Today’s word-game hints, updated daily

Connections clue archive

August 2026 Connections clues and definitions — Page 3

Find an exact group explanation or check a puzzle word without revealing its category. Page 3 of 5.

Group guides

Why the words belong together

2026-08-16

PARTICIPANT Connections group explained for August 16, 2026

ACTOR, AGENT, PARTY, and PLAYER can each identify a person, organization, or side that takes part in an activity or situation.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-16

DESCRIPTORS FOR OUR HUMAN ANCESTORS explained for August 16, 2026

FROM NEANDER, HANDY, UPRIGHT, and WISE render the identifying senses associated with Neanderthalensis, habilis, erectus, and sapiens.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-16

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE Connections group explained for August 16, 2026

CONCERT, GIG, SET, and SHOW all name a musical event, engagement, performance segment, or presented program.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-16

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP MODIFIERS explained for August 16, 2026

GRAND, GREAT, HALF, and STEP can be attached to family terms to specify generation, lineage, shared parentage, or a blended-family connection.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-15

Why LEG, PHASE, STAGE and STRETCH Are a SEGMENT

The green group uses four nouns that can identify a bounded portion of a route, process, event, period or larger whole.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-15

Why BEAT, FRIED, SPENT and WORN OUT Mean EXHAUSTED

The yellow group collects four familiar ways to describe someone or something with no energy or usable capacity left.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-15

CHAMOMILE, GRINCH, HOTFOOT and LANYARD Length Endings

The blue group is based on exact final letter strings: each complete board entry finishes with the name of a unit used for length.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-15

BEANSTALK, EYESHADOW, HIGHTAIL and SOUNDTRACK Endings

The purple group hides four verbs at the ends of larger words, and each verb can describe following someone without open notice.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-13

August 13, 2026 Connections: AIRLINE STATUS PERKS

CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES and UPGRADE are benefits associated with airline loyalty status.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-13

August 13, 2026 Connections: PERSEVERE Words

CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT and PERSIST all express the idea of persevering.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-13

August 13, 2026 Connections: "COLD" Things in Idioms

COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER and TURKEY each follow COLD in a familiar idiomatic expression.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-13

August 13, 2026 Connections: MOVE SLOWLY (UP TO)

CREEP, EASE, EDGE and INCH can each describe approaching something gradually and carefully.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-12

August 12, 2026 Connections: KINDS OF FROGS

BULL, GREEN, POISON DART and TREE are the four exact entries in the puzzle's KINDS OF FROGS group.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-12

August 12, 2026 Connections: STARTING WITH AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSES

FINE PRINT, GOODBYE, GREAT WHITE and OKAYAMA begin with words or sounds that function as affirmative responses.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-12

August 12, 2026 Connections: HOLD ONTO, AS A FEELING

FOSTER, HARBOR, MAINTAIN and NURSE are verbs for preserving, encouraging or continuing to have a feeling.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-12

August 12, 2026 Connections: NBC SITCOM SURNAMES

BENES, BING, LEMON and SCOTT are surnames associated with characters from NBC sitcoms.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-11

Why DONE, SUNK, THROUGH and TOAST Mean DOOMED

DONE, SUNK, THROUGH and TOAST can each describe someone or something facing an unavoidable bad outcome.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-11

How GOING, ONCE, SOLD and TWICE Fit an Auctioneer's Chant

GOING, ONCE, SOLD and TWICE are short words heard as an auctioneer closes bidding and confirms a sale.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-11

How BET, BRAVO, HISTORY and USA Are BASIC CABLE CHANNELS

BET, BRAVO, HISTORY and USA must be read as television channel names rather than as ordinary words or abbreviations.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-11

How AYE, HARE, KNOWS and TUNG Hide Facial Features

When spoken aloud, AYE, HARE, KNOWS and TUNG sound like the names of familiar features found on or around the face.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-10

How the Four Famous Goatees Connect

Each exact entry is strongly represented with prominent hair or a beard concentrated beneath or around the chin.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-10

Why These Four Expressions Mean HAPHAZARDLY

Four complete expressions describe actions done without an orderly, deliberate, or consistent plan.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-10

Why These Four Phrases Are Invoice Sections

The entries are familiar labels for recipient, transaction, line-item, and payment information displayed on an invoice.

Explain this connection →
2026-08-10

How the Four Event-Ticket Receipt Options Connect

Each entry names an option through which an event attendee can obtain or access a purchased ticket.

Explain this connection →

Word reference

Spoiler-safe definitions