Connections Answers

Saturday, January 31, 2026

1

KINDS OF PARTIES

These words all refer to different types of social gatherings or parties.
Individual words:
BALL: A very formal, large dance party. People wear elegant clothes like gowns and suits, often for a special occasion or charity event.
MIXER: An informal social event where people meet new people and talk, often held for students or professionals to network.
RECEPTION: A formal party after an important event, like a wedding or graduation ceremony. Guests celebrate with food, drinks, and sometimes dancing.
SHOWER: A party where guests give many gifts to someone for a special event, like an upcoming wedding (bridal shower) or birth of a baby (baby shower).
2

WAYS TO APPLY PAINT

These are all different tools or methods people use to put paint onto a surface, like a wall, canvas, or object.
Individual words:
BRUSH: A tool with bristles on a handle, used for painting art on canvas or applying paint to smaller areas like trim on a wall.
PALETTE KNIFE: A flat, flexible tool, often metal, with a handle. Artists use it to mix paints or apply thick paint onto a canvas, creating texture.
ROLLER: A cylindrical tool with a handle, covered in a fuzzy material. It's used to quickly apply paint to large, flat surfaces like walls inside a house.
SPRAY CAN: A can that releases paint as a fine mist when you press a button. Used for quick coverage, detailed art like graffiti, or painting furniture.
3

Y-SHAPED THINGS

All these items have a distinct shape resembling the letter 'Y'.
Individual words:
SLINGSHOT: A toy, often Y-shaped, used to shoot small stones or projectiles. Often seen in cartoons or used by children for play.
STETHOSCOPE: A medical instrument doctors use. It has ear tubes and a chest piece, forming a Y-like shape to listen to your heart or lungs.
TUNING FORK: A metal tool with two prongs, shaped like a 'U' or 'Y'. When struck, it vibrates and makes a specific sound to help tune musical instruments.
WISHBONE: A Y-shaped bone found in birds like chickens or turkeys. In American culture, two people pull it apart for good luck and a wish.
4

WHAT "SHIFT" MIGHT REFER TO

The word "shift" has multiple meanings and can refer to each of these items in different contexts.
Individual words:
COMPUTER KEY: On a keyboard, the 'Shift' key is used to type capital letters or other symbols. It literally 'shifts' the function of other keys.
DRESS: A 'shift dress' is a simple, straight-cut, and loose-fitting style of women's clothing. It's a specific fashion design.
FLUCTUATION: A 'shift' can mean a change or movement, often in position, direction, or amount. For example, a 'shift in opinion' means views have changed.
WORK PERIOD: In many jobs, especially those operating continuously, a 'shift' is a specific, scheduled period of time someone works, like a 'day shift' or 'night shift'.
NYT Connections Answers for Saturday, January 31, 2026 | ESL Explanations | NYT Games ESL