NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Aug. 27, 2026

To understand today's NYT Connections puzzle, we've gathered hints that should help without revealing any answers. While Mashable has provided daily hints for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, our focus here is on meanings of the words rather than specific hints. Many of the words in Connections have completely unrelated meanings, which can sometimes be a key to solving the puzzle.

For example, Pikachu is a popular Pokemon character, spunk is a display of spirit, and moxie could also fit the description. Nemo is a character in a Jules Verne story or a fish in a Disney story, and dove is a type of bird. Misty describes something covered in moisture, while slate refers to a type of stone or a writing surface. Lightning is a form of intense static electricity that occurs in nature, and ash can be a substance left after burning, or a color.

Pewter is a metal alloy sometimes used to make trinkets or drinkware, and Brock is a type of Pokemon. Emotional describes something that provokes a strong reaction from people. To learn more about the meanings of the words in today's puzzle, check out the full hints and answers. If you're also playing NYT Strands, you can find hints for today's Strands puzzle here.

For more puzzle games, explore Mashable's games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more. If you're looking for a different puzzle solution, here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.