If you played the NYT Connections puzzle on August 7, 2026 (#1153) 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 FRAGRANCE, JAR, WAX, WICK, LIQUID NITROGEN, REFRIGERATOR, SNOW, SUNDAE, BUTTONS, CABLES, MOTOR, SHAFT, BUCKYBALL, JACKPOT, RAMBO and TOMATILLO 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.
- Components of a Candle: FRAGRANCE, JAR, WAX, WICK
- Cold Things: LIQUID NITROGEN, REFRIGERATOR, SNOW, SUNDAE
- Parts of an Elevator: BUTTONS, CABLES, MOTOR, SHAFT
- Starting with Male Animals: BUCKYBALL, JACKPOT, RAMBO, TOMATILLO
All 16 NYT Connections Words for August 7, 2026 (#1153)
The 16 words in today's grid were: FRAGRANCE, JAR, WAX, WICK, LIQUID NITROGEN, REFRIGERATOR, SNOW, SUNDAE, BUTTONS, CABLES, MOTOR, SHAFT, BUCKYBALL, JACKPOT, RAMBO and TOMATILLO. In Connections, you sort these 16 words into four groups of four. Today they split into candle components, famously cold things, mechanical parts of an elevator, and words that secretly begin with the name of a male animal.
Components of a Candle: FRAGRANCE, JAR, WAX, WICK
These four words represent the essential physical and sensory elements that make up a typical candle.
FRAGRANCE (Meaning)
Fragrance refers to a pleasant or sweet-smelling scent. In the context of candles, fragrance oils or essential oils are blended into the wax to produce an aromatic scent when the candle is burned.
JAR (Meaning)
A jar is a wide-mouthed cylindrical container, typically made of glass. Many modern candles are poured directly into glass jars, which serve as both the mold and the decorative vessel for the finished product.
WAX (Meaning)
Wax is a solid, malleable substance that forms the primary body of a candle. Common candle waxes include paraffin, soy, beeswax, and coconut wax. It melts when heated, creating the fuel that sustains the flame.
WICK (Meaning)
A wick is a length of cord or fibrous material running through the center of a candle. It draws melted wax upward through capillary action to feed the flame and keep the candle burning steadily.
Cold Things: LIQUID NITROGEN, REFRIGERATOR, SNOW, SUNDAE
Each of these four things is strongly associated with cold temperatures, whether literally freezing or deliciously chilled.
LIQUID NITROGEN (Meaning)
Liquid nitrogen is nitrogen in its liquid state, maintained at an extremely cold temperature of approximately −196°C (−321°F). It is used in scientific research, food preparation, and medical procedures, and produces dramatic clouds of vapor when exposed to room-temperature air.
REFRIGERATOR (Meaning)
A refrigerator is a household appliance that uses refrigeration to maintain a cool internal temperature, typically between 1°C and 4°C (35–40°F). It is used to preserve food and beverages by slowing the growth of bacteria.
SNOW (Meaning)
Snow is precipitation in the form of ice crystals that fall from clouds and accumulate on the ground. It forms when water vapor in the atmosphere freezes directly into solid crystals at temperatures at or below 0°C (32°F).
SUNDAE (Meaning)
A sundae is a cold dessert consisting of ice cream topped with sauce (such as chocolate, caramel, or strawberry), whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. It is served chilled and is a classic American treat.
Parts of an Elevator: BUTTONS, CABLES, MOTOR, SHAFT
These four words all describe components found within or associated with a standard elevator system.
BUTTONS (Meaning)
Buttons in an elevator are the push-button controls found on the interior panel (and on each floor landing) that allow passengers to select their desired floor and operate the doors. Each button is connected to the elevator's control system.
CABLES (Meaning)
Cables are the thick, strong steel wire ropes that suspend the elevator car and its counterweight in a traction elevator system. They run over a sheave (pulley) driven by the motor and are critical to safely raising and lowering the car.
MOTOR (Meaning)
The motor is the electric drive unit that powers a traction elevator. It turns the sheave to move the cables, controlling the speed and direction of the elevator car. Modern elevators use high-efficiency electric motors with variable-frequency drives.
SHAFT (Meaning)
The elevator shaft (also called the hoistway) is the vertical enclosure or tunnel through which the elevator car travels. It contains the car, counterweight, cables, guide rails, and other mechanical components, and is enclosed by walls, doors, and safety barriers on each floor.
Starting with Male Animals: BUCKYBALL, JACKPOT, RAMBO, TOMATILLO
Each of these four words secretly begins with the name of a male animal hidden at the start of the word.
BUCKYBALL (Meaning)
A buckyball (formally buckminsterfullerene) is a molecule composed of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a spherical cage structure resembling a soccer ball. It begins with BUCK, the name for a male deer (also used for male rabbits, goats, and kangaroos). The molecule was named after architect Buckminster Fuller due to its resemblance to his geodesic dome designs.
JACKPOT (Meaning)
A jackpot is the top prize in a lottery, gambling game, or slot machine — a large, coveted cash reward. It begins with JACK, the term for a male donkey (also called a jackass). The word originated in poker, where the pot could only be opened by a player holding a pair of jacks or better.
RAMBO (Meaning)
Rambo is a cultural icon referring to the fictional action hero John Rambo, a highly skilled and seemingly unstoppable one-man army portrayed by Sylvester Stallone in the popular film franchise. It begins with RAM, the name for a male sheep. The character's name has become a common adjective for aggressively intense, one-sided combat.
TOMATILLO (Meaning)
A tomatillo is a small, green, tomato-like fruit native to Mexico, encased in a papery husk. It is a staple ingredient in Mexican cuisine, most notably used to make salsa verde. It begins with TOM, the name for a male cat (also called a tomcat). Despite resembling a small green tomato, the tomatillo belongs to a different genus of the nightshade family.
Why These Words Tripped Players Up
The August 7 (#1153) puzzle was a masterclass in misdirection. The Purple category — words beginning with male animal names — was particularly sneaky: BUCKYBALL looks purely scientific, JACKPOT sounds like pure luck, RAMBO reads as a proper noun, and TOMATILLO seems squarely like a food item. Many players likely sorted SUNDAE with desserts rather than cold things, and SNOW could plausibly feel like a standalone weather category. Meanwhile, SHAFT carries many meanings — a weapon, a music icon, a ray of light — making it easy to overthink. The candle category was the most approachable, but FRAGRANCE might have tempted players toward a perfume or scent-related grouping instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 16 words in NYT Connections for August 7, 2026 (#1153)?
The 16 words are FRAGRANCE, JAR, WAX, WICK, LIQUID NITROGEN, REFRIGERATOR, SNOW, SUNDAE, BUTTONS, CABLES, MOTOR, SHAFT, BUCKYBALL, JACKPOT, RAMBO and TOMATILLO.
What do FRAGRANCE, JAR, WAX and WICK have in common?
They are all core components or ingredients that make up a candle — the scent, the container, the fuel body, and the burning cord.
Why are LIQUID NITROGEN, REFRIGERATOR, SNOW and SUNDAE grouped together?
They are all things strongly associated with cold temperatures — from the extreme chill of liquid nitrogen to the frozen delight of an ice cream sundae.
What parts of an elevator are BUTTONS, CABLES, MOTOR and SHAFT?
BUTTONS are the floor-selection controls, CABLES are the steel ropes that suspend the car, MOTOR is the drive unit that powers the elevator, and SHAFT is the vertical enclosure (hoistway) through which the car travels.
What male animal names are hidden at the start of BUCKYBALL, JACKPOT, RAMBO and TOMATILLO?
BUCKYBALL starts with BUCK (male deer), JACKPOT starts with JACK (male donkey), RAMBO starts with RAM (male sheep), and TOMATILLO starts with TOM (male cat).
Final Thoughts
Now you know the full definitions and contextual connections for all 16 words in the August 7, 2026 (#1153) NYT Connections grid. The hidden male animal names in the Purple category make this one of the more creative and clever puzzles of the year. Bookmark our site and check back daily for comprehensive answer breakdowns, vocabulary guides, and strategic hints!
