The NYT Connections puzzle for July 10, 2026 features 16 fascinating words and phrases that span technology, food, music, fashion, and sports. If you're wondering what any of these words actually mean — whether it's À La Mode, Depeche Mode, Outkast, or Molten — this guide has you covered.
Below, we provide the complete meaning and definition of every single word used in today's NYT Connections game. Understanding what each word means on its own will help you appreciate the puzzle and build your vocabulary, regardless of whether you've already played or not. If you're looking for today's hints and solutions instead, check out our NYT Connections Hints & Answers Today page.
Today's 16 Words — NYT Connections July 10, 2026
Here are all 16 words you need to sort into four groups of four today:
AIRPLANE MODE · DO NOT DISTURB · HOTSPOT · LOCATION SERVICES · À LA MODE · DECADENT · FRESH-BAKED · MOLTEN · DEPECHE MODE · ERASURE · NEW ORDER · PET SHOP BOYS · BALL GOWN · OUTKAST · SAFE MODE · STRIKE A POSE
Meaning and Definition of Each Word
Each of the 16 words used in today's puzzle carries rich meaning. Below, we define every word with its origins, common usage, and cultural significance.
1. Airplane Mode
Airplane Mode is a setting on smartphones, tablets, and laptops that disables all wireless communication — including cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It was originally designed for use during flights to prevent interference with aircraft navigation systems. When you toggle Airplane Mode on, your device essentially goes offline. Most modern operating systems on both iOS and Android feature Airplane Mode as a quick-access toggle in the control center or settings panel.
2. Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb (often abbreviated as DND) is a smartphone and computer feature that silences all incoming notifications, calls, and alerts. When activated, your phone screen won't light up and no sounds or vibrations will interrupt you. Many users turn on Do Not Disturb while sleeping, in meetings, or during focused work. The feature is available across iPhone, Android, and desktop operating systems, and often includes customizable settings such as allowing calls from starred contacts or repeated callers.
3. Hotspot
Hotspot refers to a feature that allows a smartphone or device to share its cellular internet connection with other devices via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering. When you enable Hotspot (also called "Personal Hotspot" or "Mobile Hotspot"), your phone essentially becomes a portable Wi-Fi router. Beyond the technology meaning, a "hotspot" can also refer to a popular gathering place or a geographic area with notably high activity — but in the context of this puzzle, the phone setting meaning is key.
4. Location Services
Location Services is a built-in smartphone feature that uses GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular towers, and Bluetooth to determine and share your device's geographic location. Apps like Google Maps, weather apps, and ride-sharing services rely on Location Services to function properly. You can toggle Location Services on or off through your device's privacy settings. When enabled, it allows apps to track your real-time position — a feature that's useful for navigation but raises important privacy considerations.
5. À La Mode
À La Mode is a French phrase that literally translates to "in the fashion" or "in the current style." However, in American English, à la mode almost exclusively refers to a dessert — especially pie — served with a scoop of ice cream on top. Ordering "apple pie à la mode" at a restaurant means you'll get your pie with ice cream. The term elegantly bridges two worlds: the world of fashion and the world of food, making it a wonderfully versatile expression.
6. Decadent
Decadent is an adjective meaning luxuriously self-indulgent, often used to describe food that is extremely rich, sinful, and pleasurable. A "decadent chocolate lava cake" conjures images of warm, gooey, intensely chocolatey dessert. While the word originally referred to moral or cultural decline (from the Latin decadentia), its modern popular usage is overwhelmingly associated with food — particularly desserts that feel extravagant and irresistible. Think triple-layer fudge brownies, truffle tortes, and molten chocolate cakes.
7. Fresh-Baked
Fresh-baked is a compound adjective meaning recently prepared in an oven, still warm and aromatic from the baking process. It evokes the sensory experience of biting into something just pulled from the oven — a cookie, a loaf of bread, a pie, or a cake. Fresh-baked goods are prized for their texture (crispy outside, soft inside), aroma, and taste. The term is commonly used in bakery marketing, menus, and food writing to signal quality and recency. In today's puzzle, it connects to other words that can describe a delicious dessert.
8. Molten
Molten means liquefied by heat — melted into a flowing, glowing state. In geology, molten rock is called magma (underground) or lava (above ground). However, in culinary contexts, "molten" most commonly appears in "molten chocolate cake" (also called "molten lava cake"), a popular restaurant dessert with a warm, liquid chocolate center that flows out when you cut into it. The word creates a vivid image of something intensely hot and flowing — whether describing the earth's core or a decadent dessert.
9. Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode is a legendary English electronic and synth-pop band formed in Basildon, Essex, in 1980. The group — featuring Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, and Andy Fletcher — became one of the most influential and commercially successful bands in electronic music history. Their iconic hits include Enjoy the Silence, Personal Jesus, Just Can't Get Enough, and Policy of Truth. The band's name comes from a French fashion magazine, Dépêche Mode, meaning "fashion dispatch" or "fashion update." They've sold over 100 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
10. Erasure
Erasure is a British synth-pop duo consisting of singer Andy Bell and keyboardist Vince Clarke. Formed in 1985, Erasure became one of the most successful pop acts of the late 1980s and 1990s. Their biggest hits include A Little Respect, Chains of Love, Always, and Sometimes. Their sound is characterized by upbeat electronic melodies and Bell's powerful tenor voice. Beyond the band, the word "erasure" means the act of erasing or removing something — wiping a surface clean or eliminating records. Both meanings are valid, but the music act connection is what matters for today's puzzle.
11. New Order
New Order is a hugely influential English rock and electronic band formed in Manchester in 1980, rising from the ashes of Joy Division after the tragic death of singer Ian Curtis. Comprising Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert, New Order pioneered the fusion of post-punk with electronic dance music. Their seminal 1983 single Blue Monday became the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. Other classics include Bizarre Love Triangle, True Faith, and World in Motion. The phrase "new order" on its own means a new system of organization, governance, or social structure.
12. Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English synth-pop duo consisting of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. Formed in London in 1981, they are the most successful duo in UK music history, with record sales exceeding 100 million worldwide. Their greatest hits include West End Girls, It's a Sin, Always on My Mind, Go West, and Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money). Known for their intelligent lyrics, sophisticated production, and iconic music videos, Pet Shop Boys helped define the sound of 1980s electronic pop and continue to tour and release music today.
13. Ball Gown
Ball Gown is a formal, full-length evening dress traditionally worn to balls, galas, proms, and other highly formal occasions. Ball gowns typically feature full skirts, fitted bodices, and elegant fabrics such as silk, satin, tulle, or taffeta. They represent the most formal category of women's evening wear. The word "ball" in ball gown refers to a formal dance event — a large, elegant social gathering centered around dancing. Interestingly, "ball" also carries meanings in sports (a baseball pitch outside the strike zone) and everyday language (a spherical object), making it a word rich with multiple definitions.
14. Outkast
Outkast (stylized as OutKast) is a groundbreaking American hip-hop duo from Atlanta, Georgia, consisting of André 3000 (André Benjamin) and Big Boi (Antwan Patton). Formed in 1992, OutKast is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative hip-hop groups of all time. Their albums Aquemini, Stankonia, and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below pushed the boundaries of hip-hop with funk, soul, rock, and electronic elements. Their megahit Hey Ya! became one of the most recognizable songs of the 2000s. The word "outcast" (which the band name creatively respells) means a person who has been rejected or excluded from a group or society — someone pushed to the margins.
15. Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in computer operating systems — most notably Microsoft Windows — that loads only the essential system drivers and services. It's used to troubleshoot problems: if your computer is crashing, infected with malware, or has a driver conflict, booting into Safe Mode allows you to isolate and fix the issue. In Safe Mode, advanced features and non-essential programs are disabled, giving you a stripped-down environment to diagnose what's going wrong. The word "safe" itself means protected from danger or risk, and carries specific meanings in baseball (a runner reaching base successfully) and everyday life (a secure storage box).
16. Strike A Pose
Strike A Pose means to assume a deliberate, dramatic, or photogenic position, typically for a photograph, an audience, or artistic expression. The phrase is famously associated with Madonna's 1990 hit single Vogue, where the lyric "Strike a pose, vogue" became a cultural catchphrase tied to the fashion and ballroom dance scene. The expression conveys confidence, theatricality, and style. The word "strike" on its own has many meanings — to hit something, a work stoppage, a bowling term, a baseball call, or a military attack — making it one of the most versatile words in the English language.
Looking for Hints or Past Puzzles?
This article focuses on word meanings and definitions only. If you need help solving today's puzzle or want to browse previous games, we've got you covered:
- NYT Connections Hints & Answers Today — Get progressive hints and the full solution for today's puzzle.
- NYT Connections Archive — Browse and play every past NYT Connections puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does À La Mode mean?
À La Mode is a French phrase meaning "in the fashion" or "in the current style." In American English, it most commonly refers to a dessert — especially pie — served with a scoop of ice cream on top. Both the fashion and food meanings make it a wonderfully versatile expression.
What does Molten mean?
Molten means liquefied by extreme heat. In geology it describes magma and lava. In food, it most famously appears in molten chocolate cake (lava cake), a rich dessert with a warm, flowing chocolate center that oozes out when cut.
Who are Depeche Mode?
Depeche Mode is a legendary British electronic and synth-pop band formed in 1980. Their biggest hits include Enjoy the Silence, Personal Jesus, and Just Can't Get Enough. The name comes from a French fashion magazine meaning "fashion dispatch."
Who are Outkast?
OutKast is a groundbreaking American hip-hop duo from Atlanta consisting of André 3000 and Big Boi. Their megahit Hey Ya! became one of the most recognizable songs of the 2000s. The name is a creative respelling of "outcast," meaning someone excluded from a group.
What does Strike A Pose mean?
Strike A Pose means to assume a dramatic, confident, or photogenic position. The phrase is famously associated with Madonna's 1990 hit Vogue and the ballroom dance culture. The word "strike" itself has many meanings — to hit, a work stoppage, a bowling term, and a baseball call.
What is Safe Mode?
Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in operating systems like Windows that loads only essential drivers and services. It's used to troubleshoot crashes, malware infections, and driver conflicts by providing a stripped-down computing environment.
What is the NYT Connections game?
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle by The New York Times where players must sort 16 words into four groups of four. Each group shares a hidden connection. The groups are color-coded by difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest). Players get four mistakes before the game ends.
Last updated: July 10, 2026. This article covers the meaning and definition of all 16 words used in today's NYT Connections puzzle.
