Connections

What is Connections?

Connections is a daily word categorization game from The New York Times. Players must identify 4 groups of 4 related words from a grid of 16 words, where each group shares a common theme or connection.

The game tests players' associative thinking, vocabulary knowledge, and logical reasoning skills.

Connections Game Rules

1. 16 Words: The game presents 16 seemingly random words
2. 4 Groups: These words can be divided into 4 groups of 4 words each
3. Common Theme: Each group shares a common theme or connection
4. Difficulty Levels: The 4 groups have different difficulty levels, indicated by colors:
   • 🟨 Yellow — Easiest
   • 🟩 Green — Easy
   • 🟦 Blue — Medium
   • 🟪 Purple — Hardest
5. 4 Mistakes Allowed: You can only make 4 mistakes
6. Submit 4 at Once: Select 4 words and submit them together

How To Play Connections

Let's understand the game through an example:

---

Example Words

BASS    DRUM    GUITAR    PIANO
APPLE   CHERRY  PEACH     PLUM
SNAP    CLICK   TAP       PRESS
FISH    SCALE   NOTE      BEAT

---

Attempt 1

Player Selects: BASS, DRUM, GUITAR, PIANO

Result: ✅ Correct!

Theme: 🟨 Musical Instruments

---

Attempt 2

Player Selects: APPLE, CHERRY, PEACH, PLUM

Result: ✅ Correct!

Theme: 🟩 Fruits

---

Attempt 3

Player Selects: SNAP, CLICK, TAP, PRESS

Result: ✅ Correct!

Theme: 🟦 Finger Actions

---

Final Group

Remaining Words: FISH, SCALE, NOTE, BEAT

Theme: 🟪 Music Terms (This is the hardest group because these words have multiple meanings)

---

Connections Strategy Tips

1. Find Obvious Groups: Start with the easiest themes (colors, animals, countries)
2. Watch for Traps: The game deliberately places words that seem related but aren't in the same group
3. Multiple Meanings: Many words have multiple meanings - consider different interpretations
4. Process of Elimination: If unsure, complete the groups you're confident about first
5. Don't Rush: Think carefully about each word's possible connections
6. Cultural Knowledge: Some groups require pop culture, history, or specialized knowledge

Common Theme Types

• Categories: Animals, fruits, colors, countries
• Parts of Speech: Verbs, adjectives, nouns
• Word Roots: Common prefixes or suffixes
• Pop Culture: Movies, songs, brands
• Wordplay: Homophones, multiple meanings
• Fill in the Blank: "_____ ball", "_____ house"

Where To Play Connections?

Official game website:

👉 https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections

New puzzle updates daily at midnight. The game is free but may require a New York Times account.