‘Reef builder’ NYT Mini Crossword Aug. 1 answer and hints

It’s time to build, not only to become a proficient master of structural foundations but to assemble a strong answer for the Aug. 1 “Reef builder” clue in the NYT Mini Crossword.

One word in today’s “Reef builder” clue is the key focus of the brainteaser, and you don’t need to solve any answers around it to solve this clue.

‘Reef builder’ three down NYT Mini Crossword solution

• Hint 1: This is a “Mt.” in Final Fantasy 7—sort of.
• Hint 2: It has two different vowels.
• Hint 3: An Australasian sea.
• Hint 4: It ends with L.

That’s your lot for clues for two down in today’s NYT Mini Crossword, and the time for talking is over.

Your solution is “CORAL” for the “Reef builder” clue, and I imagine it’s starting to become clear why.

For FF fans like myself, Final Fantasy 7—particularly 2024’s Rebirth—features the iconic Mt. Corel location, and Coral has “o” and “a” as its two vowels. The Coral Sea can be found off the coast of Australia, and the solution ends with an “L,” of course.

Coral meaning, explained

Typically, Coral refers to groups of large, stony clusters of multicolored rock that form and live under the sea. So, when we’re talking about “Reef builders,” this is how we get to Coral.

All NYT Mini Crossword Aug. 1 puzzle clues and answers

Across

• 1A Score 100% on — ACE
• 4A Word that, in German, translates directly to “hand shoe” — GLOVE
• 6A Its showers bring “May flowers” — APRIL
• 7A Hut — SHACK
• 8A Not mainstream, in genre names — ALT

Down

• 1D First letter of the Greek alphabet — ALPHA
• 2D Reef builder — CORAL
• 3D Kick out — EVICT
• 4D Bad thing to run out of in the middle of nowhere — GAS
• 5D Antlered mammal in the Rockies — ELK

‘Reef builder’ clue difficulty rated in NYT Mini Crossword

Straight away, this is a one out of five for difficulty—in my opinion. It’s hard to think of any other word but “Coral” when I hear “Reef,” and it’s likely the case for many people. Using this logic, I’m happy to say this is probably one of the easier clues in the Aug. 1, 2024, NYT Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Crossword puzzle crossword and word game alternatives

Hopefully, you’ve used this guide (as well as our other clue guides for today) to get your needed answers. For more crosswords and puzzle games, check out the LA Times and Washington Post dailies, plus Strands and Spelling Bee.