NY Times Midi Logo

Colorful parrot - NYT The Midi Clue

Across

  • The clue asks for a "vehicle" that "is spelled the same in reverse." RACECAR fits perfectly because it is a palindrome, meaning it reads the same forward and backward. Additionally, a racecar is indeed a vehicle, satisfying the straightforward definition in the clue.

  • The clue "Unseats, as a champion" refers to removing someone from a position of power or supremacy, particularly a reigning champion. The word "dethrone" literally means to remove a monarch from the throne, which is metaphorically applied here to a champion. Thus, "DETHRONES" fits perfectly.

  • The term "outermost" describes something located at the greatest distance from the center or middle point, perfectly aligning with the clue "Farthest from the middle." It directly conveys the extreme distance from the center, making it the exact match for the clue.

  • TSA, or the Transportation Security Administration, is the U.S. government agency responsible for screening passengers and bags at airports. The clue "Bag-checking org." refers to this role, as TSA routinely inspects carry-ons and checked luggage for security purposes during air travel.

  • The answer is REY because she is the central heroine and protagonist of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Rey is a pivotal character in the sequel trilogy, journeying to discover her identity and fighting against the Sith forces, cementing her role as the story’s hero.

  • The prefix "ECO-" relates to ecology or the environment. "___-conscious" refers to being environmentally aware or considerate, making "ECO" a fitting solution. This aligns with commonly used terms like "eco-conscious" to describe sustainable or eco-friendly behavior.

  • The clue refers to an object commonly found on porches that often features the word "Welcome." A doormat (or MAT) is placed at entrances to greet visitors and serves this purpose, making "MAT" the fitting answer here.

  • The clue specifies a "vehicle" that is "spelled the same in reverse," implying a palindrome. A kayak is a type of small watercraft used for paddling, and its spelling remains identical when reversed, fitting both the vehicle and palindrome descriptions perfectly.

  • The phrase "Now wait just a ___!" is an expression used to ask someone to pause momentarily. The answer "SEC" is a shortened form of "second," which fits the context perfectly as a casual way of asking someone to wait briefly.

  • The clue "Was up in the air, in a way" hints at something physically or metaphorically elevated. "Levitated" fits as it means to rise or float above the ground, aligning perfectly with the idea of being "up in the air." The wordplay indicates a literal or mystical floating.

  • The answer is AMPS because at rock concerts, amplifiers (shortened as AMPS) are essential devices used to amplify the sound of instruments like guitars, making them louder for the audience. This aligns with the clue referring to "Devices" commonly seen in such settings.

  • The clue "Broad" directly refers to something extensive or large in scope. "Wide" is a synonym for "broad," as both words describe something expansive or vast in width or coverage. The simplicity of the clue aligns with the straightforward synonym relationship.

  • The clue references 28-Across, whose answer is "sub." When reversed, "sub" spells "bus," which is a type of vehicle.

  • The clue says "Vehicle that is 27-Across in reverse." Checking 27-Across, its answer is "BUS." Reversing "BUS" gives "SUB," which is short for a submarine, a type of vehicle.

Down

  • The clue "Find a new function for" suggests repurposing or utilizing something differently. "REUSE" fits perfectly as it means using an item again, often in a new or altered way, effectively giving it a new function or purpose.

  • In soccer, to "break down an opponent's defense" means to breach or overcome their defensive setup. The word "ATTACK" directly relates to a team aggressively advancing and pressuring the opponent's defense to score, making it a perfect fit for the clue.

  • The answer "CHE" refers to Michael Che, a prominent cast member and co-anchor of "Weekend Update" on Saturday Night Live (S.N.L.). His last name matches the clue, and the capitalization of "Michael" hints at a proper noun, pointing to him specifically.

  • The phrase "To err is human" is a well-known saying that means making mistakes is a natural part of being human. The blank in the clue fits "err," which means to make a mistake, completing the phrase correctly.

  • Completes the phrase “dot com,” the most common domain suffix used in website addresses.

  • ANORAK is a type of pullover jacket often featuring a front kangaroo pocket. It’s typically hooded and designed for outdoor activities, ideal for wind or rain protection. This matches the clue’s description of a specific jacket style with a kangaroo pocket.

  • The phrase "Go back to square one, say" suggests starting over or returning to the beginning, often after a failed attempt. "RESET" directly conveys this idea, as it means to restore something to its original state, akin to starting fresh or from the beginning.

  • Refers to the “dot” in a web address; paired with 5-Down, it forms part of a common URL ending.

  • The answer "STY" fits the clue "Pig's home" because a sty is the term for a pen or enclosure where pigs are traditionally kept. This straightforward clue directly refers to the literal living space for pigs.

  • An "OASIS" is a fertile spot in a desert where water is found, making it a "welcome sight" for travelers or inhabitants in such an arid environment. The answer ties directly to the literal and appealing relief an oasis provides in harsh desert conditions.

  • The answer is MACAW because macaws are large, colorful parrots known for their vibrant plumage that includes shades of blue, red, yellow, and green. The clue directly describes their defining trait, "colorful," making it a fitting and straightforward match for the solution.

  • The answer "YET" works as a cheeky response because it implies that the worst may still be to come, humorously one-upping the dramatic statement. The question mark in the clue signals this playful twist, making "YET" a sarcastic retort to the original complaint.

  • The answer "LAB" fits because it commonly follows each term: "chocolate lab" (a Labrador retriever breed), "crime lab" (forensics facility), and "chemistry lab" (where experiments are conducted). It's a shared, logical continuation for all three phrases.

  • The answer is EMU because both the ostrich and the emu are large, flightless birds native to different regions (ostrich in Africa, emu in Australia). They are part of the ratite family, making them relatives. The clue refers to their biological connection.

  • The clue "Second-in-command politicians, in brief" refers to Vice Presidents (VPs). Vice Presidents are the second-highest officials in governments, subordinate to Presidents or leaders. The clue specifies "in brief," indicating an abbreviation, making VPS (plural of VP) the correct answer.

  • The phrase "___ the season!" commonly completes as "Tis the season!"—a traditional expression associated with the holiday season. "Tis" is a poetic or old-fashioned contraction of "it is," aligning perfectly with the clue's conversational tone and context.

  • The answer "EDU" fits because most university websites in the U.S. use ".edu" as their domain extension. This is short for "education," signifying their purpose. "End of a university URL" directly points to the ".edu" portion commonly found at the end of such web addresses.

  • The answer is "DEB" because Deb Haaland served as the secretary of the interior in the United States. She made history as the first Native American to hold a cabinet position. "Former secretary" indicates her past role, and "Haaland" directly points to her last name, confirming the solution.

Today’s Game Difficulty

1.9 / 5
Easy

Rate Your Difficulty

Rate This Solver

View Yesterday's Puzzle

Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 5-letter answer to the Colorful parrot clue? Don’t worry—Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you want the answer right away, revealed letter by letter, or if this wordplay seems too puzzling, keep reading for the explanation.

Colorful parrot Answer Explained

The answer is MACAW.

This is a straightforward but vivid clue. A MACAW is a type of parrot known for its strikingly colorful plumage: bright reds, blues, yellows, and greens. These large parrots are native to Central and South America and are often associated with tropical rainforests. The clue relies on general knowledge: among parrots, macaws are some of the most visually distinctive and commonly recognized for their bold coloration. In crosswords, “colorful parrot” is a classic, direct definition for MACAW, with no wordplay involved, just a clean match between the descriptive clue and the well-known bird.

Now that you've cracked the 15D Colorful parrot clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s Midi Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry, we've got you covered. Explore more NYT The Midi crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the NYT Crossword, NYT The Mini puzzle, Connections, or Strands.

Today’s NYT Midi Highlights

This was a light, playful Midi with a tidy theme that leans on the satisfying symmetry of palindromes. RACECAR and KAYAK are classic examples while BUS and SUB cleverly extend the idea by pairing reversals rather than strict palindromes. That twist keeps the theme from feeling too obvious and adds a small “aha” moment when the connection clicks.
The fill is smooth and approachable, with lively touches like REY (from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) and CHE (Michael Che), plus everyday entries like OASIS and ANORAK that keep things grounded. Cluing is straightforward but fresh, making it ideal for a relaxed solve.
There’s also a nice consistency in the grid’s structure, with clean crossings and minimal obscurity. Overall, it’s an enjoyable, accessible puzzle that showcases a simple idea executed with polish and just enough cleverness to feel rewarding without being taxing.

Here’s what caught our attention today:

About The Midi

The Midi is a daily crossword puzzle designed to sit between the quick satisfaction of The Mini and the depth of the full Daily Crossword. It offers a compact but more layered solving experience, giving players a new step in the New York Times Games lineup.

While officially launched as a daily puzzle in February 2026, the concept was tested earlier through special puzzle packs and more recently in newsletter editions. Those experiments helped shape what is now a permanent daily feature available exclusively online through the New York Times Games app and website.

Format and Structure

Most Midi puzzles use a 9×9 grid (larger than The Mini but smaller than the traditional crossword), allowing for richer wordplay and themed construction without requiring a long solving session. Toward the end of the week, grids may expand up to 11×11, and occasionally the puzzle appears in non-square formats, with different numbers of rows and columns.

Unlike The Mini, every Midi includes a title, offering a subtle hint at the puzzle’s theme or solving trick. These titles add an extra layer of discovery while keeping the experience approachable.

A Digital-First Puzzle

The Midi is built specifically for digital play. It does not appear in print, and it is available through the New York Times app and website only for subscribers.

Designing the puzzle for screens allows for occasional visual effects and interactive moments that enhance the solving experience in ways print cannot. Even with these innovations, the philosophy remains consistent: puzzles are still handcrafted by human constructors and editors, preserving the editorial voice and thoughtful construction that define New York Times Games.

Editorial Approach

The Midi is edited by Ian Livengood, who also oversees Pips. He creates about three Midi puzzles each week while collaborating with a rotating group of approximately fifteen contributors whose submissions are carefully edited before publication.

This editorial model mirrors the structure used across The New York Times crosswords, where dedicated editors maintain quality and style (like Will Shortz for The Daily and Joel Fagliano for The Mini).

New Rules and Creative Flexibility

The Midi introduces several notable changes to traditional crossword conventions, like:

  • Each puzzle features a title. Before, only Sunday NYT puzzles had a title. In Midi, this is meant to give a clue about the theme without needing a distinct clue to play the role of a theme revealer.
  • Grids may occasionally break from square symmetry, which is something also happening in the Mini, especially those made by Sam Ezersky.
  • Two-letter answers are allowed - this is a feature borrowed from cryptic puzzles, allowing Scrabble (and NYT Crossplay) fans to bank on their skills.

Daily Availability

Puzzles are accessible the evening before the publish date. Weekday and Saturday puzzles: 10 p.m. EST the previous day. Sunday puzzles: 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.

Lady Puzzle Pro Avatar