The New York Times has discovered a hit with online word puzzles, and Connections is evidence of this. Having debuted in June 2023, it has already become the second-most played game behind Wordle. The NYT Connection is created to challenge the ability to recognize patterns and connect words, Connections has engaged players globally with its new combination of logic, word games, and trivia.
Connections is a 16-word grid where the goal is to place the words into four groups according to a theme. The categories differ in difficulty and are color-coded from easiest through green, blue, to purple, which is the most challenging.
Players need to think carefully to avoid pitfalls such as homophones, overlapping sets, and incorrect word connections. One word could appear to belong to several sets, so the challenge is even more formidable. To help with the puzzle, players can re-arrange the words to see things from a different perspective.
Need a little assistance? Here are today's tips to lead the way:
Yellow: Associated with teams that control their sports.
Green: All about adding some extra flair to hair.
Blue: Materials for a handyman DIY job.
Purple: Descriptions following a famous golden word.
These tips are just enough to push you along without spoiling the excitement. Let yourself ponder the words, and figure out the concealed associations first before referencing the solutions.
In case you were stumped with the puzzle, the following are today's solutions:
Yellow (Teams with the most championships): Canadien, Celtic, Packer, Yankee
Green (Ways to add volume to hair): Crimp, Curl, Feather, Tease
Blue (Macaroni art supplies): Glitter, Glue, Paper, Macaroni
Purple (Words after "Golden"): Goose, Doodle, Parachute, Rod
Did you crack it without hints? Good for you! If not, there's always another chance to crack tomorrow's puzzle.
Begin with the easiest group, normally yellow.
Seek out synonyms or similar meanings among words.
Consider pop culture, history, and idioms when grouping words.
Use the shuffle feature to see words from a new angle.
Avoid random guessing—think through each set before making a selection.
Unlike regular crosswords, Connections requires players to experience thinking more expansively, identifying patterns outside of literal definitions. The combination of trivia, word association, and logic makes it a thrilling daily mental exercise. Played alone or with friends, it provides a satisfying and a feeling of accomplishment with each completed puzzle.
As there's a fresh puzzle released each midnight, the challenge never dulls. Keep playing, learn from your tactics, and enjoy the daily experience of breaking the code!