Blue group — PARTS OF A PIANO
Why is “PEDAL” in the Blue group?
a foot-operated lever on a piano
Connections Hints for April 17, 2026 #1040
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Yellow Category — April 17, 2026
Green Category — April 17, 2026
Blue Category — April 17, 2026
Purple Category — April 17, 2026
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Blue group — PARTS OF A PIANO
Why is “HAMMER” in the Blue group?
a small metal piece that strikes a string on a piano
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (April 17, 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.
- ROOT
- Definition: the underground part of a plant
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to the source or origin of something
- KEY
- Definition: a part of a piano
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a crucial or important element
- STORMY
- Definition: relating to a storm
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a type of weather or a dramatic event
- TAN
- Definition: a type of drink
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a brown color or a type of skin tone
Connections #1040 explained
Why these words connect (April 17, 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: VEGETABLE PARTS
These are all parts of plants that are commonly consumed as food, including the underground part, the above-ground part, and the part that connects the plant to the ground
Green group: PREVAILING
These are all words that describe something that is common or widespread, including something that is frequently found or something that is dominant
Blue group: PARTS OF A PIANO
These are all parts of a piano, including the part that strikes the strings, the part that is pressed to produce sound, and the part that is operated by the foot
Purple group: SECOND HALVES OF DRINK NAMES
These are all the second halves of names of popular drinks, including a type of soda and a type of cocktail
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.
“LEAF”
Seems like it belongs to: PARTS OF A PIANO
Actually belongs to: VEGETABLE PARTS
LEAF can be a part of a plant, but it's not a part of a piano
“KEY”
Seems like it belongs to: SECOND HALVES OF DRINK NAMES
Actually belongs to: PARTS OF A PIANO
KEY can be a crucial element, but in this context, it refers to a part of a piano
“ROOT”
Seems like it belongs to: PARTS OF A PIANO
Actually belongs to: VEGETABLE PARTS
ROOT can refer to the source of something, but in this context, it refers to the underground part of a plant
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “LEAF” didn't go with PARTS OF A PIANO
Seems like: PARTS OF A PIANO → Actually: VEGETABLE PARTS
LEAF can be a part of a plant, but it's not a part of a piano
Why “KEY” didn't go with SECOND HALVES OF DRINK NAMES
Seems like: SECOND HALVES OF DRINK NAMES → Actually: PARTS OF A PIANO
KEY can be a crucial element, but in this context, it refers to a part of a piano
Why “ROOT” didn't go with PARTS OF A PIANO
Seems like: PARTS OF A PIANO → Actually: VEGETABLE PARTS
ROOT can refer to the source of something, but in this context, it refers to the underground part of a plant