PREVIOUS CONNECTIONS DEFINITIONS
Plain-English meanings for all 16 words from the October 12, 2026 NYT Connections puzzle. No hints, categories or answers.
A dish made from squid, typically battered and fried.
The squid itself, used as seafood.
A term used in some regions to refer to squid ink used in cooking.
Calamari is commonly used in culinary contexts and can refer to both the squid and dishes prepared from it.
A variety of Chinese spoken mainly in northern and southwestern China, and the official language of China and Taiwan.
A high-ranking Chinese official in imperial times.
A type of small, sweet citrus fruit with loose skin.
A style of collar on clothing, typically a short, stand-up collar.
The term can refer to a language, a historical official, a fruit, or a clothing style.
A politically organized territory with a government that has sovereignty over a specific geographic area.
A condition or mode of being at a particular time (e.g., emotional state).
A constituent political entity within a country, such as a U.S. state.
To express something in words.
The term can refer to political entities, conditions, or actions depending on context.
A shortened form of a word or phrase used to represent the full term.
A symbol or set of letters representing a longer word or phrase.
A condensed version of a name or title.
A linguistic tool to save space or time in writing and speech.
The term can also refer to specific types of shortened forms like acronyms or initialisms.
A familiar or informal name given to a person instead of or in addition to their real name.
A descriptive or humorous name given to a place or thing.
A shortened or altered version of a person's full name.
A pseudonym used online or in gaming communities.
The term can refer to personal names, place names, or online aliases.
A part of an object designed to be held or operated by the hand.
To manage, control, or deal with a situation or task.
A nickname or username used online or in gaming.
To touch or manipulate something physically.
The term can refer to physical objects, actions, or informal names.
The external form or outline of an object or figure.
To give form or contour to something.
A particular condition or state of health or fitness.
A geometric figure or configuration.
The term can refer to physical form, the act of forming, or abstract conditions.
The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, including temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation.
To withstand or endure difficult conditions.
To change in appearance or condition due to exposure to the elements.
To come safely through a difficult situation.
Can refer to atmospheric conditions or be used metaphorically to describe enduring challenges.
A state or situation that affects how something exists or operates.
A requirement or stipulation that must be met.
A medical state affecting a person's health.
To train or accustom someone or something to behave in a certain way.
The term can be used in medical, legal, everyday, and technical contexts.
A shortening of a word or group of words by omission of letters or sounds, often replaced by an apostrophe.
The process of becoming smaller or tighter, especially muscles during movement.
A sudden tightening or shortening of a muscle.
An economic term referring to a decrease in economic activity or size.
The term can be used in linguistics, biology, and economics.
The set of circumstances or conditions at a particular time and place.
A position or location of a building or object.
A state of affairs or condition in a social or professional context.
An employment or job position.
The term can be used in everyday language, professional contexts, and as a general descriptor of conditions or positions.
A large, heavy mammal with thick fur and sharp claws, found in various species around the world.
To carry or support the weight of something.
To endure or tolerate a difficult situation.
In finance, an investor who expects prices to fall and may sell assets accordingly.
The term can also be a surname, a nickname, or used in idiomatic expressions.
A chemical compound containing an amide group attached to an alkyl group.
A type of organic molecule used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
A class of compounds derived from fatty acids and amines.
ALKYLAMIDE is primarily a chemistry term referring to specific organic compounds.
To be in an upright position on the feet.
A small structure or booth for selling goods or providing information.
To tolerate or endure something.
A legal position or point of view in an argument or case.
The term can be used as a verb or noun and appears in various contexts including physical posture, commerce, law, and informal speech.
The omission of a sound or syllable when speaking, often to make pronunciation easier or faster.
The act of merging or combining two words or sounds into one.
In literature, the omission of a word or phrase that is implied by the context.
In music, the overlapping or blending of notes or phrases.
Elision can refer to linguistic, literary, or musical contexts.
A chemical compound used to make durable plastics, laminates, and dinnerware.
A type of resin formed by reacting melamine with formaldehyde.
An industrial material used in adhesives and coatings.
Melamine is also known as a brand name and may appear in product labels.