If you played the NYT Connections puzzle on July 25, 2026 (#1140) 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 ABUELA, HIJO, MADRE, PRIMO, CHOKE, MIST, TEAR, WELL, KWANZA, LEONE, NAIRA, RAND, CLUB, MALL, POKER and STEAK 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 sports hints and answers hub.
- Spanish Relatives: ABUELA, HIJO, MADRE, PRIMO
- Start to Cry, with "Up": CHOKE, MIST, TEAR, WELL
- African Currencies: KWANZA, LEONE, NAIRA, RAND
- Strip ___: CLUB, MALL, POKER, STEAK
All 16 NYT Connections Words for July 25, 2026 (#1140)
The 16 words in today's grid were: ABUELA, HIJO, MADRE, PRIMO, CHOKE, MIST, TEAR, WELL, KWANZA, LEONE, NAIRA, RAND, CLUB, MALL, POKER and STEAK. In Connections, you sort these 16 words into four groups of four. Today they split into Spanish family terms, verbs associated with tearing up, currency units across African nations, and terms following "Strip."
Spanish Relatives: ABUELA, HIJO, MADRE, PRIMO
These four words represent core family relation terms in the Spanish language.
ABUELA (Meaning)
Abuela is the Spanish word for "grandmother." It is a term of affection and respect used widely across Spanish-speaking cultures.
HIJO (Meaning)
Hijo translates to "son" in Spanish, used to denote a male child in relation to his parents.
MADRE (Meaning)
Madre is the Spanish term for "mother," representing the female parent.
PRIMO (Meaning)
Primo means "cousin" (specifically a male cousin) in Spanish.
Start to Cry, with "Up": CHOKE, MIST, TEAR, WELL
When combined with the preposition "up," each of these verbs means to begin showing physical signs of crying or emotional overwhelm.
CHOKE (Meaning)
To choke up means to become rendered unable to speak normally due to strong emotion or holding back tears.
MIST (Meaning)
To mist up describes when eyes become filled with slight moisture or tears as a reaction to strong feelings.
TEAR (Meaning)
To tear up refers directly to liquid forming or brimming in the eyes just before crying.
WELL (Meaning)
To well up means for tears or emotion to rise to the surface and fill the eyes.
African Currencies: KWANZA, LEONE, NAIRA, RAND
These four terms represent official units of currency used by different African nations.
KWANZA (Meaning)
The kwanza is the official currency of Angola. (Note: Not to be confused with Kwanzaa, the annual cultural celebration).
LEONE (Meaning)
The leone is the official monetary unit of Sierra Leone.
NAIRA (Meaning)
The naira is the legal tender currency of Nigeria.
RAND (Meaning)
The rand is the official currency of South Africa, as well as several neighboring countries within the Common Monetary Area.
Strip ___: CLUB, MALL, POKER, STEAK
Each of these four nouns completes a popular two-word phrase when preceded by the word "Strip."
CLUB (Meaning)
A strip club is an adult entertainment venue featuring striptease performances.
MALL (Meaning)
A strip mall is an open-air shopping center arranged in a row with a continuous parking lot in front.
POKER (Meaning)
Strip poker is a variation of the classic card game where players remove clothing items when losing rounds instead of wagering money.
STEAK (Meaning)
A strip steak (often called a New York strip) is a high-quality, flavorful cut of beef from the short loin.
Why These Words Tripped Players Up
The July 25 (#1140) puzzle contained subtle overlap and misdirection. RAND looks like a male first name, while LEONE could easily be confused for a city or geographical area rather than a currency. Words like WELL, TEAR, and MIST serve as common standalone nouns until you realize they require "up" to complete the emotional action theme. Additionally, KWANZA easily tricks solvers into thinking of holidays rather than global economics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 16 words in NYT Connections for July 25, 2026 (#1140)?
The 16 words are ABUELA, HIJO, MADRE, PRIMO, CHOKE, MIST, TEAR, WELL, KWANZA, LEONE, NAIRA, RAND, CLUB, MALL, POKER and STEAK.
What do ABUELA, HIJO, MADRE and PRIMO have in common?
They are all Spanish vocabulary words referring to family members and relatives.
Why are CHOKE, MIST, TEAR and WELL grouped together?
They are verbs that express the act of starting to cry when followed by the word "UP" (e.g., choke up, tear up).
Which countries use the currencies KWANZA, LEONE, NAIRA and RAND?
Kwanza is used in Angola, Leone in Sierra Leone, Naira in Nigeria, and Rand in South Africa.
What compound phrases do CLUB, MALL, POKER and STEAK form with "STRIP"?
They form "strip club," "strip mall," "strip poker," and "strip steak."
Final Thoughts
Now you know the full definitions and contextual connections for all 16 words in the July 25, 2026 (#1140) NYT Connections grid. Bookmark our site and check back daily for comprehensive answer breakdowns, vocabulary guides, and strategic hints!
