Spoilers ahead: the answers to NYT Connections puzzle #977, released Thursday, February 12, 2026, are below. The four groups are Construct, Fixed in Place, MLB Player, for Short, and phrases ending in “Queen.”
Hints for Connections #977
- Yellow: These words can mean to create or build.
- Green: Each can describe something secured or not moving.
- Blue: Think of abbreviated Major League Baseball team names.
- Purple: Put the same word after each entry to complete a familiar phrase.
Full answers for February 12
| Color | Category | Words | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Construct | FORM, MAKE, MOLD, PRODUCE | Each can mean to create, make, or build something. |
| Green | Fixed in Place | FAST, FIRM, FROZEN, TIGHT | Each can describe something held securely or not moving. |
| Blue | MLB Player, for Short | A, CARD, JAY, YANK | Short references to the Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Yankees. |
| Purple | ___ Queen | DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG, MAY | Each comes before “Queen”: Dairy Queen, “Dancing Queen,” drag queen, and May Queen. |
How the groups fit together
Yellow: Construct
FORM, MAKE, MOLD, and PRODUCE all work as verbs for creating or building something.
Green: Fixed in Place
FAST, FIRM, FROZEN, and TIGHT can each describe something held in position or unable to move.
Blue: MLB Player, for Short
A, CARD, JAY, and YANK are clipped references to MLB teams: the Athletics, Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Yankees, respectively.
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Purple: ___ Queen
DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG, and MAY each form a familiar phrase when followed by “Queen.” May Queen refers to a figure associated with May Day parades.
Red herrings and a sensible solve order
Several words invite plausible but misleading connections. FROZEN, PRODUCE, and DAIRY can suggest grocery-store sections, while DRAG and YANK can both suggest pulling. Those overlaps do not account for a complete group of four.
- Start with FORM, MAKE, MOLD, and PRODUCE: the shared create/build meaning is direct.
- Check FAST, FIRM, FROZEN, and TIGHT for the fixed-or-secure idea.
- Look at the remaining words as abbreviated baseball team references: A, CARD, JAY, and YANK.
- Complete the last set with “Queen”: DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG, and MAY.
What Connections asks you to do
Connections is a four-by-four word-grouping puzzle: sort 16 words into four groups of four based on a shared connection. WePC’s answer guide says the game ends after the fourth incorrect guess. NYT Games is identified as the place to play on desktop or mobile; check the current game interface for up-to-date access details and rules.
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