**All You Need to Know About the NYT’s Favorite Word Game, *Connections***
*Connections* has swiftly become one of the most adored word games from *The New York Times*, intriguing players with its distinct challenge of revealing “common threads among words.” Much like *Wordle*, *Connections* resets each day at midnight, providing a new puzzle that becomes progressively more difficult throughout the week. If you find yourself in a bind, we have hints, tips, and even today’s solution to assist you.
If you’re only interested in today’s answer, scroll down to the end of this article. However, if you wish to tackle it on your own, continue on for clues, strategies, and more details about this captivating game.
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### What Is *Connections*?
The *New York Times*’ latest word game has taken the online world by storm. Developed with contributions from associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, *Connections* has become a fixture in the *Times*’ Games section. Accessible on both web browsers and mobile devices, the game challenges players to cluster four words that share a common theme.
Each puzzle consists of 16 words that need to be classified into four categories. These categories can include anything from book titles to software, country names, and beyond. While some words may seem related, only one correct grouping exists.
Once you correctly identify a set of four associated words, those words are cleared from the board. However, incorrect guesses count as mistakes, and players can make up to four mistakes before the game concludes.
To facilitate your play, you can shuffle the board to rearrange the words, making it easier to identify connections. Each category is color-coded, with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Similar to *Wordle*, you can share your results with friends on social media.
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### Tips for Playing *Connections*
1. **Identify clear groupings first.** Begin by finding the most obvious connections, such as colors, animals, or well-known figures.
2. **Utilize the shuffle option.** Rearranging the words can reveal patterns that you might overlook.
3. **Think creatively.** Some connections might not be immediately evident, so explore less obvious themes like puns or cultural references.
4. **Take your time.** Carefully analyze the words and experiment with different combinations.
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### Today’s *Connections* Puzzle: Hints
Looking for a hint to help you along? Here are some clues for today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Celestial entities
– **Green:** Famous archery users
– **Blue:** Female species
– **Purple:** Late-night comedy legends
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### Today’s *Connections* Categories
Still in a fix? Here are the specific categories for today’s puzzle:
– **Yellow:** Celestial Objects
– **Green:** Archers
– **Blue:** Female Animals
– **Purple:** SNL Cast Members
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### The Solution to Today’s *Connections* Puzzle
Ready for the answers? Here’s how today’s puzzle breaks down:
– **Celestial Objects:** COMET, MOON, PLANET, STAR
– **Archers:** CUPID, HAWKEYE, ROBIN HOOD, SAGITTARIUS
– **Female Animals:** JENNY, NANNY, QUEEN, VIXEN
– **SNL Cast Members:** FEY, RUDOLPH, SHANNON, STRONG
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### Don’t Worry if You Missed It
If you couldn’t solve today’s puzzle, don’t feel down! A fresh *Connections* puzzle will come out tomorrow, and we’ll be ready with more hints and solutions to assist you.
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### Want More Games?
Seeking additional puzzles to test your intellect? Visit Mashable’s [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.
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### Related Articles
– [NYT Mini Crossword Answers for December 25](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-mini-crossword-clues-answers-december-25-2024)
– [NYT Connections Sports Edition: Hints and Answers for December 25](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-sports-edition-hint-answer-today-december-25)
– [Strands Hints and Answers for December 24](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-december-24)
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Whether you’re an experienced *Connections* enthusiast or new to the game, this experience is a wonderful way to exercise your mind and enjoy some fun. Good luck, and happy puzzling!