Today’s Connections set looks simple at first glance, then turns into a pattern-spotting exercise. One lane is about pursuit, another is unmistakably sportsmanship language, and the quickest way to keep momentum is to lock those down before you get pulled into title-style distractions. If you’re stuck, say each word out loud and ask what role it plays — action, value, object, or label — because that’s the fastest way to separate the literal meanings from the category logic.
Play the official puzzle on the New York Times Connections page. Below are hints, categories, and the interactive practice grid.
Hints and Category Explanations
🟨 Yellow – Pursue
Think of the verbs and actions you’d use for following someone in motion — from trailing behind to tracking a route.
🟩 Green – Sportsmanlike
This set is about clean play and good conduct — the kind of words you’d see in a code-of-conduct talk after a game.
🟦 Blue – Classic kid gifts
Imagine the familiar staples at birthdays and holidays: something you ride, something you read, something you play with, and something you play on.
🟪 Purple – “___ girl” titles
These are words that commonly sit in front of “girl” in well-known titles and phrases.
Categories
Yellow: Pursue
Green: Sportsmanlike
Blue: Classic kid gifts
Purple: “___ girl” titles
One-word anchors
- 🟨 Yellow: HOUND
- 🟩 Green: FAIR
- 🟦 Blue: BIKE
- 🟪 Purple: GONE
Practice Mode
Answers
🟨 Yellow – Pursue
HOUND, SHADOW, TAIL, TRACK
🟩 Green – Sportsmanlike
FAIR, HONEST, SPORTING, SQUARE
🟦 Blue – Classic kid gifts
BIKE, BOOK, TOY, VIDEO GAME
🟪 Purple – “___ girl” titles
GONE, GOSSIP, NEW, WORKING
