NYT Connections Hints and Answers — Sunday, April 26, 2026 (Puzzle #1050)
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🧩 NYT Connections Answers Today — April 26, 2026 (Puzzle #1050)
Here are the complete answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle, Sunday, April 26, 2026:
- 🟨 Yellow – PARTS OF A BOOK: Cover, Index, Page, Spine
- 🟩 Green – WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS: Cook, Drive, Play, Run
- 🟦 Blue – THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”: Bath, Card, Curtain, Weapon
- 🟪 Purple – ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS: Ceiling, Darling, Morning, Wedding
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 Sunday, April 26, 2026. If you're stuck on Puzzle #1050, 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 #1050
- Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
- Puzzle Number: #1050
- Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
- Trickiest Category: Purple — ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS
- Easiest Category: Yellow — PARTS OF A BOOK
📖 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 — April 26, 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.
WEDDING Connections Hint Today
WEDDING belongs to the Purple group ("ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
Definition: WEDDING is one of the four words in the "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" category. While WEDDING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
DARLING Connections Hint Today
DARLING belongs to the Purple group ("ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
Definition: DARLING is one of the four words in the "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" category. While DARLING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
CURTAIN Connections Hint Today
CURTAIN belongs to the Blue group ("THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
Definition: CURTAIN is one of the four words in the "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" category. While CURTAIN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
COOK Connections Hint Today
COOK belongs to the Green group ("WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS"). 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 & NOUNS".
Definition: COOK is one of the four words in the "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" category. While COOK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS".
CARD Connections Hint Today
CARD belongs to the Blue group ("THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
Definition: CARD is one of the four words in the "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" category. While CARD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
BATH Connections Hint Today
BATH belongs to the Blue group ("THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
Definition: BATH is one of the four words in the "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" category. While BATH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
RUN Connections Hint Today
RUN belongs to the Green group ("WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS"). 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 & NOUNS".
Definition: RUN is one of the four words in the "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" category. While RUN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS".
SPINE Connections Hint Today
SPINE belongs to the Yellow group ("PARTS OF A BOOK"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
Definition: SPINE is one of the four words in the "PARTS OF A BOOK" category. While SPINE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
PAGE Connections Hint Today
PAGE belongs to the Yellow group ("PARTS OF A BOOK"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
Definition: PAGE is one of the four words in the "PARTS OF A BOOK" category. While PAGE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
DRIVE Connections Hint Today
DRIVE belongs to the Green group ("WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS"). 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 & NOUNS".
Definition: DRIVE is one of the four words in the "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" category. While DRIVE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS".
PLAY Connections Hint Today
PLAY belongs to the Green group ("WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS"). 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 & NOUNS".
Definition: PLAY is one of the four words in the "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" category. While PLAY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS".
MORNING Connections Hint Today
MORNING belongs to the Purple group ("ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
Definition: MORNING is one of the four words in the "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" category. While MORNING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
CEILING Connections Hint Today
CEILING belongs to the Purple group ("ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
Definition: CEILING is one of the four words in the "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" category. While CEILING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
COVER Connections Hint Today
COVER belongs to the Yellow group ("PARTS OF A BOOK"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
Definition: COVER is one of the four words in the "PARTS OF A BOOK" category. While COVER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
WEAPON Connections Hint Today
WEAPON belongs to the Blue group ("THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
Definition: WEAPON is one of the four words in the "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" category. While WEAPON has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
INDEX Connections Hint Today
INDEX belongs to the Yellow group ("PARTS OF A BOOK"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
Definition: INDEX is one of the four words in the "PARTS OF A BOOK" category. While INDEX has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
WEDDING belongs to the Purple group ("ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
💡 Spoiler-Free Hints — NYT Connections April 26, 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 "PARTS OF A BOOK" — 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 "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" — 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 "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" — 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 "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" — 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 "PARTS OF A BOOK" — 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 "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" — 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 "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" — 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 "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" — 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 COVER and COOK might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. COVER is part of "PARTS OF A BOOK" while COOK belongs to "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS". Don't group them together.
Words like COVER and BATH might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. COVER is part of "PARTS OF A BOOK" while BATH belongs to "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”". Don't group them together.
Words like COVER and CEILING might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. COVER is part of "PARTS OF A BOOK" while CEILING belongs to "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS". 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
PARTS OF A BOOK
🟩 Green
WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS
🟦 Blue
THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”
🟪 Purple
ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS
🔥 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 | Cover, Index | What other words fit the "PARTS OF A BOOK" theme? |
| 🟩 Green | Cook, Drive | What other words fit the "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" theme? |
| 🟦 Blue | Bath, Card | What other words fit the "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" theme? |
| 🟪 Purple | Ceiling, Darling | What other words fit the "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" theme? |
✅ Full Answers — NYT Connections Today, April 26, 2026 (Puzzle #1050)
Here are the complete NYT Connections answers for today, Sunday, April 26, 2026. Puzzle #1050 is fully solved below.
🟨 Yellow — PARTS OF A BOOK
🟩 Green — WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS
🟦 Blue — THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”
🟪 Purple — ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS
🔍 Per-Word Explanations — Every Answer Defined
Let's dive deep into every word in today's Connections Puzzle #1050 — what each word means, why it belongs to its group, and how the puzzle uses it.
🟨 Yellow (Easiest) — PARTS OF A BOOK
The easiest category is "PARTS OF A BOOK". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
COVER
COVER is one of the four words in the "PARTS OF A BOOK" category. While COVER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
INDEX
INDEX is one of the four words in the "PARTS OF A BOOK" category. While INDEX has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
PAGE
PAGE is one of the four words in the "PARTS OF A BOOK" category. While PAGE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
SPINE
SPINE is one of the four words in the "PARTS OF A BOOK" category. While SPINE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "PARTS OF A BOOK".
🟩 Green (Medium) — WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS
The medium category is "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
COOK
COOK is one of the four words in the "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" category. While COOK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS".
DRIVE
DRIVE is one of the four words in the "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" category. While DRIVE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS".
PLAY
PLAY is one of the four words in the "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" category. While PLAY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS".
RUN
RUN is one of the four words in the "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS" category. While RUN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS".
🟦 Blue (Hard) — THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”
The hard category is "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BATH
BATH is one of the four words in the "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" category. While BATH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
CARD
CARD is one of the four words in the "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" category. While CARD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
CURTAIN
CURTAIN is one of the four words in the "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" category. While CURTAIN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
WEAPON
WEAPON is one of the four words in the "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”" category. While WEAPON has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”".
🟪 Purple (Hardest) — ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS
The hardest category is "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
CEILING
CEILING is one of the four words in the "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" category. While CEILING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
DARLING
DARLING is one of the four words in the "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" category. While DARLING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
MORNING
MORNING is one of the four words in the "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" category. While MORNING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
WEDDING
WEDDING is one of the four words in the "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" category. While WEDDING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS".
📊 Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
| Group | Difficulty | Solve Order |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow — PARTS OF A BOOK | ⭐ Easy | Solve FIRST — the easiest category |
| 🟩 Green — WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS | ⭐⭐ Medium | Solve SECOND |
| 🟦 Blue — THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN” | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Solve THIRD |
| 🟪 Purple — ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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 #1145
- 🟨 Virtuous: FAIR, GOOD, JUST, RIGHT
- 🟩 Activities With Multiple Balls: BEER PONG, BINGO, JUGGLING, POOL
- 🟦 Cruise Lines: CARNIVAL, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, VIKING
- 🟪 On the ___, To Mean "Precise": DOT, MARK, MONEY, NOSE
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Connections April 26, 2026
The answers for NYT Connections Puzzle #1050 (April 26, 2026) are: 🟨 Yellow (PARTS OF A BOOK): Cover, Index, Page, Spine | 🟩 Green (WORDS THAT ARE ALSO VERBS & NOUNS): Cook, Drive, Play, Run | 🟦 Blue (THINGS THAT CAN BE “DRAWN”): Bath, Card, Curtain, Weapon | 🟪 Purple (ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS): Ceiling, Darling, Morning, Wedding.
The yellow category in today's Connections (April 26, 2026) is "PARTS OF A BOOK" and the four answers are Cover, Index, Page, Spine.
The purple category in today's Connections (April 26, 2026) is "ENDING WITH “ING” BUT NOT GERUNDS" and the answers are Ceiling, Darling, Morning, Wedding.
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 April 26, 2026, there have been 1,050 NYT Connections puzzles since the game launched on June 12, 2023.
🏆 That's Today's NYT Connections Solved — Puzzle #1050
Come back tomorrow for Puzzle #1051 — 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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