HUNGARY
A country in Central Europe whose capital and largest city is Budapest.
Other meanings and uses
- Used attributively in phrases concerning the country, its government or its territory.
Definitions of the day · 2026-10-16
Spoiler-Safe Definitions for Connections #1223
These standalone definitions clarify every board entry without sorting the words or identifying their answer relationships.
Open the dated hints and answers →Definitions of the day · 2026-10-16
All 16 words, explained without the answers.
Use this utility to check an unfamiliar word while solving. Entries remain in the board’s original order, and each is explained independently without category labels or grouped clues.
HUNGRY
Feeling a need or strong desire for food because of hunger.
Other meanings and uses
- Having a strong desire for something, as in being hungry for knowledge or success.
HIPPO
An informal shortened name for a hippopotamus, a large semiaquatic mammal.
Other meanings and uses
- Used informally in the plural HIPPOS when referring to more than one hippopotamus.
CHICKEN
A domesticated bird commonly raised for its eggs or meat.
Other meanings and uses
- The meat of this bird when prepared or intended as food.
- An informal noun or adjective for a person who is easily frightened.
CHIP
A small piece that has broken away from a larger object or material.
Other meanings and uses
- A thin, crisp piece of food, such as a potato chip.
- A small piece of semiconductor material containing electronic circuits.
CHAD
A country in Central Africa whose capital and largest city is N'Djamena.
Other meanings and uses
- Used attributively in phrases concerning the country, its government or its territory.
COOLIDGE
A surname most notably associated with Calvin Coolidge, the 30th U.S. president.
Other meanings and uses
- Used as a family name and in references to people or institutions bearing that surname.
CYRUS
A masculine given name used by a number of historical and modern figures.
Other meanings and uses
- Used in historical references to Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire.
SPAN
The full extent, distance or period between two endpoints.
Other meanings and uses
- As a verb, to extend across, cover or continue throughout an area or period.
- The distance between the tip of the thumb and little finger when the hand is spread.
MARK
A visible spot, line, symbol or other sign on an object or surface.
Other meanings and uses
- A score or grade given to evaluate a piece of work or performance.
- As a verb, to write, draw, label or otherwise indicate something.
LAOS
A country in Southeast Asia whose capital and largest city is Vientiane.
Other meanings and uses
- Used attributively in phrases concerning the country, its government or its territory.
NICK
A small cut, notch or indentation in a surface or along an edge.
Other meanings and uses
- As a verb, to make a small cut or to catch something slightly.
- Used in the phrase “in the nick of time” for the last possible moment.
PARAGUAY
A country in south-central South America whose capital is Asunción.
Other meanings and uses
- Used attributively in phrases concerning the country, its government or its territory.
SMARTIES
The plural of SMARTY, meaning clever people or people acting knowingly.
Other meanings and uses
- Can refer disapprovingly to people who make smug, cheeky or overly clever remarks.
BULGARI
An Italian luxury brand known for jewelry, watches and other high-end goods.
Other meanings and uses
- The brand name is also presented in the stylized form BVLGARI.
SCRATCH
To rub or cut something lightly with a sharp or rough object.
Other meanings and uses
- A shallow line or injury produced by scraping or rubbing.
- To withdraw a competitor or entry from an event or list.
- From the beginning, as in making or preparing something from scratch.