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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →NYT Connections No. 977 is the Thursday, February 12, 2026, puzzle. Its 16 words look unusually slippery because several can point toward more than one category: FAST, for example, can suggest speed, while A looks almost too short to be useful. The cleanest route is to identify the four words that can precede or follow a familiar phrase, then separate the baseball abbreviations from the construction and fixed-position terms.
Try the clues below before opening the answer section. The puzzle is the same release even where publication dates differ by time zone; some coverage appeared on February 11 because of that timing.
NYT Connections No. 977: the 16 words
Here is the complete grid for Thursday’s puzzle:
MAY, YANK, A, CARD, FROZEN, PRODUCE, DANCING, DAIRY, MAKE, JAY, FAST, FORM, DRAG, FIRM, MOLD, TIGHT
Hints for each Connections group
These clues move from broad to specific. They are designed to preserve the puzzle rather than give away every word immediately.
#1 Best Overall
| Color | Hint | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | The act of building / To build | Words meaning to create or shape something |
| Green | In a steady position / Not mobile | Words describing something held securely in place |
| Blue | Short versions of baseball teams / Baseball pro | Abbreviated names associated with MLB clubs |
| Purple | Add a royal name / Not king | Words that can come before “Queen” |
A useful solving path
- Start with the construction group. FORM, MAKE, MOLD and PRODUCE all describe creating or shaping something.
- Look for the stationary terms. FAST can mean firmly fixed, not merely quick. Alongside FIRM, FROZEN and TIGHT, it forms the group about remaining in place.
- Read the short baseball words as names. A, CARD, JAY and YANK are shortened forms connected with MLB players or teams: Athletics, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Yankees.
- Use the final phrase pattern. The remaining words pair with “Queen”: DAIRY QUEEN, DANCING QUEEN, DRAG QUEEN and MAY QUEEN.
Spoilers: the answers to Connections No. 977
Warning: the complete solution is below.
Yellow: CONSTRUCT
FORM, MAKE, MOLD, PRODUCE
Each word can describe the act of creating or building. “Form” and “mold” emphasize shaping, while “make” and “produce” are broader ways to create something.
Green: FIXED IN PLACE
FAST, FIRM, FROZEN, TIGHT
In this group, FAST does not mean moving quickly. It means securely fixed, as in something held fast. Firm, frozen and tight reinforce the idea of something that is not mobile.
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Blue: MLB PLAYER, FOR SHORT
A, CARD, JAY, YANK
These are shortened baseball references: A for the Athletics, Card for a Cardinal, Jay for a Blue Jay and Yank for a Yankee. The category’s intended wording is “MLB PLAYER, FOR SHORT,” rather than simply baseball teams.
Purple: ___ QUEEN
DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG, MAY
The completed phrases are Dairy Queen, Dancing Queen, drag queen and May Queen. The group is built around the word “Queen,” not specifically around songs by the band Queen.
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Why this grid is tricky
No. 977 places several ordinary words in misleading roles. FAST is the biggest trap because its familiar meaning suggests speed, but the puzzle uses its older sense of being firmly attached. The baseball group is also compressed: A, CARD, JAY and YANK are not presented as full team names. Finally, the purple set depends on recognizing four distinct expressions that end in “Queen,” including the seasonal title May Queen.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
What is the answer to NYT Connections No. 977?
The four groups are CONSTRUCT: FORM, MAKE, MOLD, PRODUCE; FIXED IN PLACE: FAST, FIRM, FROZEN, TIGHT; MLB PLAYER, FOR SHORT: A, CARD, JAY, YANK; and ___ QUEEN: DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG, MAY.
What is the purple group in Connections for February 12, 2026?
The purple group is ___ QUEEN: DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG and MAY.
Why is FAST in the fixed-in-place group?
Here, “fast” means firmly fixed or held securely, rather than moving quickly.
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What do A, CARD, JAY and YANK have in common?
They are shortened baseball references associated with the Athletics, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Yankees, respectively.
The Bottom Line
Connections No. 977 hinges on alternate meanings and shortened names. The decisive discoveries are FAST as “fixed,” the compressed MLB references, and the four phrases ending in Queen. The completed groups are CONSTRUCT, FIXED IN PLACE, MLB PLAYER, FOR SHORT, and ___ QUEEN.
Quick Recap
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