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NYT Connections · #1163

NYT Connections Hints & Answers (#1163) — August 17, 2026

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Earlier Aug 16 This puzzle Aug 17 Later Aug 18

“Start by grouping words that feel like they belong to common tech tools or office software.BIRDIE has shown up before in Connections #865 (Oct 23, 2025) as part of olympic sports equipment pieces.”

NYT Connections hints for August 17, 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 BIRDIELooks like a golf term but starts with a pet.
2 CATTLELooks like livestock but starts with a pet.
3 DOGIELooks like a puppy but starts with a pet.
4 DOLLYThe Parton half of a legendary country duo.
5 FISHEYELooks like a lens but starts with a pet.
6 FORMULAThe core calculation expression in any cell.
7 FUNCTIONA built-in command like SUM or AVERAGE.
8 HUDDLEA quick team meeting tool often used for calls.
9 JOHNNYThe Cash who wore black and sang about trains.
10 MACROA recorded sequence of steps you can replay.
11 MEETGoogle's video platform for work chats.
12 PATSYThe Cline voice behind Crazy and Walkin' After Midnight.
13 SCRIPTCustom code that extends what the sheet can do.
14 TEAMSMicrosoft's main video and chat workspace.
15 WILLIEThe Nelson who wrote countless country standards.
16 ZOOMThe video app that became a household verb.
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 Apps that let distant colleagues see each other live.
See Group VIDEO CALL PLATFORMS
See WordHUDDLE
See WordMEET
See WordTEAMS
See WordZOOM
See Hint Parts that let spreadsheets calculate and automate.
See Group SPREADSHEET FEATURES
See WordFORMULA
See WordFUNCTION
See WordMACRO
See WordSCRIPT
See Hint Singers famous for twang and heartfelt country hits.
See Group FIRST NAMES OF COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS
See WordDOLLY
See WordJOHNNY
See WordPATSY
See WordWILLIE
See Hint Each hides a pet's name right at the beginning.
See Group STARTING WITH PETS
See WordBIRDIE
See WordCATTLE
See WordDOGIE
See WordFISHEYE
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 DOGIE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a cute dog, but here the puzzle is using it as a compound word with an animal prefix.
2 FISHEYE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a camera lens, but here the puzzle is using it as a compound word with an animal prefix.
3 BIRDIE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a golf score, but here the puzzle is using it as a compound word with an animal prefix.
4 CATTLE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of livestock, but here the puzzle is using it as a compound word with an animal prefix.

NYT Connections answers for August 17, 2026

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

Y VIDEO CALL PLATFORMS · Yellow · easiest
  • HUDDLE
  • MEET
  • TEAMS
  • ZOOM

HUDDLE, MEET, TEAMS and ZOOM are all video call platforms. ZOOM is the most familiar but the others fit the same everyday use.

G SPREADSHEET FEATURES · Green · easy
  • FORMULA
  • FUNCTION
  • MACRO
  • SCRIPT

FORMULA, FUNCTION, MACRO and SCRIPT are all spreadsheet features. FORMULA is the broadest term while the others are more specific tools inside the same programs.

B FIRST NAMES OF COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS · Blue · medium
  • DOLLY
  • JOHNNY
  • PATSY
  • WILLIE

DOLLY, JOHNNY, PATSY and WILLIE are all first names of country music legends. DOLLY stands out because her name is also a common noun.

P STARTING WITH PETS · Purple · hardest
  • BIRDIE
  • CATTLE
  • DOGIE
  • FISHEYE

BIRDIE, CATTLE, DOGIE and FISHEYE all start with pet names. DOGIE is the sneakiest because it sounds like the pet itself.

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