LinkedIn Pinpoint Answer for January 20, 2026
LINKEDIN PINPOINT CLUES
January 20, 2026
Cherry
Walnut
Ebony
Oak
Maple
Clue Meanings Explained
Cherry
This refers to a tree belonging to the genus Prunus, which is famous for its small, fleshy stone fruits and beautiful spring blossoms. In the context of materials, it is a highly prized reddish-brown wood that darkens with age.
Walnut
This is a large tree from the Juglans genus. While many people associate it with the edible nut found in the shell, it is equally famous in the design world for its dark, dense, and fine-grained timber used in high-end furniture.
Ebony
This is a dense black or dark brown hardwood, traditionally sourced from several different species in the genus Diospyros. It is so heavy and dense that it is one of the few types of wood that will actually sink in water.
Oak
A powerhouse of the forest, the Oak belongs to the Quercus genus. It is known for its incredible strength, longevity, and the acorns it produces. It has been a staple in construction and flooring for centuries due to its durability.
Maple
This tree is part of the Acer genus and is most famous for its distinctive leaf shape (found on the Canadian flag) and the sweet syrup made from its sap. Its wood is incredibly versatile, ranging from basketball courts to musical instruments.
Today’s LinkedIn Pinpoint puzzle was a classic example of how a simple list can lead you down a few different paths before the final picture becomes crystal clear. At first glance, you might think about food or colors, but as the clues pile up, the theme shifts toward the natural world and craftsmanship. Let's break down exactly how these five words fit together to lead us to the answer: Types of Trees (specifically those known for their hardwood).
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When the first clue, Cherry, popped up, my mind immediately went to the grocery store. I thought we might be looking for "Fruit" or maybe "Pie Fillings." It’s a common starting point because "Cherry" is such a dominant flavor in our daily lives. I almost guessed "Red Things," but I decided to wait for the second clue to see if that pattern held up.
Then came Walnut. Now, this was a bit of a curveball. Walnut and Cherry are both things you can eat, so I momentarily considered "Ice Cream Toppings" or "Types of Nuts," though I knew Cherry wasn't a nut. However, as a fan of interior design, a second possibility started flickering in my mind: wood finishes. Both cherry and walnut are iconic choices for kitchen cabinets and desks.
The real "Aha!" moment happened with the third clue, Ebony. This completely killed the "Food" theory. You don't eat ebony. Ebony is strictly known for its dark color and its use in luxury items like piano keys or decorative carvings. At this point, I was 90% sure the category was "Wood" or "Trees."
By the time Oak and Maple appeared, the mystery was totally gone. Oak is the quintessential sturdy tree, and Maple is the classic companion to it in any forest or lumber yard. While I initially bounced between "Furniture Materials" and "Wood Types," the most fundamental connection between all five is that they are all Types of Trees, specifically the hardwood variety. I submitted the answer with total confidence.
Lessons Learned From Today's Pinpoint Solution
Beware of the "Food Trap": Many Pinpoint puzzles start with a word that has a very common culinary meaning (like Cherry or Walnut) to lead you toward a simple category. Always look for the secondary meaning of the word, such as its material or its biological origin.
Wait for the "Negative" Clue: A "negative" clue is one that disqualifies your first theory. In this case, "Ebony" was the negative clue because it proved the category couldn't be food. Identifying which clue breaks your current theory is the fastest way to find the right one.
Look for Industry Connections: When you see words like Oak, Maple, and Walnut, think about where you see them grouped together in real life. You see these names in flooring catalogs, furniture stores, and hardware shops. Recognizing these real-world groupings makes the connection much more obvious.
Broad vs. Specific: Sometimes the game wants a broad category (Trees) rather than a specific one (Hardwoods). It’s usually safer to think about the most common name for the group first before getting too technical.
Expert Q&A
Why are these specific trees grouped together in this puzzle?
These five trees are all famous "hardwoods." Unlike softwoods (like Pine or Cedar), these trees are deciduous and are prized by woodworkers for their density, durability, and beautiful grain patterns used in high-quality manufacturing.
Could "Colors" have been a valid guess for this puzzle?
While you can find "Cherry red," "Walnut stain," or "Ebony black," the word "Oak" isn't typically used as a primary color name in the same way. The botanical connection (trees) is much stronger and more consistent across all five clues than the color connection.
What is the most unique characteristic of Ebony compared to the others?
Ebony is the outlier in terms of density. While Oak and Maple are strong, Ebony is so dense that it doesn't float. Historically, it was also the primary material for the black keys on a piano, whereas Maple or even Spruce might be used for other parts of the instrument.
Is there a reason "Pine" wasn't included in this list?
Pine is a "softwood" (a conifer), whereas the five clues provided are all "hardwoods." Including Pine might have made the category "Types of Wood" a bit more general, but the current list specifically highlights premium hardwoods often used in fine craftsmanship.
How does the Pinpoint game usually handle categories with multiple meanings?
The game thrives on ambiguity. It often starts with a word that has 3 or 4 meanings and then uses subsequent clues to "narrow the funnel" until only one shared meaning remains. The key is to remain flexible and abandon your first theory as soon as a new clue doesn't fit.