Connections #983 Answers
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Here are the answers to NYT Connections #983 for Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The 16 words split into four groups by colour — yellow is easiest, purple the trickiest. The group themes are listed first as hints, then every group is revealed below. Looking for the latest puzzle? See today's Connections.
Hints — the four group themes
- Yellow (easiest): retro hair directives
- Green: retro slang for cool
- Blue: chicken descriptors
- Purple (hardest): ___ cream
Answers
RETRO HAIR DIRECTIVES
CRIMP, CURL, FEATHER, TEASE
RETRO SLANG FOR COOL
BAD, FLY, RAD, WICKED
CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS
BANTAM, CRESTED, FREE-RANGE, LEGHORN
___ CREAM
HEAVY, SHAVING, SOUR, TOPICAL
Previous Connections answers
- #982 — zoom, sauces in chinese cuisine, riffle (through), starting with synonyms for "dud"
- #981 — knee-slapper, homophones, sounds a chicken makes, stress responses
- #980 — reference books, something that brings back memories, kinds of complexes, starting with ways to reach someone via phone
- #979 — uptick, protuberance, tom hanks roles, words before "mint"
- #978 — downright, pennant, cigarette brands, homophones of ways to get smaller
- #977 — construct, fixed in place, mlb player, for short, ___ queen
Browse every past puzzle in the Connections answer archive.