New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use physical types, forms of affection, terms for devoted people, and a spelling change.
NYT Connections #1239 Puzzle Overview: 01 November 2026
CANINE and LOVER have more than one meaning. Check that all four words share the same connection before committing to a set.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: HEAD, TRIPPING, CANINE, LOVER, DOGGY, SELF, MATURATED, PUPPY, HOUND, INCISOR, BROTHERLY, BICUSPID, UNREQUITED, TRENCHED, MOLAR, FIEND.
NYT Connections Hints: 01 November 2026
Each of the four color groups below opens in four steps: hints, one word, the category name, then all four words. Stop at the step that gives enough help.
Yellow group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about what helps break down food.
- These have different shapes and positions in the mouth.
Step 2 · one word
BICUSPID
Step 3 · category
KINDS OF TEETH
Step 4 · all four words
BICUSPID, CANINE, INCISOR, MOLAR
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about emotional attachments.
- These describe affection involving siblings, an early crush, oneself, or feelings that are not returned.
Step 2 · one word
BROTHERLY
Step 3 · category
KINDS OF LOVE
Step 4 · all four words
BROTHERLY, PUPPY, SELF, UNREQUITED
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about strong interests.
- Each can describe someone devoted to a particular activity or subject.
Step 2 · one word
FIEND
Step 3 · category
ENTHUSIAST
Step 4 · all four words
FIEND, HEAD, HOUND, LOVER
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- The connection involves wordplay at the start of each entry.
- Replace the opening letter of each entry to produce a word meaning very wet.
Step 2 · one word
DOGGY
Step 3 · category
SYNONYMS FOR “SOAKED” WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED
Step 4 · all four words
DOGGY, MATURATED, TRENCHED, TRIPPING
Less common words explained
- BICUSPID: A tooth with two points on its chewing surface.
NYT Connections Answers: 01 November 2026
Step 4 of each group above holds its answer. The full solved grid and notes on today’s tricky words are folded below.
Full solved grid
Tricky words (spoilers)
LOVER can mean a romantic partner, which suggests the green group about love. Here, it means an enthusiast and belongs in the blue group.
DOGGY becomes “soggy,” MATURATED becomes “saturated,” TRENCHED becomes “drenched,” and TRIPPING becomes “dripping.” Each change replaces the first letter to produce a synonym for “soaked.”
Yesterday’s groups for 31 October 2026
- WORDS MEANING GOOD THAT SOUND BAD: GNARLY, KILLER, SICK, WICKED
- MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS: DIRTY, DRY, SHAKEN, UP
- THINGS WITH STRINGS: GUITAR, MARIONETTE, TASSEL, TENNIS RACKET
- STARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS: DOWNFALL, SHAKESPEARE, SITCOM, STAYCATION
More Connections: Yesterday’s puzzle · Play Connections on The New York Times
Also today: Wordle · Strands · Pips · Phrazle · Quordle · Keyword · Colordle · Unwordle · Hurdle · NYT Crossword · NYT Mini · NYT Midi · Jumble · Spelling Bee · Letter Boxed · Parseword · Poeltl
Earlier days: 31 Oct · 30 Oct · 29 Oct · 28 Oct · 27 Oct · 26 Oct · 25 Oct
Questions about Connections
When does Connections change to a new puzzle?
A new puzzle arrives at midnight in the player’s own time zone.
How many tries does a player get in Connections?
The game ends after four mistakes.
Where can a person play Connections?
Play on The New York Times Games site or in the NYT Games app: Connections.
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