Connections New York Times new word game, explained

Unlocking The Fun Of Connections: The New York Times' Latest Word Game

Connections New York Times new word game, explained

Connections is The New York Times' word game with a difference—and it’s proving to be hugely popular since it was unveiled in June 2023. This innovative puzzle has quickly become the Times' second-most played game after Wordle, challenging players to uncover threads connecting a series of words. Whether you're a word game enthusiast or a casual player, Connections offers a fresh and engaging experience that keeps you coming back for more!

In Connections, participants are tasked with grouping together words that they believe share common themes. Each puzzle is composed of 16 words, divided into four categories, making it an exciting challenge for players of all ages. As you unravel the connections, you’ll develop your critical thinking skills while having a blast!

Should this be your first time giving Connections a try, Newsweek has provided some instructions below. Clues and the answers are toward the end of the article, so dive in and discover how to master this captivating word game!

How to Play Connections

In Connections, players must group together words they think have common threads to reveal the name of their corresponding categories. Each puzzle consists of 16 words, with each group of words separated into four categories. The uniting themes can come from a broad range of categories, including anything from horror-movie franchises to types of sound to food.

If all four words are correctly placed into each set, those words will be removed from the board. Each incorrect guess counts toward the mistake tally. Players can make up to four mistakes before the game ends. The thrill of trying to guess the connections makes every round an exciting adventure!

Players can shuffle and rearrange the board if they want to try to make the process of guessing the connections easier. This flexibility means that everyone can find a strategy that works best for them, making the game accessible and enjoyable for players of varying skill levels.

Connections hints and answers
A business owner reacts with surprise to his smartphone. Newsweek has provided hints and answers for today's "Connections" puzzle.Damir Khabirov/iStock/Getty Images Plus

The board also has a color-coding system representing levels of difficulty. Yellow represents the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. A group’s color will be revealed only once the words in a group have been correctly connected, adding an element of excitement to the game!

It is worth pointing out that a word can sometimes belong to more than one category—but there is only one correct answer. Connections editor Wyna Liu, who is credited with bringing the game to life, has advised that if you notice that there are five or more words that belong to one category, try pivoting to a different category before making your first guess.

"Doing so might take one of those extra cards out of contention, or at least remove a few cards from the board, making other categories easier to see," Liu said. The answers for today’s Connections puzzle will be revealed at the end of this article, so please scroll with caution if you want to work them out yourself.

Connections #334 Clues for Friday, May 10

Newsweek has some hints to help you figure out today’s Connections categories. These clues will enhance your gameplay experience:

  • Yellow: These words represent the quality of audacity.
  • Green: For these words, think of things you might need for a four-legged friend.
  • Blue: These words represent moving in a circular motion.
  • Purple: Each of these answers describes musicians from a specific era.

Connections #334 Answers for Friday, May 10

Yellow Category: CHUTZPAH

Yellow Words: Brass, Cheek, Gall, Nerve

Green Category: ACCESSORIES FOR DOG WALKING

Green Words: Collar, Halter, Harness, Lead

Blue Category: THINGS THAT SPIN

Blue Words: Carousel, Globe, Record, Top

Purple Category: LEAD SINGERS OF 1970s ROCK BANDS

Purple Words: Ferry, Mercury, Nicks, Plant

Did you guess the answers correctly? If so, congratulations! If not, there will be another opportunity to crack the puzzle tomorrow. Connections is released at midnight in your local time zone, and Newsweek will be back with another round of hints and tips for each new game.

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Connections New York Times new word game, explained
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