Issue #968 Tue 3 Feb
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — February 3, 2026
Today's grid requires a steady hand to navigate several groups that share common linguistic roots. Expect a few potential traps where terms could easily belong to more than one category if you are not careful.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The chef's station at the end of a long shift, with the cutting board wiped clean and the prep work finally finished.
Culinary techniques
Synonyms for preparation actions
Members are 4–5 letters; first letters C, D, H, M.
CUT INTO PIECES
One is CUBE.
CUBE · DICE · HASH · MINCE
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
You find a spare key under the mat and a bed made up with fresh linens for an unexpected guest.
Hospitality terminology
Synonyms for providing shelter
Members are 5–7 letters; first letters B, H, L, Q.
PROVIDE WITH A PLACE TO STAY
One is BOARD.
BOARD · HOUSE · LODGE · QUARTER
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A quiet afternoon on the green, choosing the right tool to navigate the hazards and reach the pin.
Sports equipment
Types of specific athletic implements
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters I, P, W.
KINDS OF GOLF CLUBS
One is IRON.
IRON · PUTTER · WEDGE · WOOD
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A box of old photos in the attic, a soft mattress, or the long, straight path through a bowling alley.
Compound phrases
Words that follow a shared prefix
Members are 4 letters each; first letters C, F, H, L.
MEMORY ___
One is CARD.
CARD · FOAM · HOLE · LANE
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
CUT INTO PIECESCUBE · DICE · HASH · MINCE
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Reveal the green group
PROVIDE WITH A PLACE TO STAYBOARD · HOUSE · LODGE · QUARTER
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Reveal the blue group
KINDS OF GOLF CLUBSIRON · PUTTER · WEDGE · WOOD
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Reveal the violet group
MEMORY ___CARD · FOAM · HOLE · LANE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on February 3, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for February 3, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on February 3, 2026?
NYT Connections on February 3, 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 February 3, 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 #968?
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