PREVIOUS CONNECTIONS DEFINITIONS
Plain-English meanings for all 16 words from the August 1, 2026 NYT Connections puzzle. No hints, categories or answers.
A smooth, progressive ballroom dance in triple time, typically performed by couples.
A piece of music composed specifically for the waltz dance.
To move or proceed in a confident, easy, or casual manner.
A military term referring to a type of artillery gun or its firing.
The term can refer to a dance, music style, casual movement, or military equipment depending on context.
A type of slip-on shoe without laces, often made of leather.
A person who idles or avoids work; a lazy individual.
A type of bread shaped like a long, rounded loaf.
The term can refer to footwear, a person's behavior, or a type of bread depending on context.
A person or thing that is not what it claims to be; a fraud or fake.
Something that is intended to deceive or mislead.
A decorative pillow cover used on a bed.
To pretend or fake something.
The term can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective and may appear in informal contexts.
To make a hole in something by drilling or digging.
To cause someone to feel uninterested or tired due to dullness.
The diameter of a cylindrical object, especially the inside diameter of a gun barrel or engine cylinder.
A tidal wave or strong current moving up a river or narrow bay.
The term can be used as a verb or noun and may appear in technical, informal, or natural contexts.
A unit of paper quantity, typically consisting of 500 sheets.
To enlarge or widen a hole using a special tool.
To criticize or reprimand someone harshly.
An acronym for various organizations or terms depending on context.
The term can be used as a noun, verb, or acronym depending on context.
A wide street in a city, often lined with trees and designed for leisurely driving or walking.
A broad, multi-lane road typically found in urban areas.
A promenade or public walkway, especially one along a waterfront.
A type of road or street designed to accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians comfortably.
The term can also be used in names of streets or as part of business names.
A large piece of fabric used to cover a bed or wrap something.
A flat, thin layer of material, such as metal or ice.
A page of paper.
A broad expanse or surface, like a sheet of water.
The term can also be used in various contexts such as names, brands, or slang.
A large bundle of goods, such as hay, cotton, or paper, tightly bound for storage or transport.
To remove water from a ship by scooping or pumping it out.
To abandon or leave abruptly, often used informally as 'bail'.
A unit of measure for certain commodities, typically compressed and wrapped.
The term can be used as a noun or verb and may appear in agricultural, nautical, or informal contexts.
To propel something with force through the air using a forward arm motion.
To discard or get rid of something.
To cause an event or situation to happen, often suddenly.
To confuse or upset someone emotionally or mentally.
The term can be used as a verb or noun and appears in various contexts including sports, casual speech, and idiomatic expressions.
A collection of items or products packaged or grouped together as a single unit.
A quantity of something tied or wrapped together.
In computing, a set of software or files distributed as one package.
A group of services or features offered together for a single price.
The term can refer to physical objects, digital products, or service packages.
A country in the Middle East located east of Israel and west of Iraq, known officially as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
A common given name and surname.
A famous American basketball player, Michael Jordan.
A brand of athletic shoes and apparel associated with Michael Jordan.
The term can refer to a place, a person's name, or a brand.
A British luxury automobile manufacturer known for high-quality, handcrafted cars and engineering excellence.
A brand of aircraft engines produced by Rolls-Royce Holdings.
A term used to describe something of exceptional quality or performance.
A surname of English origin.
The term can refer to a company, a brand, or be used metaphorically to indicate superior quality.
A mythical bird that is said to burst into flames when it dies and then be reborn from its ashes, symbolizing renewal and immortality.
The capital city of the U.S. state of Arizona.
A large firework that produces a spectacular display of sparks and colors.
A name used for various businesses, sports teams, and organizations.
PHOENIX can refer to a mythological creature, a place name, a brand, or other uses depending on context.
A tool or machine with a rotating drill bit used to make holes in materials.
A method of repetitive practice to improve skills or performance.
A military exercise or training routine to teach discipline and procedures.
To penetrate or bore into something, often using force or effort.
The term can refer to a tool, an activity, or a training exercise depending on context.
A thick, quilted blanket used to keep warm, typically on a bed.
A person who provides consolation or emotional support.
An object or thing that provides physical ease or relief.
The term can refer to bedding, a person, or a source of comfort depending on context.
A conical hole cut into a material to allow the head of a screw or bolt to sit flush with or below the surface.
A tool used to create a countersink hole.
To create a countersink hole in a material.
The term can refer to both the hole and the tool used to make it.