NYT Mini Crossword Answers for October 21, 2025

Stuck on today's New York Times Mini crossword? We've got all the answers and explanations you need to breeze through this quick but satisfying puzzle. Whether you're solving during your coffee break or looking to improve your crossword game, we break down each clue with helpful insights.

Quick Answers

ACROSS

1. Bone that can be droppedULNA

6. Late scientist GoodallJANE

8. Make critical assumptions aboutREAD

9. Best by a littleEDGE

10. Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, etc.ORBS

DOWN

2. Just kind of over itUNO

3. Beef cattle breedANGUS

4. Shed tearsLEAK

5. 2007 comedy-drama starring Elliot Page and Michael CeraJUNO

7. Refresh, as one's memoryRENEW

Detailed Explanations

ACROSS Answers

1-Across: Bone that can be droppedULNA • Anatomy clue explained 6-Across: Late scientist GoodallJANE • Primatology pioneer 8-Across: Make critical assumptions aboutREAD • Literary interpretation 9-Across: Best by a littleEDGE • Competitive advantage 10-Across: Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, etc.ORBS • Celestial bodies

DOWN Answers

2-Down: Just kind of over itUNO • Card game reference 3-Down: Beef cattle breedANGUS • Famous cattle variety 4-Down: Shed tearsLEAK • Emotional expression 5-Down: 2007 comedy-drama starring Elliot Page and Michael CeraJUNO • Coming-of-age classic 7-Down: Refresh, as one's memoryRENEW • Mental refreshment

Today's Puzzle Tips

Start with Short Words

Begin with three-letter answers like JANE, UNO, and EDGE to build your foundation.

Look for Crossings

Notice how JANE helps with 3-Down ANGUS and 5-Down JUNO.

Think Broadly

"Dropping a bone" isn't literal – think anatomy, not actions!