NYT Connections Today, Friday February 20: Hints, Clues & Answers (Game #985)

NYT Connections 20 February, 2026: Word puzzles have become part of the daily routine for millions of readers and one game steadily climbing in popularity is NYT Connections are blending logic, vocabulary and pattern recognition, the puzzle pushes players to look beyond obvious meanings. On 20 February 2026, game #985 offered a clever mix of wordplay and cultural references, making it both challenging and rewarding.

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle from the New York Times that asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four based on shared themes where each group carries a color-coded difficulty level. Players can make up to four mistakes before the round ends and the game has gained traction alongside other NYT word titles, drawing consistent engagement from puzzle enthusiasts worldwide.

How to Play NYT Connections

• Review the 16 words displayed on the grid.
• Identify four words that share a clear connection.
• Submit your selection as one group.
• Repeat the process to find the remaining three categories.
• You can make up to four incorrect attempts.
• Difficulty levels are color-coded from easier to harder.
• If stuck, use elimination once confident about one group.

Today’s Connections Words for 20 February (Friday)

• MAGIC WAND
• ECLIPSE
• TOP HAT
• DONKEY
• TIDE
• PLAYING CARD
• WEREWOLF
• BOOT
• SILVER BULLET
• IRON
• CHEESE
• GREEN CHEESE
• SOCKET
• PANACEA
• THIMBLE
• EASY ANSWER

Today’s Connections Hints for 20 February (Friday)

• YELLOW: An immediate solution
• GREEN: Linked to the moon
• BLUE: Classic board game tokens
• PURPLE: Related to the word “Jack”

NYT Connections Answers for 20 February (#985)

• YELLOW – QUICK FIX: EASY ANSWER, MAGIC WAND, PANACEA, SILVER BULLET
• GREEN – ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOON: ECLIPSE, GREEN CHEESE, TIDE, WEREWOLF
• BLUE – ORIGINAL MONOPOLY TOKENS: BOOT, IRON, THIMBLE, TOP HAT
• PURPLE – WHAT “JACK” MIGHT REFER TO: CHEESE, DONKEY, PLAYING CARD, SOCKET

FAQ's – NYT Connections

What is the meaning of Socket? 

A socket is a hollow space designed to hold or connect something, such as an electrical plug or a tool attachment.

What does Thimble mean? 

A thimble is a small protective cap worn on a finger while sewing.

How many types of cheese are there? 

Globally, there are over 1,800 recognized varieties of cheese.

Where are most donkeys found?

Large donkey populations are found in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

When is a solar eclipse? 

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun partially or fully blocking sunlight.