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 — the full solution stays hidden until you reveal it.
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
Frequently asked questions
The shape of the puzzle
There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).
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
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1THINGS MOST ANIMALS NEEDShow theme 2CALLS TO BEGIN A PERFORMANCEShow theme 3___ KIDSShow theme 4ONCE IN A ___
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