NYT Connections Answer

Welcome back to another day of puzzle-solving! If you’re waking up on this February morning ready to tackle the grid, you’re in for a treat. Today’s NYT Connections for February 1, 2026, features a delightful mix of fashion, slang, and some truly devious wordplay in the final category.

Whether you're looking for a small NYT Connections hint to get you over the hump or the full answer for 2026-02-01, I've got you covered. Let’s dive into today’s groups!

Today's Hints

Before we reveal the categories, here are some nudges to help you solve it yourself:

• Yellow Group: Think about what a publicist or a salesperson does.
• Green Group: You’ll find these in your closet or at a shoe store.
• Blue Group: "Turn that up! This is my ______!"
• Purple Group: These words look like normal nouns, but try "tuning" into the musical instruments hidden inside them.

Yellow: PUBLICIZE

The yellow group today is all about promotion. Whether you’re trying to sell a product or just tell your friends about a new movie, these four words are the bread and butter of marketing.

• BOOST: To increase visibility or promote.
• HYPE: To create intense public enthusiasm.
• PITCH: The act of presenting an idea for sale.
• PLUG: A mention of a product or service to give it publicity.

Green: KINDS OF SHOES

This group felt very "fashion-forward." These are all common styles of footwear, though you might find some more comfortable than others!

• CLOG: A shoe with a thick, often wooden sole.
• FLAT: A shoe with a very thin or no heel.
• MULE: A backless shoe that is closed at the front.
• WEDGE: A shoe with a sole that is in the shape of a triangle, serving as both the sole and the heel.

Blue: ANTHEM

If you’re a fan of music, this category likely clicked for you immediately. These are all slang terms for a song that is catchy, high-energy, or just generally "good."

• BANGER: A song with a loud, energetic beat.
• BOP: A catchy, lighthearted song.
• HEATER: Slang for a high-quality or high-energy track (often used in hip-hop or electronic music).
• JAM: A favorite song that you love to sing or dance to.

Purple: MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLUS STARTING LETTER

This was definitely the "tricky" group for today. Each of these words is formed by taking a common musical instrument and adding a single letter to the beginning.

• GLUTE: G + LUTE
• MORGAN: M + ORGAN
• SHARP: S + HARP
• THORN: T + HORN

The NYT Connections Answer for 2026-02-01

If you just want the quick breakdown of the finished board, here it is:

• PUBLICIZE: BOOST, HYPE, PITCH, PLUG
• KINDS OF SHOES: CLOG, FLAT, MULE, WEDGE
• ANTHEM: BANGER, BOP, HEATER, JAM
• MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLUS STARTING LETTER: GLUTE, MORGAN, SHARP, THORN

Today's Reflection

Today's puzzle had a nice flow. The Shoes and Publicize categories were great anchors, while the Anthem slang kept it feeling modern. The real standout was the Purple category—seeing "Morgan" and "Glute" on the same board is always a sign that Wyna Liu is trying to lead us down a strange path! Once you spot the "Harp" in "Sharp," the rest of the instruments usually fall into place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play NYT Connections?

Connections is a daily word puzzle from the New York Times. You are given 16 words and must group them into four sets of four based on a common theme. Each group is assigned a color based on difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest).

When does NYT Connections reset?

The puzzle resets every day at midnight in your local time zone.

Are the colors indicative of difficulty?

Yes! Generally, the Yellow category is straightforward, Green involves slightly more complex definitions, Blue often uses slang or specialized knowledge, and Purple almost always involves wordplay (like homophones, hidden words, or puns).

Can I have more than four mistakes?

No. You are allowed exactly four mistakes. On your fourth incorrect guess, the game ends and the remaining categories are revealed.