‘Distinctive features of a sponge’ NYT Mini clue hints and answer (Sept. 4)

Ah, sponges. They’re integral to daily life. You probably wash yourself or your dishes with them, but have you ever taken a good look at one? Today’s NYT Mini clue, “Distinctive features of a sponge,” puts your sponge knowledge to the test.

‘Distinctive features of a sponge’ NYT Mini clue hints

Before I give you the answer, I’ll give you four more hints so you can try to solve this clue yourself.

• Hint 1: Very small holes.
• Hint 2: You have these on your face, they can get clogged sometimes.
• Hint 3: Anagram is “SOREP.”
• Hint 4: Begins with a “P.”

I’m about to give you the answer, so don’t scroll on if you want to keep trying.

‘Distinctive features of a sponge’ NYT Mini clue answer

The answer to today’s NYT Mini clue, “Distinctive features of a sponge,” is “PORES.” Yes, much like us, sponges have pores. Unlike us, though, sponges pores don’t get clogged and cause spot breakouts. Lucky sponges. According to Merriam-Webster, the word “pore” means “a minute opening especially in an animal or plant.”

‘Distinctive features of a sponge’ NYT Mini clue difficulty rating

When I look at a sponge, the first thing I notice is not the pores, but I guess it depends on the type of sponge you look at. Spongebob, for example, has quite obvious (and very clear) pores. I struggled with this a bit, because I was thinking of a scouring sponge. I think the clue itself is a bit tricky, even if the answer isn’t, so I’m giving this a three out of five for difficulty.

All NYT Mini Sept. 4 answers

Across

• 1A Unwanted emails—SPAM
• 5A Glam rock?—GEODE
• 6A Symbol on an “I’m with stupid” shirt—ARROW
• 7A What a fitness tracker counts—STEPS
• 8A Future’s opposite—PAST

Down

• 1D Big name in mattresses—SERTA
• 2D Distinctive features of a sponge—PORES
• 3D Take into one’s family—ADOPT
• 4D Cries from a kitten—MEWS
• 5D [I’m shocked…shocked!]—GASPS

How to play more word games like the NYT Mini crossword

Now you’ve finished today’s NYT Mini, why not try out more word games? Head to the LA Times or the Washington Post for more crosswords, or try the NYT’s Strands and Spelling Bee games for something different.