NYT Connections Hints for 2026-09-20 — Puzzle #1197
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
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:
R _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ K _ _ _ _ _ _ _V _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _B _ _ _ _ _ Y _ _ R _ _ _ O _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
ROUND FLAT THINGS
Show theme 2
ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY
Show theme 3
VAMPIRE MOVIES
Show theme 4
___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON
NYT Connections answer for 2026-09-20
ROUND FLAT THINGS
TORTILLA, COASTER, BLU-RAY, SAND DOLLAR
ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY
DERBY, FRIED CHICKEN, BLUEGRASS, BOURBON
VAMPIRE MOVIES
TWILIGHT, BLADE, NEAR DARK, SINNERS
___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON
SNOW, SKATE, HOVER, SURF
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:R _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ K _ _ _ _ _ _ _V _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _B _ _ _ _ _ Y _ _ R _ _ _ O _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1ROUND FLAT THINGSShow theme 2ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKYShow theme 3VAMPIRE MOVIESShow theme 4___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- 2026-09-20 — #1197
- 2026-09-19 — #1196
- 2026-09-18 — #1195
- 2026-09-17 — #1194
- 2026-09-16 — #1193
- 2026-09-15 — #1192
- 2026-09-14 — #1191
- 2026-09-13 — #1190
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