Play Connections #1220
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 #1220 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
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Yellow group hintGentle hint
Think of a knack for knowing what looks good or fits well.
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Green group hintGentle hint
These are ways to secure something so it won't wander off.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
Think of hardware a victor might wear or hoist after winning it all.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Fill in the blank with a word meaning the opposite of tight.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
BELT and TIE both look like clothing items that hold things together, which tempts you to pair them with JACKET.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- DISCERNMENT
- FASTEN
- SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES
- LOOSE ___
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Difficulty: Medium. Most groups are clear, but several words can bind or be worn, so the overlaps take careful sorting.
Connections #1220 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for October 13, 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
EYE is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is DISCERNMENT.
Show all four words
EYE, FLAIR, SENSE, TASTE
Show one word
HITCH is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is FASTEN.
Show all four words
HITCH, LASH, TETHER, TIE
Show one word
BELT is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES.
Show all four words
BELT, CUP, JACKET, RING
Show one word
CANNON is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is LOOSE ___.
Show all four words
CANNON, CHANGE, ENDS, LIPS
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- EYE: An eye for quality means good judgment.
- FLAIR: Flair is a natural knack for stylish choices.
- SENSE: Good sense means sound, discerning judgment.
- TASTE: Taste is the ability to judge quality and style.
- HITCH: You hitch a trailer or horse to secure it.
- LASH: To lash is to bind firmly with rope.
- TETHER: A tether ties an animal or object in place.
- TIE: To tie is to secure with cord or rope.
- BELT: Champion boxers and wrestlers win a title belt.
- CUP: The Stanley Cup is hoisted by winning teams.
- JACKET: The Masters winner gets a green jacket.
- RING: Super Bowl winners receive championship rings.
Purple group explained
- CANNON: A loose cannon is an unpredictable person.
- CHANGE: Loose change is spare coins.
- ENDS: Loose ends are unresolved details.
- LIPS: Loose lips sink ships, as the saying goes.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 12 | #1219 | WORDS MADE USING U.S. POSTAL ABBREVIATIONS |
| Oct 11 | #1218 | ENDING IN GAMBITS |
| Oct 10 | #1217 | ___BOXING |
| Oct 9 | #1216 | AIR ___ |
| Oct 8 | #1215 | ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM |
| Oct 7 | #1214 | BEST ___ TONY AWARDS |
| Oct 6 | #1213 | ENDING IN TALENTS |
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 Oct 13
Connections #1220 questions
What were the Connections answers on October 13, 2026?
DISCERNMENT: EYE, FLAIR, SENSE, TASTE. FASTEN: HITCH, LASH, TETHER, TIE. SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES: BELT, CUP, JACKET, RING. LOOSE ___: CANNON, CHANGE, ENDS, LIPS.
What was the purple group in Connections #1220?
LOOSE ___: CANNON, CHANGE, ENDS, LIPS.
What made Connections #1220 tricky?
BELT and TIE both look like clothing items that hold things together, which tempts you to pair them with JACKET.