Enjoying our puzzle hints?

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

Buy me a coffee

Connections Hints for February 20, 2026 #984

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 20, 2026 #984

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 2026-02-20. 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 20, 2026

Green Category — February 20, 2026

Blue Category — February 20, 2026

Purple Category — February 20, 2026

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Blue group — ORIGINAL MONOPOLY TOKENS

Why is “THIMBLE” in the Blue group?

A small metal cup used to protect the finger while sewing, also a classic Monopoly token

Green group — ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOON

Why is “WEREWOLF” in the Green group?

A mythical creature said to transform into a wolf-like creature during a full Moon

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (February 20, 2026)

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.

ECLIPSE
Definition: A rare lunar event where the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon
Why it's tricky: Can also refer to a solar eclipse, where the Moon blocks sunlight from reaching the Earth
TIDE
Definition: The periodic rising and falling of the sea level caused by the Moon's gravitational pull
Why it's tricky: Can also refer to a general trend or direction, making it a potentially misleading term
JACK
Definition: A term with multiple possible meanings, including a playing card, a type of cheese, or a socket
Why it's tricky: Has multiple unrelated meanings, making it a challenging word to categorize
GREEN CHEESE
Definition: A phrase associated with the Moon, possibly due to a myth that the Moon is made of cheese
Why it's tricky: Can be misleading due to its literal meaning as a type of cheese, rather than its lunar association

Connections #984 explained

Why these words connect (February 20, 2026)

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: QUICK FIX

These words all refer to solutions or fixes that seem easy, magical, or overly simplistic, often used to describe a simple answer to a complex problem

Green group: ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOON

These words all have a connection to the Moon, whether it's a literal astronomical event like an eclipse, a mythological creature like a werewolf, or a phrase associated with the Moon like 'green cheese'

Blue group: ORIGINAL MONOPOLY TOKENS

These words all refer to the original tokens used in the classic Monopoly game, including a boot, iron, thimble, and top hat

Purple group: WHAT 'JACK' MIGHT REFER TO

These words all refer to different possible meanings of the term 'jack', including a type of cheese, a donkey, a playing card, or a socket

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.

GREEN CHEESE

Seems like it belongs to: QUICK FIX

Actually belongs to: ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOON

The term 'green cheese' might seem like a quick fix or solution, but it's actually associated with the Moon due to a myth that the Moon is made of cheese

TOP HAT

Seems like it belongs to: WHAT 'JACK' MIGHT REFER TO

Actually belongs to: ORIGINAL MONOPOLY TOKENS

A top hat might seem like a type of 'jack' or a playing card, but it's actually a classic Monopoly token

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

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

Why “GREEN CHEESE” didn't go with QUICK FIX

Seems like: QUICK FIX → Actually: ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOON

The term 'green cheese' might seem like a quick fix or solution, but it's actually associated with the Moon due to a myth that the Moon is made of cheese

Why “TOP HAT” didn't go with WHAT 'JACK' MIGHT REFER TO

Seems like: WHAT 'JACK' MIGHT REFER TO → Actually: ORIGINAL MONOPOLY TOKENS

A top hat might seem like a type of 'jack' or a playing card, but it's actually a classic Monopoly token

Browse by Date

2026

February

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1234567891011121314151617181920