NYT Connections Hints and Answers — Friday, May 1, 2026 (Puzzle #1055)
Written by Ranjit Kumar — Lead Editor & Puzzle Architect
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🧩 NYT Connections Answers Today — May 1, 2026 (Puzzle #1055)
Here are the complete answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle, Friday, May 1, 2026:
- 🟨 Yellow – Make something shiny / polish: BUFF, POLISH, SHINE, WAX
- 🟩 Green – Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds): COMB, SNOOD, WATTLE, CARUNCLE
- 🟦 Blue – Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”: BUG, IRK, NAG, PEST
- 🟪 Purple – Words that precede “bee”: BUMBLE, HONEY, SPELLING, WORKER
Want to try solving it yourself first? Scroll down for progressive spoiler-free hints before seeing the full breakdown.
Welcome to today's NYT Connections hints and answers guide for Friday, May 1, 2026. If you're stuck on Puzzle #1055, you're in the right place. We'll start with spoiler-free progressive hints so you can try to figure it out on your own, then reveal the full Connections answers for today with a detailed explanation of each group.
📌 Key Takeaways — Puzzle #1055
- Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
- Puzzle Number: #1055
- Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
- Trickiest Category: Purple — Words that precede “bee”
- Easiest Category: Yellow — Make something shiny / polish
📖 In This Guide
- Tap-to-Reveal Word Hints (Interactive Grid)
- Spoiler-Free Category Hints
- Progressive Category Reveal
- Traps & Misdirects
- One-Word Hints for Each Group
- Two-Away Hints (Almost There)
- Full Answers & Solution Revealed
- Per-Word Explanations & Definitions
- Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
- How to Play NYT Connections
- FAQ
🔮 Connections Hint for Each Word Today — May 1, 2026
Tap any word to see its Connections hint — what it means in today's puzzle, no spoilers. Uncover all 16 to fill the progress bar.
WAX Connections Hint Today
WAX belongs to the Yellow group ("Make something shiny / polish"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Make something shiny / polish".
Definition: WAX is one of the four words in the "Make something shiny / polish" category. While WAX has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Make something shiny / polish".
BUMBLE Connections Hint Today
BUMBLE belongs to the Purple group ("Words that precede “bee”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words that precede “bee”".
Definition: BUMBLE is one of the four words in the "Words that precede “bee”" category. While BUMBLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that precede “bee”".
BUG Connections Hint Today
BUG belongs to the Blue group ("Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
Definition: BUG is one of the four words in the "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" category. While BUG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
WATTLE Connections Hint Today
WATTLE belongs to the Green group ("Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
Definition: WATTLE is one of the four words in the "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" category. While WATTLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
PEST Connections Hint Today
PEST belongs to the Blue group ("Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
Definition: PEST is one of the four words in the "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" category. While PEST has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
POLISH Connections Hint Today
POLISH belongs to the Yellow group ("Make something shiny / polish"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Make something shiny / polish".
Definition: POLISH is one of the four words in the "Make something shiny / polish" category. While POLISH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Make something shiny / polish".
SNOOD Connections Hint Today
SNOOD belongs to the Green group ("Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
Definition: SNOOD is one of the four words in the "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" category. While SNOOD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
WORKER Connections Hint Today
WORKER belongs to the Purple group ("Words that precede “bee”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words that precede “bee”".
Definition: WORKER is one of the four words in the "Words that precede “bee”" category. While WORKER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that precede “bee”".
SPELLING Connections Hint Today
SPELLING belongs to the Purple group ("Words that precede “bee”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words that precede “bee”".
Definition: SPELLING is one of the four words in the "Words that precede “bee”" category. While SPELLING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that precede “bee”".
BUFF Connections Hint Today
BUFF belongs to the Yellow group ("Make something shiny / polish"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Make something shiny / polish".
Definition: BUFF is one of the four words in the "Make something shiny / polish" category. While BUFF has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Make something shiny / polish".
NAG Connections Hint Today
NAG belongs to the Blue group ("Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
Definition: NAG is one of the four words in the "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" category. While NAG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
IRK Connections Hint Today
IRK belongs to the Blue group ("Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
Definition: IRK is one of the four words in the "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" category. While IRK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
HONEY Connections Hint Today
HONEY belongs to the Purple group ("Words that precede “bee”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words that precede “bee”".
Definition: HONEY is one of the four words in the "Words that precede “bee”" category. While HONEY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that precede “bee”".
COMB Connections Hint Today
COMB belongs to the Green group ("Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
Definition: COMB is one of the four words in the "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" category. While COMB has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
SHINE Connections Hint Today
SHINE belongs to the Yellow group ("Make something shiny / polish"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Make something shiny / polish".
Definition: SHINE is one of the four words in the "Make something shiny / polish" category. While SHINE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Make something shiny / polish".
CARUNCLE Connections Hint Today
CARUNCLE belongs to the Green group ("Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
Definition: CARUNCLE is one of the four words in the "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" category. While CARUNCLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
WAX belongs to the Yellow group ("Make something shiny / polish"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Make something shiny / polish".
💡 Spoiler-Free Hints — NYT Connections May 1, 2026
Not ready for the full answer? Try these progressive hints for today's Connections puzzle. We start vague and get more specific.
🟨 Yellow Group Hint
Theme Hint: This is the easiest category. Think about what connects the concept of "Make something shiny / polish" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
🟩 Green Group Hint
Theme Hint: This is a medium-difficulty category. Think about what connects the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
🟦 Blue Group Hint
Theme Hint: This is a tricky category. Think about what connects the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
🟪 Purple Group Hint
Theme Hint: This is the hardest category. Think about what connects the concept of "Words that precede “bee”" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
🔓 Reveal Answers Progressively
Reveal each group step-by-step. Click "See Hint", then "See Group Name", then individual words.
Yellow Connections Hint Today
This is the easiest category. Think about what connects the concept of "Make something shiny / polish" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
Green Connections Hint Today
This is a medium-difficulty category. Think about what connects the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
Blue Connections Hint Today
This is a tricky category. Think about what connects the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
Purple Connections Hint Today
This is the hardest category. Think about what connects the concept of "Words that precede “bee”" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
⚠️ Traps & Misdirects in Today's Connections
Today's puzzle includes words intentionally placed to misdirect you. These trap hints reveal which words are designed to mislead, so you don't burn your 4 allowed mistakes on deliberate decoys.
Words like BUFF and COMB might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. BUFF is part of "Make something shiny / polish" while COMB belongs to "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)". Don't group them together.
Words like BUFF and BUG might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. BUFF is part of "Make something shiny / polish" while BUG belongs to "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”". Don't group them together.
Words like BUFF and BUMBLE might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. BUFF is part of "Make something shiny / polish" while BUMBLE belongs to "Words that precede “bee”". Don't group them together.
🔑 One-Word Hints for Each Group
Still need a nudge? Here's one word that describes each group's theme:
🟨 Yellow
MAKE SOMETHING SHINY / POLISH
🟩 Green
FLESHY GROWTHS ON ANIMALS (ESP. BIRDS)
🟦 Blue
WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS MEANING “TO BOTHER/ANNOY”
🟪 Purple
WORDS THAT PRECEDE “BEE”
🔥 Two-Away Hints — Almost the Full Answer
Last chance before the full reveal. Here are two members of each group:
| Group | Two Revealed Words | Can You Find the Other Two? |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow | BUFF, POLISH | What other words fit the "Make something shiny / polish" theme? |
| 🟩 Green | COMB, SNOOD | What other words fit the "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" theme? |
| 🟦 Blue | BUG, IRK | What other words fit the "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" theme? |
| 🟪 Purple | BUMBLE, HONEY | What other words fit the "Words that precede “bee”" theme? |
✅ Full Answers — NYT Connections Today, May 1, 2026 (Puzzle #1055)
Here are the complete NYT Connections answers for today, Friday, May 1, 2026. Puzzle #1055 is fully solved below.
🟨 Yellow — Make something shiny / polish
🟩 Green — Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)
🟦 Blue — Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”
🟪 Purple — Words that precede “bee”
🔍 Per-Word Explanations — Every Answer Defined
Let's dive deep into every word in today's Connections Puzzle #1055 — what each word means, why it belongs to its group, and how the puzzle uses it.
🟨 Yellow (Easiest) — Make something shiny / polish
The easiest category is "Make something shiny / polish". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BUFF
BUFF is one of the four words in the "Make something shiny / polish" category. While BUFF has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Make something shiny / polish".
POLISH
POLISH is one of the four words in the "Make something shiny / polish" category. While POLISH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Make something shiny / polish".
SHINE
SHINE is one of the four words in the "Make something shiny / polish" category. While SHINE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Make something shiny / polish".
WAX
WAX is one of the four words in the "Make something shiny / polish" category. While WAX has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Make something shiny / polish".
🟩 Green (Medium) — Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)
The medium category is "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
COMB
COMB is one of the four words in the "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" category. While COMB has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
SNOOD
SNOOD is one of the four words in the "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" category. While SNOOD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
WATTLE
WATTLE is one of the four words in the "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" category. While WATTLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
CARUNCLE
CARUNCLE is one of the four words in the "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)" category. While CARUNCLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)".
🟦 Blue (Hard) — Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”
The hard category is "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BUG
BUG is one of the four words in the "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" category. While BUG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
IRK
IRK is one of the four words in the "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" category. While IRK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
NAG
NAG is one of the four words in the "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" category. While NAG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
PEST
PEST is one of the four words in the "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”" category. While PEST has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”".
🟪 Purple (Hardest) — Words that precede “bee”
The hardest category is "Words that precede “bee”". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BUMBLE
BUMBLE is one of the four words in the "Words that precede “bee”" category. While BUMBLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that precede “bee”".
HONEY
HONEY is one of the four words in the "Words that precede “bee”" category. While HONEY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that precede “bee”".
SPELLING
SPELLING is one of the four words in the "Words that precede “bee”" category. While SPELLING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that precede “bee”".
WORKER
WORKER is one of the four words in the "Words that precede “bee”" category. While WORKER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words that precede “bee”".
📊 Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
| Group | Difficulty | Solve Order |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow — Make something shiny / polish | ⭐ Easy | Solve FIRST — the easiest category |
| 🟩 Green — Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds) | ⭐⭐ Medium | Solve SECOND |
| 🟦 Blue — Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy” | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Solve THIRD |
| 🟪 Purple — Words that precede “bee” | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Hard | Solve LAST or by elimination |
🎮 How to Play NYT Connections
New to the game? Here's a quick guide:
1️⃣
Study the 16 Words
Find four groups of four related words in the 4×4 grid.
2️⃣
Select & Submit
Tap four words you think belong together and hit "Submit."
3️⃣
4 Mistakes Max
Wrong guesses cost a life. After 4 mistakes, the game ends.
4️⃣
Solve All Four
Yellow = easiest, Purple = hardest. Solve all four to win!
🗞️ What Is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle game created by Wyna Liu and published by The New York Times. Launched in mid-2023, it has become one of the most popular word games online alongside Wordle. Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be organized into four groups of four sharing a common theme.
- 🟨 Yellow — Easiest (straightforward connections)
- 🟩 Green — Medium difficulty
- 🟦 Blue — Hard (tricky connections or wordplay)
- 🟪 Purple — Hardest (often abstract, suffix/prefix patterns, or obscure links)
📅 Yesterday's Answers — Puzzle #1144
- 🟨 FASTENERS: NAIL, RIVET, SCREW, STAPLE
- 🟩 NONDESCRIPT: BASIC, MID, PLAIN, VANILLA
- 🟦 UNITS OF WISDOM: GEM, NUGGET, PEARL, WORD
- 🟪 ____BOARDS IN A CLASSROOM: BLACK, CHALK, CORK, WHITE
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Connections May 1, 2026
The answers for NYT Connections Puzzle #1055 (May 1, 2026) are: 🟨 Yellow (Make something shiny / polish): BUFF, POLISH, SHINE, WAX | 🟩 Green (Fleshy growths on animals (esp. birds)): COMB, SNOOD, WATTLE, CARUNCLE | 🟦 Blue (Words that are also verbs meaning “to bother/annoy”): BUG, IRK, NAG, PEST | 🟪 Purple (Words that precede “bee”): BUMBLE, HONEY, SPELLING, WORKER.
The yellow category in today's Connections (May 1, 2026) is "Make something shiny / polish" and the four answers are BUFF, POLISH, SHINE, WAX.
The purple category in today's Connections (May 1, 2026) is "Words that precede “bee”" and the answers are BUMBLE, HONEY, SPELLING, WORKER.
A new NYT Connections puzzle is released every day at midnight Eastern Time (ET). That's 9:00 PM Pacific, 5:00 AM BST, or 2:00 PM AEST. Bookmark this page for daily hints!
You are allowed up to 4 mistakes. After 4 incorrect guesses, the game ends and all remaining answers are revealed. Start with Yellow (easiest) to minimize errors.
The colors indicate difficulty: 🟨 Yellow is the easiest, 🟩 Green is moderate, 🟦 Blue is tricky, and 🟪 Purple is the hardest (often involving wordplay or abstract connections).
Yes! NYT Connections is free to play daily on The New York Times website and app. No subscription is required. You can also play unlimited sports-themed puzzles for free at ConnectionsSports.com.
As of May 1, 2026, there have been 1,055 NYT Connections puzzles since the game launched on June 12, 2023.
🏆 That's Today's NYT Connections Solved — Puzzle #1055
Come back tomorrow for Puzzle #1056 — we'll have fresh hints and answers waiting for you right here!
Questions or feedback? Contact Ranjit Kumar — puzzle architect and creator of ConnectionsSports.com.
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