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NYT Connections · #1156

NYT Connections Hints & Answers (#1156) — August 10, 2026

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“Separate words sharing similar sounds or spellings before trying to group them.Today's puzzle has BILLY GOAT, which also appeared in Connections #1117 (Jul 2, 2026). It was part of starting with nicknames.”

NYT Connections hints for August 10, 2026

Three levels of help — a definition for every word, colour-coded group nudges, and a heads-up on the traps. Skip to all answers →

1

Word clues

A spoiler-free definition for every word in the grid. Tap the eye on any card to reveal which colour-group it belongs to.

1 ANY OLD HOWA casual phrase for doing something without care.
2 AT RANDOMChoosing without any system or pattern.
3 BALANCE DUEThe amount still owed on the bill.
4 BILL TOThe name and address of the person paying.
5 BILLY GOATLooks like a male goat; here it's a famous goatee wearer.
6 COLONEL SANDERSThe fried chicken icon with the white goatee.
7 DOCTOR STRANGEThe Marvel sorcerer known for his goatee.
8 HELTER-SKELTERA lively term for complete disorder.
9 MAIL DELIVERYTickets sent through the postal service.
10 MOBILE TICKETA digital ticket on your phone.
11 ORDER NUMBERThe reference code for the purchase.
12 PRINT-AT-HOMETickets you print yourself from email.
13 THE DEVILOften pictured with a small pointed goatee.
14 UNIT PRICEThe cost for a single item.
15 WILL CALLLooks like a phone action; here it's picking up tickets at the venue.
16 WILLY-NILLYActing without thought or direction.
2

Group hints

Four colour-coded groups, easiest → hardest. Every button reveals the hint, the category name, or a single word — tap only what you need.

See Hint Throwing clothes into a suitcase without looking.
See Group HAPHAZARDLY
See WordANY OLD HOW
See WordAT RANDOM
See WordHELTER-SKELTER
See WordWILLY-NILLY
See Hint How you might get tickets without going in person.
See Group WAYS TO RECEIVE EVENT TICKETS
See WordMAIL DELIVERY
See WordMOBILE TICKET
See WordPRINT-AT-HOME
See WordWILL CALL
See Hint Common details listed when you receive a bill.
See Group SECTIONS ON AN INVOICE
See WordBALANCE DUE
See WordBILL TO
See WordORDER NUMBER
See WordUNIT PRICE
See Hint Icons known for their pointed facial hair.
See Group FAMOUS GOATEES
See WordBILLY GOAT
See WordCOLONEL SANDERS
See WordDOCTOR STRANGE
See WordTHE DEVIL
3

Words the puzzle wants you to mis-group

Read these before you guess — they're the words most likely to break a streak. Tap for the trap.

1 BILLY GOAT Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a male goat, but here the puzzle is using it as a famous example of a certain beard.
2 WILL CALL Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of summoning someone, but here the puzzle is using it as a ticket collection option.

NYT Connections answers for August 10, 2026

All four groups revealed, easiest first. Each card holds the theme, the four words, and why the group works.

Y HAPHAZARDLY · Yellow · easiest
  • ANY OLD HOW
  • AT RANDOM
  • HELTER-SKELTER
  • WILLY-NILLY

ANY OLD HOW, AT RANDOM, HELTER-SKELTER and WILLY-NILLY all mean in a random or careless way. HELTER-SKELTER stands out because its playful sound hides a straightforward meaning.

G WAYS TO RECEIVE EVENT TICKETS · Green · easy
  • MAIL DELIVERY
  • MOBILE TICKET
  • PRINT-AT-HOME
  • WILL CALL

MAIL DELIVERY, MOBILE TICKET, PRINT-AT-HOME and WILL CALL are all ways to receive event tickets. WILL CALL is the tricky one because its everyday meaning hides the venue pickup sense.

B SECTIONS ON AN INVOICE · Blue · medium
  • BALANCE DUE
  • BILL TO
  • ORDER NUMBER
  • UNIT PRICE

BALANCE DUE, BILL TO, ORDER NUMBER and UNIT PRICE are standard sections on an invoice. ORDER NUMBER is the one most solvers might misplace at first.

P FAMOUS GOATEES · Purple · hardest
  • BILLY GOAT
  • COLONEL SANDERS
  • DOCTOR STRANGE
  • THE DEVIL

BILLY GOAT, COLONEL SANDERS, DOCTOR STRANGE and THE DEVIL are all famous for their goatees. BILLY GOAT is the sneakiest because the animal reading feels so natural.

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