NYT Connections Hints for August 21, 2026 — Puzzle #1167

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1167 on August 21, 2026: how many groups there are, a masked theme for each group, then the four categories one at a time, then all sixteen words and the full grouping.

Puzzle date: August 21, 2026 (2026-08-21) · #1167 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-08-21.json). Hints are derived from that day's verified answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

1. The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

2. The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:

T _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ N _ _ _
C _ _ _ _ T _ B _ _ _ _ A P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
K _ _ _
O _ _ _ I _ A

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

THINGS MOST ANIMALS NEED

Show theme 2

CALLS TO BEGIN A PERFORMANCE

Show theme 3

___ KIDS

Show theme 4

ONCE IN A ___

NYT Connections answer for August 21, 2026 — puzzle #1167

THINGS MOST ANIMALS NEED

SLEEP, OXYGEN, WATER, NUTRITION

CALLS TO BEGIN A PERFORMANCE

ACTION, SHOWTIME, PLACES, CURTAIN UP

___ KIDS

WIMPY, COMEBACK, KARATE, SUNDANCE

ONCE IN A ___

WHILE, GENERATION, LIFETIME, BLUE MOON

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