Like a thick winter jacket, say — NYT Mini Crossword Clue (October 18, 2025)
Word Tips serves up a trio of synonyms—swollen, puffed up, distended—which spells PUFFY. We translate those into everyday imagery so you picture insulation and snow days instead of medical terminology. All apostrophes show as ' and quotation marks as " to keep the markup pristine.
14 Across
Like a thick winter jacket, say
Visualize a down parka fresh off the rack. The answer PUFFY echoes that pillowy silhouette. Word Tips lists swollen and bloated as synonyms, but in crossword land you always swap the medical tone for a cozy clothing vibe.
Crossing Safety Net
- 2-Down PROTIPS confirms the double F and anchors the Y so you do not swap in plush or lined by mistake.
- 6-Down GENY confirms the double F and anchors the Y so you do not swap in plush or lined by mistake.
- 12-Down ALFA confirms the double F and anchors the Y so you do not swap in plush or lined by mistake.
Solver Cheat Sheet
Meaning Hint
Word Tips says bloated and swollen. Swap that into clothing language and you get PUFFY.
Letter Pattern
The double F is your dead giveaway. PUFFY is one of the few five letter adjectives with that pattern.
Alternate Cue
Expect variations such as "Like marshmallows" or "Down jacket descriptor." They all lead to PUFFY.
Solve Smart
Plug in PUFFY as soon as you see winter fashion referenced. Then rely on the crossings above to lock the entry tight.