alone” — ·O·· from the crossings: SOLO.
4. 2-Down, “Otherwise” — EL·· from the crossings: ELSE.
5. 5-Across, “Handbag” — ··RS· from the crossings: PURSE.
6. 3-Down, “Sorrow” — already spelled out by its crossings: WOE.
7. 6-Across, “Push” — ··GE from the crossings: URGE.
8. 4-Down, “"Of course!"” — SUR· from the crossings: SURE.
9. 7-Across, “Buzzer in a hive” — ·EE from the crossings: BEE.
10. 5-Down, “Tavern” — already spelled out by its crossings: PUB.

The answer

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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.