Connections: The Viral Word Puzzle Taking The Internet By Storm

Connections may only be a year old, but it has already taken the internet by storm. The brainteaser was launched by The New York Times in June of last year and quickly became the newspaper's second-most-played game behind Wordle, another word-based puzzle. If you’ve never played before, Connections challenges players to uncover threads connecting a series of words.

In this engaging game, players are tasked with grouping 16 words into four categories based on their associations. Each category is marked with a color that denotes its difficulty level, providing a unique challenge that keeps players coming back for more. The combination of fun gameplay and the thrill of word association has made Connections a favorite among puzzle enthusiasts.

This article will provide you with everything you need to know about Connections, including how to play, some valuable hints, and the latest answers for today’s puzzle. So, let’s dive into the world of wordplay and discover the secrets behind this captivating game!

How to Play Connections

Connections tasks players with grouping 16 words into four categories based on association. For example, a recent game linked the words "Squirrel," "Stash," "Store," and "Stow" under the category "Pack Away for Future Use." Each of the four categories is labeled with a color, which also signifies their difficulty level.

The easiest category is yellow, followed by green, blue, and purple. However, the puzzles are rarely straightforward, using homophones and wordplay, among other techniques, to keep players challenged. This complexity adds an extra layer of intrigue, making every game a new adventure!

Wyna Liu, the puzzle editor at The New York Times, has explained that there needs to be a mix of categories for the game to feel challenging and satisfying. Some categories might use wordplay—like palindromes and homophones—rather than just the literal meanings of the words on the cards.

Interestingly, the familiarity of the words and their frequency in modern life also affect the difficulty level. Some less-common words may appear in easier categories, while "item overlap," where one word can connect to multiple categories, tests players further.

Hints and Clues for Today's Connections Puzzle

Newsweek has provided some hints to help you figure out today's Connections categories:

• Yellow: These words are associated with creativity.
• Green: Each of these answers is perceptible by touch.
• Blue: For these answers, think of a sweet, baked treat.
• Purple: These words are used in phrases linked to hurling something.

Answers for Today's Connections Puzzle

Let's take a look at the answers for today's puzzle:

Did you guess the answers correctly? If so, congratulations! If not, don't worry—there will be another opportunity to crack the puzzle tomorrow. Connections is released at midnight in your local time zone, so be sure to check back for new hints and tips!