Daily Puzzle Hints

NYT Connections Hints for 2026-07-29 — Puzzle #1144

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Source: the official puzzle feed (official NYT feed), retrieved . Hints are derived from the official answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

1. The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

2. The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

FASTENERS

Show theme 2

NONDESCRIPT

Show theme 3

UNITS OF WISDOM

Show theme 4

___BOARDS IN A CLASSROOM

NYT Connections answer for 2026-07-29

FASTENERS

STAPLE, NAIL, RIVET, SCREW

NONDESCRIPT

BASIC, MID, VANILLA, PLAIN

UNITS OF WISDOM

PEARL, WORD, GEM, NUGGET

___BOARDS IN A CLASSROOM

CORK, CHALK, WHITE, BLACK

Frequently asked questions

The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _U _ _ _ _ O _ W _ _ _ _ _B _ _ _ _ _ I _ A C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1FASTENERSShow theme 2NONDESCRIPTShow theme 3UNITS OF WISDOMShow theme 4___BOARDS IN A CLASSROOM

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