Play Connections #1233
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 #1233 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
These are casual small-talk answers when a friend checks in on you.
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Green group hintGentle hint
Think of things you might wipe your feet on, kneel on, or stretch on.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
These are the categories a famous kennel club uses to sort pups.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Spooky film titles got a sneaky swap at the very end.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
One casual reply sounds creepy, which tempts you to group it with the oddly spelled spooky words, and the made-up words look like they could be random slang.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- RESPONSES TO "HOW ARE YOU?"
- KINDS OF MATS
- AKC DOG BREED GROUPS
- HORROR MOVIES WITH LAST LETTER CHANGED
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Difficulty: Medium. Three groups are pretty friendly, but the purple one needs you to spot movie titles hiding behind small spelling changes.
Connections #1233 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for October 26, 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
CHILLING is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is RESPONSES TO "HOW ARE YOU?".
Show all four words
CHILLING, MANAGING, NOT BAD, SAME OLD
Show one word
PRAYER is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is KINDS OF MATS.
Show all four words
PRAYER, WELCOME, WRESTLING, YOGA
Show one word
HERDING is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is AKC DOG BREED GROUPS.
Show all four words
HERDING, HOUND, SPORTING, TOY
Show one word
HALLOWEEK is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is HORROR MOVIES WITH LAST LETTER CHANGED.
Show all four words
HALLOWEEK, HOSTED, JAWN, PSYCHS
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- CHILLING: A relaxed answer meaning you're just taking it easy.
- MANAGING: A so-so answer meaning you're getting by.
- NOT BAD: A mild, positive answer meaning things are fine.
- SAME OLD: A shrug meaning nothing has changed.
- PRAYER: A small rug used for kneeling during worship.
- WELCOME: A doormat that greets visitors at the door.
- WRESTLING: A padded floor surface for matches.
- YOGA: A grippy pad for stretching and poses.
- HERDING: Breeds like collies bred to move livestock.
- HOUND: Breeds like beagles that track by scent or sight.
- SPORTING: Breeds like retrievers and spaniels used for hunting.
- TOY: Tiny breeds like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
Purple group explained
- HALLOWEEK: Halloween with the final N changed to K.
- HOSTED: Hostel with the final L changed to D.
- JAWN: Jaws with the final S changed to N.
- PSYCHS: Psycho with the final O changed to S.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 25 | #1232 | THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED |
| Oct 24 | #1231 | ___ BAR |
| Oct 23 | #1230 | ___ TAP |
| Oct 22 | #1229 | STARTS OF BEDDING |
| Oct 21 | #1228 | DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION) |
| Oct 20 | #1227 | HOMOPHONES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS |
| Oct 19 | #1226 | ENDING IN BIRDS |
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 26
Connections #1233 questions
What were the Connections answers on October 26, 2026?
RESPONSES TO "HOW ARE YOU?": CHILLING, MANAGING, NOT BAD, SAME OLD. KINDS OF MATS: PRAYER, WELCOME, WRESTLING, YOGA. AKC DOG BREED GROUPS: HERDING, HOUND, SPORTING, TOY. HORROR MOVIES WITH LAST LETTER CHANGED: HALLOWEEK, HOSTED, JAWN, PSYCHS.
What was the purple group in Connections #1233?
HORROR MOVIES WITH LAST LETTER CHANGED: HALLOWEEK, HOSTED, JAWN, PSYCHS.
What made Connections #1233 tricky?
One casual reply sounds creepy, which tempts you to group it with the oddly spelled spooky words, and the made-up words look like they could be random slang.