Connections Answers

Friday, June 12, 2026

1

STARTING WITH INCANTATIONS

Each phrase starts with a word commonly associated with magic or incantations (charm, curse, hex, spell), but the full phrase refers to something completely different and non-magical.
Individual words:
CHARM BRACELET: A decorative bracelet worn on the wrist, often with small hanging ornaments called 'charms'. A 'charm' can also be a small magic spell for good luck.
CURSE WORD: A rude or offensive word that people use when they are angry. A 'curse' can also be a magic spell to bring bad luck.
HEX KEY: A small, L-shaped tool used to tighten or loosen screws with six-sided holes. To 'hex' someone means to put a magic spell on them to cause harm.
SPELL CHECKER: A feature in computer programs that finds and corrects mistakes in how words are written. A 'spell' also means a set of magic words or actions.
2

STARTING WITH ANIMAL GROUP NAMES

Each word or phrase begins with a common group name for animals: a 'murder' of crows, a 'pack' of rats, a 'pride' of lions, and a 'school' of fish.
Individual words:
MURDER MYSTERY: A type of story or game where someone has been killed, and you try to solve the crime by finding out who the killer is.
PACK RAT: An informal term for a person who saves and collects many things, even old or useless items, often causing their home to become very cluttered.
PRIDE ROCK: A famous fictional location from the popular Disney movie 'The Lion King.' It is the home of the lion king and his family.
SCHOOL DAYS: This phrase refers to the time in a person's life when they are attending school, from childhood through their teenage years.
3

STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "REPEAT"

These words and phrases begin with synonyms for 'repeat,' such as 'copy,' 'echo,' 'mirror,' and 'quote.'
Individual words:
COPY EDITOR: A person who corrects mistakes in written text like books or articles. They ensure it's clear and correct before publishing.
ECHO PARK: A popular neighborhood and park in Los Angeles, California, USA. It's known for its lake and vibrant community.
MIRROR SELFIE: A photo you take of yourself by holding a phone up to a mirror. It captures your reflection.
QUOTE UNQUOTE: A spoken phrase, said like "quote...unquote," to show you are repeating someone's exact words, or using a word with skepticism.
4

STARTING WITH PARTS OF A RIVER

These phrases and names begin with words that are also parts of a river: bank, bed, delta, and mouth.
Individual words:
BANK TELLER: A 'bank teller' is a person who works at a bank (a financial institution) and helps customers with money transactions like deposits or withdrawals.
BED HEAD: 'Bed head' is an informal American English term describing messy, tangled hair that someone has right after waking up in the morning.
DELTA AIRLINES: 'Delta Airlines' is a major American airline company, one of the largest in the world, that operates many flights to different destinations.
MOUTH GUARD: A 'mouth guard' is a protective device worn inside the mouth to cover and protect the teeth, often used during sports or sleep.
NYT Connections Answers for Friday, June 12, 2026 | ESL Explanations | NYT Games ESL