Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #964 hints and answers for Friday, January 30, 2026

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

Connections #964 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: These four belong together for one clean reason. If two of them pair up in your head first, let the other two confirm it.

REGION

AREA · CLUSTER · PATCH · POCKET

Group 2 - Green

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

GROOMING ITEMS

COMB · COMPACT · NAIL FILE · TWEEZERS

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

THINGS WITH ADHESIVE SURFACES

BAND-AID · LINT ROLLER · STICKER · TAPE

Group 4 - Purple

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

___ HAND

HELPING · MINUTE · POKER · UPPER

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "We're not lost ..."