Discover the four hidden groups from 16 seemingly unrelated words.
Use category-wise hints covering video calls, spreadsheets, music legends, and pet names.
Check the complete answers: HUDDLE, MEET, TEAMS, ZOOM; FORMULA, FUNCTION, MACRO, SCRIPT; DOLLY, JOHNNY, PATSY, WILLIE; and BIRDIE, CATTLE, DOGIE, FISHEYE.
NYT Connections’ grid for today is live, featuring 16 fresh words and four categories. Initially, the words are scattered randomly, and none of the themes provide any clues to help guess. Therefore, players need to observe to discover the links between apparently disconnected words. Four of them must share a connection to four sets.
If you are struggling with today’s NYT Connections, the puzzle on August 17 presents words that are closely connected to synonyms for video calling platforms, spreadsheet formulas, and pet species. Finding the correct four words to make each set may require some help, so here’s a detailed guide to dive into NYT Connections answers and hints for today.
NYT Connections is challenging, for sure, but every day, The New York Times publishes expert reviews of the puzzles, with experts rating NYT Connections out of 5. The rating depends on how many chances they need to solve the puzzle.
Players’ personal ratings may differ, but the August 17 Connections puzzle is rated as 1.8 out of 5. Still, for those who are struggling to figure it out, here are the hints to make the process easier. Let's start with the hints category-wise:
Easiest Group (Yellow): Today’s yellow group words are terms commonly used on video calling platforms.
Moderate Group (Green): This group will contain words related to spreadsheet features.
Challenging Group (Blue): In this group, you will encounter terms that refer to music legends.
Most Difficult Group (Purple): These words begin with pet names.
Also Read: NYT Wordle Hints, Answers for August 14, 2026: Expert Walkthrough
With the above hints, solvers must have reached near the themes of today’s Connections, but if there are words to form them, below are the solutions to check out:
Yellow Category (VIDEO CALL PLATFORMS): HUDDLE, MEET, TEAMS, ZOOM
Green Category (SPREADSHEET FEATURES): FORMULA, FUNCTION, MACRO, SCRIPT
Blue Category (FIRST NAMES OF COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS): DOLLY, JOHNNY, PATSY, WILLIE
Purple Category (STARTING WITH PETS): BIRDIE, CATTLE, DOGIE, FISHEYE
For further clarity, check out the image below:
These are the four categories for today’s puzzle, and hopefully, most players have guessed the word sets without the answer. So, congratulations to all who have solved it!
Unlike traditional crosswords or word searches, NYT Connections asks players to identify subtle connections between the given words and form four groups of four. Connections presents a grid of 16 words, and the objective is to group them into four sets of four words each.
The twist is that each set must be formed around a specific theme. To solve this puzzle, players must be aware of the connection between particular words.
NYT Connections offers a tricky yet enjoyable puzzle-solving experience to word-puzzle enthusiasts. The unique solving method is one of the most attractive parts of the puzzle. This puzzle appeals to those who love challenges.
Unlike other puzzles, this one offers four different themes every day, making it both complicated and exciting. These themes never get repeated. Therefore, the solutions require a solid vocabulary to identify connections between words.
Also Read: NYT Strands Hints, Spangram and Answers for August 16, 2026