Like an ink-filled writing tool? NYT crossword clue

The answer to the New York Times The Mini crossword clue “Like an ink-filled writing tool?” is PENNY. This clue plays on wordplay and phonetics rather than a literal interpretation. At first glance, it appears to reference a pen, a writing tool filled with ink. However, the twist comes from how “pen-” sounds when paired with a diminutive ending, leading to the answer PENNY.

The humor and challenge in this clue lie in its pun-like nature. A “penny” is a coin, not a writing instrument, but the clue plays on how “pen” and “ny” together sound like “penny,” creating a playful misdirection. It’s a reminder of how crossword clues often rely on sound and creativity to arrive at answers that are more about cleverness than direct logic.