Issue #1220 Tue 13 Oct
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — October 13, 2026
Today's grid requires a sharp focus to separate the literal from the figurative. You will find that some paths through the board are much clearer than others.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A sommelier tilting a glass or an art dealer squinting at a canvas in a dim room.
Human perception
Synonyms
Members are 3–5 letters; first letters E, F, S, T.
DISCERNMENT
One is EYE.
EYE · FLAIR · SENSE · TASTE
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The sturdy hemp rope coiled by the dock or the quick knot holding a boat to the post.
Securing objects
Verb synonyms
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters H, L, T.
FASTEN
One is HITCH.
HITCH · LASH · TETHER · TIE
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The heavy hardware hoisted after the final whistle or the oversized garment waiting in the locker room.
Championship iconography
Items sharing one feature
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters B, C, J, R.
SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES
One is BELT.
BELT · CUP · JACKET · RING
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
The frantic chatter of a town gossip or the stray metal coins sliding under the sofa cushions.
Phrases starting with an adjective
Each fills the same blank
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters C, E, L.
LOOSE ___
One is CANNON.
CANNON · CHANGE · ENDS · LIPS
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
DISCERNMENTEYE · FLAIR · SENSE · TASTE
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Reveal the green group
FASTENHITCH · LASH · TETHER · TIE
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Reveal the blue group
SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZESBELT · CUP · JACKET · RING
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Reveal the violet group
LOOSE ___CANNON · CHANGE · ENDS · LIPS
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on October 13, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for October 13, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on October 13, 2026?
NYT Connections on October 13, 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 October 13, 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 #1220?
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