PREVIOUS CONNECTIONS DEFINITIONS
Plain-English meanings for all 16 words from the October 27, 2026 NYT Connections puzzle. No hints, categories or answers.
A traditional Mexican dish consisting of a folded or rolled tortilla filled with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, lettuce, and salsa.
An acronym for 'Take Another Chance, Officer' used in law enforcement contexts.
A slang term for a mistake or blunder.
A brand name for a company or product.
The term can refer to food, acronyms, slang, or brand names depending on context.
A pungent spice made from the dried berries of the pepper plant, used to flavor food.
A type of plant that produces peppercorns.
To sprinkle or season food with pepper.
To attack or hit repeatedly, as in 'to pepper with questions' or 'to pepper with bullets'.
Can refer to a spice, a plant, an action, or be used metaphorically in language.
A musical instrument consisting of a hollow body with a membrane stretched over one or both ends, played by striking with hands or sticks.
A cylindrical container used for storing liquids or bulk materials.
A rotating part in a machine, such as a brake drum or a washing machine drum.
To play rhythms or beats on a drum or similar instrument.
The term can refer to musical instruments, containers, mechanical parts, or the action of playing a drum.
A cylindrical container with a wide mouth and a lid, used for storing food or other items.
A Java ARchive file used to package Java class files and resources.
A sudden shock or impact causing a jolt or vibration.
To have a harsh or unpleasant effect on the senses or feelings.
The term can refer to a container, a computer file format, a physical impact, or a figurative effect.
A person who repairs or adjusts machinery or devices, often in an informal or unskilled way.
To attempt to repair or improve something in a casual or experimental manner.
A member of a traditionally itinerant group known for metalworking and repairing household items.
To make small changes or adjustments to something, especially to improve its function.
The term can be used as a noun or a verb and may also refer to a surname or a brand name.
A tall, narrow structure that is higher than it is wide, often used for observation, communication, or support.
A chess piece that moves vertically or horizontally across the board (also called a rook).
A group of people or things arranged in a tall, narrow formation.
A type of computer server setup that is housed in a vertical case.
The term can refer to physical structures, game pieces, or technology, and may also be used as a name or brand.
A fiddle is a stringed musical instrument, similar to a violin, often used in folk and traditional music.
To fiddle means to play the fiddle instrument.
To fiddle means to touch or manipulate something restlessly or nervously.
To fiddle can mean to cheat or tamper with something dishonestly.
The term 'fiddle' can refer to the instrument, an action, or be used figuratively; it may also appear in idiomatic expressions.
A short, catchy song or tune used in advertising to promote a product or brand.
A light ringing sound, like that of small bells.
To make a ringing sound by shaking small metal objects together.
The term can refer to music, sounds, or the action of producing such sounds.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.
A principle or right to act, believe, or express oneself freely.
A historical term referring to a specific area or jurisdiction granted certain freedoms.
The name of a famous statue symbolizing freedom and democracy.
Liberty can refer to a concept, a proper noun, or a symbolic representation.
A man-made waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or to convey water for irrigation.
A natural waterway or channel, especially one that connects two larger bodies of water.
A tubular passage in the body, such as the ear canal or spinal canal.
A medium for transmitting information, such as a communication channel or broadcast canal.
The term can refer to physical waterways, anatomical structures, or communication pathways.
A dessert made of layers of fruit, sponge cake soaked in alcohol or syrup, and custard or cream.
Something of little value or importance.
To treat someone or something without seriousness or respect.
A small amount or portion of something.
The term can be used as a noun or a verb and may appear in culinary, informal, or literary contexts.
The sport or activity of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, often while performing acrobatics.
The act of descending quickly, such as diving underwater or into a space.
In sports like soccer or basketball, the act of falling or throwing oneself to deceive referees into calling a foul.
The process of exploring underwater environments using specialized equipment.
The term can refer to a sport, an action in various contexts, or a recreational activity involving water.
A heavy iron block with a flat top and typically a pointed end, used as a surface for hammering and shaping metal.
A large, flat cloud formation resembling an anvil shape, often seen in thunderstorms.
A brand name or trademark for various products or companies.
Slang term for a heavy or burdensome object or situation.
The term can refer to a tool, a cloud shape, a brand, or slang depending on context.
The lowest parts or surfaces of something, especially the ground or base of an object.
Informal term for underwear, especially pants or briefs.
In finance, the lowest point in the price of a stock or market before it starts to rise.
In clothing, garments worn on the lower half of the body, such as pants, skirts, or shorts.
The term can be used in various contexts including anatomy, clothing, finance, and informal speech.
A metal loop or ring attached to a saddle, used to support a rider's foot while riding a horse.
A U-shaped bone in the middle ear that helps transmit sound vibrations.
A device used in childbirth to hold a woman's feet during delivery.
The term can refer to anatomical parts, equestrian equipment, or medical devices depending on context.
To interfere in or handle something that is not one's concern, often causing trouble or annoyance.
To busy oneself in a way that is intrusive or unwelcome.
To tamper with or alter something without permission.
The term can be used as a verb and is often considered negative when describing interference.