Enjoying our puzzle hints?

Support independent coverage of NYT games and keep the hints flowing.

Buy me a coffee

Connections Hints for February 29, 2024 #262

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for February 29, 2024 #262

Want to see NYT Connections hints? Below you'll find complete solutions and explanations. Want to try solving it yourself first? Visit the NYT Connections game 2024-02-29. Looking for today's NYT Connections hint? Head to our home page or play today's connection game here.

Navigation tip: Use the arrows below to browse through past puzzles. Each puzzle is organized from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple) categories.

Yellow Category — February 29, 2024

Green Category — February 29, 2024

Blue Category — February 29, 2024

Purple Category — February 29, 2024

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Purple group — BACKWARDS ANIMALS

Why is “DRIB” in the Purple group?

a word that is 'bird' spelled backwards, referring to a type of animal

Purple group — BACKWARDS ANIMALS

Why is “TANG” in the Purple group?

a word that is 'gnat' spelled backwards, referring to a type of small flying insect

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (February 29, 2024)

Several words in today's puzzle have multiple meanings or obscure definitions that can throw you off. Here's what each one means in the context of this Connections grid.

SPRING
Definition: a season or a type of coiled metal object that stores energy
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a season and a type of metal object
TIME
Definition: a measure of duration or a specific point in the past, present, or future
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a measure of duration and a specific point
ERA
Definition: a long period of time or a specific period in history
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a long period of time and a specific period
VAULT
Definition: a secure room or a type of jump in gymnastics
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a secure room and a type of jump

Connections #262 explained

Why these words connect (February 29, 2024)

Understanding the logic behind each group helps you spot similar patterns in future puzzles. Here's the reasoning for every category in today's Connections.

Yellow group: PROPEL INTO THE AIR

These are all verbs that describe the act of propelling something into the air, often with a sense of sudden or forceful movement, such as jumping or leaping.

Green group: PLACE TO STORE VALUABLES

These are all nouns that describe secure locations for storing valuable items, such as treasure or important documents, often with a sense of protection or safety.

Blue group: PERIOD

These are all nouns that describe measures of time or specific points in history, such as a day, an age, or an era, often with a sense of duration or chronology.

Purple group: BACKWARDS ANIMALS

These are all words that are animals spelled backwards, such as 'bird' spelled backwards as 'drib' or 'gnat' spelled backwards as 'tang', often with a sense of clever wordplay.

Red herrings and trap words explained

These words were designed to mislead you. Understanding why they don't belong where you first think sharpens your game for tomorrow.

SPRING

Seems like it belongs to: PLACE TO STORE VALUABLES

Actually belongs to: PROPEL INTO THE AIR

while a spring can be a coiled metal object that stores energy, it is also a verb that means to propel into the air

VAULT

Seems like it belongs to: PROPEL INTO THE AIR

Actually belongs to: PLACE TO STORE VALUABLES

while a vault can be a type of jump in gymnastics, it is also a secure room for storing valuable items

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.

Why “SPRING” didn't go with PLACE TO STORE VALUABLES

Seems like: PLACE TO STORE VALUABLES → Actually: PROPEL INTO THE AIR

while a spring can be a coiled metal object that stores energy, it is also a verb that means to propel into the air

Why “VAULT” didn't go with PROPEL INTO THE AIR

Seems like: PROPEL INTO THE AIR → Actually: PLACE TO STORE VALUABLES

while a vault can be a type of jump in gymnastics, it is also a secure room for storing valuable items

Browse by Date

2026

March

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
12