PREVIOUS CONNECTIONS DEFINITIONS
Plain-English meanings for all 16 words from the August 21, 2026 NYT Connections puzzle. No hints, categories or answers.
Lacking courage or determination; easily intimidated or weak.
Informal term for a small or weak person or animal.
Slang for something that is inadequate or unsatisfactory.
Name of a fast-food restaurant chain specializing in hamburgers.
The term can be used as an adjective, a nickname, or a brand name.
A conjunction used to indicate that two events happen at the same time or to contrast two statements.
A keyword in programming used to create a loop that repeats as long as a condition is true.
A noun referring to a short period of time.
The term can be used in everyday language, programming contexts, and as a noun.
A natural, reversible state of rest characterized by reduced consciousness, slowed metabolism, and bodily repair processes.
To rest by closing one's eyes and becoming unconscious for a period.
To be inactive or dormant, as in machinery or systems.
To ignore or overlook something intentionally.
The term can refer to a biological process, an action, or be used metaphorically in various contexts.
The entire group of individuals born and living around the same time, typically spanning about 20-30 years.
The act or process of producing or creating something.
A stage in the development or production of something, such as technology or products.
A group of organisms or cells derived from a common ancestor or parent.
The term can refer to people, biological processes, technology, or creative production.
The duration of a person's life or the existence of an object or phenomenon.
The period during which a product is guaranteed to function or be supported.
A term used in programming to describe the time span during which a variable or object exists in memory.
An insurance policy that provides coverage for the insured's entire life.
The term can be used in various contexts including everyday language, technical fields, and marketing.
The process of doing something to achieve a result or goal.
A legal lawsuit or proceeding.
A dramatic event or series of events in a story or play.
The physical movement or behavior of a person or object.
The term can be used in various contexts including law, storytelling, and everyday activities.
A colorless, odorless gas essential for respiration in most living organisms and a key component of the Earth's atmosphere.
A chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8.
A substance used in medical treatments to assist breathing.
A component in combustion processes that supports burning.
The term 'oxygen' is primarily used in scientific and medical contexts.
A return to a former good position or condition after a decline or setback.
A witty or sharp reply in a conversation.
A resurgence in popularity or success of a person or thing.
An attempt to regain status or favor after failure.
The term can be used in sports, entertainment, conversations, and general contexts.
A scheduled time when a performance, movie, or event begins.
The name of a premium cable and streaming television network.
A slang term meaning an exciting or important moment to start something.
An expression used to indicate readiness or the start of an action.
SHOWTIME can refer to a specific time for entertainment, a brand name, or be used informally as slang.
A Japanese martial art focused on striking techniques using punches, kicks, and open-hand strikes.
A competitive sport involving sparring and forms (kata).
A method of self-defense emphasizing discipline and physical fitness.
A style of physical exercise and mental training.
The term can refer to the martial art itself, its practice, or related competitions.
An annual film festival held in Utah that showcases independent films and emerging filmmakers.
A traditional Native American ceremony involving dancing and fasting for spiritual purposes.
A type of horse known for its speed and agility.
A brand name used for various products and services.
The term can refer to a cultural event, a ceremony, a horse breed, or a brand name.
Locations or areas, especially those that are known, specified, or used for a particular purpose.
Positions or spots where something is situated or occurs.
Rankings or standings in a competition or sequence.
Rooms or spaces within a building.
The term can refer to physical locations, rankings, or specific areas within contexts such as geography, competitions, or buildings.
A clear, tasteless, odorless liquid essential for most plant and animal life, composed of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O).
A body of water such as a lake, river, or ocean.
To pour or sprinkle water on plants or soil.
To dilute a liquid by adding water.
The term can refer to the substance itself, bodies of water, actions involving water, or be used in various idiomatic expressions.
A rare event when a second full moon occurs within a single calendar month.
An idiom meaning something that happens very rarely.
A type of beer brewed by Blue Moon Brewing Company.
The term can refer to an astronomical event, an idiomatic expression, or a brand name.
A phrase used to signal the start of a theatrical performance or event.
An instruction to raise the stage curtain.
A metaphor meaning the beginning of any activity or event.
Often used in theater contexts but can be applied metaphorically in everyday language.
The process of obtaining and using food to support growth, repair, and energy in living organisms.
The study of nutrients and how they affect health.
The quality or content of food in terms of its nutrients.
The term is commonly used in health, biology, and diet contexts.