Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Like F, in the alphabet”
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Answer: SIXTH – 5 letters
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Clue number and direction: 9 Across
The New York Times Mini crossword clue “Like F, in the alphabet” is answered with SIXTH in 5 letters.
Why SIXTH Is the Right NYT Answer
- The clue is really asking “What is F’s position in the alphabet?” and F is the sixth letter (A=1 through F=6). SIXTH directly describes that position. The wording “Like F” means “what F is, in terms of order,” not its sound or shape.
- For the February 11, 2026 NYT Mini, 9‑Across is listed in solution pages as SIXTH, and the provided hints explicitly reference the S‑starting answer for this clue.
What SIXTH Means
SIXTH simply means “in position number six” or “one of six equal parts,” depending on context. Here, it’s used adjectivally: F is the sixth letter in the English alphabet.
So the clue is straightforward wordplay: F → sixth in sequence, giving the descriptive answer SIXTH.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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When you see “Like X, in the alphabet,” think about its position number, not its sound.
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Practice counting positions: A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, etc.—these show up regularly in Minis and themed puzzles.
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Use crossings: in this puzzle, once you have S‑I‑X‑‑ from crosses, SIXTH becomes obvious.
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Similar pattern clues might say “Like A, in the alphabet” (FIRST), “Like Z, in the alphabet” (LAST), or “Like C, in the alphabet” (THIRD).
How SIXTH Fits the Grid
For 9‑Across in the February 11, 2026 NYT Mini, the answer slot has 5 squares, which matches SIXTH perfectly. In pattern form, it’s:
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Pattern in grid:
SIXTH(S‑I‑X‑T‑H)
Each letter is supported by intersecting Down answers (FINES, OKAPI, XEROX, ACCT, SHH), giving a fully consistent cross‑check.
Other Ways SIXTH Might Be Clued
SIXTH appears in crosswords with a variety of clues, such as:
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“One after fifth”
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“One of six equal parts”
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“Middle position in a 1–10 ranking”
All rely on the same core idea of “number six” in order or fraction form.
Complete February 11, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down clues and answers)
Here are the key answers from the February 11, 2026 NYT Mini to help you complete the full grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Flying ___ (kind of bat, despite its name) | FOX | 3 |
| Furniture retailer known for its sprawling stores | IKEA | 4 |
| Drug cops, informally | NARCS | 5 |
| Geological time period spanning several ages | EPOCH | 5 |
| Like F, in the alphabet | SIXTH | 5 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Penalties for parking violations | FINES | 5 |
| African mammal whose striped legs resemble a zebra's | OKAPI | 5 |
| Make a copy of | XEROX | 5 |
| Bank customer's holding: Abbr. | ACCT | 4 |
| “Quiet, you!” | SHH | 3 |
