Painful eye malady
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 21, 2026
Stuck on the clue Painful eye malady from the New York Times Mini for March 21, 2026? We have the correct 4-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
Painful eye malady (4)
Answer
The answer to Painful eye malady is Stye (4 letters).
Why does Stye fit this clue?
This is a direct definition clue where 'Painful eye malady' points to STYE, a common eye condition. A stye is a small, painful bump that forms on the eyelid when an oil gland becomes infected or blocked. The infection causes swelling, redness, and tenderness around the affected area. Styes typically develop near the edge of the eyelid and can make blinking uncomfortable, which is why the clue emphasizes the painful aspect of this particular eye ailment.
What does Painful eye malady mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
malady
noun
•a disease or ailment
•an unhealthy condition or disorder
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 8-down in the New York Times Mini on March 21, 2026, by Christina Iverson, edited by Joel Fagliano. See all answers for this puzzle.
NYT Mini — Mar 21, 2026
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What does Stye mean?
noun
•A bacterial infection in the eyelash or eyelid.
•A ladder.
•An inflammation of the eyelid.
Origin of the word Stye
•origin: Old English 'stīgend' meaning 'rising' or 'swelling'
•period: Old English
The word evolved from the concept of something that 'rises up' on the eyelid, sharing the same root as the verb 'to sty' meaning to ascend or climb.
How to use Stye in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Stye.
•“After rubbing her eye with dirty hands, Sarah developed a painful stye that made it difficult to blink comfortably.”
•“The doctor recommended applying warm compresses to help the stye drain and heal more quickly.”
•“He had to postpone his job interview because the large stye on his upper eyelid was too noticeable and distracting.”
What are other crossword clues for Stye?
and 1 more clues with the same answer
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Mini, Mar 21, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Mini for March 21, 2026 was published by Christina Iverson and has 18 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about Painful eye malady
- What is the answer to Painful eye malady?
- The answer is Stye (4 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Mini on March 21, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to Painful eye malady have?
- The answer has 4 letters: Stye.
Author
Naitik Mehta
Co-founder
Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Mini — Mar 21, 2026
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