Scheme

Latest answer — May 18, 2026

7 Down

NYT Midi Crossword

This clue's Monday, May 18, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1"___ ! ... I Did It Again" (Britney Spears hit)
  2. 5Strike zone assessors
  3. 9Study for the SAT, say
  4. 10Brand of party cups used in flip cup
  5. 11Stayed chill
  6. 13Tattoo removal option
  7. 14Go blond, perhaps
  8. 15Flow barrier
  9. 17Enjoyed an 18-Down, say
  10. 20What two fingers up might symbolize
  11. 24Concept that's above criticism, metaphorically
  12. 26Potential post-exercise symptom
  13. 27Not busy
  14. 28[Just like that ... it's gone!]
  15. 29Makes a scene?

Down

  1. 1October birthstone
  2. 2Shamu, for one
  3. 3Nonhuman family members
  4. 4Go 90 in a 65, say
  5. 5L.A. school with a Cinematic Arts department
  6. 6Aura
  7. 7Scheme
  8. 8Part of a shoe that gets worn down
  9. 12Arrange, as a shawl
  10. 16___ training (P.R. work for celebrities)
  11. 17"Right away!"
  12. 18Item topped with salsa and guacamole, maybe
  13. 19Audio issue on Zoom call
  14. 21"Highway to Hell" band ... or a hint to the "power couples" inside 11- and 24-Across
  15. 22N.F.L. athlete whose helmet features a horseshoe
  16. 23Female sheep
  17. 25One making calls

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. "___ ! ... I Did It Again" (Britney Spears hit) — Answer: OOPS
  2. 5. Strike zone assessors — Answer: UMPS
  3. 9. Study for the SAT, say — Answer: PREP
  4. 10. Brand of party cups used in flip cup — Answer: SOLO
  5. 11. Stayed chill — Answer: ACTEDCOOL
  6. 13. Tattoo removal option — Answer: LASER
  7. 14. Go blond, perhaps — Answer: DYE
  8. 15. Flow barrier — Answer: DAM
  9. 17. Enjoyed an 18-Down, say — Answer: ATE
  10. 20. What two fingers up might symbolize — Answer: PEACE
  11. 24. Concept that's above criticism, metaphorically — Answer: SACREDCOW
  12. 26. Potential post-exercise symptom — Answer: ACHE
  13. 27. Not busy — Answer: IDLE
  14. 28. [Just like that ... it's gone!] — Answer: POOF
  15. 29. Makes a scene? — Answer: ACTS

Down

  1. 1. October birthstone — Answer: OPAL. Hint: Think of the shimmering gemstone famous for its rainbow-like flashes of color. ✨
  2. 2. Shamu, for one — Answer: ORCA
  3. 3. Nonhuman family members — Answer: PETS
  4. 4. Go 90 in a 65, say — Answer: SPEED
  5. 5. L.A. school with a Cinematic Arts department — Answer: USC
  6. 6. Aura — Answer: MOOD
  7. 7. Scheme — Answer: PLOY
  8. 8. Part of a shoe that gets worn down — Answer: SOLE
  9. 12. Arrange, as a shawl — Answer: DRAPE
  10. 16. ___ training (P.R. work for celebrities) — Answer: MEDIA
  11. 17. "Right away!" — Answer: ASAP. Hint: When you need something done in no time, think of this abbreviation! ⏳
  12. 18. Item topped with salsa and guacamole, maybe — Answer: TACO
  13. 19. Audio issue on Zoom call — Answer: ECHO
  14. 21. "Highway to Hell" band ... or a hint to the "power couples" inside 11- and 24-Across — Answer: ACDC
  15. 22. N.F.L. athlete whose helmet features a horseshoe — Answer: COLT
  16. 23. Female sheep — Answer: EWES. Hint: This woolly creature is often found grazing in fields with her flock! 🐑
  17. 25. One making calls — Answer: REF

Recent NYT Midi Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

NYT Midi 17 May 2026NYT Midi 16 May 2026NYT Midi 15 May 2026NYT Midi 14 May 2026NYT Midi 13 May 2026NYT Midi 12 May 2026NYT Midi 11 May 2026

The answer to “Scheme” in the New York Times Midi crossword is PLOY — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on May 18, 2026 at 7-Down. Other answers we've seen for this clue include PLOT. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Scheme” answer

PLOY (4 letters) — most recent; also seen as PLOT

Use the reveal tiles above to uncover the solution one letter at a time if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Prefer the full answer straight away? It's PLOY.

Why the answer is PLOY

PLOY is the 4-letter solution that fits "Scheme" in the NYT Midi crossword on May 18, 2026 (7-Down). Use the letter tiles above if you'd rather reveal it one letter at a time.

Other answers for “Scheme”

New York Times Midi has used this clue with more than one solution. Besides PLOY, it has also been PLOT. Every appearance we've indexed is listed below with the date it ran.

More NYT Midi answers for May 18, 2026

Stuck on more than one square? Here's every other clue from the NYT Midi on May 18, 2026 — tap any clue for its answer and explanation.

Across

Down

Want the whole grid in one place? The full NYT Midi answer list for May 18, 2026 is on the puzzle's answers page, and today's live NYT Midi answers are always one click away from the today page.

About the NYT Midi Crossword

The New York Times Midi is the mid-size daily puzzle between the Mini and the full crossword — typically a 7×7 grid that still rewards quick pattern recognition. Because the Midi is compact, one stubborn clue can jam the whole solve, which is why a confirmed answer and a short explanation help most when you're stuck on a single square.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Scheme”?

The answer is PLOY, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on May 18, 2026. Other answers for this clue include PLOT.

How many letters is the answer to “Scheme”?

4 letters: PLOY. Earlier fills for this clue have also been PLOT (4).

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on May 18, 2026, at 7-Down. Earlier appearances: April 12, 2026 → PLOT.

Can “Scheme” have a different answer?

Yes. Besides PLOY, New York Times Midi has also used PLOT for this clue. Every date and answer is listed above.

Where can I find the rest of today's NYT Midi answers?

Every clue and answer from that day's puzzle is linked above, and the full grid is on the NYT Midi answers page.

Crossword Clues

Looking up a clue? Jump into today's answers and clue help from top puzzles.