NYT Mini Crossword

"What's the reason?" NYT Crossword Clue

9A | 3 letters

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Answer

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WHY

Explanation

Why This Answer Fits

WHY is the 3-letter answer for "What's the reason?" in the NYT Mini Crossword. The clue relies on a specific name, title, quote, or cultural reference, so exact spelling matters more than broad synonym matching.

  • Grid entry: WHY in the grid.
  • Answer pattern: _ _ _.
  • Clue type: Reference clue.
  • This is Across at 9A, so use the Down crossings to confirm WHY.
  • WHY has 3 letters, matching the required slot for 9A.

Answer history

Other NYT Crossword Clues Using WHY

We have not seen many previous NYT clues for this answer yet.

View all WHY clues

Hint

Identify the named person, title, quote, or cultural reference before checking the grid length.

How to solve it

Read the clue type first

Classify this as a reference clue and verify that the 3 letters answer fits both the clue wording and the grid position.

  • This clue leans on a named person, work, title, or quoted phrase. Identify the reference, then fit it into a 3-letter slot.
  • At 3 letters, this is a compact entry, so one crossing letter can change the solve quickly.
  • This clue appears to lean on a named reference or quoted wording in "What's the reason?", so spelling and context are important.
  • Short entries are sensitive to crossings; one wrong letter can produce several plausible-looking answers.
  • This clue appears at 9A in the NYT Mini Crossword, so check the Down crossings for confirmation.
Position 9A
Answer length 3
Puzzle type Mini
View full puzzle answers

Solver context

Extra Notes for This Clue

Reference

Reference Notes

This clue appears to lean on a named reference or quoted wording in ""What's the reason?"", so spelling and context are important.

Trap

Common Trap

Short entries are sensitive to crossings; one wrong letter can produce several plausible-looking answers.

Crossings

Crossing Notes

This is Across at 9A, so use the Down crossings to confirm WHY.

Editor note

Editorial Note

Classify this as a reference clue and verify that the 3 letters answer fits both the clue wording and the grid position.

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History

Clue History

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