Connections is a captivating game from the New York Times that challenges you to spot the hidden associations between words. The objective is simple yet deceptively tricky: sort 16 words into four groups of four based on a common theme or idea. These connections can be nearly anything—from patterns in the number of letters to subtle hints like an extra character at the end of each word. Sometimes the themes reference topics as diverse as economics or fairy tales, and there’s always an element of surprise in the associations.
How Does It Work?
In Connections, you’re presented with 16 unsorted words. Your task is to analyze the list and determine which four words share a specific connection. Each group is bound by a unique concept, which might be straightforward or extremely specific. The fun of the game lies in the challenge of uncovering these sometimes elusive themes.
For example, one group might be connected by a financial theme, while another could be linked by a quirky linguistic twist. The wide range of possible associations means that no two games are exactly alike.
Hints for Today’s Connections Groups
For the 626th Connections game (January 26th), here are some hints to help you get started:
- Yellow: Related to payment.
- Green: When something used to be, but isn’t now.
- Blue: Not vertical.
- Purple: Related to famous people from a cartoon.
If you need an extra nudge, the actual group names for today are provided below.
Today’s NYT Connections Answers
Yellow Group: Expenditure
- Words: Charge, Cost, Price, Rate
These words all relate to the concept of spending money or expenses.
Green Group: Onetime
- Words: Former, Late, Past, Prior
These words indicate something that once was but is no longer current.
Blue Group: Made With Horizontal Lines
- Words: Dash, Hyphone, Minus, Underscore
Each of these symbols is characterized by horizontal strokes.
Purple Group: Simpson Family Members with First Letter Changed
- Words: Baggie, Barge, Comer, Pisa
This clever group involves altering the first letter of the names of famous cartoon characters (inspired by the Simpson family) to form new words.
Whether you’re a seasoned Connections player or just discovering the game, the thrill of finding these hidden links can be incredibly satisfying. Use these hints and answers as a guide for today’s challenge, and soon enough, you’ll be spotting connections like a pro! Happy puzzling!