What is NYT Connections?
Connections is a word association puzzle developed by the New York Times Games team. Players are presented with a grid of 16 words and must divide them into four groups of four, each linked by a common theme. Every group is assigned a difficulty colour: yellow (easiest), green, blue and purple (most challenging).
Unlike Wordle, which focuses on deduction of a single word, Connections tests a player’s ability to identify overlapping meanings and avoid red herrings, words that seem related but belong to different categories.
How to play NYT Connections
When opening the game, players see a four-by-four grid of words. The task is to select four words that share a hidden connection and submit them as a group. If correct, the group locks in and reveals its colour. Players are allowed up to four incorrect submissions before the puzzle ends and the answers are revealed.
A built-in shuffle option allows users to rearrange the grid visually, often helping to spot patterns that may not be obvious at first. A lightbulb icon also provides limited in-game hints.
The puzzle resets daily at midnight local time, and only one official game is available each day.
Strategy tips for Connections players
Seasoned players suggest starting with the yellow group, as it usually contains the most obvious connection, often synonyms or clearly related concepts. From there, narrowing down the green and blue groups becomes easier.Another useful strategy is paying close attention to near-misses. When the game indicates “one away,” it means three of the four selected words were correct, signalling that only one needs to be swapped.
Players are also advised to be cautious with homophones and spelling variations, which frequently appear in the harder purple category.
NYT Connections hints today for puzzle #922
For those needing guidance, the following clues, as per a report by Beebom, help outline the four categories without revealing everything at once:
- Yellow group: Discoveries or collected knowledge
- Green group: Ways people typically obtain or prepare food
- Blue group: Government bodies involved in advising the U.S. President
- Purple group: Places to dock ships, presented as homophones
One sample word from each group can further narrow the field:
- Yellow: Details
- Green: Delivery
- Blue: Commerce
- Purple: Worf
At this stage, careful attention to spelling and meaning becomes essential, particularly for the purple category.
Official group names revealed
For players who want a clearer framework before seeing the full NYT Connections Answers, the official group titles for puzzle #922, as per a report by Beebom, are as follows:
- Yellow group: Findings
- Green group: Dinner options
- Blue group: U.S. Cabinet departments
- Purple group: Homophones of places to park a ship
These labels clarify the logic behind each set and help explain why certain words that appear related at first do not belong together.
NYT Connections Answers for December 19 (spoilers)
Players who have completed the puzzle, or are ready for confirmation, can find the full solution below.
- Yellow – Findings: data, details, information, intelligence
- Green – Dinner options: cook, delivery, go out, leftovers
- Blue – U.S. Cabinet departments: commerce, education, energy, labor
- Purple – Homophones of places to park a ship: birth, doc, peer, worf
The purple group, in particular, stood out for relying on sound-alike spellings rather than literal definitions, making it the most challenging category for many players.
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
For those tracking trends or practising pattern recognition, recent puzzles have featured themes ranging from literary references and dance styles to silent letters and fictional characters. Revisiting earlier games can help players sharpen their skills and improve consistency.
FAQs
What is today’s NYT Connections puzzle number?
Friday’s puzzle is NYT Connections #922.
How many mistakes are allowed in Connections?
Players can make up to four incorrect submissions before the game ends.