Yellow group
Straightforward
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with B, F, R and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BOIL belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
SEETHE
Reveal all four words
- BOIL
- FUME
- RAVE
- STEAM
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #1226
hints & answers for October 19, 2026
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#1226
This reference always shows October 19, 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, G, H and W. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BLATHER belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
ALL TALK
Reveal all four words
- BLATHER
- GAS
- HOT AIR
- WIND
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with F, M, N and R. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
FLURRY belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
"MC" THINGS AT MCDONALD'S
Reveal all four words
- FLURRY
- MUFFIN
- NUGGETS
- RIB
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with A, B, E and M. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
ALIBIS belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
ENDING IN BIRDS
Reveal all four words
- ALIBIS
- BALLOON
- ESCROW
- MOHAWK
Show categories only
- Yellow: SEETHE
- Green: ALL TALK
- Blue: "MC" THINGS AT MCDONALD'S
- Purple: ENDING IN BIRDS
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
SEETHE
BOIL · FUME · RAVE · STEAM
Green
ALL TALK
BLATHER · GAS · HOT AIR · WIND
Blue
"MC" THINGS AT MCDONALD'S
FLURRY · MUFFIN · NUGGETS · RIB
Purple
ENDING IN BIRDS
ALIBIS · BALLOON · ESCROW · MOHAWK
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.