Smudges from a leaky pen
Latest answer — September 12, 2026
3 Down
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Clue explained
INK STAINS are smudges or marks left by ink from a leaky pen. The answer is plural because the clue refers to multiple marks in general.
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NYT Midi Crossword
This clue's Saturday, September 12, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “Smudges from a leaky pen” in the New York Times Midi crossword is INKSTAINS — a 9-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 12, 2026 at 3-Down. 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.
“Smudges from a leaky pen” answer
INKSTAINS (9 letters)
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 INKSTAINS.
When else has “Smudges from a leaky pen” appeared?
New York Times Midi reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.
September 12, 2026 (most recent) → INKSTAINS. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Smudges from a leaky pen”?
The answer is INKSTAINS, a 9-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 12, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Smudges from a leaky pen”?
9 letters: INKSTAINS.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 12, 2026, at 3-Down.
Can “Smudges from a leaky pen” have a different answer?
Yes — New York Times Midi sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.
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.
New York Times Midi Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.
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