Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #950 hints and answers for Friday, January 16, 2026

Edited by Wyna Liu · Groups listed easiest to hardest: yellow, green, blue, purple

Connections #950 puts four groups of four on the board, running from the yellow group through to purple. For each group below: read the hint first, then show the category name when you want it, then the four words.

Group 1 - Yellow

Hint: Four words, one thread. Say each of the four out loud - the link is usually plainer than it looks.

KINDS OF HATS

DERBY · FEDORA · PANAMA · PORKPIE

Group 2 - Green

Hint: One thread ties these four together. It is a fair link, not a trick - think about what the words can all be or do.

COMPONENTS OF A KID’S BEDTIME ROUTINE

BATH · BRUSHING · PAJAMAS · STORY

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: These four belong together for one clean reason. If two of them pair up in your head first, let the other two confirm it.

MUSICAL ACTS WITH "A" AS THE ONLY VOWEL

ALABAMA · BANANARAMA · KANSAS · SANTANA

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: The category name leaves a blank - each of these four words fills it to make a familiar phrase.

GRAND ___

BAHAMA · CANYON · PIANO · SLAM

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "DC crusader"