Today’s word-game hints, updated daily
HintCorner

Daily word-game guide

Verified archive for October 31, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1238

NYT Connections #1238 Hints & Answers (October 31, 2026)

The October 31, 2026 board mixes slang meanings, drink specifications, objects involving strings, and words that begin with dog commands.

Guide editorNora BennettSenior Editor

Start here

Take one step at a time

4 groups
Group 1Category hidden
Group 2Category hidden
Group 3Category hidden
Group 4Category hidden

Need more than a hint?

Get a spoiler-safe solving plan

Use three general checks to make progress without seeing a category or answer.

Open today’s solving plan
  1. Prefer an exact rule.A shared topic is only a lead. Look for four words connected in the same precise way.
  2. Find the least flexible word.Use the word with the narrowest meaning to place words that could belong in several groups.
  3. Test the grammar.If the leftovers look unrelated, try placing one common word before or after each answer.

Reveal guide

Choose only as much help as you need

Every group has its own ladder. Opening one level never exposes another group.

  1. 1
    Start with a small hint

    Get a gentle nudge without seeing the category or its words.

  2. 2
    Ask for a stronger hint

    Use a more specific clue before revealing the category.

  3. 3
    Reveal only what you choose

    Open the category, then the four words only when you are ready.

You remain in control. You can move between levels without revealing the rest of the puzzle.

Practice board guide

Try a group without risking your streak

This scratchpad checks your thinking locally. It never sends a guess to the official puzzle.

  1. 1
    Choose four words

    Tap any four tiles that share one precise connection.

  2. 2
    Check the set

    Once four are selected, press “Check these four.”

  3. 3
    Keep it or adjust

    A correct group is confirmed. If it misses, swap one word or open a hint.

Nothing here affects an official streak. Clear the board at any time and try another four.

October 31, 2026 puzzle explained

October 31, 2026 Connections overview

Difficulty descriptions and tone labels are presentation metadata. The category wording and word membership follow the verified source exactly.

Overall difficultyModerateBiggest trapSeveral entries can suggest familiar meanings or objects, so test the exact category wording before committing to a set.Best first moveStart with the four positive-sounding slang words, then use the precise martini terms and the literal strings category to reduce the board.

Why the board is deceptive

The first group links GNARLY, KILLER, SICK, and WICKED through meanings that are positive despite sounding negative.

The remaining groups separate MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS, THINGS WITH STRINGS, and words STARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Look first for the cluster whose words can describe something positively while retaining harsh-sounding vocabulary. After removing it, identify DIRTY, DRY, SHAKEN, and UP as martini specifications, then take the four things with strings. The four remaining entries begin with DOWN, SHAKE, SIT, or STAY, completing the final category.

Spoilers below

October 31, 2026 groups and answers

Each group stays hidden until you choose to open it. Reveal one at a time, or keep this section closed while you continue solving.

Positive-sounding slangReveal this group

What connects GNARLY, KILLER, SICK and WICKED?

GNARLY · KILLER · SICK · WICKED

WORDS MEANING GOOD THAT SOUND BAD. Each word can participate in a positive-sounding slang reading, while its surface wording can suggest something negative or harmful.

Best anchor: The key is meaning, not literal surface tone.

Martini terminologyReveal this group

What connects DIRTY, DRY, SHAKEN and UP?

DIRTY · DRY · SHAKEN · UP

MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS. These are all terms that can specify or describe how a martini is ordered or prepared, rather than a general set of drink names.

Best anchor: Read the four words as cocktail-order language.

Objects with stringsReveal this group

What connects GUITAR, MARIONETTE, TASSEL and TENNIS RACKET?

GUITAR · MARIONETTE · TASSEL · TENNIS RACKET

THINGS WITH STRINGS. A guitar, marionette, tassel, and tennis racket each fits the literal category relationship of being a thing with strings.

Best anchor: Keep the category at “with strings,” not a narrower function.

Words beginning with dog commandsReveal this group

What connects DOWNFALL, SHAKESPEARE, SITCOM and STAYCATION?

DOWNFALL · SHAKESPEARE · SITCOM · STAYCATION

STARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS. The opening portions DOWN, SHAKE, SIT, and STAY are dog commands, and each appears at the beginning of one listed word.

Best anchor: Check the initial letters and sounds before the rest of each word.

October 31, 2026 supporting guides

Why the trickiest words belong together

These focused articles go beyond the answer: they explain the exact relationship, the convincing red herrings and how to recognize the pattern again.

Supporting clue guideWORDS MEANING GOOD THAT SOUND BAD: October 31, 2026 Connections GuideExplain this connection Supporting clue guideMARTINI SPECIFICATIONS: October 31, 2026 Connections GuideExplain this connection Supporting clue guideTHINGS WITH STRINGS: October 31, 2026 Connections GuideExplain this connection Supporting clue guideSTARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS: October 31, 2026 Connections GuideExplain this connection Supporting clue guideDefinitions for all 16 puzzle wordsExplain this connection

Browse every Connections clue explainer →

How to solve this Connections puzzle

The thinking route, not just the answers

Use this puzzle’s anchor words as a repeatable method: secure an exact group, remove it, and let the remaining board become more specific.

  1. 1
    WORDS MEANING GOOD THAT SOUND BAD

    The key is meaning, not literal surface tone.

  2. 2
    MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS

    Read the four words as cocktail-order language.

  3. 3
    THINGS WITH STRINGS

    Keep the category at “with strings,” not a narrower function.

  4. 4
    STARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS

    Check the initial letters and sounds before the rest of each word.

Mental model to reuse tomorrow

Exact relationship beats shared topic

Weak rule“These words feel related.”A broad topic can support several tempting but unstable groups.

Strong rule“The same test works for all four.”One precise relationship should explain every answer in the same way.

This puzzle’s best first move: Start with the four positive-sounding slang words, then use the precise martini terms and the literal strings category to reduce the board..

Build your solving vocabulary

Four anchors worth spotting

An anchor is the least flexible word in a possible group. It often exposes the intended relationship before the more ambiguous words do.

Accessible once the shared positive sense is noticed groupPositive-sounding slang
WORDS MEANING GOOD THAT SOUND BAD: The key is meaning, not literal surface tone.
Moderate because some entries also work in everyday contexts groupMartini terminology
MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS: Read the four words as cocktail-order language.
Moderate because the relationship is physical and broad groupObjects with strings
THINGS WITH STRINGS: Keep the category at “with strings,” not a narrower function.
More demanding because the command is embedded at the start groupWords beginning with dog commands
STARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS: Check the initial letters and sounds before the rest of each word.

Language background

Useful guides for this puzzle’s wordplay

These independent language explainers add definition, origin or usage context where it genuinely helps.

Questions players ask

Questions about this puzzle

What makes Connections #1238 tricky?

Several entries can suggest familiar meanings or objects, so test the exact category wording before committing to a set.

Where should I start with the October 31, 2026 puzzle?

Start with the four positive-sounding slang words, then use the precise martini terms and the literal strings category to reduce the board.

About the guide editor

Nora Bennett

An editor focused on spoiler-conscious daily puzzle guides and plain-English solving explanations.

Read Nora’s profile →