The NYT Connections puzzle for Tuesday, October 20, 2026, numbered 1,227, is edited by Wyna Liu. Today’s grid presents a sophisticated challenge that leans heavily on homophones and specific fashion terminology used as red herrings.
Connections Hints for October 20
If you are looking for a push in the right direction without seeing the full solution, these hints break down the four categories by their themes.
- Yellow Category: These words all describe the act of bringing something to a conclusion.
- Green Category: This group focuses on terms for a subordinate or someone who follows orders without question.
- Blue Category: Each of these terms refers to a specific style of facial hair.
- Purple Category: These four words are homophones (words that sound the same but are spelled differently) of famous Disney characters.
The “Skirt” Red Herring
Veterans of the daily puzzle might recognize a familiar pattern: the words MINI, PENCIL, POODLE, and WRAP. In puzzle #317, these four formed a category for “Skirt Types.” However, in today’s puzzle, these words have been intentionally redistributed across all four color groups to mislead players who rely on past patterns.
Spoiler Warning: The final groups and answers for puzzle 1,227 follow below.
Connections Answers for October 20 (#1,227)
Yellow: Finish
- CLOSE
- END
- STOP
- WRAP
Note: All four words are synonyms for concluding a task or event.
Green: Lackey
- MINION
- POODLE
- PUPPET
- STOOGE
Note: While “Poodle” is a dog breed, it is also a common term for a person who is overly submissive to another’s will.
Blue: Mustaches
- CHEVRON
- HORSESHOE
- PENCIL
- WALRUS
Note: These are all established names for specific mustache shapes and styles.
Purple: Homophones of Disney Characters
- ARIAL (Ariel)
- BELL (Belle)
- DOCK (Doc)
- MINI (Minnie)
Note: This category requires identifying the phonetic match for characters from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Mickey Mouse’s companion.
