NYT Connections Hints for Friday, July 3, 2026

Friday, July 3, 2026 puzzle #1118. Today's board moves from direct emotion synonyms into retro approval phrases, unfriendly things people figuratively give, and a homophone group for the letter T.

Words: HOT DRINK, RUNAROUND, FELICITY, SHIRT, WARM FUZZIES, GOSSIP, COOL BEANS, DIRTY LOOK, COLD SHOULDER, HAPPINESS, RIGHT ON, HARD TIME, FAR OUT, GOLF ACCESSORY, BLISS, GROOVY

Spoiler-safe Connections hints

Yellow hint

Look for words that name joy, comfort, or contentment.

Reveal Yellow category and answer

Positive feelings: BLISS, FELICITY, HAPPINESS, WARM FUZZIES

These four are all states or descriptions of feeling happy and emotionally warm.

Green hint

Think of old-school ways to say something is good.

Reveal Green category and answer

Retro expressions of approval: COOL BEANS, FAR OUT, GROOVY, RIGHT ON

Each phrase can be used as a dated or nostalgic approval response.

Blue hint

Each answer follows the idea of giving someone an unpleasant response.

Reveal Blue category and answer

Bad things to give someone: COLD SHOULDER, DIRTY LOOK, HARD TIME, RUNAROUND

You can give someone the cold shoulder, a dirty look, a hard time, or the runaround.

Purple hint

Say the letter after S out loud, then listen for matching meanings.

Reveal Purple category and answer

What things pronounced "T" might refer to: GOLF ACCESSORY, GOSSIP, HOT DRINK, SHIRT