The NYT Connections puzzle for Monday, October 26, 2026, is number 1233. Today’s board, curated by editor Wyna Liu, offers a mix of casual conversational phrases, equipment for physical or spiritual practices, and a clever linguistic twist on cinematic classics.
Hints for Today’s Connections
If you prefer a little nudge before seeing the full categories, here are some broad hints to help you organize your thoughts:
- Yellow Category: These are common, low-energy ways to answer a “How’s it going?” inquiry.
- Green Category: Think about specific types of padded or protective floor coverings.
- Blue Category: These terms are official classifications used by the American Kennel Club (AKC) to group different types of dogs.
- Purple Category: At first glance, these words might look like typos. Try removing the final letter and replacing it with something else to find a scary title.
Category Hints
- Yellow: Standard replies to a greeting.
- Green: Different types of mats.
- Blue: Canine groups.
- Purple: Horror movie titles with the final letter swapped.
SPOILER WARNING: The full answers and category groups for puzzle #1233 are listed below. Do not scroll further if you wish to keep playing.
Connections Answers for October 26, #1233
Yellow: Responses to “How are you?”
- CHILLING
- MANAGING
- NOT BAD
- SAME OLD
Green: Kinds of Mats
- PRAYER
- WELCOME
- WRESTLING
- YOGA
Blue: AKC Dog Breed Groups
- HERDING
- HOUND
- SPORTING
- TOY
In official dog shows, the American Kennel Club uses these specific categories to organize breeds based on their original functions or physical traits. Other groups not featured in this puzzle include Non-Sporting, Terrier, and Working.
Purple: Horror Movies With Last Letter Changed
- HALLOWEEK
- HOSTED
- JAWN
- PSYCHS
This category requires a bit of mental substitution. According to Insider Gaming, the original film titles are: Halloween (1978), Hostel (2005), Jaws (1975), and Psycho (1960). Each word in the puzzle has had its final letter altered (e.g., the “N” in Halloween became a “K”).
