NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 17, 2026

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle , and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself.

Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 17, 2026 Alert meaning A warning signal about danger or important information.

Chime meaning To make a clear ringing sound.

Ding meaning A short, sharp metallic ringing sound like a bell, timer or doorbell.

Ping meaning A quick electronic message/signal sent to check someone's status.

Boheme meaning "The bohemian" or "the bohemian life" in French.

Brea meaning A thick, black, sticky substance used for waterproofing and roadmaking.

Paz meaning The word for peace in Spanish.

Scala meaning A Latin/Italian word for ladder or staircase.

Print meaning Physical publications like books, newspapers and magazines.

Shot meaning A single photographic exposure (snapshot) or an uninterrupted sequence of film/video captured by one camera.