Daily Puzzle Hints

NYT Connections Hints for 2026-08-27 — Puzzle #1173

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

ELECTRIC THINGS

Show theme 2

MOVED TO TEARS

Show theme 3

SHADES OF GRAY

Show theme 4

MUSIC GENRE PLUS STARTING LETTER

NYT Connections answer for 2026-08-27

ELECTRIC THINGS

PIKACHU, LIGHTNING, LIVE WIRE, ELECTRIC EEL

MOVED TO TEARS

MISTY, EMOTIONAL, OVERCOME, CHOKED UP

SHADES OF GRAY

DOVE, SLATE, ASH, PEWTER

MUSIC GENRE PLUS STARTING LETTER

SPUNK, NEMO, BROCK, WRAP

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:E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _M _ _ _ _ T _ T _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ O _ G _ _ _M _ _ _ _ G _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ L _ _ _ _ _

Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1ELECTRIC THINGSShow theme 2MOVED TO TEARSShow theme 3SHADES OF GRAYShow theme 4MUSIC GENRE PLUS STARTING LETTER

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