NYT Connections: What It Is & Why It Clicks

Connections is a daily word-puzzle by The New York Times where you must sort 16 words into four thematic groups of four, each group assigned a color-coded difficulty (yellow = easiest through purple = most challenging).

Since launching in June 2023, it’s become one of the Times’ most beloved word games, second only to Wordle in popularity. It’s simple to play but deceptively tricky—many of today’s groupings hinge on lateral thinking or double meanings.

Today’s Puzzle (#799 – August 18, 2025)

1. Hints (Color-coded by difficulty)

• Yellow (easy): Subtle signs that something’s afoot
• Green (medium): Moments to seize for success
• Blue (harder): Comforts that make a stay pleasant (i.e., hotel amenities)
• Purple (hardest): What precedes the time-keeping device — in other words, words that come before “watch”

Or, framed in more straightforward terms:

• Yellow: Indication
• Green: Opportunity
• Blue: Hotel amenities
• Purple: Words before “watch”

2. Full Answers (Words for Each Category)

• Yellow – Indication:
  CUE, NOD, PROMPT, SIGNAL
• Green – Opportunity:
  BREAK, CHANCE, OPENING, SHOT
• Blue – Hotel amenities:
  BREAKFAST, PARKING, POOL, WI-FI
• Purple – Words before “watch”:
  DIGITAL, POCKET, STOP, WRIST

Why Today’s Puzzle Was Tricky

A sneak-in red herring: BREAK appears in both Opportunity and Hotel amenities, acting as a distraction. Similarly, words like SHOT and POCKET can feel like they cross categories. This clever ambiguity is exactly the kind of puzzle design that keeps you guessing—and loving it.

Quick Recap Table: Today’s Puzzle at a Glance

Pro Puzzle-Solving Tips for Connections

• Try to spot “odd ones out” first—words that clearly don’t fit anywhere else can narrow down possibilities.
• Beware of “double-meaning” words—like BREAK in today’s puzzle—which are designed to mislead.
• Start with the yellow group—it’s the easiest, and helps reduce clutter.
• Use the color-coded confirmation system (yellow → purple) to guide your instincts.