Issue #953 Mon 19 Jan
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — January 19, 2026
Today's grid balances a pair of straightforward synonym sets with two distinct wordplay challenges. The layout requires some patience as the potential overlap between categories begins to clear.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The first day on the job where you nod along to avoid admitting you have no idea what the acronyms mean.
Human development and experience
Group of synonyms
Members are 3–7 letters; first letters B, F, N.
INEXPERIENCED
One is BUDDING.
BUDDING · FRESH · NAIVE · NEW
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
A rubber band snapping off a stack of bills on a kitchen counter.
Financial quantities
Group of synonyms
Members are 3–7 letters; first letters B, F, M, W.
🤑
One is BUNDLE.
BUNDLE · FORTUNE · MINT · WAD
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
Checking the laboratory balance to ensure the sample is exact before the experiment begins.
Scientific foundations
Group of related technical terms
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters C, L, M, T.
MEASURED BY SI UNITS
One is CURRENT.
CURRENT · LENGTH · MASS · TIME
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
Looking at the morning headline and knowing you only have time for the summary.
Compound phrases
Words sharing a common preceding term
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters F, S.
WORDS AFTER "QUICK"
One is FIX.
FIX · SAND · SILVER · STUDY
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
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Reveal the yellow group
INEXPERIENCEDBUDDING · FRESH · NAIVE · NEW
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Reveal the green group
🤑BUNDLE · FORTUNE · MINT · WAD
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Reveal the blue group
MEASURED BY SI UNITSCURRENT · LENGTH · MASS · TIME
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Reveal the violet group
WORDS AFTER "QUICK"FIX · SAND · SILVER · STUDY
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on January 19, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for January 19, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on January 19, 2026?
NYT Connections on January 19, 2026 rates 3 out of 4 on our difficulty scale — a tougher-than-average puzzle. As always you sort sixteen words into four colour-coded groups, and our hints tease what links each group without ever naming the words.
What's a spoiler-free hint for NYT Connections on January 19, 2026?
The hint ladder above starts with a one-line vibe for each of the four groups, then adds the connecting idea, then the wording of each category. You climb only as far as you need, and no grouped words are shown until the final reveal.
How many groups are in NYT Connections #953?
Four groups of four, ordered from the gentlest to the trickiest. For the categories and the sixteen words themselves, open the answer section on this page — the hints here keep them hidden.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words