A little help. Your own aha.

Connections #1117
hints & answers for July 2, 2026

Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.

This reference always shows July 2, 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.

Yellow group

Straightforward

1/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with C, M, M and T. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

COPYCAT belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

THEY IMPERSONATE OTHER THINGS

Reveal all four words
  • COPYCAT
  • MIME
  • MOCKINGBIRD
  • T-1000

Green group

A little trickier

2/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with L, S, T and W. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

LOOKING GLASS belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

OLD-TIMEY NAMES FOR THINGS WE STILL USE

Reveal all four words
  • LOOKING GLASS
  • SPECTACLES
  • TALKIE
  • WATER CLOSET

Blue group

More challenging

3/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with B, D, R and T. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

BILLY GOAT belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

STARTING WITH NICKNAMES

Reveal all four words
  • BILLY GOAT
  • DAN DAN NOODLES
  • RICH TEXT
  • TOM-TOM

Purple group

Wordplay & surprises

4/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with C, D, F and T. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

COURT JESTER belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

STARTING WITH SPORTS VENUES

Reveal all four words
  • COURT JESTER
  • DIAMOND RING
  • FIELD MOUSE
  • TRACK RECORD
Show categories only
  • Yellow: THEY IMPERSONATE OTHER THINGS
  • Green: OLD-TIMEY NAMES FOR THINGS WE STILL USE
  • Blue: STARTING WITH NICKNAMES
  • Purple: STARTING WITH SPORTS VENUES

Ready for the full solution?

All four categories and their words, together.

Reveal all four answers

Yellow

THEY IMPERSONATE OTHER THINGS

COPYCAT · MIME · MOCKINGBIRD · T-1000

Green

OLD-TIMEY NAMES FOR THINGS WE STILL USE

LOOKING GLASS · SPECTACLES · TALKIE · WATER CLOSET

Blue

STARTING WITH NICKNAMES

BILLY GOAT · DAN DAN NOODLES · RICH TEXT · TOM-TOM

Purple

STARTING WITH SPORTS VENUES

COURT JESTER · DIAMOND RING · FIELD MOUSE · TRACK RECORD

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.

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.