The New York Times Connections puzzle invites players to categorically arrange 16 seemingly unrelated words into four interrelated groups, each sharing a hidden theme. Today’s grid features a blend of pop culture references, sports terminology, literary characters, and clever wordplay, presenting a delightful yet subtly challenging experience. Below, you’ll find some gentle hints to spark your thinking, along with the full solutions when you’re ready to verify your answers.
Overview of the NYT Connections Puzzle: 27 January 2026
The Connections puzzle today prominently features entertainment and sports lingo, with an intriguing twist on character recognition. Some groupings will feel second nature to pop culture fans, while others will demand a deeper level of lateral thinking regarding shared linguistic nuances. The category themed around Robin Hood is particularly clever, and the hockey reference group will delight sports enthusiasts. This playful amalgamation keeps solvers engaged across various areas of knowledge.
Hints for NYT Connections: 27 January 2026
Category 1:
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All four words relate to expressions of laughter or humor.
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Frequently used to indicate something extremely funny.
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Common phrases used when something is amusing.
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Associated with moments of hilarity.
Category 2:
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These terms are connected to hockey teams.
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They appear in standard NHL team rosters.
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Deeply rooted in professional hockey.
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Key positions within the sport.
Category 3:
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These are first names of prominent characters from the Robin Hood legend.
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Derived from the tales of the legendary outlaw.
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References from both literature and history.
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All are associated with the same story.
Category 4:
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Each word begins with terms associated with baseball equipment.
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Items typically found in the batter’s box and dugout.
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Pay attention to the initial letters of each.
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Common sporting gear that precedes other words.
Answers to NYT Connections: 27 January 2026
Here are the answers, organized by category.
Category 1:
Category 2:
Category 3:
Category 4:
Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip
The Connections puzzle from January 27, 2026, balances recognizable cultural references with skillful wordplay, leading to a satisfying resolution as the patterns become apparent. A quick strategy tip: if you’re well-versed in sports terminology, secure those connections first, then tackle the literary elements and character names. The baseball gear category can be a bit challenging, so reserve it for last and focus on the more obvious pairings before narrowing down options.
