Connections Hints

Monday, January 12, 2026

Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — January 12, 2026

Jump to a hint level
Show the word gridAll 16 words — you figure out the groups
Show the themesCategory names only, no words revealed
One word per groupTheme name + one word per category
Full solutionAll words and explanations
← Back to hint toolLoad any date with the interactive hint ladder
Word grid

All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.

AGREEMENT
ARMCHAIR
BOOKCASE
CEFTAZIDIME
COMPACT
CONSOLE
EXPERT
FOOTSTOOL
HANDSHAKE
HEADQUARTER
INTERMEDIATE
MONEYPENNY
NOVICE
PROFICIENT
PUMPERNICKEL
UNDERSTANDING
↑ Back to top
Themes

The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.

LIVING ROOM FURNITUREStraightforward
EXPERIENCE LEVELSModerate
PROMISETricky
ENDING IN U.S. COINSDevious
↑ Back to top
One word per group

Theme name plus one word from each category.

LIVING ROOM FURNITUREStraightforward
THINGS YOU MIGHT FIND IN A LOUNGE OR SITTING AREA+ 3 more…
EXPERIENCE LEVELSModerate
WORDS THAT DESCRIBE HOW SKILLED SOMEONE IS+ 3 more…
PROMISETricky
WAYS TO SEAL A DEAL WITHOUT A CONTRACT+ 3 more…
ENDING IN U.S. COINSDevious
EACH WORD SECRETLY CONTAINS THE NAME OF A U.S. COIN+ 3 more…
↑ Back to top
Full solution
LIVING ROOM FURNITUREStraightforward
ARMCHAIR,BOOKCASE,CONSOLE,FOOTSTOOL

ARMCHAIR, BOOKCASE, CONSOLE, and FOOTSTOOL are all common pieces of furniture found in a living room.

EXPERIENCE LEVELSModerate
EXPERT,INTERMEDIATE,NOVICE,PROFICIENT

EXPERT, INTERMEDIATE, NOVICE, and PROFICIENT all describe different levels of skill or experience.

PROMISETricky
AGREEMENT,COMPACT,HANDSHAKE,UNDERSTANDING

AGREEMENT, COMPACT, HANDSHAKE, and UNDERSTANDING are all words that mean a promise or mutual commitment between parties.

ENDING IN U.S. COINSDevious
CEFTAZIDIME,HEADQUARTER,MONEYPENNY,PUMPERNICKEL

CEFTAZIDIME contains DIME, HEADQUARTER contains QUARTER, MONEYPENNY contains PENNY, and PUMPERNICKEL contains NICKEL — all U.S. coin names hidden within.

↑ Back to top