Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1250) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• GREAT SCOTT
• ROCKY ROAD
• YOU'RE TOAST
• FLUX CAPACITOR
• MOONLIGHT
• SONATA
• JIMINY CRICKET
• MARTY MCFLY
• COMEDY ROAST
• DOC BROWN
• CHANGE PURSE
• ARCTIC CHAR
• GOOD HEAVENS
• SHIFT DRESS
• GLADIATOR SANDALS
• HOLY SMOKES
• SWING SET

NYT Connections today (game #1250) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Polite curses
• GREEN: A variety of beginnings
• BLUE: Burnt ends
• PURPLE: Look for the Academy Award winners

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1250) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: "GADZOOKS!"
• GREEN: STARTING WITH VARIATIONS
• BLUE: ENDING IN WAYS TO COOK THINGS
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH BEST PICTURE OSCAR WINNERS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1250) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1250, are…

• YELLOW: "GADZOOKS!": GOOD HEAVENS, GREAT SCOTT, HOLY SMOKES, JIMINY CRICKET
• GREEN: STARTING WITH VARIATIONS: CHANGE PURSE, FLUX CAPACITOR, SHIFT DRESS, SWING SET
• BLUE: ENDING IN WAYS TO COOK THINGS: ARCTIC CHAR, COMEDY ROAST, DOC BROWN, YOU'RE TOAST
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH BEST PICTURE OSCAR WINNERS: GLADIATOR SANDALS, MARTY MCFLY, MOONLIGHT SONATA, ROCKY ROAD

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

I'm sure I wasn’t the only player to attempt a Back to the Future-themed group today. Fortunately, I pulled out after failing to find a fourth tile to go with MARTY McFLY, FLUX CAPACITOR and DOC BROWN.

Instead, I made my first mistake by including HOLY SMOKES among the group of ENDING IN WAYS TO COOK THINGS and then mistakenly placed MOONLIGHT SONATA in the green group, before realizing the connection.

Initially I had thought that the Marty in STARTING WITH BEST PICTURE OSCAR WINNERS referred to Marty Supreme, but have subsequently discovered it’s a reference to the 1955 film Marty, which won four Oscars including Best Picture.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, November 11, 2026, game #1249)

• YELLOW: KINDS OF MEDICINE: FOLK, HERBAL, HOLISTIC, TRADITIONAL
• GREEN: PARTS OF A GOLF COURSE: GREEN, ROUGH, SAND TRAP, TEE BOX
• BLUE: THINGS FILLED WITH AIR: AIR MATTRESS, BUBBLE, TIRE, WHOOPIE CUSHION
• PURPLE: ENDING IN PALINDROMES: AFTERNOON, PATOOT, RHEOSTATS, SHREDDER

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1249) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SHREDDER
• HERBAL
• PATOOT
• WHOOPIE CUSHION
• GREEN
• FOLK
• BUBBLE
• ROUGH
• AFTERNOON
• RHEOSTATS
• TRADITIONAL
• TIRE
• SAND TRAP
• HOLISTIC
• AIR MATTRESS
• TEE BOX

NYT Connections today (game #1249) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Remedies
• GREEN: As seen across 18 holes
• BLUE: Blow these up
• PURPLE: Back to front in the end

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1249) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: KINDS OF MEDICINE
• GREEN: PARTS OF A GOLF COURSE
• BLUE: THINGS FILLED WITH AIR
• PURPLE: ENDING IN PALINDROMES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1249) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1249, are…

• YELLOW: KINDS OF MEDICINE: FOLK, HERBAL, HOLISTIC, TRADITIONAL
• GREEN: PARTS OF A GOLF COURSE: GREEN, ROUGH, SAND TRAP, TEE BOX
• BLUE: THINGS FILLED WITH AIR: AIR MATTRESS, BUBBLE, TIRE, WHOOPIE CUSHION
• PURPLE: ENDING IN PALINDROMES: AFTERNOON, PATOOT, RHEOSTATS, SHREDDER

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

Like a typical English person I fell hook, line and sinker for what I thought was a nice collection of four tiles connected by tea — GREEN, HERBAL, BUBBLE and AFTERNOON.

Shocked that this quartet didn’t even give me a “one away” pop up, I decided BUBBLE must be something to do with blowing, but instead of TIRE I started off with PATOOT, even though I had no idea what a PATOOT was; I was imagining it was something you inflate. I’m still not entirely sure what it is, to be honest.

My one piece of halfway-decent gameplay was spotting the palindromes, but by then it was far too late to feel good about myself.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, November 10, 2026, game #1248)

• YELLOW: HUBBUB: BROUHAHA, FOOFARAW, HULLABALOO, KERFUFFLE
• GREEN: LITERARY DEVICES: HYPERBOLE, METONYMY, ONOMATOPOEIA, OXYMORON
• BLUE: OLD-TIMEY OCCUPATIONS: APOTHECARY, HABERDASHER, SCRIVENER, WAINWRIGHT
• PURPLE: WORDS WITH FIVE OF ONE VOWEL: ABRACADABRA, BEEKEEPER, INVISIBILITY, PROTOZOOLOGY

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1248) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• ABRACADABRA
• ONOMATOPOEIA
• APOTHECARY
• FOOFARAW
• OXYMORON
• PROTOZOOLOGY
• HULLABALOO
• HABERDASHER
• BEEKEEPER
• SCRIVENER
• HYPERBOLE
• BROUHAHA
• WAINWRIGHT
• KERFUFFLE
• INVISIBILITY
• METONYMY

NYT Connections today (game #1248) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: A loud fuss
• GREEN: Wordsmithery
• BLUE: Job titles of yesteryear
• PURPLE: The same letter a lot

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1248) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: HUBBUB
• GREEN: LITERARY DEVICES
• BLUE: OLD-TIMEY OCCUPATIONS
• PURPLE: WORDS WITH FIVE OF ONE VOWEL

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1248) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1248, are…

• YELLOW: HUBBUB: BROUHAHA, FOOFARAW, HULLABALOO, KERFUFFLE
• GREEN: LITERARY DEVICES: HYPERBOLE, METONYMY, ONOMATOPOEIA, OXYMORON
• BLUE: OLD-TIMEY OCCUPATIONS: APOTHECARY, HABERDASHER, SCRIVENER, WAINWRIGHT
• PURPLE: WORDS WITH FIVE OF ONE VOWEL: ABRACADABRA, BEEKEEPER, INVISIBILITY, PROTOZOOLOGY

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

My one-word-review of today’s game is “frustrating”.

From the start I found the tiles very discombobulating in their wordiness, but that wasn’t what led to my frustration. Instead, it was crossovers. For HUBBUB I understood that I was looking for tiles about making an unnecessary fuss, but included HYPERBOLE instead of FOOFARAW.

Then, it took me three guesses to get OLD-TIMEY OCCUPATIONS, as I’d included BEEKEEPER because I thought APOTHECARY was a place, rather than an occupation. D'oh! And then I dropped SCRIVENER before finally getting the correct foursome.

Ah well, at least I got the groups in difficulty order.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, November 9, 2026, game #1247)

• YELLOW: DECEITFUL SCHEME: CON JOB, FLIMFLAM, RIP-OFF, SHELL GAME
• GREEN: JEANS DESCRIPTORS: BOOTCUT, DISTRESSED, LOW-RISE, SKINNY
• BLUE: THINGS WITH SERRATED EDGES: GRAPEFRUIT SPOON, MINT LEAF, STEAK KNIFE, TAPE DISPENSER
• PURPLE: ENDING IN SEA CREATURES: CARD SHARK, FUN SPONGE, GAMMA RAY, NAVY SEAL

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1247) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• STEAK KNIFE
• CARD SHARK
• CON JOB
• BOOTCUT
• NAVY SEAL
• SHELL GAME
• MINT LEAF
• GAMMA RAY
• TAPE DISPENSER
• LOW-RISE
• FUN SPONGE
• RIP-OFF
• SKINNY
• FLIMFLAM
• GRAPEFRUIT
• SPOON
• DISTRESSED

NYT Connections today (game #1247) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Designed to trick you
• GREEN: Well worn trousers
• BLUE: Share a jagged element
• PURPLE: Marine life second

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1247) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: DECEITFUL SCHEME
• GREEN: JEANS DESCRIPTORS
• BLUE: THINGS WITH SERRATED EDGES
• PURPLE: ENDING IN SEA CREATURES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1247) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1247, are…

• YELLOW: DECEITFUL SCHEME: CON JOB, FLIMFLAM, RIP-OFF, SHELL GAME
• GREEN: JEANS DESCRIPTORS: BOOTCUT, DISTRESSED, LOW-RISE, SKINNY
• BLUE: THINGS WITH SERRATED EDGES: GRAPEFRUIT SPOON, MINT LEAF, STEAK KNIFE, TAPE DISPENSER
• PURPLE: ENDING IN SEA CREATURES: CARD SHARK, FUN SPONGE, GAMMA RAY, NAVY SEAL

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

It was hard not to begin with GRAPEFRUIT SPOON, as it seemed such an utterly random tile, and after I’d added MINT LEAF to the more obvious THINGS WITH SERRATED EDGES I was convinced that I’d landed a Purple First.

Alas, this foursome was only classed as a blue — although I’d argue that it was a more difficult spot than ENDING IN SEA CREATURES; congratulations if you chose to start here.

My failure to get the yellow came down to not realizing what SHELL GAME is — although after Googling it afterwards I remembered that as a gullible tourist I had fallen for it once in New Orleans and lost $20 guessing the location of a small ball. Fortunately, it’s the kind of trick you only fall for once, but there’s always a new fool, as it’s been around since Ancient Greece.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, November 8, 2026, game #1246)

• YELLOW: HAIR SALON SERVICES: BLOWOUT, COLOR, EXTENSIONS, TRIM
• GREEN: MUSCULAR: BUILT, CUT, JACKED, RIPPED
• BLUE: THINGS THAT HELP MAKE SENSE OF A SITUATION: CLARITY, CONTEXT, INSIGHT, PERSPECTIVE
• PURPLE: VEGETABLE HOMOPHONES: CARAT, CHARRED, KORN, LEAK

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1246) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• CUT
• LEAK
• CONTEXT
• CARAT
• BUILT
• BLOWOUT
• CLARITY
• CHARRED
• COLOR
• KORN
• INSIGHT
• EXTENSIONS
• RIPPED
• TRIM
• JACKED
• PERSPECTIVE

NYT Connections today (game #1246) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Available at the beauty parlor
• GREEN: Showing off their six-pack
• BLUE: A well researched plan will give you…
• PURPLE: They sound edible

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1246) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: HAIR SALON SERVICES
• GREEN: MUSCULAR
• BLUE: THINGS THAT HELP MAKE SENSE OF A SITUATION
• PURPLE: VEGETABLE HOMOPHONES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1246) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1246, are…

• YELLOW: HAIR SALON SERVICES: BLOWOUT, COLOR, EXTENSIONS, TRIM
• GREEN: MUSCULAR: BUILT, CUT, JACKED, RIPPED
• BLUE: THINGS THAT HELP MAKE SENSE OF A SITUATION: CLARITY, CONTEXT, INSIGHT, PERSPECTIVE
• PURPLE: VEGETABLE HOMOPHONES: CARAT, CHARRED, KORN, LEAK

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

After experiencing a rare moment of CLARITY as I put together the four tiles of THINGS THAT HELP MAKE SENSE OF A SITUATION I crumbled.

My two mistakes came with HAIR SALON SERVICES, where I was on the right track with COLOR and EXTENSIONS but couldn’t decide between CUT, TRIM and BLOWOUT. I got there eventually.

For the final eight I couldn’t see beyond KORN the band and kept thinking I was missing some obvious music-based connection but went for the gym body Green set instead.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, November 7, 2026, game #1245)

• YELLOW: PIRATE'S PLUNDER: BOOTY, BOUNTY, SPOILS, TREASURE
• GREEN: KINDS OF SHIRTS: HENLEY, POLO, RAGLAN, RINGER
• BLUE: FIRST WORDS OF U.S. STATE NAMES: NEW, NORTH, RHODE, SOUTH
• PURPLE: ENDS OF STORM TYPES: CANE, CLONE, EASTER, SOON

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1245) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• POLO
• EASTER
• NEW
• CLONE
• RHODE
• RINGER
• SOON
• TREASURE
• HENLEY
• BOUNTY
• NORTH
• CANE
• SPOILS
• SOUTH
• RAGLAN
• BOOTY

NYT Connections today (game #1245) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Shiver me timbers and give me the loot
• GREEN: Garment types
• BLUE: Disunited states
• PURPLE: Finishing with rough weather

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1245) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: PIRATE'S PLUNDER
• GREEN: KINDS OF SHIRTS
• BLUE: FIRST WORDS OF U.S. STATE NAMES
• PURPLE: ENDS OF STORM TYPES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1245) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1245, are…

• YELLOW: PIRATE'S PLUNDER: BOOTY, BOUNTY, SPOILS, TREASURE
• GREEN: KINDS OF SHIRTS: HENLEY, POLO, RAGLAN, RINGER
• BLUE: FIRST WORDS OF U.S. STATE NAMES: NEW, NORTH, RHODE, SOUTH
• PURPLE: ENDS OF STORM TYPES: CANE, CLONE, EASTER, SOON

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

After landing PIRATE’S PLUNDER (all great words to describe some stolen loot from a tropical island) I floundered on the next group.

Initially I thought we were looking for islands, so I linked EASTER, RHODE, SOUTH and NORTH. Fortunately this error gave me a “one away” and I realized that instead it must be a group about US States.

From here, with eight tiles remaining, KINDS OF SHIRTS was easier to see — a good thing, as I was utterly blind to the tiles featuring ENDS OF STORM TYPES.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, November 6, 2026, game #1244)

• YELLOW: COMPOSITION: CONSTITUTION, FABRIC, MAKEUP, STRUCTURE
• GREEN: COPY: BACKUP, EXTRA, REPLACEMENT, SPARE
• BLUE: KINDS OF TRUCKS: FLATBED, PICKUP, SEMI, TANKER
• PURPLE: ENDING IN PARTS OF THE EYE: HOT ROD, OSIRIS, TRAFFIC CONE, WOOLENS

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1244) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BACKUP
• PICKUP
• MAKEUP
• HOT ROD
• FLATBED
• FABRIC
• EXTRA
• WOOLENS
• TRAFFIC CONE
• SEMI
• CONSTITUTION
• REPLACEMENT
• SPARE
• OSIRIS
• STRUCTURE
• TANKER

NYT Connections today (game #1244) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Put it together
• GREEN: A replica just in case
• BLUE: Vehicle types
• PURPLE: Optical elements

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1244) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: COMPOSITION
• GREEN: COPY
• BLUE: KINDS OF TRUCKS
• PURPLE: ENDING IN PARTS OF THE EYE

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1244) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1244, are…

• YELLOW: COMPOSITION: CONSTITUTION, FABRIC, MAKEUP, STRUCTURE
• GREEN: COPY: BACKUP, EXTRA, REPLACEMENT, SPARE
• BLUE: KINDS OF TRUCKS: FLATBED, PICKUP, SEMI, TANKER
• PURPLE: ENDING IN PARTS OF THE EYE: HOT ROD, OSIRIS, TRAFFIC CONE, WOOLENS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

At a push I might have seen iris in OSIRIS and lens in WOOLENS, but congratulations if your eye knowledge extends to knowing that HOT ROD and TRAFFIC CONE are both ENDING IN PARTS OF THE EYE.

Fortunately, getting the green group was pretty easy — although I did think the category was substitutes, rather than COPY.

My mistake came in assembling KINDS OF TRUCKS, as I included HOT ROD instead of TANKER before realizing my error. I can see clearly now, of course.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, November 5, 2026, game #1243)

• YELLOW: KINDS OF HEELS: KITTEN, PLATFORM, SPIKE, WEDGE
• GREEN: FLOWERS: ANEMONE, LOTUS, NARCISSUS, ROSE
• BLUE: TEARDROP-SHAPED THINGS: PEAR, RAINDROP, SPEEDBAG, UVULA
• PURPLE: LIQUORS WITH LAST LETTERS CHANGED: BRANDO, GIG, RUN, WHISKER

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1243) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• RAINDROP
• ROSE
• WHISKER
• KITTEN
• GIG
• PEAR
• SPIKE
• NARCISSUS
• WEDGE
• RUN
• LOTUS
• UVULA
• BRANDO
• ANEMONE
• SPEEDBAG
• PLATFORM

NYT Connections today (game #1243) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Boot types
• GREEN: Pretty in bloom
• BLUE: A shape in common
• PURPLE: Altered alcohol

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1243) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: KINDS OF HEELS
• GREEN: FLOWERS
• BLUE: TEARDROP-SHAPED THINGS
• PURPLE: LIQUORS WITH LAST LETTERS CHANGED

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1243) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1243, are…

• YELLOW: KINDS OF HEELS: KITTEN, PLATFORM, SPIKE, WEDGE
• GREEN: FLOWERS: ANEMONE, LOTUS, NARCISSUS, ROSE
• BLUE: TEARDROP-SHAPED THINGS: PEAR, RAINDROP, SPEEDBAG, UVULA
• PURPLE: LIQUORS WITH LAST LETTERS CHANGED: BRANDO, GIG, RUN, WHISKER

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

After getting KINDS OF HEELS fairly quickly, I really suffered over the rest of the game.

Getting FLOWERS took me three guesses, as I included RAINDROP and then PEAR instead of NARCISSUS, while LIQUORS WITH LAST LETTERS CHANGED was sheer luck after I'd initially thought that WHISKER and RUN were something to do with skiing, rather than alcohol.

I’m glad I managed to fluke myself home, as TEARDROP-SHAPED THINGS completely eluded me; I had no idea what a UVULA was and thought SPEEDBAG was just a smaller version of a punchball. And as for PEAR — surely that’s pear-shaped, rather than teardrop-shaped?

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, November 4, 2026, game #1242)

• YELLOW: TRIANGULAR PRISMS WITH A SHARP EDGE: DOORSTOP, FLATIRON BUILDING, PIE SLICE, WEDGE
• GREEN: WORDS AFTER "DO NOT" ON A CARE LABEL: BLEACH, IRON, TUMBLE DRY, WRING
• BLUE: MOVE IDLY, WITH "AROUND": LOLL, POKE, PUTTER, SHUFFLE
• PURPLE: FIRE____: CRACKER, FLY, WOOD, WORKS

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1242) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• FLY
• POKE
• IRON
• WORKS
• WOOD
• WRING
• WEDGE
• BLEACH
• PUTTER
• CRACKER
• DOORSTOP
• LOLL
• FLATIRON BUILDING
• SHUFFLE
• TUMBLE DRY
• PIE SLICE

NYT Connections today (game #1242) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Popular polyhedrons
• GREEN: Laundry advice
• BLUE: Casual movement
• PURPLE: Begin with a hot 4-letter word

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1242) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: TRIANGULAR PRISMS WITH A SHARP EDGE
• GREEN: WORDS AFTER "DO NOT" ON A CARE LABEL
• BLUE: MOVE IDLY, WITH "AROUND"
• PURPLE: FIRE____

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1242) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1242, are…

• YELLOW: TRIANGULAR PRISMS WITH A SHARP EDGE: DOORSTOP, FLATIRON BUILDING, PIE SLICE, WEDGE
• GREEN: WORDS AFTER "DO NOT" ON A CARE LABEL: BLEACH, IRON, TUMBLE DRY, WRING
• BLUE: MOVE IDLY, WITH "AROUND": LOLL, POKE, PUTTER, SHUFFLE
• PURPLE: FIRE____: CRACKER, FLY, WOOD, WORKS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

It was more out of luck than design, but somehow I managed to complete this game in difficulty order for the third day in a row.

As great as it is to perform the triple rainbow, this was a far-from-perfect game, and one with began with the most obvious of mistakes: namely, the linking of the four golf clubs, IRON, WEDGE, WOOD and PUTTER. I’m sure I wasn’t the only person to fall into this particular bunker.

Thankfully, I recovered and decided that the icon shape of the FLATIRON BUILDING was the key linking it to WEDGE, PIE SLICE and DOORSTOP. From here, though, I muddled through with vague notions of something to do with laundry and laziness.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, November 3, 2026, game #1241)

• YELLOW: KEEP GOING: CARRY ON, CONTINUE, PROCEED, RESUME
• GREEN: THINGS WITH WHEELS: OFFICE CHAIR, ROLLER BAG, SHOPPING CART, STROLLER
• BLUE: THINGS A SERVER BRINGS AT A RESTAURANT: CHECK, FOOD, MENU, TAP WATER
• PURPLE: ENDING IN MENU BAR HEADINGS: CREDIT, INTERVIEW, PROFILE, WHELP

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1241) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• CARRY ON
• CHECK
• ROLLER BAG
• INTERVIEW
• RESUME
• PROFILE
• OFFICE CHAIR
• FOOD
• MENU
• SHOPPING CART
• CREDIT
• CONTINUE
• WHELP
• TAP WATER
• PROCEED
• STROLLER

NYT Connections today (game #1241) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Move on
• GREEN: Movable items
• BLUE: What a waiter or waitress deliver to you
• PURPLE: Hidden computer words

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1241) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: KEEP GOING
• GREEN: THINGS WITH WHEELS
• BLUE: THINGS A SERVER BRINGS AT A RESTAURANT
• PURPLE: ENDING IN MENU BAR HEADINGS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1241) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1241, are…

• YELLOW: KEEP GOING: CARRY ON, CONTINUE, PROCEED, RESUME
• GREEN: THINGS WITH WHEELS: OFFICE CHAIR, ROLLER BAG, SHOPPING CART, STROLLER
• BLUE: THINGS A SERVER BRINGS AT A RESTAURANT: CHECK, FOOD, MENU, TAP WATER
• PURPLE: ENDING IN MENU BAR HEADINGS: CREDIT, INTERVIEW, PROFILE, WHELP

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I didn’t get the purple group and it took me a couple of reads before I understood that we were supposed to have seen edit, view, file and help at the end of CREDIT, INTERVIEW, PROFILE and WHELP — but congratulations if you spotted it.

Instead, I completed the categories in difficulty order for the second day in a row. I can only remember doing this once before and failing to complete a hat-trick, but I’ll give it a go tomorrow.

Meanwhile, THINGS A SERVER BRINGS AT A RESTAURANT was pleasing, because it confirmed my feeling that TAP WATER should always arrive at your table without you having to ask for it.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, November 2, 2026, game #1240)

• YELLOW: THINGS TO BRING ON A TREK: BACKPACK, COMPASS, HIKING BOOTS, WATER BOTTLE
• GREEN: ANGER: INCENSE, NETTLE, PIQUE, WIND UP
• BLUE: MIST MAKERS: DRY ICE, FOG MACHINE, HUMIDIFIER, WATERFALL
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH MIRRORS: DISCO BALL, DRESSING ROOM, KALEIDOSCOPE, MEDICINE CABINET

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1240) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MEDICINE CABINET
• COMPASS
• FOG MACHINE
• INCENSE
• WATERFALL
• DISCO BALL
• NETTLE
• HIKING BOOTS
• DRESSING ROOM
• DRY ICE
• WATER BOTTLE
• WIND UP
• PIQUE
• KALEIDOSCOPE
• HUMIDIFIER
• BACKPACK

NYT Connections today (game #1240) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Equipment for a long walk
• GREEN: Raging
• BLUE: Wet not wet
• PURPLE: Watch your reflection

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1240) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: THINGS TO BRING ON A TREK
• GREEN: ANGER
• BLUE: MIST MAKERS
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH MIRRORS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1240) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1240, are…

• YELLOW: THINGS TO BRING ON A TREK: BACKPACK, COMPASS, HIKING BOOTS, WATER BOTTLE
• GREEN: ANGER: INCENSE, NETTLE, PIQUE, WIND UP
• BLUE: MIST MAKERS: DRY ICE, FOG MACHINE, HUMIDIFIER, WATERFALL
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH MIRRORS: DISCO BALL, DRESSING ROOM, KALEIDOSCOPE, MEDICINE CABINET

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

A straightforward Connections puzzle to begin the week, without any word games, traps, trickery or cultural gaps.

As is often the case with these types of Connections games I got each group in difficulty order and was able to experience that little tingle of perfection, but also disappointment that I wasn’t smart enough to spot a fairly easy purple group.

Games this easy also make me suspicious that the NYT puzzle setters are merely giving our brains a day off in order to soften us up before a difficult run. Bring it on!

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, November 1, 2026, game #1239)

• YELLOW: KINDS OF TEETH: BICUSPID, CANINE, INCISOR, MOLAR
• GREEN: KINDS OF LOVE: BROTHERLY, PUPPY, SELF, UNREQUITED
• BLUE: ENTHUSIAST: FIEND, HEAD, HOUND, LOVER
• PURPLE: SYNONYMS FOR "SOAKED" WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED: DOGGY, MATURATED, TRENCHED, TRIPPING

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1239) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• HEAD
• TRIPPING
• CANINE
• LOVER
• DOGGY
• SELF
• MATURATED
• PUPPY
• HOUND
• INCISOR
• BROTHERLY
• BICUSPID
• UNREQUITED
• TRENCHED
• MOLAR
• FIEND

NYT Connections today (game #1239) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Dental
• GREEN: Romance
• BLUE: Keen on things
• PURPLE: Sodden with something missing

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1239) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: KINDS OF TEETH
• GREEN: KINDS OF LOVE
• BLUE: ENTHUSIAST
• PURPLE: SYNONYMS FOR "SOAKED" WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1239) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1239, are…

• YELLOW: KINDS OF TEETH: BICUSPID, CANINE, INCISOR, MOLAR
• GREEN: KINDS OF LOVE: BROTHERLY, PUPPY, SELF, UNREQUITED
• BLUE: ENTHUSIAST: FIEND, HEAD, HOUND, LOVER
• PURPLE: SYNONYMS FOR "SOAKED" WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED: DOGGY, MATURATED, TRENCHED, TRIPPING

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

Congratulations if you saw SYNONYMS FOR "SOAKED" WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED and scored yourself a Purple First. Of all the different types of wordplay deployed in this game I find letters changing the hardest to spot.

Having said that, I struggle with basic groups too. Today I included HOUND in the collection of KINDS OF TEETH — I was thinking of the houndstooth checked pattern, obviously.

Thankfully, I redeemed myself after this minor slip up and collected the four synonyms for ENTHUSIST, of which HEAD is my favorite because you can stick it after anything to turn them into a hippy obsessive: "Yeah man, he was a real Connections head."

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, October 31, 2026, game #1238)

• YELLOW: WORDS MEANING GOOD THAT SOUND BAD: GNARLY, KILLER, SICK, WICKED
• GREEN: MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS: DIRTY, DRY, SHAKEN, UP
• BLUE: THINGS WITH STRINGS: GUITAR, MARIONETTE, TASSEL, TENNIS RACKET
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS: DOWNFALL, SHAKESPEARE, SITCOM, STAYCATION

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1238) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• STAYCATION
• GUITAR
• DIRTY
• KILLER
• SICK
• DOWNFALL
• SHAKEN
• UP
• TENNIS RACKET
• SHAKESPEARE
• WICKED
• TASSEL
• SITCOM
• MARIONETTE
• DRY
• GNARLY

NYT Connections today (game #1238) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Confusing slang
• GREEN: Instructions for James Bond’s favorite cocktail
• BLUE: A twine in common
• PURPLE: Begin with canine control

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1238) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: WORDS MEANING GOOD THAT SOUND BAD
• GREEN: MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS
• BLUE: THINGS WITH STRINGS
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1238) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1238, are…

• YELLOW: WORDS MEANING GOOD THAT SOUND BAD: GNARLY, KILLER, SICK, WICKED
• GREEN: MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS: DIRTY, DRY, SHAKEN, UP
• BLUE: THINGS WITH STRINGS: GUITAR, MARIONETTE, TASSEL, TENNIS RACKET
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS: DOWNFALL, SHAKESPEARE, SITCOM, STAYCATION

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

I was on the right track with STARTING WITH DOG COMMANDS, as I saw the link between DOWNFALL, SITCOM and STAYCATION — but I thought KILLER was the fourth; something, in hindsight, that would take canine training to a whole new (and wrong) level.

After winning a Purple First for connecting the hardest group of the game, I made another error putting together the easiest/yellow group, including DIRTY among the WORDS MEANING GOOD THAT SOUND BAD.

After switching with GNARLY, another meaning for DIRTY came to mind and I was able to cobble together MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, October 30, 2026, game #1237)

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A CAMERA: FLASH, LENS, SHUTTER, VIEWFINDER
• GREEN: AROUND A THEATER STAGE: BACKDROP, CURTAIN, PIT, WINGS
• BLUE: THROW____: HANDS, PILLOW, RUG, SHADE
• PURPLE: FRUIT WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED: DEMON, DRAPE, GLUM, GRANGE

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1237) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• DEMON
• PIT
• HANDS
• WINGS
• SHUTTER
• GLUM
• CURTAIN
• SHADE
• DRAPE
• FLASH
• RUG
• GRANGE
• LENS
• PILLOW
• BACKDROP
• VIEWFINDER

NYT Connections today (game #1237) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Bits required for a snapshot
• GREEN: Found on Broadway
• BLUE: A word that rhymes with “glow” in common
• PURPLE: Altered food

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1237) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A CAMERA
• GREEN: AROUND A THEATER STAGE
• BLUE: THROW____
• PURPLE: FRUIT WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1237) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1237, are…

• YELLOW: PARTS OF A CAMERA: FLASH, LENS, SHUTTER, VIEWFINDER
• GREEN: AROUND A THEATER STAGE: BACKDROP, CURTAIN, PIT, WINGS
• BLUE: THROW____: HANDS, PILLOW, RUG, SHADE
• PURPLE: FRUIT WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED: DEMON, DRAPE, GLUM, GRANGE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

I got confused by home furnishings twice in this game.

The first time I was thinking that I was collecting a group of things you’d put around a window — SHADE, CURTAIN, SHUTTER, DRAPE. Then later on, things you’d use to dress up a room: RUG, THROW, DRAPE and PILLOW.

Fortunately, on both occasions I was able to recover and put some actual groups together, but it was all a bit of a struggle.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, October 29, 2026, game #1236)

• YELLOW: THINGS YOU PUT COINS INTO: PARKING METER, PAYPHONE, PIGGY BANK, WISHING WELL
• GREEN: ASSOCIATED WITH PENGUINS: ANTARCTICA, EMPEROR, TUXEDO, WADDLE
• BLUE: ENDS OF FAMOUS FONTS: GOTHIC, ROMAN, SANS, TYPEWRITER
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT FEATURE THREE COLORS: CALICO, CANDY CORN, NEAPOLITAN, TRAFFIC LIGHT

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1236) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• TUXEDO
• TRAFFIC LIGHT
• ROMAN
• EMPEROR
• PARKING METER
• CANDY CORN
• NEAPOLITAN
• PIGGY BANK
• TYPEWRITER
• WISHING WELL
• GOTHIC
• ANTARCTICA
• CALICO
• WADDLE
• SANS
• PAYPHONE

NYT Connections today (game #1236) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Insert cash in these
• GREEN: All linked to a non-flying bird
• BLUE: Type with missing words
• PURPLE: Triple shade

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1236) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: THINGS YOU PUT COINS INTO
• GREEN: ASSOCIATED WITH PENGUINS
• BLUE: ENDS OF FAMOUS FONTS
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT FEATURE THREE COLORS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1236) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1236, are…

• YELLOW: THINGS YOU PUT COINS INTO: PARKING METER, PAYPHONE, PIGGY BANK, WISHING WELL
• GREEN: ASSOCIATED WITH PENGUINS: ANTARCTICA, EMPEROR, TUXEDO, WADDLE
• BLUE: ENDS OF FAMOUS FONTS: GOTHIC, ROMAN, SANS, TYPEWRITER
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT FEATURE THREE COLORS: CALICO, CANDY CORN, NEAPOLITAN, TRAFFIC LIGHT

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

When I was a full-time journalist, I was a peak procrastinator and would often spend ages choosing the exact font for an article instead of just sticking with one (I think it may be apparent here why I am a former full-time journalist).

I came to peace with it in the end and considered it part of the thinking process — but it also meant that the tiles SANS, ROMAN, TYPEWRITER and GOTHIC immediately jumped out at me. Not that I’d ever write anything using Comic Sans of course (people have been sentenced to prison for less).

From here I thought I spotted four types of penguins and included CALICO instead of WADDLE because I had some vague memory of Calico penguins when I should have been thinking of Calico cats. Anyway, no harm done as I got them with the next go and escaped with just one mistake.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, October 28, 2026, game #1235)

• YELLOW: ROMANTIC LIKING: ATTRACTION, CRUSH, FEELINGS, INTEREST
• GREEN: COMPONENTS OF AN EMAIL: ATTACHMENT, BODY, SIGNATURE, SUBJECT
• BLUE: NASA MARS ROVERS: CURIOSITY, OPPORTUNITY, PERSEVERANCE, SPIRIT
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF PATHS: COARSE, RODE, ROUT, WEIGH

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1235) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• CURIOSITY
• ROUT
• SUBJECT
• ATTRACTION
• ATTACHMENT
• SPIRIT
• BODY
• COARSE
• CRUSH
• WEIGH
• SIGNATURE
• INTEREST
• RODE
• OPPORTUNITY
• FEELINGS
• PERSEVERANCE

NYT Connections today (game #1235) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Love is in the air
• GREEN: Messaging elements
• BLUE: Red planet vehicles
• PURPLE: Sounds like how you’d follow these

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1235) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: ROMANTIC LIKING
• GREEN: COMPONENTS OF AN EMAIL
• BLUE: NASA MARS ROVERS
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF PATHS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1235) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1235, are…

• YELLOW: ROMANTIC LIKING: ATTRACTION, CRUSH, FEELINGS, INTEREST
• GREEN: COMPONENTS OF AN EMAIL: ATTACHMENT, BODY, SIGNATURE, SUBJECT
• BLUE: NASA MARS ROVERS: CURIOSITY, OPPORTUNITY, PERSEVERANCE, SPIRIT
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF PATHS: COARSE, RODE, ROUT, WEIGH

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Congratulations if you got NASA MARS ROVERS correct.

As I was looking at the tiles I had some vague memory of a connection between PERSEVERANCE and CURIOSITY, but couldn’t remember where from — although it could equally be describing stages of obsession.

Much easier to link was the COMPONENTS OF AN EMAIL; despite these being words you never actually think about when you are using Outlook, Gmail or whatever, they are things that seem impregnated into our brains.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, October 27, 2026, game #1234)

• YELLOW: MESS (WITH): FIDDLE, MEDDLE, TINKER, TRIFLE
• GREEN: PARTS OF THE EAR: ANVIL, CANAL, DRUM, STIRRUP
• BLUE: _____BELL: DIVING, JINGLE, LIBERTY, TACO
• PURPLE: BELL_____: BOTTOMS, JAR, PEPPER, TOWER

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1234) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• TACO
• PEPPER
• DRUM
• JAR
• TINKER
• TOWER
• FIDDLE
• JINGLE
• LIBERTY
• CANAL
• TRIFLE
• DIVING
• ANVIL
• BOTTOMS
• STIRRUP
• MEDDLE

NYT Connections today (game #1234) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Fidget with an object
• GREEN: Aural anatomy
• BLUE: End with a thing you ring
• PURPLE: Start with a thing you ring

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1234) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: MESS (WITH)
• GREEN: PARTS OF THE EAR
• BLUE: _____BELL
• PURPLE: BELL_____

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1234) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1234, are…

• YELLOW: MESS (WITH): FIDDLE, MEDDLE, TINKER, TRIFLE
• GREEN: PARTS OF THE EAR: ANVIL, CANAL, DRUM, STIRRUP
• BLUE: _____BELL: DIVING, JINGLE, LIBERTY, TACO
• PURPLE: BELL_____: BOTTOMS, JAR, PEPPER, TOWER

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

When I am on a mission with a Connections group I find it hard to stop myself until I’ve finally got it.

It took me four guesses to get the four tiles that made up ______BELL, because I kept including TINKER — a situation that could have been easily resolved if I’d spent some time looking at the connections that didn’t involve bells.

Annoying, but on a more positive note landing the four tiles that began with BELL won me a Purple First.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, October 26, 2026, game #1233)

• YELLOW: RESPONSES TO "HOW ARE YOU?": CHILLING, MANAGING, NOT BAD, SAME OLD
• GREEN: KINDS OF MATS: PRAYER, WELCOME, WRESTLING, YOGA
• BLUE: AKC DOG BREED GROUPS: HERDING, HOUND, SPORTING, TOY
• PURPLE: HORROR MOVIES WITH LAST LETTER CHANGED: HALLOWEEK, HOSTED, JAWN, PSYCHS

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1233) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• WELCOME
• HALLOWEEK
• CHILLING
• TOY
• YOGA
• JAWN
• SPORTING
• PRAYER
• PSYCHS
• HOUND
• MANAGING
• WRESTLING
• SAME OLD
• HOSTED
• HERDING
• NOT BAD

NYT Connections today (game #1233) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Answers to a personal question
• GREEN: Add something like a small carpet
• BLUE: Classy canines
• PURPLE: Alterations to scary films

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1233) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: RESPONSES TO "HOW ARE YOU?"
• GREEN: KINDS OF MATS
• BLUE: AKC DOG BREED GROUPS
• PURPLE: HORROR MOVIES WITH LAST LETTER CHANGED

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1233) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1233, are…

• YELLOW: RESPONSES TO "HOW ARE YOU?": CHILLING, MANAGING, NOT BAD, SAME OLD
• GREEN: KINDS OF MATS: PRAYER, WELCOME, WRESTLING, YOGA
• BLUE: AKC DOG BREED GROUPS: HERDING, HOUND, SPORTING, TOY
• PURPLE: HORROR MOVIES WITH LAST LETTER CHANGED: HALLOWEEK, HOSTED, JAWN, PSYCHS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

The fact that I escaped today with just one mistake from this game is a miracle, as I had absolutely no clue about any of the groups. The closest I got to being confident was the yellow group, where I had a minor wobble over MANAGING but convinced myself that they were all something to do with therapy.

My mistake came with collecting the four KINDS OF MATS, where I had TOY instead of WELCOME and figured it out after getting the “one away” pop-up.

Down to the final eight I couldn’t see any links at all beyond JAWN and PSYCHS both being odd words and HOUND and SPORTING sounding like they belonged together. I added TOY and HERDING for the hell of it and was thrilled to land a correct set.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, October 25, 2026, game #1232)

• YELLOW: STEAL: BOOST, PALM, POCKET, SWIPE
• GREEN: PASTA SHAPES: BOW TIE, ELBOW, SHELL, WAGON WHEEL
• BLUE: FICTIONAL TOMS: RIPLEY, SAWYER, SWIFT, THUMB
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED: FINGERS, FOOTBALL, GLOW STICK, RUBBER BAND

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1232) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• GLOW STICK
• WAGON WHEEL
• POCKET
• FOOTBALL
• THUMB
• ELBOW
• SWIFT
• FINGERS
• SHELL
• PALM
• RUBBER BAND
• BOW TIE
• SAWYER
• SWIPE
• RIPLEY
• BOOST

NYT Connections today (game #1232) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Pinch
• GREEN: Italian carbs
• BLUE: Thomas’s of note
• PURPLE: A thing in common that rhymes with “tapped”

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1232) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: STEAL
• GREEN: PASTA SHAPES
• BLUE: FICTIONAL TOMS
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1232) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1232, are…

• YELLOW: STEAL: BOOST, PALM, POCKET, SWIPE
• GREEN: PASTA SHAPES: BOW TIE, ELBOW, SHELL, WAGON WHEEL
• BLUE: FICTIONAL TOMS: RIPLEY, SAWYER, SWIFT, THUMB
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED: FINGERS, FOOTBALL, GLOW STICK, RUBBER BAND

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

A confession: the green and purple groups completely passed me by today and I really struggled with the last eight tiles..

I eat a lot of pasta, so this feels a little bit annoying. BOW TIE and SHELL I get, but ELBOW? Meanwhile, cultural differences hindered me getting THINGS THAT CAN BE SNAPPED as I have no idea what a quarterback does involving snapping.

Had FOOTBALL been replaced by ANKLE and ELBOW by conchiglie I would have done better… possibly. Instead, I got across the line with guesswork.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, October 24, 2026, game #1231)

• YELLOW: KINDS OF STRIPS: BACON, COMIC, FILM, MÖBIUS
• GREEN: THINGS ON STICKS: HOBBY HORSE, PINWHEEL, POPSICLE, SPARKLER
• BLUE: ONLINE AD FORMATS: BANNER, INTERSTITIAL, OVERLAY, POP-UP
• PURPLE: _____ BAR: CANDY, SALAD, SPACE, SPORTS

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1231) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• COMIC
• SALAD
• BACON
• SPARKLER
• POPSICLE
• POP-UP
• CANDY
• HOBBY HORSE
• BANNER
• PINWHEEL
• SPACE
• FILM
• INTERSTITIAL
• SPORTS
• MÖBIUS
• OVERLAY

NYT Connections today (game #1231) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Come in narrow pieces
• GREEN: A format you can hold
• BLUE: Methods of internet advertising
• PURPLE: Add a word that rhymes with “car”

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1231) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: KINDS OF STRIPS
• GREEN: THINGS ON STICKS
• BLUE: ONLINE AD FORMATS
• PURPLE: _____ BAR

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1231) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1231, are…

• YELLOW: KINDS OF STRIPS: BACON, COMIC, FILM, MÖBIUS
• GREEN: THINGS ON STICKS: HOBBY HORSE, PINWHEEL, POPSICLE, SPARKLER
• BLUE: ONLINE AD FORMATS: BANNER, INTERSTITIAL, OVERLAY, POP-UP
• PURPLE: _____ BAR: CANDY, SALAD, SPACE, SPORTS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

Unlike TV and print advertising, ONLINE AD FORMATS are not something people are going to feel much nostalgia for in the future, mainly because in order to work they decided that they had to be annoying, flickering things that got in the way of what you actually wanted to look at on the internet.

This is where I made my mistake — guessing PINWHEEL before deciding that INTERSTITIAL sounded like the sort of annoying word that belonged in the world of online ads; these are the ones that take up the entire screen and require you to hunt for the X to click off them.

I can’t help thinking online advertising would be more successful if they could find a way to make it less annoying.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, October 23, 2026, game #1230)

• YELLOW: FORTHRIGHT: DIRECT, FRANK, OPEN, VOCAL
• GREEN: THINGS YOU INSTALL ON A COMPUTER: DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN, UPDATE
• BLUE: QUANTITIES IN A FORMULA FOR POWER: DISTANCE, FORCE, POWER, TIME
• PURPLE: _____ TAP: DOUBLE, LOVE, PHONE, SPINAL

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1230) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• EXTENSION
• LOVE
• DIRECT
• POWER
• SPINAL
• VOCAL
• DRIVER
• DISTANCE
• PHONE
• TIME
• UPDATE
• OPEN
• FRANK
• FORCE
• DOUBLE
• PLUGIN

NYT Connections today (game #1230) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Say exactly what you mean
• GREEN: Add to a PC
• BLUE: Do the math with these
• PURPLE: Add a word that rhymes with “cap”

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1230) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: FORTHRIGHT
• GREEN: THINGS YOU INSTALL ON A COMPUTER
• BLUE: QUANTITIES IN A FORMULA FOR POWER
• PURPLE: _____ TAP

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1230) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1230, are…

• YELLOW: FORTHRIGHT: DIRECT, FRANK, OPEN, VOCAL
• GREEN: THINGS YOU INSTALL ON A COMPUTER: DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN, UPDATE
• BLUE: QUANTITIES IN A FORMULA FOR POWER: DISTANCE, FORCE, POWER, TIME
• PURPLE: _____ TAP: DOUBLE, LOVE, PHONE, SPINAL

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I’ll be honest, I had never heard of the expression “love tap” but gambled that LOVE was the most likely candidate to join SPINAL, PHONE, and DOUBLE.

My leap in the dark paid off and I was rewarded with a Purple First — a great way to end the week and I hope you joined me. As Nigel Tufnel put it in This is Spinal Tap: "It's such a fine line between stupid, and uh… clever."

Thankfully, I didn’t let my triumph go to my head and managed to see THINGS YOU INSTALL ON A COMPUTER and FORTHRIGHT without slipping up.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, October 22, 2026, game #1229)

• YELLOW: PARTS TO BE GRASPED: GRIP, HANDLE, HILT, KNOB
• GREEN: KINDS OF SCULPTURES: BUST, MOBILE, RELIEF, STATUE
• BLUE: AMERICAN FOOTBALL POSITIONS: END, GUARD, SAFETY, TACKLE
• PURPLE: STARTS OF BEDDING: BLANK, COMFORT, PILL, SHE

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1229) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MOBILE
• COMFORT
• BLANK
• SAFETY
• RELIEF
• GRIP
• END
• BUST
• HANDLE
• TACKLE
• PILL
• KNOB
• SHE
• GUARD
• HILT
• STATUE

NYT Connections today (game #1229) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Grab a hold of something
• GREEN: Art you with weight
• BLUE: NFL players
• PURPLE: Partially sleep on these

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1229) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: PARTS TO BE GRASPED
• GREEN: KINDS OF SCULPTURES
• BLUE: AMERICAN FOOTBALL POSITIONS
• PURPLE: STARTS OF BEDDING

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1229) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1229, are…

• YELLOW: PARTS TO BE GRASPED: GRIP, HANDLE, HILT, KNOB
• GREEN: KINDS OF SCULPTURES: BUST, MOBILE, RELIEF, STATUE
• BLUE: AMERICAN FOOTBALL POSITIONS: END, GUARD, SAFETY, TACKLE
• PURPLE: STARTS OF BEDDING: BLANK, COMFORT, PILL, SHE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

You know a game is difficult when the yellow/so-called easiest group has multiple possibilities that could trip you up. In this case, SAFETY and GUARD could easily have joined the four tiles that made up PARTS TO BE GRASPED.

Fortunately, I avoided the traps (I also had a brief moment contemplating a baby-themed foursome) before I landed KINDS OF SCULPTURES early on in the game.

Everything we do informs our Connections knowledge and for me, knowing an artist and remembering some of the ways she has described her art pieces helped me connect BUST, MOBILE, RELIEF and STATUE with confidence.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, October 21, 2026, game #1228)

• YELLOW: CLASSIC CHILDREN'S GAMES: DUCK DUCK GOOSE, HOT POTATO, LEAPFROG, MUSICAL CHAIRS
• GREEN: IMPORTANT PERSON: ALPHA DOG, BIG CHEESE, HEAVYWEIGHT, TOP BANANA
• BLUE: FAMOUS PAINTINGS: AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS, THE SCREAM
• PURPLE: DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION):
• ENGLISH HORN, GRAPE-NUTS, MANTIS SHRIMP, SWEETBREAD

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1228) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• ENGLISH HORN
• LEAPFROG
• ALPHA DOG
• SWEETBREAD
• HOT POTATO
• MANTIS SHRIMP
• SUNFLOWERS
• BIG CHEESE
• AMERICAN
• GOTHIC
• GRAPE-NUTS
• CAMPBELL'S
• SOUP CAN
• DUCK DUCK
• GOOSE
• TOP BANANA
• THE SCREAM
• MUSICAL CHAIRS
• HEAVYWEIGHT

NYT Connections today (game #1228) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Playground contests
• GREEN: Main character energy
• BLUE: Iconic artworks
• PURPLE: Very misleading names

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1228) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: CLASSIC CHILDREN'S GAMES
• GREEN: IMPORTANT PERSON
• BLUE: FAMOUS PAINTINGS
• PURPLE: DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION)

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1228) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1228, are…

• YELLOW: CLASSIC CHILDREN'S GAMES: DUCK DUCK GOOSE, HOT POTATO, LEAPFROG, MUSICAL CHAIRS
• GREEN: IMPORTANT PERSON: ALPHA DOG, BIG CHEESE, HEAVYWEIGHT, TOP BANANA
• BLUE: FAMOUS PAINTINGS: AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS, THE SCREAM
• PURPLE: DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION): ENGLISH HORN, GRAPE-NUTS, MANTIS SHRIMP, SWEETBREAD

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

It’s been a while since I’ve completed a game in yellow-green-blue-purple difficulty order, something I never do deliberately but which I always find oddly satisfying when it happens.

Yesterday’s Strands featured DUCK DUCK GOOSE, so I was immediately drawn to begin with that and the other CLASSIC CHILDREN’S GAMES — my favorite when I was a mischievous eight-year-old was a game called Knock Down Ginger which involved ringing people’s doorbells and running away. A bit mean, in hindsight, and now something that Ring Doorbells have possibly seen the end of.

DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION) is an excellent group, but my ignorance of three of the four tiles prevented me from making the connection; the only one I was familiar with was GRAPE NUTS, a cereal whose absence of grapes and nuts has always puzzled me.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, October 20, 2026, game #1227)

• YELLOW: FINISH: CLOSE, END, STOP, WRAP
• GREEN: LACKEY: MINION, POODLE, PUPPET, STOOGE
• BLUE: MUSTACHES: CHEVRON, HORSESHOE, PENCIL, WALRUS
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS: ARIAL, BELL, DOCK, MINI

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1227) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• CHEVRON
• DOCK
• BELL
• PENCIL
• POODLE
• WRAP
• MINI
• MINION
• WALRUS
• PUPPET
• CLOSE
• HORSESHOE
• ARIAL
• STOP
• STOOGE
• END

NYT Connections today (game #1227) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: It’s all over
• GREEN: Take the fall for the crime
• BLUE: Fancy facial hair
• PURPLE: Sounds like House of Mouse characters

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1227) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: FINISH
• GREEN: LACKEY
• BLUE: MUSTACHES
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1227) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1227, are…

• YELLOW: FINISH: CLOSE, END, STOP, WRAP
• GREEN: LACKEY: MINION, POODLE, PUPPET, STOOGE
• BLUE: MUSTACHES: CHEVRON, HORSESHOE, PENCIL, WALRUS
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS: ARIAL, BELL, DOCK, MINI

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

This was such a horrible game and I came close to failure.

After getting LACKEY relatively easily, I made a mess of FINISH, opting for DOCK instead of STOP; I think I was thinking of things like spaceships coming to the end of their journeys.

For HOMOPHONES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS no logic at all was applied, I just got lucky with my second random guess and got a 'one away'.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, October 19, 2026, game #1226)

• YELLOW: SEETHE: BOIL, FUME, RAVE, STEAM
• GREEN: ALL TALK: BLATHER, GAS, HOT AIR, WIND
• BLUE: "MC" THINGS AT MCDONALD'S: FLURRY, MUFFIN, NUGGETS, RIB
• PURPLE: ENDING IN BIRDS: ALIBIS, BALLOON, ESCROW, MOHAWK

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1226) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MOHAWK
• MUFFIN
• HOT AIR
• BALLOON
• RAVE
• WIND
• FLURRY
• STEAM
• GAS
• RIB
• FUME
• ALIBIS
• BOIL
• BLATHER
• ESCROW
• NUGGETS

NYT Connections today (game #1226) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Really angry
• GREEN: Mouthing off
• BLUE: Available at Burger King’s rival
• PURPLE: Avian finale

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1226) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: SEETHE
• GREEN: ALL TALK
• BLUE: "MC" THINGS AT MCDONALD'S
• PURPLE: ENDING IN BIRDS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1226) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1226, are…

• YELLOW: SEETHE: BOIL, FUME, RAVE, STEAM
• GREEN: ALL TALK: BLATHER, GAS, HOT AIR, WIND
• BLUE: "MC" THINGS AT MCDONALD'S: FLURRY, MUFFIN, NUGGETS, RIB
• PURPLE: ENDING IN BIRDS: ALIBIS, BALLOON, ESCROW, MOHAWK

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

I took a very circuitous route to getting my first group today.

Thinking that BALLOON were a clue I connected STEAM, HOT AIR, GAS, and WIND, reasoning these were all things that, erm, made a balloon move? The 'One away' pop-up helped me look again and I realized that with the addition of BLATHER we had a quartet of words describing folks who are, as my Grandad used to say, all mouth and no trousers.

From here "MC" THINGS AT MCDONALD'S was easier to spot — although it did remind me that I have never had a McRIB, a delicacy that has only appeared on UK menus a couple of times since the 1980s.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, October 18, 2026, game #1225)

• YELLOW: PLACES TO STORE CLOTHES: BUREAU, CHEST, TRUNK, WARDROBE
• GREEN: THINGS THAT COME IN STICKS: BUTTER, DEODORANT, DYNAMITE, INCENSE
• BLUE: FAMOUS PERFUMES: ANGEL, COCO, OBSESSION, OPIUM
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH THINGS THAT CLOUD THE AIR: FOGERTY, HAZEL, MISTER, VAPORETTO

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1225) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• ANGEL
• BUTTER
• HAZEL
• DEODORANT
• COCO
• DYNAMITE
• MISTER
• FOGERTY
• CHEST
• INCENSE
• VAPORETTO
• BUREAU
• OBSESSION
• TRUNK
• OPIUM
• WARDROBE

NYT Connections today (game #1225) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Where to keep your clobber
• GREEN: A shared packaging format
• BLUE: Cologne of note
• PURPLE: A beginning that is hard to see

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1225) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: PLACES TO STORE CLOTHES
• GREEN: THINGS THAT COME IN STICKS
• BLUE: FAMOUS PERFUMES
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH THINGS THAT CLOUD THE AIR

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1225) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1225, are…

• YELLOW: PLACES TO STORE CLOTHES: BUREAU, CHEST, TRUNK, WARDROBE
• GREEN: THINGS THAT COME IN STICKS: BUTTER, DEODORANT, DYNAMITE, INCENSE
• BLUE: FAMOUS PERFUMES: ANGEL, COCO, OBSESSION, OPIUM
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH THINGS THAT CLOUD THE AIR: FOGERTY, HAZEL, MISTER, VAPORETTO

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

I managed (just about) to resist the temptation of linking the four words that could end with “nut” — COCO, HAZEL, CHEST, and BUTTER — but the thought they were linked still clouded my judgement.

Recognizing OBSESSION, OPIUM and ANGEL as FAMOUS PERFUMES, I opted for VAPORETTO for some inexplicable reason, before seeing that COCO was the obvious fourth cologne.

The nut connection nixed, I saw the four furniture pieces and then with just eight tiles left the veil finally fell from my eyes and I linked the tiles STARTING WITH THINGS THAT CLOUD THE AIR.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, October 17, 2026, game #1224)

• YELLOW: DIGITAL NOTIFICATIONS: ALERT, CHIME, DING, PING
• GREEN: PHOTO: PRINT, SHOT, SNAP, STILL
• BLUE: KINDS OF CRABS: FIDDLER, HERMIT, KING, SNOW
• PURPLE: LA_____: BOHÈME, BREA, PAZ, SCALA

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1224) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• BREA
• KING
• SNAP
• PING
• STILL
• PAZ
• SNOW
• SHOT
• BOHÈME
• FIDDLER
• ALERT
• PRINT
• CHIME
• SCALA
• HERMIT
• DING

NYT Connections today (game #1224) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Your phone wants your attention
• GREEN: Images
• BLUE: Types of marine beastie
• PURPLE: Missing a word that means “the”

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1224) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: DIGITAL NOTIFICATIONS
• GREEN: PHOTO
• BLUE: KINDS OF CRABS
• PURPLE: LA_____

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1224) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1224, are…

• YELLOW: DIGITAL NOTIFICATIONS: ALERT, CHIME, DING, PING
• GREEN: PHOTO: PRINT, SHOT, SNAP, STILL
• BLUE: KINDS OF CRABS: FIDDLER, HERMIT, KING, SNOW
• PURPLE: LA_____: BOHÈME, BREA, PAZ, SCALA

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

My initial thoughts were that there were a whole bunch of tiles about noises off and at least one word that you would associate with the word LA.

I decided to go with my second hunch and was rewarded with a Purple First for connecting BREA, PAZ, BOHÈME, and SCALA. Living in Europe possibly helped.

Having scored a success with this quartet and deciding to ignore the feeling I was falling into a trap, I submitted CHIME, PING, ALERT and DING. Next, now reduced to eight tiles, the four synonyms for PHOTO were easier to spot — a good thing, as my crab knowledge didn’t extend beyond HERMIT.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, October 16, 2026, game #1223)

• YELLOW: SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS: CHIP, MARK, NICK, SCRATCH
• GREEN: LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES: CHAD, HUNGARY, LAOS, PARAGUAY
• BLUE: EUROPEAN COUNTRIES MINUS A LETTER: BULGARI, CYRUS, HUNGRY, SPAN
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH WORDS FOR "STYLISH": CHICKEN, COOLIDGE, HIPPO, SMARTIES

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1223) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• HUNGARY
• HUNGRY
• HIPPO
• CHICKEN
• CHIP
• CHAD
• COOLIDGE
• CYRUS
• SPAN
• MARK
• LAOS
• NICK
• PARAGUAY
• SMARTIES
• BULGARI
• SCRATCH

NYT Connections today (game #1223) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Paint repair required
• GREEN: Nations without a coastline
• BLUE: Nations with something absent
• PURPLE: Fashionable to begin with

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1223) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS
• GREEN: LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES
• BLUE: EUROPEAN COUNTRIES MINUS A LETTER
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH WORDS FOR "STYLISH"

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1223) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1223, are…

• YELLOW: SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS: CHIP, MARK, NICK, SCRATCH
• GREEN: LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES: CHAD, HUNGARY, LAOS, PARAGUAY
• BLUE: EUROPEAN COUNTRIES MINUS A LETTER: BULGARI, CYRUS, HUNGRY, SPAN
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH WORDS FOR "STYLISH": CHICKEN, COOLIDGE, HIPPO, SMARTIES

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Having HUNGRY and HIPPO beside each other on the board, not to mention HUNGRY and HUNGARY, was very distracting. Fortunately I managed to focus and completed the game without a hitch.

I got the four EUROPEAN COUNTRIES MINUS A LETTER first, but it was a toss of a coin between that and the quartet of LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES.

Once again I managed to get Yellow last, which is something of an achievement considering that it was the most straightforward of today's groups and required no lateral thinking. Perhaps Hungry Hippo was a mental distraction after all.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, October 15, 2026, game #1222)

• YELLOW: WAYS TO PRESERVE FOOD: CURE, DRY, PICKLE, SMOKE
• GREEN: THINGS YOU CAN SCORE IN SPORTS: BASKET, GOAL, RUN, TOUCHDOWN
• BLUE: LOWEST PART: BASE, BOTTOM, FOOT, FOUNDATION
• PURPLE: LOW LANDFORMS WITH A LETTER CHANGED: CANNON, FORGE, RACINE, VOLLEY

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1222) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SMOKE
• BASKET
• DRY
• FOOT
• VOLLEY
• CANNON
• RUN
• PICKLE
• BASE
• GOAL
• FORGE
• FOUNDATION
• CURE
• RACINE
• BOTTOM
• TOUCHDOWN

NYT Connections today (game #1222) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Keep things edible for longer
• GREEN: Game achievements
• BLUE: Sink down to see these
• PURPLE: Altered geography

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1222) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: WAYS TO PRESERVE FOOD
• GREEN: THINGS YOU CAN SCORE IN SPORTS
• BLUE: LOWEST PART
• PURPLE: LOW LANDFORMS WITH A LETTER CHANGED

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1222) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1222, are…

• YELLOW: WAYS TO PRESERVE FOOD: CURE, DRY, PICKLE, SMOKE
• GREEN: THINGS YOU CAN SCORE IN SPORTS: BASKET, GOAL, RUN, TOUCHDOWN
• BLUE: LOWEST PART: BASE, BOTTOM, FOOT, FOUNDATION
• PURPLE: LOW LANDFORMS WITH A LETTER CHANGED: CANNON, FORGE, RACINE, VOLLEY

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

Kudos if you were switched on enough to spot canyon, gorge, ravine and valley in the tiles that formed the purple group’s LOW LANDFORMS WITH A LETTER CHANGED. This kind of clever letter altering trickery always foxes me.

Instead, I fell for today’s most obvious trap and linked PICKLE, BASKET, FOOT and VOLLEY, thinking that “ball” was the connection (I could have included CANNON and BASE, too).

Fortunately, this was the end of my mistakes and I saw the real reason PICKLE and BASKET were in the game.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, October 14, 2026, game #1221)

• YELLOW: HINT: FLICKER, SUGGESTION, TRACE, WHIFF
• GREEN: TENNIS SHOTS: SERVE, SLICE, SMASH, VOLLEY
• BLUE: SUPERHEROES, WITH "THE": FLASH, HULK, PUNISHER, THING
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH "FEE, FI, FO, FUM": FEED, FIERY, FOMENT, FUMBLE

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1221) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• FEED
• THING
• SERVE
• SUGGESTION
• FIERY
• FLICKER
• FLASH
• FOMENT
• SMASH
• HULK
• TRACE
• FUMBLE
• SLICE
• WHIFF
• VOLLEY

NYT Connections today (game #1221) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: A small reveal
• GREEN: As seen at Wimbledon
• BLUE: Comic book champion
• PURPLE: A giant’s saying at the start

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1221) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: HINT
• GREEN: TENNIS SHOTS
• BLUE: SUPERHEROES, WITH "THE"
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH "FEE, FI, FO, FUM"

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1221) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1221, are…

• YELLOW: HINT: FLICKER, SUGGESTION, TRACE, WHIFF
• GREEN: TENNIS SHOTS: SERVE, SLICE, SMASH, VOLLEY
• BLUE: SUPERHEROES, WITH "THE": FLASH, HULK, PUNISHER, THING
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH "FEE, FI, FO, FUM": FEED, FIERY, FOMENT, FUMBLE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

There is often a link between Strands and Connections and today I can’t help thinking that the purple group STARTING WITH "FEE, FI, FO, FUM" has some NYT thread with today’s folk and fairy tale theme in Strands.

For me, the expression, along with the next line “I smell the blood of an Englishman”, is a strong reminder of being a small child, when all adults seemed like giants, as it is what my uncle would bellow at the start of a hide-and-seek game.

Anyway, I digress as I completely missed it in favour of TENNIS SHOTS (I wanted to add PUNISHER in there as I’m sure there are some players who call their best shot that) and SUPERHEROES, WITH “THE”.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, October 13, 2026, game #1220)

• YELLOW: DISCERNMENT: EYE, FLAIR, SENSE, TASTE
• GREEN: FASTEN: HITCH, LASH, TETHER, TIE
• BLUE: SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES: BELT, CUP, JACKET, RING
• PURPLE: LOOSE_____: CANNON, CHANGE, ENDS, LIPS

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1220) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• EYE
• LASH
• LIPS
• JACKET
• TIE
• SENSE
• CHANGE
• BELT
• RING
• TASTE
• CUP
• HITCH
• CANNON
• TETHER
• FLAIR
• ENDS

NYT Connections today (game #1220) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Very particular
• GREEN: Put together
• BLUE: What winners get
• PURPLE: Begin with the opposite of tight

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1220) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: DISCERNMENT
• GREEN: FASTEN
• BLUE: SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES
• PURPLE: LOOSE_____

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1220) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1220, are…

• YELLOW: DISCERNMENT: EYE, FLAIR, SENSE, TASTE
• GREEN: FASTEN: HITCH, LASH, TETHER, TIE
• BLUE: SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES: BELT, CUP, JACKET, RING
• PURPLE: LOOSE_____: CANNON, CHANGE, ENDS, LIPS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

Seeing LIPS, LASH and EYE on the top line of the grid immediately made me think about makeup, but I resisted the temptation to cobble a group together and instead waited to see if I could find anything more concrete.

I stumbled on a Purple First after trying to think about what possible group could contain CANNON and could only come up with weaponry and the phrase “loose cannon”, which chimed with CHANGE, ENDS, and LIPS.

Sadly I ruined my clean run with eight tiles left, as I thought we were looking for ways of strapping items of clothing, so I had BELT instead of TETHER in the group that became FASTEN.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, October 12, 2026, game #1219)

• YELLOW: STATUS: CONDITION, SHAPE, SITUATION, STATE
• GREEN: TOLERATE: BEAR, HANDLE, STAND, WEATHER
• BLUE: WORD SHORTENINGS, OFTEN: ABBREVIATION, CONTRACTION, ELISION, NICKNAME
• PURPLE: WORDS MADE USING U.S. POSTAL ABBREVIATIONS: ALKYLAMIDE, CALAMARI, MANDARIN, MELAMINE

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1219) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• CALAMARI
• MANDARIN
• STATE
• ABBREVIATION
• NICKNAME
• HANDLE
• SHAPE
• WEATHER
• CONDITION
• CONTRACTION
• SITUATION
• BEAR
• ALKYLAMIDE
• STAND
• ELISION
• MELAMINE

NYT Connections today (game #1219) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Where we’re at
• GREEN: Put up or shut up
• BLUE: Brief words
• PURPLE: As seen on letters and packages

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1219) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: STATUS
• GREEN: TOLERATE
• BLUE: WORD SHORTENINGS, OFTEN
• PURPLE: WORDS MADE USING U.S. POSTAL ABBREVIATIONS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1219) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1219, are…

• YELLOW: STATUS: CONDITION, SHAPE, SITUATION, STATE
• GREEN: TOLERATE: BEAR, HANDLE, STAND, WEATHER
• BLUE: WORD SHORTENINGS, OFTEN: ABBREVIATION, CONTRACTION, ELISION, NICKNAME
• PURPLE: WORDS MADE USING U.S. POSTAL ABBREVIATIONS: ALKYLAMIDE, CALAMARI, MANDARIN, MELAMINE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

Living and growing up outside of the US put me at a disadvantage for today’s purple group — although I am still not sure I would have seen it even if I was based in the States. Kudos if you did.

I managed to get through without making any mistakes, but this was one of those games where I got by on hunches and luck and never had a strong hold on what the group categories might be.

ELISION was a word that I had not heard of before, but ABBREVIATION, CONTRACTION and NICKNAME all seemed to go together, so I took a chance. I have since discovered that it means “omission of one or more sounds, vowels, consonants, or whole syllables from a word or phrase to make speech faster and easier". Yes folks, it’s a good ‘un.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, October 11, 2026, game #1218)

• YELLOW: PUT TO USE: APPLY, HARNESS, UTILIZE, WIELD
• GREEN: MONTHLY BILLS: CABLE, ELECTRICITY, INTERNET, PHONE
• BLUE: THINGS YOU MIGHT FIND IN A GLOVE COMPARTMENT: GLOVES, ICE SCRAPER, MAP, REGISTRATION
• PURPLE: ENDING IN GAMBITS: EMPLOY, PATRICK, PERUSE, SYNTACTIC

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1218) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• HARNESS
• MAP
• PERUSE
• PHONE
• GLOVES
• CABLE
• APPLY
• PATRICK
• ELECTRICITY
• WIELD
• ICE SCRAPER
• UTILIZE
• EMPLOY
• REGISTRATION
• SYNTACTIC
• INTERNET