NYT Connections is a relatively new word puzzle game developed by The New York Times. Introduced as part of their suite of word games, including Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Crossword, Connections has rapidly gained a following among puzzle lovers. Unlike the guessing game format of Wordle, Connections requires players to group sets of four words into specific categories based on shared connections. Each day, 16 seemingly unrelated words are displayed, and players need to find the hidden relationships.
The puzzle offers an engaging challenge by requiring lateral thinking, intuition, and a good grasp of both the literal and abstract meanings of words. Players often find the joy of the game in how it tests their cognitive flexibility and pattern recognition. While Wordle appeals to vocabulary enthusiasts and Crossword puzzles engage with trivia and cultural knowledge, NYT Connections is more about discovering semantic or thematic links that may not be immediately obvious.
The game’s format typically involves four groups of four words each, with each group connected by a common theme. You are allowed to make up to four incorrect guesses before losing, and many players enjoy sharing their results and strategies on social media platforms, contributing to its growing popularity.
The Hints for September 26, 2024
For the September 26, 2024 puzzle, the following hints were provided:
- Yellow Category – Often found at the edge of clothes
- Green Category – Some things get better
- Blue Category – How do you take your drink?
- Purple Category – A stretchy word comes before all of these
Each of these hints suggests a shared thematic connection for one of the four groups of words. Players must use these clues to guide their thinking, though the connections might not always be immediately apparent.
Breaking Down the Answers for September 26, 2024
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the four categories from the puzzle on this day:
Yellow Category: “Often found at the edge of clothes”
Answer: Border, Frill, Fringe, Trim
These words all refer to decorative or functional edges typically found in fashion or textiles. Understanding this category requires some knowledge of sewing, fashion design, or even home decor. Each word describes a different type of embellishment or boundary that could appear at the edges of clothing, curtains, or other fabrics.
- Border: This is a general term for the outer edge of a fabric, often used to describe the edge of garments or curtains.
- Frill: This refers to a ruffled or pleated edge used decoratively on clothing, often associated with feminine or ornate designs.
- Fringe: A decorative edge made of hanging threads or strips, frequently used on garments, scarves, or rugs.
- Trim: A finishing touch or embellishment at the edge of fabric, often made of ribbon or lace.
Green Category: “Some things get better”
Answer: Grow, Mount, Swell, Wax
This group focuses on the concept of increasing in size, volume, or intensity. Each of these words describes a process of becoming larger or more pronounced, whether it’s used in a literal or metaphorical sense.
- Grow: The most common word in the group, referring to the increase in size, quantity, or quality.
- Mount: Often used to describe something that builds or increases, such as tension or excitement.
- Swell: Refers to a gradual increase in size or volume, frequently used in the context of emotions or physical swelling.
- Wax: A poetic or somewhat old-fashioned term for increase, as in “wax and wane” (typically referring to the moon’s phases).
Blue Category: “How do you take your drink?”
Answer: Dry, Neat, Straight, Virgin
This category involves terms that bartenders use to describe different ways of serving drinks. For players familiar with bar terminology, this category might have been the easiest to solve.
- Dry: Refers to a cocktail made with less of a sweet element, such as a dry martini with less vermouth.
- Neat: Describes a spirit served on its own, without ice or mixers.
- Straight: Similar to “neat,” it refers to a drink served without dilution, often used for whiskey or other spirits.
- Virgin: Describes a non-alcoholic version of a cocktail, such as a virgin piña colada.
Purple Category: “A stretchy word comes before all of these”
Answer: Bean, Bikini, Cheese, Theory
The “stretchy word” in this context is “string.” Each of the words in this category forms a common phrase or compound word when preceded by “string.”
- String Bean: A long, thin green bean often used in cooking.
- String Bikini: A type of bikini where the straps are made of thin strings.
- String Cheese: A type of cheese that can be peeled into string-like strands.
- String Theory: A theoretical framework in physics that proposes that fundamental particles are actually one-dimensional “strings.”
This category is one of the trickier ones, as it requires players to recognize how the word “string” can be used across multiple domains, from food to fashion to physics.
Strategy and Problem-Solving Tips for NYT Connections
Solving NYT Connections requires more than just a strong vocabulary—it’s a game that thrives on abstract thinking and pattern recognition. Here are some strategies to improve your game:
Start with the Obvious Connections
If one group seems immediately clear, focus on solving that group first. For example, in the September 26 puzzle, the “bartender” group might stand out right away. Solving one group early on will reduce the number of words and make it easier to spot other patterns.
Look for Thematic Links
Sometimes, the words may not have obvious semantic similarities but share a theme. For example, words like “dry,” “neat,” “straight,” and “virgin” may not seem directly connected, but once you think of bar terminology, the pattern becomes obvious.
Use Contextual Knowledge
Many connections are based on cultural, scientific, or linguistic knowledge. In the “string” category, recognizing that “string theory” and “string cheese” are both common phrases is essential to solving that group. Therefore, it’s helpful to be broadly knowledgeable about different areas of culture and language.
Play with Word Meanings
Some categories rely on words having multiple meanings. For example, in past puzzles, words like “bank” (as in financial institution) and “stream” (as in a flow of water) might appear in a group related to “places water flows” (e.g., “river bank” and “stream”). Be open to thinking about different contexts in which a word can be used.
Cultural Impact of NYT Connections
NYT Connections is part of a larger cultural moment where word games have gained renewed popularity. Games like Wordle have made daily word puzzles a viral sensation, and Connections taps into a similar audience, but with a twist that appeals to a different type of player—one who enjoys the intellectual challenge of finding patterns rather than just knowing words.
The game’s rise has been buoyed by social media, where players share their results, strategies, and frustrations. Similar to Wordle, Connections lends itself well to casual competition, with players comparing how quickly they can solve the puzzle or how many mistakes they made.
Beyond casual players, Connections also appeals to those who enjoy more complex puzzles, such as crosswords or trivia games. The game challenges not only your vocabulary but also your ability to see patterns and make connections between seemingly unrelated words.
In this sense, Connections offers something unique in the world of word games: it’s less about pure linguistic skill and more about cognitive flexibility. The game rewards those who can think outside the box and recognize both literal and metaphorical relationships between words.