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NYT Connections · #1144

NYT Connections Hints & Answers (#1144) — July 29, 2026

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“Group the most solid, physical items first before chasing any phrase completions or compounds.”

NYT Connections hints for July 29, 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 BASICThe plainest, most stripped-down option.
2 BLACKThe dark one used with chalk.
3 CHALKThe writing tool that names its own board.
4 CORKThe soft one for pinning notices.
5 GEMThe jewel version that stands for a great idea.
6 MIDShort for average or unremarkable.
7 NAILThe hammered one that also names a finger tip.
8 NUGGETLooks like gold or chicken; here it's wisdom.
9 PEARLThe oyster jewel that also means wise saying.
10 PLAINThe one that also names flat grassland.
11 RIVETThe one that joins metal sheets permanently.
12 SCREWThe twisted one turned with a driver.
13 STAPLELooks basic or essential; here it's the metal fastener.
14 VANILLAThe flavor that became the word for ordinary.
15 WHITEThe modern dry-erase version.
16 WORDThe spoken or written unit of advice.
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 Metal pieces a carpenter drives or twists into wood.
See Group FASTENERS
See WordNAIL
See WordRIVET
See WordSCREW
See WordSTAPLE
See Hint Order this when you want the standard version with no twists.
See Group NONDESCRIPT
See WordBASIC
See WordMID
See WordPLAIN
See WordVANILLA
See Hint Tiny valuable items mentioned in sayings about advice.
See Group UNITS OF WISDOM
See WordGEM
See WordNUGGET
See WordPEARL
See WordWORD
See Hint Flat surfaces found at the front of a classroom.
See Group ___BOARDS IN A CLASSROOM
See WordBLACK
See WordCHALK
See WordCORK
See WordWHITE
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 STAPLE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of it as a basic or essential item, but here the puzzle uses it as a metal fastener instead.
2 GEM Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably picturing a precious stone, but here the puzzle is using it as a term in a common expression.
3 NUGGET Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of gold or chicken, but here the puzzle is using it as a term in a common expression.
4 PEARL Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably picturing a jewel from an oyster, but here the puzzle is using it as a term in a common expression.

NYT Connections answers for July 29, 2026

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

Y FASTENERS · Yellow · easiest
  • NAIL
  • RIVET
  • SCREW
  • STAPLE

NAIL, RIVET, SCREW and STAPLE are all fasteners. STAPLE is the one most solvers initially read as ordinary or essential rather than hardware.

G NONDESCRIPT · Green · easy
  • BASIC
  • MID
  • PLAIN
  • VANILLA

BASIC, MID, PLAIN and VANILLA all mean ordinary or unremarkable. VANILLA is the one that also names an ice cream flavor before the connection appears.

B UNITS OF WISDOM · Blue · medium
  • GEM
  • NUGGET
  • PEARL
  • WORD

GEM, NUGGET, PEARL and WORD each pair with "of wisdom." NUGGET is the sneakiest because most people first picture gold or food.

P ___BOARDS IN A CLASSROOM · Purple · hardest
  • BLACK
  • CHALK
  • CORK
  • WHITE

BLACK, CHALK, CORK and WHITE each combine with "board" to name classroom items. CHALK is the most direct because it literally names what is written on one of them.

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