Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #983 hints and answers for Wednesday, February 18, 2026

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

Connections #983 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.

RETRO HAIR DIRECTIVES

CRIMP · CURL · FEATHER · TEASE

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.

RETRO SLANG FOR COOL

BAD · FLY · RAD · WICKED

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.

CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS

BANTAM · CRESTED · FREE-RANGE · LEGHORN

Group 4 - Purple

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

___ CREAM

HEAVY · SHAVING · SOUR · TOPICAL

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Cold competition"