Play Connections #1156
These are the 16 words in the order NYT shows them. Tap four words you think belong together and press Submit. You get four mistakes, and we'll tell you when you are one word away. Nothing is saved, so you can practise without touching your real streak.
Connections #1156 hints
Yellow is usually the easiest group and purple the trickiest. Start with one colour and see if the rest falls into place.
Hints used: 0
-
Yellow group hintGentle hint
Think of things done in a messy, unplanned manner.
Was this hint -
Green group hintGentle hint
Different routes for getting your concert entry to you.
Was this hint -
Blue group hintHelpful hint
Labeled parts of a document from a seller asking for payment.
Was this hint -
Purple group hintHelpful hint
Each one is recognized by the same tuft of chin hair.
Was this hint -
Where's the trap?Strong hint
Several entries start with name-like words such as Billy, Bill and Will, which tempts you to group them together across three different categories.
Was this hint -
The four group namesStrong hint
- HAPHAZARDLY
- WAYS TO RECEIVE EVENT TICKETS
- SECTIONS ON AN INVOICE
- FAMOUS GOATEES
Was this hint
Difficulty: Medium. The messy-manner phrases are easy to spot, but business-flavored phrases overlap enough to make the other groups tricky to separate.
Connections #1156 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for August 10, 2026, with why each word fits.
Reveal one group at a time
Each colour opens in three steps: one word from the group, then the group name, then all four words. Stop as soon as you can finish it yourself.
Show one word
ANY OLD HOW is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is HAPHAZARDLY.
Show all four words
ANY OLD HOW, AT RANDOM, HELTER-SKELTER, WILLY-NILLY
Show one word
MAIL DELIVERY is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is WAYS TO RECEIVE EVENT TICKETS.
Show all four words
MAIL DELIVERY, MOBILE TICKET, PRINT-AT-HOME, WILL CALL
Show one word
BALANCE DUE is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is SECTIONS ON AN INVOICE.
Show all four words
BALANCE DUE, BILL TO, ORDER NUMBER, UNIT PRICE
Show one word
BILLY GOAT is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is FAMOUS GOATEES.
Show all four words
BILLY GOAT, COLONEL SANDERS, DOCTOR STRANGE, THE DEVIL
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- ANY OLD HOW: Means carelessly, with no method.
- AT RANDOM: Means without a pattern or plan.
- HELTER-SKELTER: Means in disorderly, confused fashion.
- WILLY-NILLY: Means without direction or planning.
- MAIL DELIVERY: Physical tickets sent to your address.
- MOBILE TICKET: Digital ticket stored on your phone.
- PRINT-AT-HOME: You print the ticket on your own printer.
- WILL CALL: Pick up tickets at the venue box office.
- BALANCE DUE: Shows the amount still owed.
- BILL TO: Identifies who is being charged.
- ORDER NUMBER: Reference number for the purchase.
- UNIT PRICE: Cost of a single item listed.
Purple group explained
- BILLY GOAT: A male goat with a chin beard.
- COLONEL SANDERS: KFC founder known for his white goatee.
- DOCTOR STRANGE: Marvel hero with a trimmed goatee.
- THE DEVIL: Classically pictured with a pointed goatee.
What does ANY OLD HOW mean?
A casual British phrase meaning in a careless, disorganized way, with no thought to order or neatness. It fits the group of words meaning haphazardly.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 9 | #1155 | THINGS PEOPLE TRY TO GET OUT OF |
| Aug 8 | #1154 | SAFETY ___ |
| Aug 7 | #1153 | STARTING WITH MALE ANIMALS |
| Aug 6 | #1152 | PLACES WITH NETS |
| Aug 5 | #1151 | WHAT "STOCK" MIGHT REFER TO |
| Aug 4 | #1150 | V-SHAPED THINGS |
| Aug 3 | #1149 | STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "PESTER" |
About Connections
Connections is a daily New York Times puzzle where you sort 16 words into four groups of four. Groups are colour-coded from yellow, the most direct, to purple, which usually relies on wordplay. You can make four mistakes. Looking back at past puzzles is one of the best ways to learn the kinds of tricks the editors like to use.
Other puzzles on Aug 10
Connections #1156 questions
What were the Connections answers on August 10, 2026?
HAPHAZARDLY: ANY OLD HOW, AT RANDOM, HELTER-SKELTER, WILLY-NILLY. WAYS TO RECEIVE EVENT TICKETS: MAIL DELIVERY, MOBILE TICKET, PRINT-AT-HOME, WILL CALL. SECTIONS ON AN INVOICE: BALANCE DUE, BILL TO, ORDER NUMBER, UNIT PRICE. FAMOUS GOATEES: BILLY GOAT, COLONEL SANDERS, DOCTOR STRANGE, THE DEVIL.
What was the purple group in Connections #1156?
FAMOUS GOATEES: BILLY GOAT, COLONEL SANDERS, DOCTOR STRANGE, THE DEVIL.
What made Connections #1156 tricky?
Several entries start with name-like words such as Billy, Bill and Will, which tempts you to group them together across three different categories.