The NYT Connections test measures how good a player can discovering a theme that they can link with their components. Players are expected to arrange 16 words into four sets that progress from the most obvious (yellow) into the most obscure (purple).
Let’s understand the hints to solve the equation today.
Today's Theme: “Burlesque Wardrobe”
Look for items of clothing associated with burlesque performances
These are definite garment words specifically related to this actor's form
Think about distinctive costume elements in this entertainment form
Hint: These are garments associated with traditional burlesque or cabaret acts
Today's Theme: “MESS UP THE SURFACE OF”
List all the verbs or nouns spoken about affecting the surface of any object.
Among the given instances, work through ways to mark something or abuse it.
Every term should reflect the genesis of some form of unwanted mark or imperfections.
Hint: These words all describe surface damage or imperfections
Today's Theme: “THEY ROAR”
Inquire into expected items reaching the auditory sensation associated with roaring.
There might be both organisms and nonliving material within this theme.
Think of any object that might "roar" either literally or symbolically.
Hint: These diverse items all share the characteristic of producing a loud, powerful sound
Today's Theme: "LATIN DANCES WITH A VOWEL CHANGED"
These are names of Latin dances with one vowel altered.
Let words that become Latin dances on changing one vowel.
Look into popular Latin rhythms, and maybe in disguise.
Hint: Each word is one vowel away from being a well-known Latin dance style
Practice with hints from previous game puzzles. This will sharpen skills for the coming games.
For the Yellow category focusing on burlesque wear, consider the approach from 11 April 2025. The "SOURCES OF VITAMINS" theme required identifying where we acquire essential nutrients. Both categories involve recognising items within a specific domain or category.
The Green category featuring surface damage words builds on the pattern from 12 April 2025, where the theme was "Oops! Not your finest moment." Both categories involve recognising terms related to mistakes, damage, or imperfections.
For the Blue category about things that roar, apply the thematic approach from 10 April 2025. The "ANTI-SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS" theme required identifying concepts opposed to Christmas cheer. Similarly, today players need to recognise elements that share a common characteristic (roaring) despite being otherwise unrelated.
The Purple category tests your ability to recognise Latin dance names with vowel changes. This wordplay approach adds a new dimension to previous pattern recognition challenges, requiring both cultural knowledge and linguistic flexibility.
For those who want the complete solutions to today's puzzle:
Puzzle designer Wyna Liu developed Connections for the NY Times, part of the NYT Games family, in 2023. Today's Connections puzzle offers a delightful mix of cultural references (burlesque fashion and Latin dances), everyday vocabulary (surface damage), and creative associations (roaring things).