The New York Times Connections puzzle for Sunday, July 26, 2026, presents players with a series of word groups that touch on childhood development, obsolete technology, meteorological descriptions, and words with multiple meanings.
This edition of the puzzle requires players to identify four distinct categories, each containing four words. The categories are 'Baby Milestones,' 'Outmoded Consumer Tech,' 'Expressions for Rain,' and 'What "Shell" Might Refer To.'
Today's Groups and Words
The 'Baby Milestones' group includes words like Crawling, First Words, Rolling Over, and Solid Food. These terms represent significant developmental achievements in an infant's first year.
In contrast, the 'Outmoded Consumer Tech' category delves into the past with items such as BlackBerry, Discman, DVD Player, and Plasma TV. These represent technologies that were once cutting-edge but have since been surpassed by newer innovations.
The puzzle also includes a category of 'Expressions for Rain,' featuring phrases like April Showers, Liquid Sunshine, Scotch Mist, and Wet Weather. These are all ways to describe rainy conditions.
Finally, the 'What "Shell" Might Refer To' group highlights homonyms and words with varied meanings: Carapace, Gas Station, Pastry Crust, and Rowing Boat. Each of these words can be associated with the term 'shell' in different contexts.
The puzzle aims to test players' vocabulary and associative thinking, with hints provided to guide solvers through the more challenging connections. Hints for the day included a focus on nostalgia and the presence of the letter 'C' in at least one word per group.