.png){kind=logo}
The yellow cluster connects to “being naturally talented”—BENT, FACULTY, FLAIR, and GIFT.
The green cluster points out words having a silent “w”—PLAYWRIGHT, SWORD, WRAP, and WREATH.
The blue cluster features classic Hollywood slash-up legends—DEAN, GABLE, GARLAND, and TEMPLE.
The purple cluster fits the phrases “hit the ___” — HAY, JACKPOT, ROAD, and ROOF.
The first day of August arrives with a delightful NYT Connections puzzle full of clever twists and nostalgic nods. Today’s grid blends language quirks with a classic Hollywood flair, making it a standout end-of-week challenge for puzzle lovers.
NYT Connections Today has a light, upbeat feel, and that suits a Friday just fine. Whether solving before a morning coffee or while easing into the weekend, this puzzle delivers those small, satisfying “aha” moments. The themes aren’t just clever—they’re also fun to discover.
NYT Connections is a daily word game from the New York Times. Players are given 16 words and must sort them into four groups of four. Each group shares a common theme, which might be straightforward or full of wordplay. Only one correct answer exists, so accuracy counts.
Groups are color-coded by difficulty level: the easiest ones are yellow, followed by green, then blue, and finally purple, which is a little harder to complete and requires some cultural knowledge. Up to four errors can be made, and there is a shuffle button to reveal patterns one would otherwise miss.
PLAYWRIGHT, DEAN, ROOF, TEMPLE, FACULTY, WREATH, BENT, SWORD, GARLAND, HAY, GIFT, WRAP, JACKPOT, FLAIR, GABLE, ROAD
Several words jump out right away. Some evoke job titles, others feel rooted in film or language. Today’s puzzle has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Yellow group — associated with talent or natural ability
Green group — each includes a silent "w"
Blue group — names tied to Golden Age Hollywood stars
Purple group — complete the phrase "hit the ___"
FLAIR
WRAP
TEMPLE
ROAD
Yellow group — aptitude (BENT, FACULTY, FLAIR, GIFT)
Green group — silent "w" (PLAYWRIGHT, SWORD, WRAP, WREATH)
Blue group — Legends of Classic Hollywood icons (DEAN, GABLE,GARLAND, TEMPLE)
Purple group — Hit the _____ (HAY, JACKPOT, ROAD, ROOF)
Start with yellow—it’s always lovely when the easiest group lives up to its name. Words like GIFT, FLAIR, and BENT point to natural ability. FACULTY initially feels academic, but fits perfectly as another synonym for talent.
The green group is less visual and more phonetic. WRAP and WREATH might seem decorative initially, but they reveal their silent "w" secret when paired with SWORD and PLAYWRIGHT. This group rewards attention to how words sound, not just how they look.
Classic film fans will appreciate the blue group. DEAN, GABLE, GARLAND, and TEMPLE—these names are legendary. Recognizing James Dean, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, and Shirley Temple makes this set pop out of the grid.
Purple ends the puzzle with a dash of idiomatic flair. JACKPOT is the giveaway—"hit the jackpot" is a familiar phrase. From there, ROAD, ROOF, and HAY round out the group with sayings like "hit the road," "hit the roof," and "hit the hay."
The NYT Connections answers today mimic how a solver might enjoy combining a mixture of language, culture, and clever wordplay. Each group is separate yet alike and caters to everyone—the grammar freak, the cinephile.
This puzzle could have come from a new initiation into August at any moment. Carry the flow by exploring past games from the archives, and stay tuned for tomorrow's NYT Connections tips and answers.
Here’s to a fun start to the month and keeping those streaks alive!
