NYT Connections Hints and Answers — Thursday, July 9, 2026 (Puzzle #1124)
Written by Ranjit Kumar — Lead Editor & Puzzle Architect
Ranjit is a lifelong puzzle enthusiast and the creator of ConnectionsSports.com. He has analyzed 1,000+ Connections puzzles and helps thousands of daily players master the game.
Last Updated: | Fact-Checked: ✅ Verified | ✉️ Contact the Author
🧩 NYT Connections Answers Today — July 9, 2026 (Puzzle #1124)
Here are the complete answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle, Thursday, July 9, 2026:
- 🟨 Yellow – Non-alcoholic designators: NA, SPIRIT-FREE, VIRGIN, ZERO-PROOF
- 🟩 Green – Music publications: BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE, SPIN
- 🟦 Blue – Kinds of rugs: PERSIAN, PRAYER, SHAG, THROW
- 🟪 Purple – Pontiac models: FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, TRANS AM
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 Thursday, July 9, 2026. If you're stuck on Puzzle #1124, 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 #1124
- Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
- Puzzle Number: #1124
- Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
- Trickiest Category: Purple — Pontiac models
- Easiest Category: Yellow — Non-alcoholic designators
- Red Herring Warning: GRAND PRIX is a major red herring — it could easily be mistaken for a Formula 1 or motorsport reference rather than a car model. Similarly, FIREBIRD may mislead solvers into thinking about mythology or the Stravinsky ballet. ROLLING STONE (without the "S") could pull toward the band rather than the magazine. PERSIAN has strong associations with cats, Gulf geography, and historical empires that distract from its rug meaning. SPIN could mislead toward music (DJ spinning records) AND toward rugs — pay attention to which group it actually fits.
📖 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 — July 9, 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.
SPIN Connections Hint Today
SPIN belongs to the Green group ("Music publications"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Music publications".
Definition: SPIN is one of the four words in the "Music publications" category. While SPIN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Music publications".
SPIRIT-FREE Connections Hint Today
SPIRIT-FREE belongs to the Yellow group ("Non-alcoholic designators"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Non-alcoholic designators".
Definition: SPIRIT-FREE is one of the four words in the "Non-alcoholic designators" category. While SPIRIT-FREE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Non-alcoholic designators".
PITCHFORK Connections Hint Today
PITCHFORK belongs to the Green group ("Music publications"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Music publications".
Definition: PITCHFORK is one of the four words in the "Music publications" category. While PITCHFORK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Music publications".
FIREBIRD Connections Hint Today
FIREBIRD belongs to the Purple group ("Pontiac models"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pontiac models".
Definition: FIREBIRD is one of the four words in the "Pontiac models" category. While FIREBIRD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pontiac models".
VIRGIN Connections Hint Today
VIRGIN belongs to the Yellow group ("Non-alcoholic designators"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Non-alcoholic designators".
Definition: VIRGIN is one of the four words in the "Non-alcoholic designators" category. While VIRGIN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Non-alcoholic designators".
BILLBOARD Connections Hint Today
BILLBOARD belongs to the Green group ("Music publications"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Music publications".
Definition: BILLBOARD is one of the four words in the "Music publications" category. While BILLBOARD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Music publications".
PERSIAN Connections Hint Today
PERSIAN belongs to the Blue group ("Kinds of rugs"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Kinds of rugs".
Definition: PERSIAN is one of the four words in the "Kinds of rugs" category. While PERSIAN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of rugs".
ROLLING STONE Connections Hint Today
ROLLING STONE belongs to the Green group ("Music publications"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Music publications".
Definition: ROLLING STONE is one of the four words in the "Music publications" category. While ROLLING STONE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Music publications".
SHAG Connections Hint Today
SHAG belongs to the Blue group ("Kinds of rugs"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Kinds of rugs".
Definition: SHAG is one of the four words in the "Kinds of rugs" category. While SHAG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of rugs".
G6 Connections Hint Today
G6 belongs to the Purple group ("Pontiac models"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pontiac models".
Definition: G6 is one of the four words in the "Pontiac models" category. While G6 has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pontiac models".
THROW Connections Hint Today
THROW belongs to the Blue group ("Kinds of rugs"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Kinds of rugs".
Definition: THROW is one of the four words in the "Kinds of rugs" category. While THROW has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of rugs".
TRANS AM Connections Hint Today
TRANS AM belongs to the Purple group ("Pontiac models"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pontiac models".
Definition: TRANS AM is one of the four words in the "Pontiac models" category. While TRANS AM has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pontiac models".
ZERO-PROOF Connections Hint Today
ZERO-PROOF belongs to the Yellow group ("Non-alcoholic designators"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Non-alcoholic designators".
Definition: ZERO-PROOF is one of the four words in the "Non-alcoholic designators" category. While ZERO-PROOF has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Non-alcoholic designators".
GRAND PRIX Connections Hint Today
GRAND PRIX belongs to the Purple group ("Pontiac models"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pontiac models".
Definition: GRAND PRIX is one of the four words in the "Pontiac models" category. While GRAND PRIX has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pontiac models".
PRAYER Connections Hint Today
PRAYER belongs to the Blue group ("Kinds of rugs"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Kinds of rugs".
Definition: PRAYER is one of the four words in the "Kinds of rugs" category. While PRAYER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of rugs".
NA Connections Hint Today
NA belongs to the Yellow group ("Non-alcoholic designators"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Non-alcoholic designators".
Definition: NA is one of the four words in the "Non-alcoholic designators" category. While NA has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Non-alcoholic designators".
SPIN belongs to the Green group ("Music publications"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Music publications".
⚠️ Red Herring Alert: GRAND PRIX is a major red herring — it could easily be mistaken for a Formula 1 or motorsport reference rather than a car model. Similarly, FIREBIRD may mislead solvers into thinking about mythology or the Stravinsky ballet. ROLLING STONE (without the "S") could pull toward the band rather than the magazine. PERSIAN has strong associations with cats, Gulf geography, and historical empires that distract from its rug meaning. SPIN could mislead toward music (DJ spinning records) AND toward rugs — pay attention to which group it actually fits.
💡 Spoiler-Free Hints — NYT Connections July 9, 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: Think about what you might see on a restaurant or bar menu next to certain beverages. These words all describe the same concept — drinks that skip a specific ingredient. If you've ever ordered a mocktail, you've probably encountered some of these labels.
🟩 Green Group Hint
Theme Hint: These are all places where you'd read album reviews, artist interviews, and music charts. They've been around for decades covering the world of popular music. Think of the media that shapes what you listen to — some of these names are practically synonymous with the music industry itself.
🟦 Blue Group Hint
Theme Hint: Picture what you might find underfoot in a living room, a place of worship, or a bedroom. These words all describe different styles or types of the same home furnishing. Don't get distracted by other meanings these words might have — focus on what could go on a floor.
🟪 Purple Group Hint
Theme Hint: These are all things that a specific, now-defunct American automaker once produced. Think about classic and iconic vehicles from a brand that hasn't manufactured new cars since 2010. Some of these names might trick you into thinking about racing events, birds, or even international summits.
🔓 Reveal Answers Progressively
Reveal each group step-by-step. Click "See Hint", then "See Group Name", then individual words.
Yellow Connections Hint Today
Think about what you might see on a restaurant or bar menu next to certain beverages. These words all describe the same concept — drinks that skip a specific ingredient. If you've ever ordered a mocktail, you've probably encountered some of these labels.
Green Connections Hint Today
These are all places where you'd read album reviews, artist interviews, and music charts. They've been around for decades covering the world of popular music. Think of the media that shapes what you listen to — some of these names are practically synonymous with the music industry itself.
Blue Connections Hint Today
Picture what you might find underfoot in a living room, a place of worship, or a bedroom. These words all describe different styles or types of the same home furnishing. Don't get distracted by other meanings these words might have — focus on what could go on a floor.
Purple Connections Hint Today
These are all things that a specific, now-defunct American automaker once produced. Think about classic and iconic vehicles from a brand that hasn't manufactured new cars since 2010. Some of these names might trick you into thinking about racing events, birds, or even international summits.
⚠️ 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.
GRAND PRIX is a major red herring — it could easily be mistaken for a Formula 1 or motorsport reference rather than a car model. Similarly, FIREBIRD may mislead solvers into thinking about mythology or the Stravinsky ballet. ROLLING STONE (without the "S") could pull toward the band rather than the magazine. PERSIAN has strong associations with cats, Gulf geography, and historical empires that distract from its rug meaning. SPIN could mislead toward music (DJ spinning records) AND toward rugs — pay attention to which group it actually fits.
Words like NA and BILLBOARD might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. NA is part of "Non-alcoholic designators" while BILLBOARD belongs to "Music publications". Don't group them together.
Words like NA and PERSIAN might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. NA is part of "Non-alcoholic designators" while PERSIAN belongs to "Kinds of rugs". Don't group them together.
Words like NA and FIREBIRD might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. NA is part of "Non-alcoholic designators" while FIREBIRD belongs to "Pontiac models". 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
NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS
🟩 Green
MUSIC PUBLICATIONS
🟦 Blue
KINDS OF RUGS
🟪 Purple
PONTIAC MODELS
🔥 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 | NA, SPIRIT-FREE | What other words fit the "Non-alcoholic designators" theme? |
| 🟩 Green | BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK | What other words fit the "Music publications" theme? |
| 🟦 Blue | PERSIAN, PRAYER | What other words fit the "Kinds of rugs" theme? |
| 🟪 Purple | FIREBIRD, G6 | What other words fit the "Pontiac models" theme? |
✅ Full Answers — NYT Connections Today, July 9, 2026 (Puzzle #1124)
Here are the complete NYT Connections answers for today, Thursday, July 9, 2026. Puzzle #1124 is fully solved below.
🟨 Yellow — Non-alcoholic designators
🟩 Green — Music publications
🟦 Blue — Kinds of rugs
🟪 Purple — Pontiac models
🔍 Per-Word Explanations — Every Answer Defined
Let's dive deep into every word in today's Connections Puzzle #1124 — what each word means, why it belongs to its group, and how the puzzle uses it.
🟨 Yellow (Easiest) — Non-alcoholic designators
The easiest category is "Non-alcoholic designators". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
NA
NA is one of the four words in the "Non-alcoholic designators" category. While NA has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Non-alcoholic designators".
SPIRIT-FREE
SPIRIT-FREE is one of the four words in the "Non-alcoholic designators" category. While SPIRIT-FREE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Non-alcoholic designators".
VIRGIN
VIRGIN is one of the four words in the "Non-alcoholic designators" category. While VIRGIN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Non-alcoholic designators".
ZERO-PROOF
ZERO-PROOF is one of the four words in the "Non-alcoholic designators" category. While ZERO-PROOF has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Non-alcoholic designators".
🟩 Green (Medium) — Music publications
The medium category is "Music publications". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BILLBOARD
BILLBOARD is one of the four words in the "Music publications" category. While BILLBOARD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Music publications".
PITCHFORK
PITCHFORK is one of the four words in the "Music publications" category. While PITCHFORK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Music publications".
ROLLING STONE
ROLLING STONE is one of the four words in the "Music publications" category. While ROLLING STONE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Music publications".
SPIN
SPIN is one of the four words in the "Music publications" category. While SPIN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Music publications".
🟦 Blue (Hard) — Kinds of rugs
The hard category is "Kinds of rugs". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
PERSIAN
PERSIAN is one of the four words in the "Kinds of rugs" category. While PERSIAN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of rugs".
PRAYER
PRAYER is one of the four words in the "Kinds of rugs" category. While PRAYER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of rugs".
SHAG
SHAG is one of the four words in the "Kinds of rugs" category. While SHAG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of rugs".
THROW
THROW is one of the four words in the "Kinds of rugs" category. While THROW has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Kinds of rugs".
🟪 Purple (Hardest) — Pontiac models
The hardest category is "Pontiac models". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
FIREBIRD
FIREBIRD is one of the four words in the "Pontiac models" category. While FIREBIRD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pontiac models".
G6
G6 is one of the four words in the "Pontiac models" category. While G6 has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pontiac models".
GRAND PRIX
GRAND PRIX is one of the four words in the "Pontiac models" category. While GRAND PRIX has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pontiac models".
TRANS AM
TRANS AM is one of the four words in the "Pontiac models" category. While TRANS AM has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pontiac models".
📊 Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
| Group | Difficulty | Solve Order |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow — Non-alcoholic designators | ⭐ Easy | Solve FIRST — the easiest category |
| 🟩 Green — Music publications | ⭐⭐ Medium | Solve SECOND |
| 🟦 Blue — Kinds of rugs | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Solve THIRD |
| 🟪 Purple — Pontiac models | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Hard | Solve LAST or by elimination |
🎯 Pro Strategy for Puzzle #1124
Start with the Yellow group — if you've ever browsed a cocktail menu or ordered a mocktail, the non-alcoholic designators (NA, VIRGIN, SPIRIT-FREE, ZERO-PROOF) should click immediately. Next, tackle Green: BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE, and SPIN are all well-known music publications, though SPIN and ROLLING STONE have alternative meanings that can distract. For Blue, focus on "types of ___" — once you realize PERSIAN, PRAYER, SHAG, and THROW are all rugs, it snaps into place. Save Purple for last: FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, and TRANS AM are all Pontiac models. The key insight is recognizing that Pontiac (discontinued in 2010) made cars with these exact names. Watch out for GRAND PRIX pulling you toward racing and FIREBIRD toward mythology.
🎮 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 July 9, 2026
The answers for NYT Connections Puzzle #1124 (July 9, 2026) are: 🟨 Yellow (Non-alcoholic designators): NA, SPIRIT-FREE, VIRGIN, ZERO-PROOF | 🟩 Green (Music publications): BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE, SPIN | 🟦 Blue (Kinds of rugs): PERSIAN, PRAYER, SHAG, THROW | 🟪 Purple (Pontiac models): FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, TRANS AM.
The yellow category in today's Connections (July 9, 2026) is "Non-alcoholic designators" and the four answers are NA, SPIRIT-FREE, VIRGIN, ZERO-PROOF.
The purple category in today's Connections (July 9, 2026) is "Pontiac models" and the answers are FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, TRANS AM.
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 July 9, 2026, there have been 1,124 NYT Connections puzzles since the game launched on June 12, 2023.
🏆 That's Today's NYT Connections Solved — Puzzle #1124
Come back tomorrow for Puzzle #1125 — 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.
🔗 Explore More on ConnectionsSports.com
