NYT Connections Today: Hints and Answers for September 14, 2026

Welcome to another daily breakdown of the NYT Connections puzzle! If you’ve been staring at today's grid and wondering if "Teal" belongs with colors or birds, you aren’t alone. Today’s puzzle offers a delightful mix of nature, slang, and environmental consciousness.

Whether you are looking for a subtle NYT Connections hint to get you over the hump or the full answer for 2026-09-14, we’ve got you covered.

What is the Difficulty for Today?

Today's puzzle leans toward the moderate side. While the synonyms for "informant" are fairly straightforward, the bird category and the "blank-grass" category have a few clever overlaps that might cost you a life or two if you aren't careful.

NYT Connections Hints for September 14, 2026

If you just need a nudge in the right direction without the full reveal, here are some clues for each color-coded category:

• Yellow (Easiest): These are all terms for someone who "squeals" or talks to the authorities.
• Green: These are specific types of birds you’d likely find swimming in a pond or lake.
• Blue: Think about the items that have been banned or replaced in many eco-friendly restaurants lately.
• Purple (Hardest): Every word in this group precedes a common five-letter word related to lawns or nature.

Detailed Solution and Category Breakdown

Yellow: INFORMANT

These words are all slang terms for someone who provides information to the police or a superior, often in an undercover or "traitorous" context.

• CANARY: Refers to the phrase "sing like a canary."
• RAT: A common derogatory term for a snitch.
• SNITCH: Someone who tells on others.
• STOOLIE: Short for "stool pigeon," a term dating back to the use of decoys in hunting.

Green: WATERBIRDS

While "Teal" might make you think of the color spectrum first, in this context, it refers to a specific type of dabbling duck.

• COOT: A small water bird, often called a "mud hen."
• GOOSE: A well-known large water bird.
• LOON: Known for its haunting call on northern lakes.
• TEAL: A small, freshwater duck.

Blue: COMMON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC ITEMS

This category focuses on items made of plastic that are intended to be thrown away after one use. Many of these are currently at the center of environmental legislation.

• BAG: The standard plastic grocery bag.
• CUTLERY: Plastic forks, knives, and spoons.
• STIRRER: The thin sticks used for mixing coffee.
• STRAW: Perhaps the most famous "banned" plastic item of recent years.

Purple: ___GRASS

The trickiest category of the day! These words all form a common compound word or phrase when followed by the word "Grass."

• BLUE: Bluegrass (a genre of music and a type of lawn).
• CRAB: Crabgrass (a common weed).
• LEMON: Lemongrass (a citrusy herb used in cooking).
• WHEAT: Wheatgrass (a nutrient-rich plant often used in health shots).

The Official Answer for 2026-09-14

In case you missed it, here is the full solution organized by category:

• INFORMANT: Canary, Rat, Snitch, Stoolie
• WATERBIRDS: Coot, Goose, Loon, Teal
• COMMON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC ITEMS: Bag, Cutlery, Stirrer, Straw
• ___GRASS: Blue, Crab, Lemon, Wheat

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play NYT Connections?

Connections is a daily puzzle where you are given 16 words and must group them into four sets of four based on a shared characteristic. Each group is assigned a color: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest).

When does NYT Connections reset?

New puzzles are released daily at midnight in your local time zone.

Can there be more than one correct answer?

No. While many words might seem to fit into multiple categories (like "Teal" being a color or a bird), there is only one unique solution where every word fits perfectly into a distinct group of four.

What happens if I get four wrong?

After four incorrect guesses, the game ends, and the remaining categories and their answers are revealed.

Check back tomorrow for more hints and solutions for your favorite daily word games!