If you played the NYT Connections puzzle on August 2, 2026 (1148) and wondered what each word actually means, this guide breaks down the definition and meaning of all 16 words. Whether you cracked the grid or came looking afterward, understanding the vocabulary behind ACTUALLY, LIKE, SO, WELL, BY, PER, THROUGH, VIA, AIRPLANE, BEAST, DARK, À LA, ASEA, FLAX, LORD and OLGA makes the whole puzzle click into place.
Below you'll find every word defined and organized by its Connections category, so you can see exactly why each answer belongs where it does. If you want gentle nudges instead of spoilers for future games, check our daily NYT Connections hints and answers hub.
Looking for Previous Solutions?
- Filler Words: ACTUALLY, LIKE, SO, WELL
- By Means Of: BY, PER, THROUGH, VIA
- ___ Mode: AIRPLANE, BEAST, DARK, À LA
- U.S. Airport Codes Plus Starting Letter: ASEA, FLAX, LORD, OLGA
All 16 NYT Connections Words for August 2, 2026
The 16 words in today's grid were: ACTUALLY, LIKE, SO, WELL, BY, PER, THROUGH, VIA, AIRPLANE, BEAST, DARK, À LA, ASEA, FLAX, LORD and OLGA. In Connections, you sort these 16 words into four groups of four. Today they split into conversational conversational filler words, prepositions meaning "by means of," words followed by "mode," and letter-prefixed 3-letter U.S. airport codes.
Filler Words: ACTUALLY, LIKE, SO, WELL
These four terms are commonly used in spoken speech to pause, add emphasis, or introduce a statement without adding essential semantic meaning.
ACTUALLY (Meaning)
Actually is an adverb used as a filler word in conversation to emphasize a point or gently correct a statement.
LIKE (Meaning)
Like is frequently used in casual speech as a conversational pause, hesitation, or qualifier.
SO (Meaning)
So is used at the beginning of a sentence or thought to transition or gather thoughts before speaking.
WELL (Meaning)
Well is an introductory word used to fill a pause or acknowledge a statement before responding.
By Means Of: BY, PER, THROUGH, VIA
Each of these four prepositions is used to indicate the channel, agent, method, or path through which an action is completed.
BY (Meaning)
By indicates the means, method, or agency through which something is performed or accomplished.
PER (Meaning)
Per denotes "by means of" or "according to" when specifying a process or rate.
THROUGH (Meaning)
Through signifies passing via a process, route, or medium from start to finish.
VIA (Meaning)
Via translates directly to "by way of" or "by means of" a specified route, method, or person.
___ Mode: AIRPLANE, BEAST, DARK, À LA
When followed by the word "mode," each of these terms creates a well-known setting, state of mind, or linguistic phrase.
AIRPLANE (Meaning)
Airplane mode is a setting on mobile devices that disables wireless signal transmissions.
BEAST (Meaning)
Beast mode refers to a state of extreme focus, effort, or intense performance in sports or work.
DARK (Meaning)
Dark mode is a display setting that uses a dark color scheme for user interfaces to reduce eye strain.
À LA (Meaning)
À la mode is a French-derived phrase meaning "in fashion," or served with ice cream when describing desserts.
U.S. Airport Codes Plus Starting Letter: ASEA, FLAX, LORD, OLGA
Each of these valid four-letter words consists of an extra starting letter followed by a prominent 3-letter U.S. airport code (SEA, LAX, ORD, LGA).
ASEA (Meaning)
ASEA combines the letter 'A' with SEA (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport), forming a word that means on or upon the ocean.
FLAX (Meaning)
FLAX combines the letter 'F' with LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), forming a word for a textile plant producing linen.
LORD (Meaning)
LORD combines the letter 'L' with ORD (Chicago O'Hare International Airport), forming a term for a nobleman or ruler.
OLGA (Meaning)
OLGA combines the letter 'O' with LGA (LaGuardia Airport in New York), forming a common proper female name.
Why These Words Tripped Players Up
The August 2 puzzle contained subtle cross-group overlap. Words like LIKE and SO could easily be confused as relational connectors alongside BY, PER, THROUGH, and VIA. Furthermore, the purple group (ASEA, FLAX, LORD, OLGA) hid behind ordinary dictionary words, requiring players to spot the embedded 3-letter airport codes (SEA, LAX, ORD, LGA) to complete the grid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 16 words in NYT Connections for August 2, 2026?
The 16 words are ACTUALLY, LIKE, SO, WELL, BY, PER, THROUGH, VIA, AIRPLANE, BEAST, DARK, À LA, ASEA, FLAX, LORD and OLGA.
What do ACTUALLY, LIKE, SO and WELL have in common?
They are all common filler words and speech pauses used in spoken language.
Why are BY, PER, THROUGH and VIA grouped together?
They are all prepositions used to express the concept of "by means of" or "by way of."
What phrases do AIRPLANE, BEAST, DARK and À LA create with "MODE"?
They form common compound terms and phrases: Airplane mode, Beast mode, Dark mode, and à la mode.
How do ASEA, FLAX, LORD and OLGA relate to airports?
Each word is composed of an extra prefix letter added in front of a major 3-letter U.S. airport code (A-SEA, F-LAX, L-ORD, O-LGA).
Final Thoughts
Now you know the full definitions and contextual connections for all 16 words in the August 2, 2026 NYT Connections grid. Bookmark our site and check back daily for comprehensive answer breakdowns, vocabulary guides, and strategic hints!
