NYT Midi Crossword Clue · Across · 9-A

Picture holder

From the Monday, June 1, 2026 puzzleAnswer: 5 lettersBy Ian Livengood
Tap each tile to reveal the answer
Stuck? Tap one tile at a time for a gentle nudge, or reveal the full answer.
Letters
5
Direction
Across
Clue #
9
Starts with
F
Ends with
E
Vowels
2

About this clue

The clue “Picture holder” appeared in the New York Times Midi Crossword on Monday, June 1, 2026, at position 9-A. The answer is a 5-letter word that starts with F and ends with E.

This puzzle was titled “The Perfect Score Doesn't Exi—” and constructed by Ian Livengood.

The Midi Crossword sits between the lightning-fast Mini and the full daily, so its cluing tends toward punny misdirection rather than obscure trivia. The vowel pattern is balanced, suggesting a common English word.

How to solve this clue

If you're stuck on this Midi clue, here are angles that often help:

  • Crosscheck with the perpendicular entries. Fill the Down entries that cross this one and the letters will usually reveal the answer.
  • Watch for the puzzle title. Midi puzzles usually carry a small theme — long Across entries that share a wordplay link.
  • Mind the part of speech. Singular clue takes a singular answer; past tense takes -ED or an irregular past form.
  • Trust your first instinct. If a clue feels easy in the Midi, it usually is — the puzzle is designed to be solvable in three to five minutes.