**Connections: The New Word Game Sensation by The New York Times**
*Connections* is the latest word puzzle from the *New York Times*, rapidly gaining traction among avid puzzle fans globally. This game invites players to discover the “common threads linking words,” presenting an innovative and entertaining take on word games. Echoing the format of *Wordle*, *Connections* refreshes daily at midnight, with each puzzle becoming increasingly tricky. To assist you with today’s puzzle, we’ve put together a selection of hints, tips, and strategies.
If you’re seeking the answer to today’s *Connections* puzzle, scroll to the end of this article. However, if you prefer to solve it independently, continue reading for some useful clues and pointers.
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### What is *Connections*?
The newest daily word game from the *New York Times* has swiftly turned into a viral sensation, with players sharing their journeys and tactics across social media. Developed with the assistance of associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, *Connections* now features in the *Times*’ Games section and is accessible on both web browsers and mobile devices. The goal? Categorize four words that have a shared theme or connection.
Each puzzle offers players 16 words, which need to be divided into four distinct categories. These categories can include everything from book titles to software names, countries, and beyond. While some words might appear to fit various groups, only one correct solution exists for each puzzle.
Once players successfully identify a group of four words, those words are eliminated from the grid. However, wrong guesses are counted as errors, with players allowed up to four mistakes before the game concludes. To facilitate the process, players can shuffle or rearrange the grid to better identify connections.
Each group is assigned a color based on difficulty: yellow is the simplest, followed by green, blue, and purple. In a manner similar to *Wordle*, players can share their outcomes with friends on social media.
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### Hints for Today’s *Connections* Categories
Need a little guidance? Here are some hints for today’s categories without revealing the answers:
– **Yellow:** Words with identical sounds
– **Green:** Openings for the neck in garments
– **Blue:** Symbolizes #1000
– **Purple:** Super-related items
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### Today’s *Connections* Categories
Still having trouble? Here’s an overview of today’s categories to assist you:
– **Yellow:** Words with the same sound
– **Green:** Openings for the neck
– **Blue:** Expressions for 1,000
– **Purple:** Super___
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### Today’s *Connections* Solution
Prepared for the answers? Here’s your final opportunity to complete the puzzle before we disclose the solution. Cue the drumroll!
The solution to today’s *Connections* #561 is:
– **Homophones:** EWE, U, YEW, YOU
– **Necklines:** BOAT, CREW, SCOOP, V
– **Ways to Express 1,000:** GRAND, K, M, THOU
– **Super___:** 8, BOWL, GLUE, TUESDAY
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Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t solve it this time—there’s always the next day! A new *Connections* puzzle will await your skills, and we’ll return with additional hints and tips to assist you.
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### Interested in More Games?
If puzzles are your passion, Mashable has you sorted! Explore our [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more. Additionally, if you’re also enjoying *Wordle* or *Strands*, we have hints and solutions for those games too.
Did you miss yesterday’s *Connections*? [Here’s the solution to the previous puzzle.](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-sports-edition-hint-answer-today-december-22)