Smokes, informally — NYT Mini Crossword Clue (October 14, 2025)
The October 14, 2025 New York Times Mini crossword opens with casual slang. Below you will find the confirmed answer, why it fits, and how to leverage crossings to lock it in faster during your solve. Apostrophes display as ' and quotation marks as " for HTML-safe rendering.
1 Across
Smokes, informally
The fill CIGS is a clipped plural of cigarettes. It is ubiquitous in casual dialogue and surfaces frequently in quick crosswords because of its compact consonant-vowel pattern.
Why CIGS Fits the Clue
Definition Snapshot
- Conversation shorthand for cigarettes, matching the clue's “informally” tag.
- Four-letter grid entry mirrors the plural expectation triggered by “smokes.”
- Supported by Word Tips hints referencing cig, ciggy, and smoke as near synonyms.
Cross Checking
- C intersects 1-Down “Things to load before a marathon” → CARBS.
- I locks with 2-Down “Mythical figure...” → ICARUS.
- G aligns with 3-Down “Zoomer around a small track” → GOCART.
- S confirms against 4-Down “Neighbors of Norwegians” → SWEDES.
Speed Solving Tips
Spot Slang Flags
Any clue ending with “informally” or “slangily” invites shortened word forms or letter drops. Think instantly of clipped plurals like CIGS to stay under 20 seconds for the first across.
Predict Plurals
The plural verb “smokes” nudges solvers toward an S-ending. With three crossing slots confirmed quickly, the entry becomes inevitable.
Recall Common Minis
Editors reuse CIGS across terminology-themed minis. Logging this word in your mental notebook prevents hesitation when it appears again.
Crossword Database Insight
Word Tips flagged CIGS with a meaning hint (“a cigarette”) and listed alternative spellings. Those signals align with classic mini editing patterns.
Extended Vocabulary
Synonyms
- Cigs
- Ciggies
- Smokes
- Stogies (looser fit)
Related Entries
- ASH
- NIC
- CIG
- TAR
Letter Breakdown
The alternating consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant pattern ensures smooth crossings. The hard C launch pairs neatly with R from CARBS, while the final S locks the down stack.