Quick Answer
Clue: “How bedtime stories are read”
Answer: ALOUD
Answer length: 5 letters
Position: 1-Across
The New York Times crossword clue “How bedtime stories are read” has the 5-letter answer ALOUD, as confirmed by multiple NYT Mini answer resources for January 20, 2026.
Why ALOUD Is the Right NYT Answer
- Bedtime stories are typically read out loud so children can listen while drifting off to sleep, which is exactly what ALOUD describes. The clue asks how they are read, so the required word is an adverb describing the manner of reading, and ALOUD is the most natural fit.
- Answer databases listing this specific Mini puzzle all give ALOUD as the sole solution, matching the five-square slot perfectly.What ALOUD Means in Plain English
What ALOUD Means in Plain English
- In plain English, aloud means “with the speaking voice, in a way that can be heard; not silently.” So if you read a book aloud, you pronounce the words so someone else can listen rather than just reading in your head.
- Parents and caregivers reading stories aloud at bedtime is a widely recognized practice in early literacy and bonding with kids, which is why this clue feels so intuitive.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Crossings, and Variants
- In the grid, ALOUD is filled as A‑L‑O‑U‑D, so even partial patterns like A_O__ or _LOUD from crossings quickly point you to the correct entry. The -LOUD letter string is very distinctive, making misfills unlikely once you have a couple of letters from intersecting clues.
- ALOUD also turns up in other puzzles with clues like “Not silently,” “How poems may be recited,” or “Way to read a story to kids,” so it’s a good word to keep in your mental crossword toolbox.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When a clue asks “How X is done,” expect an adverb such as ALOUD, SLOWLY, or SOFTLY, especially if it describes speech or reading.
- Look for everyday routines: classroom reading, speeches, or bedtime habits often clue ALOUD versus “silently” or “in one’s head.”
Early-week and Mini grids frequently use simple adverbs like ALOUD to anchor easy crossings, so recognizing the pattern speeds up your solve.
