NYT Connections Answer Today (#1227) – 20 Oct 2026 Solution & Hints
- About Today’s Connections
- The 16 Words
- Definitions of the 16 Words
- General Hints
- Category Titles
- One Word per Category
- Complete Solution (Click to Reveal)
About Today’s Connections
Puzzle #1227 (published 20 Oct 2026). Sort 16 words into four groups of four, based on a hidden connection. Some words look like they belong together and don’t — that’s by design.
The 16 Words
Here are the 16 words, sorted alphabetically to avoid spoilers:
- ARIAL
- BELL
- CHEVRON
- CLOSE
- DOCK
- END
- HORSESHOE
- MINI
- MINION
- PENCIL
- POODLE
- PUPPET
- STOOGE
- STOP
- WALRUS
- WRAP
Definitions of the 16 Words
| ARIAL | A widely used sans-serif typeface found in word processors and design software. |
| BELL | A hollow metal instrument that rings out a clear tone when struck. |
| CHEVRON | A mustache style shaped like a thick, straight bar with no curl. |
| CLOSE | To shut something or bring an activity to its conclusion. |
| DOCK | A platform along a waterfront where boats load, unload, or tie up. |
| END | The final point or last part of something. |
| HORSESHOE | A mustache style with thick sides that curve downward past the corners of the mouth. |
| MINI | Something made in a notably small or compact size. |
| MINION | A follower who carries out another person’s orders without question. |
| PENCIL | A very thin, precisely trimmed mustache style. |
| POODLE | A curly-coated dog breed, also used to describe an overly submissive follower. |
| PUPPET | A figure controlled by someone else’s hand, used figuratively for a person acting on another’s orders. |
| STOOGE | Someone used by a more powerful person to do unpleasant or dishonest work. |
| STOP | To cease moving or bring an action to a halt. |
| WALRUS | A thick, bushy mustache that droops down over the upper lip. |
| WRAP | To bring an activity or project to a finish, often used informally. |
General Hints
- These are things you say when you want to call it quits for the day.
- People who follow someone else’s lead without ever speaking up for themselves.
- Styles you might see ranked at a facial-hair grooming competition.
- Say these out loud and a classic animated princess or mouse might come to mind.
Category Titles
- 🟨 Yellow: FINISH
- 🟩 Green: LACKEY
- 🟦 Blue: MUSTACHES
- 🟪 Purple: HOMOPHONES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS
One Word per Category
- 🟨 Yellow: STOP
- 🟩 Green: PUPPET
- 🟦 Blue: WALRUS
- 🟪 Purple: BELL
Complete Solution
The full breakdown is below — tap to reveal all four groups:
[CLICK TO REVEAL: Full Solution]
NYT Connections #1227 — Full Groups
- 🟨 Yellow: FINISH → CLOSE, END, STOP, WRAP
- 🟩 Green: LACKEY → MINION, POODLE, PUPPET, STOOGE
- 🟦 Blue: MUSTACHES → CHEVRON, HORSESHOE, PENCIL, WALRUS
- 🟪 Purple: HOMOPHONES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS → ARIAL, BELL, DOCK, MINI
Purple always keeps you guessing, since reading these words silently gives you nothing — it’s only when you say them out loud that a certain animated cast starts to appear.
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