NYT Connections Hints January 1 2026: Kick Off the Year with a Win

A fresh year, but the same tricky challenge is back to test your vocabulary. NYT Connections has released its first puzzle of January 1, 2026, and it's a delightful mix of magic and common household tasks. It's the perfect way to stimulate your brain while nursing a New Year's Day coffee.

NYT Connections Hints January 1 2026: Category Clues

The latest edition, puzzle #935, curated by Wyna Liu, maintains the classic difficulty curve. You'll need to sort 16 words into four color-coded categories. Remember, you only have 4 mistakes before the game ends.

• Yellow (Easiest): Something you might find in a fantasy novel's magic system.
• Green: Verbs that describe preparing corn or an orange.
• Blue: Slang terms for someone who is obsessed with a specific topic.
• Purple (Tricky): Words that create a new meaning when preceded by 'Butter'.

Today's Connections Solution Revealed

Ready to see how you did? Here is the full solution for January 1, 2026. Don't worry if you missed one; there's always tomorrow.

1. Bit of magic: CHARM, CURSE, HEX, SPELL
2. Remove the covering from: PEEL, SHELL, SHUCK, SKIN
3. Enthusiast equivalent: BUFF, HEAD, HOUND, RAT
4. Butter___: FINGERS, FLY, NUT, SCOTCH