New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use shared purposes, related verb meanings, a common effect, and a shared physical feature.
NYT Connections #1240 Puzzle Overview: 02 November 2026
COMPASS and INCENSE each have more than one meaning. Try reading possible matches as verbs as well as nouns before committing to a set.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: MEDICINE CABINET, COMPASS, FOG MACHINE, INCENSE, WATERFALL, DISCO BALL, NETTLE, HIKING BOOTS, DRESSING ROOM, DRY ICE, WATER BOTTLE, WIND UP, PIQUE, KALEIDOSCOPE, HUMIDIFIER, BACKPACK.
NYT Connections Hints: 02 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 preparing for a long walk outdoors.
- These help you carry supplies, find your way, protect your feet, and stay hydrated.
Step 2 · one word
BACKPACK
Step 3 · category
THINGS TO BRING ON A TREK
Step 4 · all four words
BACKPACK, COMPASS, HIKING BOOTS, WATER BOTTLE
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about provoking an unpleasant reaction.
- Each can be a verb meaning to irritate someone.
Step 2 · one word
NETTLE
Step 3 · category
ANGER
Step 4 · all four words
INCENSE, NETTLE, PIQUE, WIND UP
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about tiny droplets suspended in the air.
- These can produce a visible cloud, whether through natural processes or artificial effects.
Step 2 · one word
DRY ICE
Step 3 · category
MIST MAKERS
Step 4 · all four words
DRY ICE, FOG MACHINE, HUMIDIFIER, WATERFALL
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about what these objects and spaces contain.
- Their reflective surfaces serve purposes ranging from personal grooming to visual effects.
Step 2 · one word
DISCO BALL
Step 3 · category
THINGS WITH MIRRORS
Step 4 · all four words
DISCO BALL, DRESSING ROOM, KALEIDOSCOPE, MEDICINE CABINET
Less common words explained
- NETTLE: To nettle someone is to irritate or annoy them.
- PIQUE: To pique someone is to irritate them or offend their pride.
NYT Connections Answers: 02 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)
INCENSE may seem to fit MIST MAKERS because it produces smoke when burned. It belongs to ANGER here: to incense someone is to make them angry.
DISCO BALL, DRESSING ROOM, KALEIDOSCOPE, and MEDICINE CABINET belong together because they have mirrors. The link is a shared physical feature.
Yesterday’s groups for 1 November 2026
- KINDS OF TEETH: BICUSPID, CANINE, INCISOR, MOLAR
- KINDS OF LOVE: BROTHERLY, PUPPY, SELF, UNREQUITED
- ENTHUSIAST: FIEND, HEAD, HOUND, LOVER
- SYNONYMS FOR “SOAKED” WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED: DOGGY, MATURATED, TRENCHED, TRIPPING
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: 1 Nov · 31 Oct · 30 Oct · 29 Oct · 28 Oct · 27 Oct · 26 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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