If you played the NYT Connections puzzle on July 22, 2026 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 HIVES, ITCHING, RASH, REDNESS, HOLE, PAR, SCORE, STROKES, PINS, SNAPS, TWEETS, VINES, HOOVES, MANE, TAIL and WHITE STRIPES 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, check our NYT Connections hints today.
All 16 NYT Connections Words for July 22, 2026
The 16 words in today's grid were: HIVES, ITCHING, RASH, REDNESS, HOLE, PAR, SCORE, STROKES, PINS, SNAPS, TWEETS, VINES, HOOVES, MANE, TAIL and WHITE STRIPES. In Connections, you sort these 16 words into four groups of four. Today they split into symptoms of an allergic reaction, things on a golf scorecard, platform-specific social media posts, and features of a zebra.
Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction: HIVES, ITCHING, RASH, REDNESS
These four words all describe physical symptoms your body can show during an allergic reaction.
HIVES (Meaning)
Hives are raised, itchy welts that appear on the skin during an allergic reaction. Medically known as urticaria, hives can vary in size and often appear suddenly after exposure to an allergen such as certain foods, medications or insect stings.
ITCHING (Meaning)
Itching is an irritating skin sensation that creates an urge to scratch. It is one of the most common and earliest symptoms of an allergic reaction, often accompanying hives, rashes and swelling.
RASH (Meaning)
A rash is an area of irritated, red or swollen skin that can appear during an allergic reaction. Rashes may present as flat patches, raised bumps or blisters and are a hallmark sign that the immune system is responding to an allergen.
REDNESS (Meaning)
Redness refers to the red discoloration of the skin caused by increased blood flow to the affected area. During an allergic reaction, redness typically accompanies swelling and itching as the body releases histamine.
On a Golf Scorecard: HOLE, PAR, SCORE, STROKES
Each of these is a standard term found on a golf scorecard.
HOLE (Meaning)
A hole in golf refers to both the physical cup on the green and the entire stretch of play from tee to green. A standard golf course has 18 holes, and every scorecard lists each hole by number so players can record their performance.
PAR (Meaning)
Par is the predetermined number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete a hole. Par values are printed on every scorecard and typically range from 3 to 5 depending on the hole's length and difficulty.
SCORE (Meaning)
A score in golf is the total number of strokes a player takes to complete a round or an individual hole. The scorecard is specifically designed for recording each player's score hole by hole.
STROKES (Meaning)
Strokes are the individual swings a golfer makes to hit the ball. Each stroke counts toward the player's score, and the goal is to complete every hole in as few strokes as possible. The scorecard tracks strokes per hole.
Platform-Specific Posts: PINS, SNAPS, TWEETS, VINES
Each of these words is the name for content posted on a specific social media platform.
PINS (Meaning)
Pins are the posts shared on Pinterest. A pin is an image or video that users save to themed boards, often featuring recipes, DIY projects, fashion inspiration or home décor ideas.
SNAPS (Meaning)
Snaps are the photos or short videos sent through Snapchat. Snaps are designed to disappear after being viewed, making them the platform's signature form of ephemeral, in-the-moment content.
TWEETS (Meaning)
Tweets are the short-form text posts published on Twitter (now called X). Originally limited to 140 characters and later expanded to 280, tweets became one of the most recognizable content formats in social media history.
VINES (Meaning)
Vines were the six-second looping video clips posted on Vine, a platform that launched in 2013 and shut down in 2017. Despite its short lifespan, Vine popularized short-form video content and launched countless internet creators.
Features of a Zebra: HOOVES, MANE, TAIL, WHITE STRIPES
All four of these describe physical features found on a zebra.
HOOVES (Meaning)
Hooves are the hard, keratin coverings on the feet of zebras and other ungulates like horses and donkeys. Zebras have single-toed hooves that help them run at speeds up to 65 km/h across the African savanna.
MANE (Meaning)
A mane is the strip of long hair growing along the top of an animal's neck. Unlike a horse's flowing mane, a zebra's mane stands upright in a short, stiff, bristly mohawk that runs from forehead to shoulders.
TAIL (Meaning)
A tail is the flexible appendage extending from the rear of an animal's body. A zebra's tail has a tufted tip and serves a practical purpose — it acts as a natural fly swatter, keeping insects away from the animal's body.
WHITE STRIPES (Meaning)
White stripes are the defining visual feature of a zebra's coat. Each zebra's stripe pattern is unique, much like a human fingerprint. Scientists believe the stripes may help with thermoregulation, camouflage and deterring biting flies.
Why These Words Tripped Players Up
The July 22 puzzle thrived on words with strong double meanings. STROKES is the biggest trap — it fits both the golf scorecard group and could suggest medical symptoms (as in heat stroke) alongside the allergy category. RASH works as an adjective meaning reckless, pulling attention away from its medical meaning. PINS could point toward bowling or sewing before you spot the Pinterest connection, and VINES reads as a garden plant before the social media platform clicks. The sneakiest entry is WHITE STRIPES — many solvers immediately thought of the famous rock band featuring Jack and Meg White, but here it purely describes the zebra's distinctive coat markings. Once you anchor on the Yellow allergy group first, the rest of the grid sorts itself out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 16 words in NYT Connections for July 22, 2026?
The 16 words are HIVES, ITCHING, RASH, REDNESS, HOLE, PAR, SCORE, STROKES, PINS, SNAPS, TWEETS, VINES, HOOVES, MANE, TAIL and WHITE STRIPES.
What do HIVES, ITCHING, RASH and REDNESS have in common?
They are all symptoms of an allergic reaction — physical responses the body shows when exposed to an allergen like pollen, certain foods or insect stings.
Why are HOLE, PAR, SCORE and STROKES grouped together?
All four are standard terms printed on a golf scorecard. They represent the metrics and labels golfers use to track their performance during a round.
What makes PINS, SNAPS, TWEETS and VINES a group?
Each word is the specific name for a post on a particular social media platform: Pins on Pinterest, Snaps on Snapchat, Tweets on Twitter and Vines on Vine.
Why are HOOVES, MANE, TAIL and WHITE STRIPES grouped together?
They are all physical features of a zebra. While horses also have hooves, a mane and a tail, only zebras have white stripes as a distinguishing body feature.
Is WHITE STRIPES one word or two in this puzzle?
WHITE STRIPES is a two-word answer in this puzzle. It refers to the distinctive white markings on a zebra's coat, not the rock band The White Stripes.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the meaning and definition of every one of the 16 NYT Connections words from July 22, 2026 — from HIVES and RASH to VINES and WHITE STRIPES. Understanding each word's multiple senses is the real key to beating Connections, since the puzzle thrives on words that could fit in more than one group. Bookmark us and come back daily for more word meanings and Connections breakdowns.
