NYT Connections Hint - July 21, 2025

Hey there, word lovers! 🌟 Today felt like a thrilling scavenger hunt through a vocabulary wonderland. I mean, who knew ‘freezing’ and ‘melting’ would be buddies in today’s game? It’s like they were having a little dance-off, and I was just there witnessing it with my coffee. Today’s groupings challenged me but also gave me so much joy once I figured them out. Let’s dive into it!

Word Explanations

• FREEZING

  • FREEZING is when a liquid turns into a solid, like water becoming ice. It’s that satisfying moment when you pull a tray of ice cubes from the freezer and hear that delightful crack. 😍

• FOOT

  • FOOT refers to both the body part and a measurement. How cool is it that our anatomy is also part of numbers! I mean, I often find myself wondering, 'Is this cake six inches long or is that just me being hungry?'

• EXTRA

  • EXTRA means more than what is usual or expected. Whether it's an extra slice of pizza or an unexpected compliment, who doesn’t love a little extra? Sometimes a little bit can go a long way in brightening someone’s day!

• CONTRACTION

  • CONTRACTION refers to the shortening of a word or how muscles act—like when you work out and feel that satisfying burn! Also, they can be used in phrases like 'can’t' or 'won’t'. Isn’t English a playful language?

• ICING

  • ICING is that delightful topping we add to cakes. It can sweeten any dessert, and let’s be real, it’s often the best part of the cake! Who can resist those artful swirls?

• SHRINKAGE

  • SHRINKAGE! It sounds like something right out of a sitcom episode! It can apply to clothes after a wash (ugh, the horror!) or could simply refer to reducing in size. Seinfeld fans would agree; it’s definitely a key buzzword!

• CONDENSATION

  • CONDENSATION is when water vapor turns back into liquid, like droplets forming on a cold glass. It’s like magic but grounded in science! Reminds me of lazy afternoons with a nice iced drink. ☀️

• MELTING

  • MELTING is when solids become liquids—think ice cream on a hot day! Nothing like that guilt of devouring a cone that’s dripping all over your hand. Sweet, sticky summer memories!

• POSSESSIVE

  • POSSESSIVE indicates ownership. It’s fascinating how language lets us express that 'this is mine' feeling. Like when I claim the last piece of pizza, it’s suddenly my pizza.

• YADA YADA

  • YADA YADA is part of pop culture—used to skip over the unimportant details in a story. It's a playful nod to make conversation simpler. I hear George often utilizes this one perfectly!

• BONUS

  • BONUS signifies an extra reward. It’s like finding money in your pocket that you forgot about! Is there a better feeling than that? No, I don’t think so!

• REGIFTING

  • REGIFTING is giving someone a gift that you received. It's kind of a cheeky little loophole in gift-giving! It's like a second chance for that sweater you know you won't wear. 😂

• FESTIVUS

  • FESTIVUS is a holiday for the rest of us! Thanks to Seinfeld, it’s all about airing grievances. Calls for a punchy joke or two, right?

• QUOTE

  • QUOTE is to repeat someone’s words or phrases. Quotes can inspire us, amuse us, and sometimes they even define moments in pop culture. Who doesn't love to quote the classics?

• GRAVY

  • GRAVY is a delicious sauce made from meat juices. It's the ultimate comfort food addition! How does one even eat mashed potatoes without it? It’s a true culinary delight!

• VAPORIZATION

  • VAPORIZATION is the process of a liquid becoming vapor. It makes me think of hot baths where steam floats up, lifting away stresses—pure bliss!

Theme Hints

1. ADDITIONAL PERK

   • Think of anything that makes your experience a little sweeter or richer.

2. PHASE TRANSITIONS FOR LIQUIDS

   • Consider processes that happen to liquids as they change state—nature's own magic trick!

3. CONCEPTS FROM “SEINFELD”

   • Think of quirky phrases that might come up in hilarious conversations!

4. WHAT ' CAN INDICATE

   • Think of expressions or phrases that can show ownership or examples!

Answers Explanation

What a rollercoaster ride of words today! Each one was like a little nugget of joy. It's funny how a game can be so thought-provoking and entertaining all at once. Can't wait to dive into more word fun tomorrow!