NYT Connections is an engaging word puzzle game by The New York Times that has captured the attention of puzzle enthusiasts since its release. It challenges players to identify patterns and connections between seemingly unrelated words. Every day, the game presents a new puzzle with a set of 16 words, and players must group them into four categories of four words each. The connections between these words can range from subtle linguistic or thematic ties to pop culture references or even puns.
The challenge lies not only in finding the correct groupings but also in recognizing patterns that might not be immediately apparent. The game encourages creative thinking, lateral connections, and often taps into general knowledge about topics such as movies, common expressions, and more.
Today’s puzzle, dated September 20, 2024, presents yet another test for players’ reasoning abilities, drawing from different themes such as presumptions, familiar characters, and phrases involving cats. As with all NYT Connections puzzles, players can use various strategies to solve it efficiently, but the game often throws curveballs with unexpected word pairings that can stump even experienced solvers.
The Structure of NYT Connections (Overview)
Every NYT Connections puzzle is structured the same way: it gives players 16 words that they need to categorize into four distinct groups of four. These categories are not explicitly defined in the game, and players need to rely on their ability to detect the hidden relationships between the words.
The relationships between the words are where the true difficulty of the game lies. Each group of words shares a common theme, but the nature of these themes can vary. Sometimes the connection is straightforward (such as all the words being types of animals), but other times the connection can be far more abstract, requiring solvers to think in less obvious ways. There’s a degree of trial and error involved, as players can make guesses about possible groups and receive feedback on whether their guesses are correct or incorrect.
However, players have a limited number of incorrect guesses they can make before the game ends. This means players must balance between testing their hunches and ensuring they’re not wasting guesses. It’s also important to note that some words may initially seem to belong to one group but actually fit better in another, adding to the puzzle’s complexity.
Now, let’s take a look at the specifics for the September 20, 2024, puzzle and how it can be solved.
September 20, 2024 – Puzzle Overview
For the NYT Connections puzzle on September 20, 2024, the 16 words provided are as follows:
- CAT
- PERSON
- SOLO
- HAWK
- CHEWY
- FIGURE
- INDIVIDUAL
- CORNER
- CHARACTER
- BOBA
- IMAGINE
- PARTY
- SUSPECT
- EMPEROR
- LITTER
- THINK
At first glance, this list may seem random, but there are hidden connections within these words. The challenge is to find the four categories that group these words together in meaningful ways. For today’s puzzle, the categories are:
- Presume (Group 1)
- Somebody (Group 2)
- Characters in The Empire Strikes Back (Group 3)
- Words after “Kitty” (Group 4)
Presume (Group 1)
The first group is centered around the theme of “Presume”. In this category, we are looking for words that can be used to imply making assumptions or conclusions about something. The words in this group are:
- Figure
- Imagine
- Suspect
- Think
Each of these words relates to the idea of presumption or forming a conclusion based on incomplete information. For example, to “figure” something out is to come to a conclusion based on reasoning, and to “suspect” is to form an opinion without conclusive evidence. This category emphasizes cognitive actions where we form ideas or judgments without full certainty.
Somebody (Group 2)
The second group is connected by the theme “Somebody”. Here, the words represent terms that refer to individuals or persons. The words that fit into this category are:
- Character
- Individual
- Party
- Person
All these terms refer to a human being, though they may be used in different contexts. “Character” could refer to a person in a story or movie, while “party” can refer to an entity in a legal or political sense. Nevertheless, the unifying idea is that these are all ways to refer to somebody or someone.
Characters in The Empire Strikes Back (Group 3)
The third group brings a touch of pop culture into the puzzle. The words in this group are characters from The Empire Strikes Back, the iconic Star Wars movie. The words in this category are:
- Boba (Boba Fett)
- Chewy (Chewbacca)
- Emperor (The Emperor)
- Solo (Han Solo)
These four characters are all pivotal figures in the Star Wars universe, specifically in The Empire Strikes Back. Fans of the franchise will immediately recognize these names, though some may be abbreviated or shortened (such as “Chewy” for Chewbacca).
Words after “Kitty” (Group 4)
The final group is based on the theme “Words after ‘Kitty'”. This is a more playful category, where each word can logically follow the word “Kitty” to form a common phrase. The words in this group are:
- Cat
- Corner
- Hawk
- Litter
For example, “Kitty Cat” is a common phrase referring to a domestic feline, “Kitty Corner” refers to something diagonally across from something else, “Kitty Hawk” is famous as the site of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight, and “Kitty Litter” refers to the substance used in litter boxes. This category highlights the flexibility and range of the word “Kitty” in forming compound phrases.
Puzzle Solving Strategies
Now that we’ve gone over the answers, let’s talk about some strategies for solving NYT Connections puzzles like this one. While the categories for today’s puzzle may seem obvious after the fact, many players struggle to identify the groups without hints. Here are some general tips for tackling these puzzles:
1. Look for Familiar Phrases and Pop Culture References
Many NYT Connections puzzles, like today’s, include pop culture references or phrases that are part of common language. In this case, the Star Wars characters were a significant clue for one group. If you’re a fan of certain movies, books, or shows, you can often identify these references quickly. When you notice familiar names like “Boba” or “Solo,” you can start to explore whether there’s a theme related to pop culture.
2. Think About Word Relationships
Sometimes the words in a group don’t seem related at first glance, but when you think about their meanings, patterns start to emerge. In today’s puzzle, the “Presume” category wasn’t immediately obvious. However, by considering what all the words have in common, you can see they all relate to forming opinions or judgments. This is a good strategy: consider what actions, processes, or characteristics link the words.
3. Use Trial and Error (Sparingly)
While players are limited in how many wrong guesses they can make, trial and error is still an essential part of the game. It’s helpful to test out groups you think might be correct, as the game will give feedback on whether your guesses are right or wrong. This helps narrow down possibilities. However, you’ll want to be strategic about your guesses to avoid wasting too many attempts.
4. Eliminate the Obvious
Sometimes, it’s best to start with the most obvious group of words. For example, in today’s puzzle, the Star Wars characters stood out as an easy group for many players. By solving the easier categories first, you reduce the number of words left to categorize, making the remaining connections easier to identify.
5. Pay Attention to Word Play
NYT Connections puzzles often involve word play or puns, as seen with the “Words after ‘Kitty'” group in today’s puzzle. If you see words that could form phrases with other words, consider whether the puzzle might be playing with language in this way. Recognizing compound words, common phrases, or even rhyming patterns can give you a head start on certain groups.
Final Thoughts
The NYT Connections puzzle for September 20, 2024, provides a fantastic example of how this game tests players’ critical thinking and word association skills. While the 16 words initially seem random, careful examination and pattern recognition reveal the four distinct categories: Presume, Somebody, Characters in The Empire Strikes Back, and Words after “Kitty”. These categories highlight the puzzle’s versatility, as it combines cognitive processes, individual identifiers, pop culture references, and playful word combinations.
For players, solving this puzzle requires a balance between familiarity with common phrases, pop culture knowledge, and an understanding of more abstract connections like presumptions and identity. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned puzzle solver, this NYT Connections puzzle offers the perfect challenge.
The daily puzzles are an excellent mental exercise, inviting players to think beyond the obvious and find deeper or less apparent connections between words. Whether solving puzzles solo or competing with friends to find the connections faster, these games enhance your vocabulary, improve reasoning skills, and provide a satisfying sense of accomplishment when you crack the code.