The NYT Connections puzzle for July 11, 2026 features 16 captivating words and phrases that draw from the circus, the ocean, beloved animated films, and some unexpectedly tricky vocabulary. Whether you're wondering what Bocce is, why Bo Peep is in the puzzle, or how Aardvark and Twiddle could possibly be connected, this guide explains every word in full.
Below, we provide the complete meaning and definition of every single word used in today's NYT Connections game. This article focuses purely on vocabulary — helping you understand what each word means across entertainment, nature, sports, and everyday language. 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 11, 2026
Here are all 16 words you need to sort into four groups of four today:
CANNON · STILTS · TRAPEZE · UNICYCLE · CALM · FLAT · GLASSY · STILL · BO PEEP · JESSIE · SLINKY · WOODY · AARDVARK · BOCCE · EBBING · TWIDDLE
Meaning and Definition of Each Word
Each of the 16 words in today's puzzle carries rich meaning — spanning performance arts, nature, pop culture, and language. Below, we define every word with its origins, cultural significance, and the different ways it's used.
1. Cannon
Cannon is a large, heavy weapon that fires projectiles — historically cannonballs — using explosive force. Cannons have been used in warfare since the 13th century and played a decisive role in battles from the medieval period through the 19th century. In modern usage, "cannon" appears in phrases like "loose cannon" (an unpredictable person) and "cannon fodder" (soldiers regarded as expendable). In the world of circus and carnival performance, a human cannonball is one of the most thrilling acts — a performer is launched from a specially designed cannon and flies through the air into a net. The word comes from the Italian cannone, meaning "large tube."
2. Stilts
Stilts are a pair of poles or posts with footrests that allow a person to walk at an elevated height above the ground. Stilt-walking is a traditional circus and street performance art that dates back thousands of years — ancient Greek performers used stilts, and stilt-walking remains a staple of carnivals, parades, and festivals around the world. Beyond performance, stilts are also used practically in construction and painting to reach high places. "Stilt houses" are homes built on elevated platforms, commonly found in flood-prone or coastal regions across Southeast Asia and other areas. The word likely derives from the Middle English stilte, meaning a crutch or pole.
3. Trapeze
Trapeze is a short horizontal bar suspended by two ropes or straps from a high support, used by circus acrobats and gymnasts to perform aerial feats. The "flying trapeze" — where performers swing between bars, executing somersaults and catches mid-air — is one of the most iconic and breathtaking acts in the circus. It was popularized in the 19th century by French acrobat Jules Léotard (who also inspired the name of the leotard). A "trapeze artist" is someone who performs on the trapeze. The word comes from the French trapèze, itself derived from the Greek trapezion, meaning "small table" — a reference to the shape formed by the ropes and bar.
4. Unicycle
Unicycle is a single-wheeled vehicle powered by the rider's pedaling, with no handlebars or frame beyond the seat post and wheel. Riding a unicycle requires exceptional balance and coordination, making it a popular circus and street performance skill. Tall unicycles (called "giraffe unicycles") and trick unicycles are staples of circus entertainment. Beyond performance, unicycling is also a legitimate sport — there are competitions for unicycle racing, mountain unicycling (MUni), and unicycle hockey. The word combines the Latin prefix uni- (meaning "one") with cycle (meaning "wheel" or "circle").
5. Calm
Calm means peaceful, quiet, and free from disturbance. As an adjective, it describes a state of tranquility — a calm person is composed and unruffled, while a calm sea has smooth, undisturbed water with little or no wave action. Sailors use "calm" to describe ideal sailing conditions when the water is flat and the wind is gentle. As a verb, "to calm" means to soothe or pacify — "calm down" is one of the most common English phrases. As a noun, "a calm" refers to a period of stillness. The word entered English from the Old French calme, possibly tracing back to the Greek kauma (meaning "heat of the day," when winds die down). "Dead calm" describes a completely motionless sea.
6. Flat
Flat is an adjective meaning smooth, level, and without raised areas or curves. It's one of the most versatile words in English. A flat sea or flat water describes an ocean or lake surface that is perfectly smooth — without waves or ripples. In music, a "flat" (♭) lowers a note by a half step. In British English, a "flat" is an apartment. In automotive contexts, a "flat tire" has lost its air. In cooking, "flat bread" is unleavened. In performance, a "flat" delivery means lacking emotion. The word comes from the Old Norse flatr. In every usage, the core concept remains: something lacking elevation, curvature, or variation.
7. Glassy
Glassy means resembling glass — smooth, shiny, and reflective. When describing water, a glassy surface refers to water that is perfectly calm and mirror-like, reflecting the sky and surroundings without any distortion. Surfers use "glassy" to describe ideal wave conditions where the ocean surface is smooth between sets. A "glassy stare" or "glassy eyes" refers to a dull, unfocused, or expressionless look — as if the person's eyes were made of glass. The word derives from "glass" with the suffix "-y," creating an adjective that captures the visual qualities of glass: smooth, transparent, and reflective.
8. Still
Still is a remarkably multifaceted word. As an adjective, it means not moving, motionless, or quiet — still water is water that has no current or waves, as opposed to flowing or turbulent water. The phrase "still waters run deep" suggests that quiet people often have complex inner lives. As an adverb, "still" means "even now" or "continuing" — "I still love pizza." As a noun, a "still" is a device used to distill liquids (especially alcohol — a whiskey still). In photography and film, a "still" is a single motionless image. The word comes from the Old English stille, meaning "fixed" or "stationary." Its ability to convey peace and quietude makes it a powerful descriptive word.
9. Bo Peep
Bo Peep (or Little Bo Peep) is a character from a traditional English nursery rhyme: "Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep, and doesn't know where to find them." The rhyme dates back to at least the 18th century and tells the story of a shepherdess who loses her flock. In modern pop culture, Bo Peep is best known as a character in Pixar's Toy Story franchise. In the films, she is a porcelain shepherdess figurine who serves as Woody's love interest. She appeared in Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999), and returned as a central character in Toy Story 4 (2019), reimagined as a brave, independent adventurer. "Peep" also means a quick look or a soft, high-pitched sound.
10. Jessie
Jessie is a given name of Hebrew origin, derived from Jesse, meaning "gift." In popular culture, the most prominent sporting and entertainment Jessie is Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl from Pixar's Toy Story franchise. Introduced in Toy Story 2 (1999) and voiced by Joan Cusack, Jessie is an energetic, spirited pull-string cowgirl doll who becomes one of Woody's closest friends. Her emotional backstory — being loved and then abandoned by her original owner, Emily — is one of the most poignant moments in animated film history, accompanied by the Oscar-nominated song "When She Loved Me" by Sarah McLachlan. The name Jessie is popular worldwide and is used for both boys and girls.
11. Slinky
Slinky has two well-known meanings. As a noun, a Slinky is a coiled spring toy invented in 1943 by Richard James, a naval engineer who accidentally discovered that a dropped spring could "walk" down stairs and surfaces in a mesmerizing fashion. The Slinky became one of the best-selling toys in history, with over 300 million sold. As an adjective, "slinky" means gracefully thin, sleek, and sinuous — a "slinky dress" is one that clings to the body's curves elegantly. In the Toy Story franchise, Slinky Dog (voiced by Jim Varney and later Blake Clark) is a loyal dachshund toy with a stretchy Slinky body — one of Woody's most devoted friends.
12. Woody
Woody most commonly refers to Sheriff Woody Pride, the main protagonist of Pixar's Toy Story franchise. Voiced by Tom Hanks, Woody is a pull-string cowboy doll and the natural leader of Andy's toy collection. Across four films (1995–2019), Woody's journey explores themes of loyalty, identity, purpose, and letting go. He's widely considered one of the greatest animated characters of all time. Beyond Toy Story, "woody" as an adjective means resembling or made of wood — a "woody scent" describes earthy, timber-like aromas found in perfumes. A "woody" is also slang for a wood-paneled station wagon, popular in American surf culture of the 1960s. As a name, Woody Allen and Woody Harrelson are famous bearers.
13. Aardvark
Aardvark is a medium-sized, nocturnal mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has a long snout, large ears, a powerful tongue, and strong claws designed for digging into termite mounds and ant nests — its primary food source. The name comes from the Afrikaans aardvark, meaning "earth pig" (from aarde = earth + vark = pig), though the aardvark is not related to pigs at all. It's the only living species in the order Tubulidentata. A notable linguistic feature of "aardvark" is that it begins with a double "A" (AA), which famously places it among the first entries in English dictionaries. The animated character Arthur (from the PBS television show) is an aardvark.
14. Bocce
Bocce (also spelled bocci or boccie) is an Italian ball sport and one of the oldest games in human history, with roots tracing back to ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. Players take turns throwing larger balls (bocce balls) as close as possible to a smaller target ball called the "pallino" (or "jack"). The game is played on a flat surface — often a long, narrow court — and is hugely popular in Italy, France (where a similar game is called pétanque), and across Mediterranean cultures. Bocce is also widely played in backyards and parks throughout the United States and Australia. The word "bocce" comes from the Italian boccia, meaning "ball." A notable spelling feature is the double "C" (CC) in the word.
15. Ebbing
Ebbing is the present participle of the verb "to ebb," which means to gradually recede, decline, or flow back. In its most literal sense, the ebb refers to the outgoing tide — when ocean water withdraws from the shore. "Ebb and flow" is a classic phrase describing the natural rhythm of tides, and by extension, the cyclical nature of life, emotions, or fortune. "Ebbing strength" means power that is slowly fading, and "ebbing confidence" means self-assurance that is waning. The word comes from the Old English ebba, meaning a receding of water. A notable spelling feature of "ebbing" is the double "B" (BB) in the word, which occurs when the base verb "ebb" adds the "-ing" suffix.
16. Twiddle
Twiddle means to play with or fiddle with something idly, often with the fingers. "Twiddling your thumbs" is a well-known idiom meaning to have nothing to do — to sit around doing nothing productive while waiting. You might twiddle a pen, twiddle a knob, or twiddle a lock of hair. The word suggests small, aimless, repetitive movements. In music and audio, a "twiddle" can refer to a small, rapid ornamental passage. In British slang, "twiddle" can also mean a small, insignificant thing. The word is likely of imitative origin, blending "twist" and "fiddle." A notable spelling feature of "twiddle" is the double "D" (DD) in the word.
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 Aardvark mean?
Aardvark is a nocturnal African mammal whose name comes from Afrikaans meaning "earth pig." It's famous for being one of the first words in the English dictionary due to its double-A spelling. The aardvark feeds on termites and ants using its long, sticky tongue.
What is Bocce?
Bocce is an ancient Italian ball sport where players throw larger balls toward a smaller target ball called the "pallino." It's one of the oldest games in human history, popular across Italy, France, the United States, and Australia.
What does Ebbing mean?
Ebbing means gradually receding or declining. It most literally describes the outgoing tide when ocean water withdraws from shore. Figuratively, "ebbing" describes anything that is slowly fading — strength, confidence, or enthusiasm.
What does Twiddle mean?
Twiddle means to fiddle with or play with something idly using your fingers. The phrase "twiddling your thumbs" is a common idiom meaning to sit around doing nothing productive.
Who is Bo Peep in Toy Story?
Bo Peep is a porcelain shepherdess figurine in Pixar's Toy Story franchise and Woody's love interest. Originally from the nursery rhyme "Little Bo Peep," she returned as a brave, independent adventurer in Toy Story 4 (2019).
Who is Jessie in Toy Story?
Jessie is the Yodeling Cowgirl from Pixar's Toy Story franchise, introduced in Toy Story 2 (1999) and voiced by Joan Cusack. She's an energetic pull-string cowgirl doll with a deeply emotional backstory about being abandoned by her owner.
What is a Trapeze?
A trapeze is a short horizontal bar suspended by ropes from a high support, used by circus acrobats to perform aerial feats. The "flying trapeze" — with mid-air somersaults and catches — is one of the most iconic circus acts.
What does Glassy mean when describing water?
When describing water, glassy means the surface is perfectly calm, smooth, and mirror-like — reflecting the sky without any distortion. Surfers use "glassy" to describe ideal ocean conditions with no wind chop.
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 11, 2026. This article covers the meaning and definition of all 16 words used in today's NYT Connections puzzle.
