Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Make a copy of”
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Answer: XEROX – 5 letters
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Clue number and direction: 3 Down
The New York Times crossword clue “Make a copy of” is answered with XEROX in 5 letters. In the grid, you’ll enter it as XEROX going down.
Why XEROX Is the Right NYT Answer
- “Xerox” is a brand name that’s often used as a verb meaning “to photocopy,” i.e., to make a copy of a document. That matches the clue wording exactly. In crossword cluing, “Make a copy of” is a classic prompt for XEROX when the slot is five letters long.
- In the February 11, 2026 NYT Mini, 3‑Down is confirmed as XEROX in published answer keys, and its letters line up with all intersecting Across entries (FOX, IKEA, NARCS, EPOCH, SIXTH).
What XEROX Means
- In everyday language, “to xerox” something means to photocopy it, even though Xerox is originally the name of the company. So if you “make a copy of” a sheet, you might say you “xeroxed” it.
- The puzzle leans on that common verb usage, turning the brand into the straightforward answer XEROX.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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When you see clues like “Make a copy” or “Photocopy,” think of XEROX for a 5‑letter answer.
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If the clue says “on a copier” or “with a copier,” it’s another hint toward XEROX as a verb.
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Use crossings: patterns like _E_OX or XE_OX almost always resolve to XEROX in modern American crosswords.
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Remember common “brand-as-verb” entries: XEROX, GOOGLE, and VELCRO show up from time to time in puzzles.
How XEROX Fits the Grid
For 3‑Down, the Mini gives a 5‑square vertical slot, which matches XEROX perfectly. In pattern form, it’s:
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Pattern in grid:
XEROX(X‑E‑R‑O‑X)
Each letter crosses cleanly with Across answers:
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The first X with FOX.
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E with IKEA.
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R with NARCS.
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O with EPOCH.
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The final X with SIXTH.
When every crossing supports XEROX, there’s no competing answer that fits both the clue and the pattern.
Other Ways XEROX Might Be Clued
XEROX appears in many crosswords with related clues, such as:
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“Copy on a machine”
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“Make a photocopy of”
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“Duplication brand”
All of these exploit the brand’s association with copying and photocopiers.
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 |
