Today's NYT Connections Puzzle #1130 (July 15, 2025) features 16 words that may seem unrelated at first glance — but each one carries layered meanings that can help you discover the four hidden groups. Instead of handing you the answers outright, this guide walks you through the definitions, origins, and multiple meanings of every word on today's board. Understanding these definitions is the key to cracking the connections.
Looking for the complete solution instead? If you'd rather skip straight to the answers, check out our NYT Connections Puzzle #1130 — Complete Answers. For daily hints and strategies, visit our NYT Connections Hints Today page.
How to Use This Guide
NYT Connections challenges you to sort 16 words into four groups of four, based on a shared theme. The trick is that many words have multiple meanings — and the puzzle exploits this ambiguity. By studying the definitions below, you'll start to see patterns and overlaps that point toward the correct groupings. Pay close attention to words that share an unexpected secondary meaning.
All 16 Words in Today's NYT Connections — Defined
Here is every word appearing in today's puzzle, along with its most relevant definitions and contextual uses. We've organized them alphabetically for easy reference.
Bar
The word bar is one of the most versatile in the English language. As a noun, it can refer to a long, rigid piece of metal or wood, a counter where drinks are served, or a unit of atmospheric pressure. In music, a bar is a segment of time defined by beats. Critically, in legal contexts, "the bar" refers to the profession of law itself — as in "passing the bar exam" or "being called to the bar." It can also mean a barrier or obstruction, and as a verb, it means to prohibit or block. The word's legal meaning dates back to the physical railing in courtrooms that separated the judge and lawyers from spectators.
Baseball Glove
A baseball glove (also called a mitt) is a large, padded leather glove worn by baseball players to catch and field the ball. Unlike everyday gloves, a baseball glove features a webbed pocket between the thumb and index finger. The glove is shaped differently depending on the player's position — a catcher's mitt is heavily padded, while an outfielder's glove is longer. One distinctive feature of all baseball gloves is that they are traditionally laced together — rawhide or leather lacing runs along the fingers, web, and heel of the glove, holding the panels in place and giving the glove its structure.
Bench
A bench is a long seat, typically made of wood or metal, designed for multiple people. In parks and public areas, benches are common resting spots. In sports, "the bench" refers to the area where substitute players sit during a game. In fitness, a bench is the padded platform used for the bench press. However, in legal and judicial terminology, "the bench" carries a powerful meaning — it refers to the judge's seat in a courtroom, and by extension, to the judiciary as a whole. A "bench trial" is one decided by a judge rather than a jury. When someone is "appointed to the bench," they are becoming a judge.
Breathing
At its most basic, breathing is the physiological process of inhaling and exhaling air. It is essential to sustaining life in most organisms. In a figurative sense, "breathing" can describe something that feels alive or has natural rhythm — a "breathing landscape" in art, or giving a project "breathing space." The compound "breathing room" is a common English idiom meaning enough space or freedom to move, think, or act comfortably. When someone says "I need some breathing room," they are asking for extra space or relief from pressure.
Corset
A corset is a tightly fitting undergarment worn primarily by women to shape and support the torso. Historically popular from the 16th through early 20th centuries, corsets were typically made from stiff fabric panels reinforced with boning (strips of whalebone, steel, or plastic). A defining structural feature of the corset is its lacing — usually running up the back — which is pulled tight to cinch the waist and create an hourglass silhouette. Modern corsets appear in fashion, costume design, and even medical back support. The act of lacing up a corset is so iconic that it has become synonymous with structured, form-fitting garments.
Court
The word court has an impressively wide range of meanings. It can refer to a royal household or the entourage of a monarch. In architecture, a court (or courtyard) is an open area enclosed by walls or buildings. In sports, a court is the marked playing surface for games like tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Most significantly for today's puzzle, a court of law is the institution where legal cases are heard and justice is administered. "Going to court," "court order," and "court ruling" are all legal phrases that center on the judicial system. The word comes from the Latin cohors, meaning an enclosed yard.
Elbow
Elbow refers to the joint connecting the upper arm and forearm, allowing the arm to bend. It is one of the most important hinge joints in the human body. Figuratively, "elbow" is used in many idiomatic expressions: to "elbow your way" through a crowd means to push past people using your elbows. In plumbing, an elbow is a pipe fitting that creates an angled turn. The phrase "elbow room" is a well-known English idiom meaning adequate space to move or work freely. It dates back to the early 16th century and was even used as a nickname for President Abraham Lincoln, who was known for his long arms.
Extreme
Extreme as an adjective means reaching the highest degree, furthest point, or greatest intensity of something. An extreme temperature is one at the very top or bottom of the scale. Extreme measures are drastic actions. In popular culture and sports, "extreme" is commonly used as a modifier for high-adrenaline, high-risk activities. Extreme sports — such as skydiving, BASE jumping, snowboarding, rock climbing, and bungee jumping — are athletic pursuits that involve speed, height, danger, and physical exertion beyond what is found in traditional sports. The X Games popularized the concept of extreme sports in the 1990s.
Football
Football is one of the world's most popular sports, though the term refers to different games depending on the region. In most of the world, football means association football (soccer), played with a round ball on a rectangular pitch. In the United States and Canada, football refers to American/Canadian football, played with an oval ball on a gridiron. Regardless of the variant, the physical football itself — particularly the American football — is notable for its construction. An American football is made of leather panels that are laced together with prominent white stitching along the top, which helps quarterbacks grip the ball when throwing.
Head
Head is among the most commonly used nouns in English. Anatomically, it is the upper part of the human body containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Beyond the literal, "head" has dozens of figurative uses: the head of an organization (leader), the head of a river (source), a head of lettuce (top portion), heading in a direction (going), and using your head (thinking). In beer and coffee culture, the "head" is the foam on top. The compound "headroom" is an important term meaning the clearance space above a person's head — used in architecture, automotive design, and audio engineering. Having enough headroom means having sufficient vertical space or margin.
Motor
A motor is a machine that converts energy — usually electrical or chemical — into mechanical motion. Electric motors power everything from fans to electric cars, while combustion motors (engines) drive traditional automobiles. As an adjective, "motor" relates to movement or motion, particularly in physiology (motor skills, motor neurons). In the context of sports, motor sports (or motorsport) refers to competitive events involving motorized vehicles — including Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP, rally racing, and drag racing. Motor sports are among the most-watched athletic competitions globally, combining engineering, speed, and driving skill.
Racket
The word racket (also spelled racquet) has two distinct primary meanings. First, it is a piece of sports equipment — a handled frame with a taut interlaced network of strings, used to strike a ball or shuttlecock in games like tennis, badminton, squash, and table tennis. Second, "racket" can mean a loud, disturbing noise or, in a more sinister sense, an illegal scheme or fraudulent business operation (as in "a protection racket"). In sports, racket sports are an entire category of athletic competition — including tennis, badminton, squash, racquetball, and pickleball — defined by the use of a racket to hit an object over or against a surface.
Shoe
A shoe is a covering for the foot, typically made of leather, fabric, or synthetic material, with a sturdy sole. Shoes are among humanity's oldest inventions, with evidence of footwear dating back over 40,000 years. There are countless varieties — sneakers, boots, sandals, heels, loafers, and more. Many traditional shoe designs feature laces — cords or strings threaded through eyelets and tied to secure the shoe to the foot. Lace-up shoes (like Oxford shoes, sneakers, and hiking boots) are the most common style worldwide. The act of "lacing up your shoes" is practically universal, making laces one of the most iconic features associated with footwear.
Tribunal
A tribunal is a court of justice or a judicial body established to settle disputes and administer justice. While often used interchangeably with "court," a tribunal typically refers to a specialized or ad hoc judicial panel rather than a regular court. Employment tribunals, military tribunals, and international tribunals (such as the International Criminal Tribunal) handle specific types of cases. The word derives from the Latin tribunus, referring to a Roman magistrate. In modern usage, tribunals are a formal part of the legal system in many countries, serving as quasi-judicial bodies that resolve disputes outside of traditional courts.
Water
Water (H₂O) is the most abundant compound on Earth's surface and is essential for all known forms of life. As a noun, it refers to the clear, colorless liquid found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and rain. Water has extensive figurative and compound uses: "in deep water" (in trouble), "water under the bridge" (past events), "watered down" (diluted). In sports, water sports are athletic activities performed in or on water — including swimming, surfing, water polo, kayaking, sailing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and diving. Water sports represent a major category of recreational and competitive athletics practiced worldwide.
Wiggle
To wiggle is to move with small, quick side-to-side or twisting motions. A child might wiggle a loose tooth, or you might wiggle your toes in the sand. The word conveys a playful, informal sense of movement — not rigid or forceful, but small, flexible, and often involuntary. "Wiggle" is also used figuratively: a "wiggle room" is a widely used English idiom meaning flexibility, margin for negotiation, or extra space to maneuver. In contracts, budgets, and plans, having wiggle room means the terms aren't so rigid that there's no room for adjustment. The phrase evokes the image of physically squeezing through a tight space by wiggling.
Tips for Solving Today's NYT Connections
Now that you have a thorough understanding of each word's meaning, here are some strategies to help you find the four groups:
- Look for shared secondary meanings. Many of today's words have a primary, obvious meaning — but the puzzle often relies on a less obvious, shared characteristic across four words.
- Think about compound words and phrases. Some connections are built around words that can precede or follow a common word to form a well-known phrase or compound.
- Consider physical characteristics. What do certain objects physically have in common? Think about materials, construction, or components they share.
- Start with the category you're most confident about. If you can clearly identify one group of four, lock it in first. This narrows down the remaining 12 words and makes the next connections easier to spot.
- Watch out for red herrings. The puzzle designers intentionally include words that could fit into multiple categories. The correct grouping is the one where all four words share the same specific connection.
Still Stuck? Get the Full Solution
If you've read through all the definitions and you're still struggling to find the four groups, don't worry — today's puzzle is a tricky one. You can view the complete solution for NYT Connections Puzzle #1130 here, with all four color-coded groups revealed. And be sure to bookmark our NYT Connections Hints Today page for daily hints, tips, and definitions for every new puzzle.
About NYT Connections
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle by The New York Times, created by editor Wyna Liu. Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be sorted into four groups of four. The groups are color-coded by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest). Players get four mistakes before the game ends. The puzzle resets daily at midnight Eastern Time, and Puzzle #1130 is the edition for July 15, 2025.
Good luck with today's puzzle! Remember — the connections are hiding in plain sight. Think beyond the obvious, and let the definitions above guide your intuition.
