LinkedIn Pinpoint Answer for January 31, 2026
LINKEDIN PINPOINT CLUES
January 31, 2026
Class
Mind
Stroke
Piece
Of ceremonies
Clue Meanings Explained
Class
This usually refers to a group of students learning together or a specific category or rank in a social or professional system.
Mind
This refers to the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought.
Stroke
This can mean a physical movement (like in swimming or rowing), a mark made by a brush or pen, or a sudden disabling attack or feat of brilliance.
Piece
This signifies a portion of an object or of a material, or an individual artistic, musical, or literary work.
Of ceremonies
This is a prepositional phrase describing someone who presides over a formal event or entertainment, acting as a host.
Welcome to another deep dive into the daily LinkedIn Pinpoint puzzle. As an analyst who looks at these word associations every day, I can tell you that today’s set was a classic example of how a single prefix or "head word" can tie together completely different areas of life—from education and art to social events and psychology. Let’s break down the logic behind today’s puzzle and see how these five clues lead us to the common thread.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When I first saw the word "Class," my brain immediately went in a dozen different directions. I thought about "World Class," "First Class," or maybe even "Working Class." It’s such a broad term that it’s almost impossible to pin down on the first try. I actually considered if the category might be "Types of Social Hierarchies," but that felt a bit too academic for a quick daily puzzle.
Then the second clue, "Mind," popped up. Now, "Mind" and "Class" don't have an obvious direct link. I thought about "Mindset," but "Class-set" isn't really a common phrase. However, the word "Mastermind" started to tickle the back of my brain. If I applied "Master" to the first clue, I got "Masterclass." That felt like a very strong lead.
The third clue, "Stroke," was the "aha!" moment. A "Masterstroke" is a well-known idiom for a brilliant move or action. At this point, I was about 90% sure the answer involved the word "Master." I quickly tested it against the first two clues again, and "Masterclass" and "Mastermind" fit perfectly.
When "Piece" appeared as the fourth clue, it was just a victory lap. "Masterpiece" is perhaps the most common "Master-" word in the English language when talking about high-quality work. It solidified the pattern completely.
The final clue, "Of ceremonies," was the clincher. While the other clues were words that "Master" attaches to directly to form a new word (compounds), this one required the word "Master" to stand alone as a title: "Master of ceremonies." It was a clever way to finish the set, moving from compound words to a formal title.
Lessons Learned From Today's Pinpoint Solution
Look for the "Prefix" Potential: When you see words like "Mind," "Piece," or "Class," always check if a common word can be placed before them to create a new compound word. "Master" is a frequent flyer in these types of puzzles.
Don't Get Stuck on One Meaning: "Stroke" could be medical or athletic, but in this context, it was metaphorical. Staying flexible with definitions helps you see the connection faster.
The "Of" Clue Strategy: Whenever you see a clue starting with "Of," like "Of ceremonies," "Of the house," or "Of art," the answer is almost always the noun that precedes that phrase.
Test the Pattern Early: Once you have two clues, try to find a single word that fits both. Even if you aren't sure, it gives you a "working theory" to test against the third and fourth clues.
Expert Q&A
Why does "Master" work with such different words like "Mind" and "Stroke"?
The word "Master" fundamentally implies a high level of skill, control, or dominance. Whether it's controlling a situation (Mastermind), a brilliant move (Masterstroke), or a high-level lesson (Masterclass), the underlying theme of "superiority" or "expertise" remains consistent across all these clues.
Is "Master of ceremonies" treated differently than "Masterpiece"?
In linguistics, yes. "Masterpiece" is a closed compound word, while "Master of ceremonies" is a phrasal title. However, in Pinpoint, the game looks for the semantic link—the word that can be placed in front of or behind the clues to make sense, regardless of whether it's one word or a phrase.
What is the significance of the clue "Piece" in this specific puzzle?
"Piece" acts as a bridge. It is one of the most recognizable pairings with "Master." By including it, the puzzle designers ensure that even if you struggled with "Stroke" or "Mind," the connection to "Master" becomes undeniable.
Could "Head" have been a possible answer for some of these?
It's a good guess! "Headpiece" and "Headmaster" work, but "Headmind" or "Head of ceremonies" (usually "Chair" or "Master") don't quite fit the standard English vernacular, which is why "Master" is the only logical fit for the entire set.
How do I improve my speed at recognizing these associations?
The best way is to practice identifying common prefixes and suffixes. Many Pinpoint puzzles rely on words that can be joined to form common nouns. Reading a wide variety of materials—from news to art history—helps build the mental library needed for clues like "Of ceremonies."