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The Mini crossword board with a highlight on 9A.
Screenshot and remix by Dot Esports

Language lover – NYT Mini crossword clues

The answer to this Mini crossword clue is probably something you'd call a friend.

“Language lover” is the hardest clue in today’s NYT Mini Crossword, probably because you’re overthinking it and looking for a formal dictionary term instead of something you might call your friend in a teasing way. Here’s how to solve it.

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Language lover NYT Mini hints and answer

Here’s an extra hint to help you work out what “language lover” is in today’s puzzle. You’re looking for an informal expression instead of a technical term. The first word of the solution is in 9A, and the second is in 6D, so you’re looking for a two-word term. Here are some further tips:

  1. It’s a playful term for a linguistics enthusiast in general, not only languages.
  2. Someone would call you this if you told them you play word games daily.
  3. It rhymes with “bird herd.”

The solution to “language lover” in 9A is WORD and 6D is NERD.

All other answers, including the mysterious 5A and 4D, are in our list of May 23 NYT Mini Crosswords solutions below.

The May 23 NYT Mini board with all solution words filled.
The May 23 NYT Mini answer. Screenshot by Dot Esports

ACROSS

  • 1A Twinkler in Orion’s belt – STAR
  • 5A “That’s a bummer …” – OHMAN
  • 7A Someone saying yes on TV’s “Say Yes to the Dress” – BRIDE
  • 8A Submarine’s tracker – SONAR
  • 9A With 6-Down, language lover – WORD

DOWN

  • 1D Cries uncontrollably – SOBS
  • 2D Toss – THROW
  • 3D ___ acid (biological building block) – AMINO
  • 4D Spaceship’s tracker – RADAR
  • 6D See 9-Across – NERD

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Author
Image of Bhernardo Viana
Bhernardo Viana
Bhernardo is senior guides writer and strategist at Dot Esports. He's been working in the gaming industry for over 9 years, with works published on Destructoid, Prima Games, ESPN, and more. A fan of Pokémon since 6 years old and an avid Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch player. Now writing strategy and quests guides for several mobile and PC titles.