Yellow group
Straightforward
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with H, J, R and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
HIKE belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
UPTICK
Reveal all four words
- HIKE
- JUMP
- RISE
- SPIKE
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #979
hints & answers for February 14, 2026
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#979
This reference always shows February 14, 2026. It is released in at least one timezone; every answer stays closed until you reveal it.
Which group has you stuck?
Pick a colour. Reveal one step at a time.
1/4
Green group
A little trickier
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with B, H, L and M. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BUMP belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
PROTUBERANCE
Reveal all four words
- BUMP
- HUMP
- LUMP
- MOUND
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with G, P, S and W. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
GUMP belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
TOM HANKS ROLES
Reveal all four words
- GUMP
- PHILLIPS
- SULLY
- WOODY
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with B, J, P and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BREATH belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
WORDS BEFORE "MINT"
Reveal all four words
- BREATH
- JUNIOR
- PEPPER
- SPEAR
Show categories only
- Yellow: UPTICK
- Green: PROTUBERANCE
- Blue: TOM HANKS ROLES
- Purple: WORDS BEFORE "MINT"
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
UPTICK
HIKE · JUMP · RISE · SPIKE
Green
PROTUBERANCE
BUMP · HUMP · LUMP · MOUND
Blue
TOM HANKS ROLES
GUMP · PHILLIPS · SULLY · WOODY
Purple
WORDS BEFORE "MINT"
BREATH · JUNIOR · PEPPER · SPEAR
This puzzle’s recorded solution
The date and puzzle number identify this exact board. Use the individual group controls to compare its recorded categories and words, then return to the archive to find another puzzle.
Continue from this date
About the answers and hints
Categories and answers follow the recorded NYT puzzle. Our hints are independent: some are original category clues, while others give the first letters of the four words. Each hint is labelled so you can choose how much help to take.
Group colours follow the puzzle’s yellow, green, blue and purple order, from the most straightforward to the trickiest. Your own experience may differ. The reference tiles may appear in a different order from your game. Picture puzzles have separately hidden descriptions, since a description can give away the wordplay.
The daily page starts with the UTC puzzle date and, with JavaScript enabled, checks the puzzle for your local time zone. Every reveal starts closed when the date changes. Play Connections at The New York Times or contact us about a correction.