The New York Times Connections puzzle for Tuesday, August 18, 2026, presents a varied set of challenges, grouping words related to movie premieres, personal care items, common orange objects, and gritty textures. For those seeking assistance, a daily guide offers hints to help solve the puzzle.

Daily Hints

Hints for today's puzzle are categorized to guide players toward the solutions. The yellow category suggests words associated with events like a movie premiere. The green category hints at a set of four initials with diverse meanings. The blue category points to items that are characteristically orange. Finally, the purple category focuses on things that are rough around the edges, sometimes literally.

Spoiler Warnings and Reveals

For players requiring more direct assistance, specific word hints are available. One word from each group can be revealed to offer a stronger clue. When players are ready for the full solution, the four distinct groups that link the words are disclosed.

Today's Connections Groups and Answers

This particular puzzle's themes include "Seen at a Movie Premiere," which comprises Limousine, Paparazzi, Red Carpet, and Velvet Rope. The "PJs" group, referencing abbreviations, includes Petroleum Jelly, Poetic Justice, Practical Joke, and Private Jet. "Things That Are Orange" contains Basketball, Orangutan, Sweet Potato, and Traffic Cone. Lastly, "Things That Are Gritty" includes Cowboy Coffee, Film Noir, Flyers Mascot, and Sandpaper. The puzzle notes suggest that the definition of "gritty" was a particularly broad interpretation.

New Connections puzzles are released daily, offering a fresh challenge each morning.