blank cut short hairstyle — NYT Mini Crossword Clue (October 17, 2025)
This compact fashion clue calls for the cropped feminine hairstyle that defined mid century Hollywood pixies and modern runway icons alike. Below you will verify how the Mini's cross letters confirm PIXIE, how Word Tips frames the same answer, and what trimming tactics help any solver shave seconds off their time. All apostrophes display as ' and quotation marks render as " to keep HTML pristine.
6 Across
blank cut short hairstyle
The clue telegraphs the iconic pixie cut by leaving the first word blank. Word Tips notes the same definition and offers synonyms such as fairy and sprite, reinforcing the whimsical aesthetic that matches fashion insider language across decades.
Proof via Crossings
- 1-Across SPOOF nails the intersecting letters (P, I, X, I) that lock PIXIE in place and dismiss alternatives like bob or lob which cannot satisfy the repeated I structure.
- 1-Down SPECS nails the intersecting letters (P, I, X, I) that lock PIXIE in place and dismiss alternatives like bob or lob which cannot satisfy the repeated I structure.
- 2-Down PIXEL nails the intersecting letters (P, I, X, I) that lock PIXIE in place and dismiss alternatives like bob or lob which cannot satisfy the repeated I structure.
- 3-Down OXIDE nails the intersecting letters (P, I, X, I) that lock PIXIE in place and dismiss alternatives like bob or lob which cannot satisfy the repeated I structure.
Stylistic Clue Deep Dive
Salon Context
Crossword editors love referencing iconic haircuts because they offer evergreen vocabulary. The pixie cut traces back to Audrey Hepburn and Mia Farrow, making it a frequent Mini filler thanks to clear cultural recognition.
Letter Pattern Insight
The double I stands out in the Mini's symmetrical design. Word Tips hints at this via the sprite imagery, but our analysis emphasizes how repeated vowels steer you away from incorrect plainer trims.
Speed Solving Tip
When a clue uses a blank dash, think of phrases where the missing term is the headline word. Insert PIXIE mentally before reading the rest of the clue; if it fits syntactically, drop it immediately.
Neighboring Support
The parallel down entries PIXEL and OXIDE mirror the P-X consonant structure, a deliberate editorial flourish that your solving notes can leverage for future pattern recognition.