The opening groups appeared approachable, drawing players in with familiar associations that connected quickly.
The third set demanded a change in interpretation, favouring a shared context over direct definitions.
The final category raised the difficulty, masking its pattern through smart misdirection and requiring flexible thinking.
NYT Connections is a perfect pick for a slow, cosy puzzle break. You get 15 random-looking words and the simple goal of sorting them into four groups, but it’s never as easy as it sounds.
A few options seem to fit in multiple places, so you second-guess every move, especially with only four mistakes allowed. The real fun lies in that pause, rethink, and sudden clarity. When the final set falls into place, the little “aha” moment makes the effort completely worth it.
The Connections categories for the day were quite interesting, with the first two categories being relatively easy to solve, while the last two categories took the player on a completely unexpected and difficult route.
The yellow category, in particular, would have been easily solved by most players. For players who need further assistance, the NYT Connections categories for February 15, 2026, are available.
Yellow: REFERENCE BOOKS
Green: SOMETHING THAT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES
Blue: KINDS OF COMPLEXES
Purple: STARTING WITH WAYS TO REACH SOMEONE VIA PHONE
Do you finally get where each word should go? No? Then, keep scrolling to see the answers for today's NYT Connections.
Also Read: NYT Connections Feb 14, 2026: Hints, Tips, and Solutions
The answers for Connections today are:
REFERENCE BOOKS: ATLAS, DICTIONARY, ENCYCLOPEDIA, THESAURUS
SOMETHING THAT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES: ECHO, REMINDER, TRACE, VESTIGE
KINDS OF COMPLEXES: ELECTRA, INFERIORITY, SUPERIORITY
STARTING WITH WAYS TO REACH SOMEONE VIA PHONE: BUZZWORD, CALLIOPE, DIALECT, RINGMASTER
Connections is a daily puzzle where you must split 15 words into four groups of four, each with a common thread. The trick is that words do not always fit into single categories, so always be on the lookout for overlapping connections.
Start by going after the groups that he is the most certain about, generally the yellow ones. Do not hesitate to use the shuffle button to see the words afresh.
Listen for wordplay, homophones, or another subtle connection.
If you do see a group of five words that seem to fit, take a step back and reassess, since one of them is a red herring. The purple one is usually the toughest to determine, so leave it for last.
Double Meanings: Try to identify words that fit into two categories - the actual one and a witty decoy.
Homophones: Typically, the puzzle contains words that sound the same. The song-alike words would almost always be hidden in the trickiest categories.
The ‘Five-Word’ Trap: If it seems like there are five words in one category, one of them doesn't belong. Working on the other category first will help you identify it.
Think Like A Creator: Usually, the hardest categories involve puns, abbreviations, or obscure references. Save these till the end.
Today’s puzzle struck a balanced difficulty, rated around 3.1/5, making it accessible yet cleverly deceptive. The groups revealed themselves once a clear starting link was found, and the grid became easier as options narrowed, a reminder that Connections rewards patience and elimination as much as vocabulary.
Pop-culture knowledge, word associations, and lateral thinking all played a role, especially with the Tom Hanks category and the ‘mint’ prefix set. Overall, it was a satisfying solve that showed how context, not complexity, often determines the challenge level in this game.
Also Read: NYT Connections Hints and Answers for February 13, 2026 (Puzzle #978)