Pen NYT Crossword Clue

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Quick Answer

The New York Times Mini crossword clue “Pen” has the answer “WRITE”, which is a 5-letter Down entry.

Clue: “Pen”

Answer: WRITE

Length: 5 letters

Clue number and direction: 3-Down

In the grid, you enter it as WRITE.

Why WRITE Is the Right NYT Answer

• Here, “pen” is used as a verb, meaning “to write” or “to compose,” as in “pen a letter” or “pen an article.” Crossword answer sites that track this exact Mini confirm WRITE as the solution for the clue “Pen.”
• Other senses of PEN (like an enclosure or a prison) do not match the 5-letter verb reading the clue is going for, so WRITE is the clean semantic and length match.

What WRITE Means in Plain English

• To write is to put words down on paper or screen, or to compose text such as emails, stories, articles, or notes.
• When someone “pens a novel,” they write it, so WRITE and PEN overlap strongly in this creative, verb sense.
• This is a very common usage in everyday English and in media (“He penned a best-selling memoir”).

Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Crossings, and Recurrence

• WRITE is a frequent crossword answer for clues like “Compose,” “Pen,” or “Set down on paper.”
• In the February 3, 2026 Mini, crossings from Across entries (like ORDER, WEIRD, RETRO, etc.) confirm the W–R–I–T–E sequence quickly.
• You may also see WRITE split into phrases in other grids, such as WRITE UP, WRITE IN, or WRITE OFF, with clue wording adjusted accordingly.

Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues

• When a short clue is a single word like “Pen” or “Compose” and you need 5 letters, think of WRITE early.
• If the clue can be read as either noun or verb, check crosses and grid length: 5-letter verb answers often include WRITE rather than PEN or STY.

Remember that NYT likes this “pen = write” pairing; it’s standard crossword fare and safe to assume in early-week/Mini puzzles once letters match.

More NYT Mini Crossword Answers for February 03, 2026