Quick Answer
Clue: “Greek letter after zeta and eta”
Answer: THETA
Length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 7-Across
Why “THETA” Is the Right NYT Answer
- In the Greek alphabet, the sequence runs zeta (6th), eta (7th), theta (8th), so the letter immediately after zeta and eta is THETA. The NYT Mini entry for this clue explicitly confirms THETA as the 5-letter solution.
- In the grid, 7-Across needs five letters, and THETA fits perfectly as T H E T A, often showing up with patterns like _HETA, THE_A, or T_ET_ once a few crossings are in place.
- Because Greek-letter clues are common in Minis, constructors favor clean, familiar entries like THETA over obscure variants.
What “THETA” Means in Plain English
- Theta is the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, written as uppercase Θ and lowercase θ. In math and science, it commonly represents an unknown angle or variable, especially in trigonometry and physics.
- You might also see theta in phrases like “theta waves” in neuroscience or as a symbol in finance and engineering, but for crossword purposes, you just need to know it’s a Greek letter named THETA.
Crossword-Specific Help for 7-Across
Definition: a Greek letter following zeta and eta in the alphabet.
Length: 5 letters → strongly points to THETA, not shorter options like ETA or RHO.
As you fill crossings, you might get patterns like:
T H E _ A
_ H E T A
Down clues running through 7-Across confirm each letter of THETA, since the NYT Mini grid for this date is built around straightforward vocabulary. Unlike rare Greek letters, THETA is a recurring crossword answer that appears in many outlets with clues such as “Greek letter” or “This Greek letter: θ.”
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Greek-Letter Clues
When you see Greek-letter clues in the NYT Mini or main crossword, match position + length:
“Greek letter after zeta” (3 letters) → ETA.
“Greek letter after zeta and eta” (5 letters) → THETA.
“This Greek letter: θ” → THETA.
Memorizing the short run ZETA–ETA–THETA (6th–7th–8th) helps you instantly recognize THETA when the slot is five letters. Also, if you see a grid pattern like T_E_TA with a Greek-letter clue, THETA should be your first guess.
