Connections Answers

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

1

KINDS OF TOPS

These are all popular types of shirts or 'tops' commonly worn in American culture, especially by women and often during warm weather. They each describe a distinct style of shirt.
Individual words:
CROP: A "crop top" is a shirt that is cut short, usually ending above the navel. It is a popular style, especially among young people, during warm weather.
HALTER: A "halter top" is a shirt with straps that tie or fasten behind the neck, leaving the shoulders and often the back bare. It's a common summer style.
TANK: A "tank top" is a sleeveless shirt with wide shoulder straps. Both men and women wear them. It's very common for casual wear or during sports in the US.
TUBE: A "tube top" is a strapless shirt that fits tightly around the chest, like a tube. It does not have shoulder straps and is often worn casually in summer.
2

SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS

These are all types of software you can download and install to add features, make devices work, or expand programs on a computer or phone.
Individual words:
APP: Short for 'application.' It's a program you download to your phone, tablet, or computer to do specific tasks, like games, social media, or banking. A very common word in American English.
DRIVER: A small program that lets your computer communicate with a hardware device, like a printer or a mouse. It's essential for the hardware to work correctly.
EXTENSION: Software that adds new features or extra functions to a larger program, often a web browser. For example, a browser extension can block ads or check your grammar.
PLUGIN: A software component that adds a specific function to an existing computer program. For example, a video player might need a plugin to play certain file types. Similar to an extension.
3

ELEMENTS OF A MUSICAL

These words are all essential parts that create a theatrical musical. They represent the story, songs, and instrumental arrangements.
Individual words:
BOOK: The 'book' of a musical is the script. It contains the story, spoken dialogue, and stage directions. It's the written plot, not a physical book.
LYRICS: Lyrics are the words that are sung in the songs of a musical. They tell part of the story or show a character's feelings.
MUSIC: Music is the melody and harmony in a musical. It includes the tunes sung by actors and played by instruments, creating the emotional atmosphere.
ORCHESTRATION: Orchestration is how the music is arranged for all the different instruments in the orchestra. It decides which instrument plays what part.
4

TELE___

All these words complete the prefix "TELE-" to form a new word related to distance, communication, or sight.
Individual words:
GRAM: When combined with 'TELE-', 'telegram' was an old way to send short, urgent messages over long distances quickly, similar to a text message today.
KINESIS: When combined with 'TELE-', 'telekinesis' is an imaginary power from science fiction where a person can move objects using only their mind, without touching them.
PROMPTER: When combined with 'TELE-', a 'teleprompter' is a screen that shows text to a speaker, like a news anchor or politician, helping them remember what to say.
VISION: When combined with 'TELE-', 'television' is the electronic device with a screen that people watch to see shows, movies, and news from a distance in their homes.
NYT Connections Answers for Tuesday, July 21, 2026 | ESL Explanations | NYT Games ESL