New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use related meanings, examples of a single type, and sound-based wordplay.
NYT Connections #1227 Puzzle Overview: 20 October 2026
WRAP, PUPPET, and DOCK each have more than one meaning. Consider alternate meanings before committing to a set.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: CHEVRON, DOCK, BELL, PENCIL, POODLE, WRAP, MINI, MINION, WALRUS, PUPPET, CLOSE, HORSESHOE, ARIAL, STOP, STOOGE, END.
NYT Connections Hints: 20 October 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 bringing an activity to a conclusion.
- Each can mean to bring something to a halt.
Step 2 · one word
CLOSE
Extra hint · another word
Another word in this group is END.
Step 3 · category
FINISH
Step 4 · all four words
CLOSE, END, STOP, WRAP
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about people who follow someone else’s lead.
- These describe someone who obeys a more powerful person without much independence.
Step 2 · one word
MINION
Extra hint · another word
Another word in this group is POODLE.
Step 3 · category
LACKEY
Step 4 · all four words
MINION, POODLE, PUPPET, STOOGE
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Picture different looks for the same facial feature.
- These are styles of hair worn above the upper lip.
Step 2 · one word
CHEVRON
Extra hint · another word
Another word in this group is HORSESHOE.
Step 3 · category
MUSTACHES
Step 4 · all four words
CHEVRON, HORSESHOE, PENCIL, WALRUS
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- The connection depends on pronunciation rather than spelling.
- Each sounds like the name of an animated figure from the same studio.
Step 2 · one word
ARIAL
Extra hint · another word
Another word in this group is BELL.
Step 3 · category
HOMOPHONES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS
Step 4 · all four words
ARIAL, BELL, DOCK, MINI
Less common words explained
- CHEVRON: A chevron is a V-shaped mark or pattern.
NYT Connections Answers: 20 October 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)
POODLE may seem to fit with WALRUS in the blue group because both name animals. Here, POODLE belongs to the green group as a term for a submissive follower. WALRUS belongs to the blue group as a mustache style, alongside CHEVRON, HORSESHOE, and PENCIL.
The purple group uses sound-alike names of Disney characters. ARIAL sounds like Ariel, BELL like Belle, DOCK like Doc, and MINI like Minnie.
Yesterday’s groups for 19 October 2026
- SEETHE: BOIL, FUME, RAVE, STEAM
- ALL TALK: BLATHER, GAS, HOT AIR, WIND
- “MC” THINGS AT MCDONALD’S: FLURRY, MUFFIN, NUGGETS, RIB
- ENDING IN BIRDS: ALIBIS, BALLOON, ESCROW, MOHAWK
This page was checked again against the game’s own data at 8:02 a.m. ET on October 20, 2026, and nothing has changed.
More Connections: Yesterday’s puzzle · Next day’s page: 21 October · 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: 19 Oct · 18 Oct · 17 Oct · 16 Oct · 15 Oct · 14 Oct · 13 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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