Daily category-matching word game
Today’s NYT Connections answers and hints for October 20, 2026, puzzle #1227, with category clues, yesterday’s groups, and recent games to review.
Today’s NYT Connections answers for October 20, 2026, puzzle #1227, are hidden below. Reveal one category hint at a time or open each complete group when you are ready.
Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. The groups are ordered by the familiar yellow, green, blue, and purple difficulty colors, with purple usually containing the trickiest wordplay.
Category clues first
Reveal a clue for each color without uncovering the four words that belong together.
Look for words connected by: Finish.
Look for words connected by: Lackey.
Look for words connected by: Mustaches.
Look for words connected by: Homophones Of Disney Characters.
The complete solution
The four groups for October 20, 2026, puzzle #1227, remain hidden until you open them.
CLOSE, END, STOP, WRAP
MINION, POODLE, PUPPET, STOOGE
CHEVRON, HORSESHOE, PENCIL, WALRUS
ARIAL, BELL, DOCK, MINI
See the grid differently
Connections rewards precision and lateral thinking. These habits help separate intentional groups from the puzzle’s tempting overlaps.
Start with a group whose four members share one precise relationship. Avoid submitting a set merely because its words feel broadly related.
Several words may appear to fit the same theme. Keep an alternative candidate in mind before committing to a group.
Some categories depend on words that precede or follow another word rather than sharing a direct definition.
Purple groups often use beginnings, endings, sounds, spelling patterns, or words concealed inside longer answers.
Once one group is removed, reconsider the remaining words from scratch. The intended relationships often become much clearer.
A fresh arrangement can break visual associations created by neighboring words and reveal a connection you previously missed.
In case you missed it
October 19, 2026 · Puzzle #1226
BOIL, FUME, RAVE, STEAM
BLATHER, GAS, HOT AIR, WIND
FLURRY, MUFFIN, NUGGETS, RIB
ALIBIS, BALLOON, ESCROW, MOHAWK
Recent solutions
Open any recent date to review its four completed groups.
BOIL, FUME, RAVE, STEAM
BLATHER, GAS, HOT AIR, WIND
FLURRY, MUFFIN, NUGGETS, RIB
ALIBIS, BALLOON, ESCROW, MOHAWK
BUREAU, CHEST, TRUNK, WARDROBE
BUTTER, DEODORANT, DYNAMITE, INCENSE
ANGEL, COCO, OBSESSION, OPIUM
FOGERTY, HAZEL, MISTER, VAPORETTO
ALERT, CHIME, DING, PING
PRINT, SHOT, SNAP, STILL
FIDDLER, HERMIT, KING, SNOW
BOHÈME, BREA, PAZ, SCALA
CHIP, MARK, NICK, SCRATCH
CHAD, HUNGARY, LAOS, PARAGUAY
BULGARI, CYRUS, HUNGRY, SPAN
CHICKEN, COOLIDGE, HIPPO, SMARTIES
CURE, DRY, PICKLE, SMOKE
BASKET, GOAL, RUN, TOUCHDOWN
BASE, BOTTOM, FOOT, FOUNDATION
CANNON, FORGE, RACINE, VOLLEY
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Quick answers about hints, difficulty colors, yesterday’s solution, and recent games.
The current puzzle number and date appear at the top of this page and update with the newest stored Connections game.
Yes. Each difficulty color has an optional category hint. The four complete groups remain hidden in a separate answer section.
Yellow is generally the most direct category, followed by green and blue. Purple usually involves the most difficult association or wordplay.
Yesterday’s four groups appear below the solving tips, followed by compact panels for the five most recent games.
No. Answer Today is an independent puzzle-help website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The New York Times.