Trying to find the connections in a game of Connections might be tricky depending on how much the categories of a certain day differ from our vocabulary. If you need a nod in the right direction to figure out the answers, you have come to the right place.
Recommended Videos
The New York Times launched Connections in mid-2023, and the game has quickly gained popularity as a daily activity. Each day, the game presents sixteen different words in a 4×4 grid. Your goal is to find the eponymous connections between them. They are split into four categories, but you don’t know which categories these are when you start playing; you must look at all the words and try to deduce yourself.
To guess, simply select the four words you think are grouped together and click the Submit button. Doing so, you get feedback from the game on whether it was a correct guess or it cost you a “life.” You have a maximum of three mistakes to make each day, and making a fourth mistake means you lose.
With a correct guess, the selected words are removed from the “pool” and grouped together to reveal the name of their category. The four categories are color-coded in yellow, green, blue, and purple, where yellow is traditionally the most straightforward and purple is the trickiest.
Keep reading to find a few hints, the categories, and the answers for today’s Connections. Each of them is split in a different section, so as to not spoil the answers unintentionally.
Hints for today’s Connections (Nov. 21)
A few hints for today’s categories of Connections (#529) are:
- π¨ Yellow group: wear these on the upper side of your body
- π© Green group: different names for elements in a certain type of tea
- π¦ Blue group: variants of these are found at sea
- πͺ Purple group: components of a famous Italian meal, but cut in half
We don’t want to make it too simple or obvious at first for those who only need a nod in the right direction. But if those still don’t ring a bell, you might need the actual names of each category.
That is where the next section comes in. Keep reading to learn more.
Today’s Connections categories (Nov. 21)
The categories that connect today’s words in Connections (#529) are:
- π¨ Yellow group: kinds of shirts
- π© Green group: spheres in milk tea
- π¦ Blue group: marine invertebrates, familiarly
- πͺ Purple group: starts of pasta names
Knowing the categories might give away most or all the answers, but we know that sometimes it can still be tricky to figure out which ones go where.
If you’re still unsure and don’t have any more room for mistakes, check out the actual answers for each category below.
Today’s Connections answers (Nov. 21)
The answers to today’s Connections puzzle (#529) are:
- π¨ Kinds of shirts: FLANNEL, OXFORD, POLO, TEE
- π© Spheres in milk tea: BOBA, BUBBLE, PEARL, TAPIOCA
- π¦ Marine invertebrates, familiarly: CORAL, JELLY, SPONGE, STAR
- πͺ Starts of pasta names: FETT, PENN, TORTE, ZIT
Past Connections answers
Nov. 20 (#528)
- π¨ Sound like a dog: BARK, BAY, HOWL, SNARL
- π© Broadcast, as online media: AIR, PLAY, RUN, STREAM
- π¦ Cocktail-making verbs: GARNISH, MUDDLE, STIR, STRAIN
- πͺ Organizational structures, metaphorically: CHAIN, LADDER, PYRAMID, TREE
Nov. 19 (#527)
- π¨ Area of expertise: CONCENTRATION, FIELD, FOCUS, SPECIALTY
- π© Ways to unlock a device: FACE, FINGERPRINT, PASSWORD, PIN
- π¦ Pasta shapes: EAR, ELBOW, RIBBON, WHEEL
- πͺ Double ___: AGENT, DRIBBLE, JEOPARDY, STANDARD
Nov. 18 (#526)
- π¨ Used in hair care: COMB, DRYER, HAIRSPRAY, ROLLERS
- π© Monthly expenses: GAS, INTERNET, PHONE, RENT
- π¦ Things with spots: DALMATIAN, DIE, DOMINO, LADYBUG
- πͺ ___ crab: FIDDLER, HERMIT, HORSESHOE, SPIDER
Nov. 17 (#525)
- π¨ Alliance: ASSOCIATION, GUILD, LEAGUE, UNION
- π© Close-fitting: CLINGY, SLEEK, SLINKY, SNUG
- π¦ Occasions when one might kneel: APOLOGY, DUBBING, PRAYER, PROPOSAL
- πͺ What an apostrophe might indicate: CONTRACTION, FOOT, POSSESSIVE, QUOTATION
Nov. 16 (#524)
- π¨ Things that prevent leaks: CAP, COVER, PLUG, SEAL
- π© Kinds of hats: BERET, DERBY, PILLBOX, SNAPBACK
- π¦ College football team members: GATOR, SOONER, VOLUNTEER, WOLVERINE
- πͺ Go ___: BANANAS, COMMANDO, FIGURE, ROUGE
Nov. 15 (#523)
- π¨ Fissure: CRACK, HOLE, LEAK, PUNCTURE
- π© Elements of writing: LETTER, PHRASE, SENTENCE, WORD
- π¦ Instruments you blow into: JUG, PIPE, RECORDER, WHISTLE
- πͺ ___ of time: NICK, PASSAGE, SANDS, WASTE
Nov. 14 (#522)
- π¨ Deplete: DRAIN, EMPTY, EXHAUST, SAP
- π© Play music with passion: GROOVE, JAM, ROCK, SHRED
- π¦ Words on a restaurant receipt: SIGNATURE, TAX, TIP, TOTAL
- πͺ Forms of sugar: CUBE, GRAIN, POWDER, SYRUP
Nov. 13 (#521)
- π¨ Things that are yellow: CANARY, LEMON, MINION, MUSTARD
- π© Building add-ons: ADDITION, ANNEX, EXTENSION, WING
- π¦ Concerns for a dentist: CALCULUS, CAVITY, PLAQUE, TARTAR
- πͺ Words that seem longer written than spoken: COLONEL, PHARAOH, WEDNESDAY, WORCESTERSHIRE
Nov. 12 (#520)
- π¨ Complain: BELLYACHE, CARP, CRAB, GRUMBLE
- π© Vegetable units: CLOVE, FLORET, SPEAR, STALK
- π¦ Laptop specs: RAM, RESOLUTION, SPEED, STORAGE
- πͺ Features of justice personified: BLINDFOLD, ROBE, SCALES, SWORD
Nov. 11 (#519)
- π¨ Chocolate bars: CRUNCH, DOVE, MARS, PAYDAY
- π© Gist: CORE, MEAT, SUBSTANCE, THRUST
- π¦ Kinds of bras: DEMI, PUSH-UP, SPORTS, WIRELESS
- πͺ ___ bird: BIG, EARLY, LADY, SUE
Nov. 10 (#518)
- π¨ Barrel-shaped container: CASK, CYLINDER, DRUM, TANK
- π© Guide: PILOT, SHEPHERD, STEER, USHER
- π¦ NFL team member: COWBOY, JET, RAM, RAVEN
- πͺ Things that swing: GOLFER, PENDULUM, SALOON DOORS, SWING
Nov. 9 (#517)
- π¨ Contorted: BENT, GNARLY, TWISTED, WARPED
- π© Smallest amount: LICK, OUNCE, SHRED, TRACE
- π¦ Algebra terms: EXPONENT, POWER, RADICAL, ROOT
- πͺ Words before “room” to mean lavatory: BATH, POWDER, REST, THRONE
Nov. 8 (#516)
- π¨ Escapade: ANTIC, CAPER, EXPLOIT, STUNT
- π© Kinds of pickles: DILL, KOSHER, SOUR, SWEET
- π¦ RisquΓ©: ADULT, BLUE, SPICY, SUGGESTIVE
- πͺ Cut the ___: CHEESE, CORD, DECK, MUSTARD
Nov. 7 (#515)
- π¨ Food-related jumbles: HASH, SALAD, SCRAMBLE, STEW
- π© Public standing: CHARACTER, IMAGE, NAME, REPUTATION
- π¦ Info on a museum placard: ARTIST, MEDIUM, TITLE, YEAR
- πͺ Anagrams of famous painters: DIAL, EGADS, MONTE, YOGA
Nov. 6 (#514)
- π¨ DVR buttons: PAUSE, PLAY, RECORD, STOP
- π© Groundbreaking: DIFFERENT, NEW, NOVEL, ORIGINAL
- π¦ Communicate through writing: CORRESPOND, MESSAGE, TEXT, WRITE
- πͺ Things with feet: BIPED, FURNITURE, POEM, YARDSTICK
Nov. 5 (#513)
- π¨ Things that are fuzzy: CATERPILLAR, FLEECE, PEACH, PIPE CLEANER
- π© Things with shells: CLAM, EGG, NUT, TURTLE
- π¦ Figures in Shrek: DONKEY, DRAGON, OGRE, PRINCESS
- πͺ Magic ___: CARPET, KINGDOM, MARKER, MUSHROOM
Nov. 4 (#512)
- π¨ Equip: FURNISH, OUTFIT, PROVISION, STOCK
- π© Individuality: BEING, CHARACTER, EGO, SELF
- π¦ Furniture: CHEST, CONSOLE, VANITY, WARDROBE
- πͺ Words with apostrophes removed: CANT, ID, SHELL, WERE
Nov. 3 (#511)
- π¨ Heartwarming: MOVING, SWEET, TENDER, TOUCHING
- π© Sneaking suspicion: FEELING, HUNCH, IMPRESSION, SENSE
- π¦ Legal session: HEARING, INQUIRY, PROCEEDING, TRIAL
- πͺ Easy ___: CHAIR, LISTENING, MONEY, STREET
Nov. 2 (#510)
- π¨ Seen in a kitchen: COUNTER, FRIDGE, RANGE, SINK
- π© Group of advisors: BOARD, CABINET, COUNCIL, PANEL
- π¦ Core exercises: BOAT, CRUNCH, MOUNTAIN CLIMBER, PLANK
- πͺ Kinds of earrings: CHANDELIER, DROP, HOOP, STUD
Nov. 1 (#509)
- π¨ Progress slowly: CRAWL, CREEP, DRAG, INCH
- π© Ways to order a beer: BOTTLE, CAN, DRAFT, TAP
- π¦ Cheesy corn snack unit: BALL, CURL, DOODLE, PUFF
- πͺ ___ effect: BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, HALO, PLACEBO
Oct. 31 (#508)
- π¨ Terms of endearment: DARLING, LOVE, PUMPKIN, TREASURE
- π© Things you can do with your eyelids: BAT, BLINK, FLUTTER, WINK
- π¦ Sports cars: DIABLO, MUSTANG, SPIDER, VIPER
- πͺ ___ hunt: EGG, JOB, SCAVENGER, WITCH
Oct. 30 (#507)
- π¨ Upswing: BOOM, RISE, SPIKE, SURGE
- π© Things with wheels: DOLLY, ROLLERBLADE, SKATEBOARD, WAGON
- π¦ Kinds of tape: DUCT, ELECTRICAL, GAFFER, PACKING
- πͺ Retail chains with a letter changed: BEST BOY, IDEA, KRONER, STABLES
Oct. 29 (#506)
- π¨ In pristine condition: MINT, NEW, ORIGINAL, UNUSED
- π© Medical roles: ATTENDING, FELLOW, INTERN, RESIDENT
- π¦ Singular noun in a famous “Julius Caesar” line: COUNTRYMAN, EAR, FRIEND, ROMAN
- πͺ ___ square: PERFECT, POCKET, TIMES, TOWN
Oct. 28 (#505)
- π¨ Audio apps: AUDIBLE, PANDORA, SHAZAM, TIDAL
- π© Indicate: MEAN, SIGNIFY, SPELL, SUGGEST
- π¦ Church of England wedding vow verbs: CHERISH, HAVE, HOLD, LOVE
- πͺ Magic words: ABRACADABRA, PLEASE, PRESTO, THANK YOU
Oct. 27 (#504)
- π¨ Sassy: CUTE, FRESH, SMART, WISE
- π© Ambience: AIR, FEELING, MOOD, QUALITY
- π¦ Units: BAR, BELL, LUX, MOLE
- πͺ The Little ___: MERMAID, PRINCE, RASCALS, TRAMP
Oct. 26 (#503)
- π¨ Fluster: FAZE, RATTLE, RUFFLE, THROW
- π© Series of messages: CHAIN, CHAT, CONVERSATION, THREAD
- π¦ Places to lie/sit that move: CRADLE, HAMMOCK, ROCKER, SWING
- πͺ Cylinder-shaped things: CAN, ROLLER, SILO, SPOOL
Oct. 25 (#502)
- π¨ β’ : DOT, PERIOD, POINT, TITTLE
- π© Event with dancing: BALL, FORMAL, HOP, RAVE
- π¦ iPhone message tapback responses: EXCLAMATION POINTS, HEART, QUESTION MARK, THUMBS UP
- πͺ “Pan”: BAD REVIEW, CAMERA MOVEMENT, COOKWARE, SATYR
Oct. 24 (#501)
- π¨ Lineup: BILL, PROGRAM, SCHEDULE, SLATE
- π© NYT offerings: AUDIO, COOKING, GAMES, NEWS
- π¦ Things made by folding paper: AIRPLANE, CRANE, FAN, FORTUNE TELLER
- πͺ French words: ADIEU, BELLE, PAIN, TEMPS
Oct. 23 (#500)
- π¨ Yellow ___: CAB, JACKET, JOURNALISM, PAGES
- π© Green ___: BERET, GOBLIN, SALAD, THUMB
- π¦ Blue ___: JAY, JEANS, MOON, WHALE
- πͺ Purple ___: HAZE, HEART, PROSE, RAIN
Oct. 22 (#499)
- π¨ Brand-name: DESIGNER, HAUTE, HIGH-END, LUXURY
- π© Devise: CONCOCT, ENGINEER, HATCH, MASTERMIND
- π¦ NASA spacecraft: GALILEO, PIONEER, VIKING, VOYAGER
- πͺ Games where you say the game’s name: BINGO, MARCO POLO, TAG, UNO
Oct. 21 (#498)
- π¨ Kinds of beans: KINDNEY, MUNG, NAVY, PINTO
- π© Attract: DRAW, GRAB, HOOK, REVERSE
- π¦ Automatic gear shifter positions: DRIVE, LOW, NEUTRAL, REVERSE
- πͺ ___pool: CAR, DEAD, LIVER, WHIRL
Oct. 20 (#497)
- π¨ Bit of newspaper writing: ARTICLE, COLUMN, FEATURE, STORY
- π© Noisy disturbance: CLATTER, RACKET, ROW, RUCKUS
- π¦ Table tennis needs: BALL, NET, PADDLE, TABLE
- πͺ Homophones of coordinating conjunctions: BUTT, FORE, OAR, SEW
Oct. 19 (#496)
- π¨ Bring about: GENERATE, INSPIRE, PROMPT, PROVOKE
- π© Things that are often scented: CANDLE, INCENSE, LOTION, SOAP
- π¦ Things that might sting: INSULT, JELLYFISH, NETTLE, WASP
- πͺ Video game franchises: CIVILIZATION, HALO, MADDEN, METROID
Oct. 18 (#495)
- π¨ Clunker: BUST, DUD, FLOP, MISS
- π© Opportunity: CHANCE, SHOT, TIME, TURN
- π¦ Non-cash way to pay: CARD, CHARGE, CREDIT, PLASTIC
- πͺ Amazon ___: KINDLE, PRIME, RAINFOREST, RIVER
Oct. 17 (#494)
- π¨ Grassy area: GREEN, LAWN, PARK, YARD
- π© Deal with: ADDRESS, ANSWER, FIELD, HANDLE
- π¦ Movies with “S” removed: CAR, GOODFELLA, JAW, SWINGER
- πͺ ___ law: CRIMINAL, HARVARD, LEMON, NATURAL
Oct. 16 (#493)
- π¨ At some future point: EVENTUALLY, LATER, NEXT, SOON
- π© Parts of a tournament setup: BRACKET, BYE, ROUND, SEED
- π¦ Bit of breakfast cereal: CHEERIO, FLAKE, PEBBLE, PUFF
- πͺ What the outstretched index and middle fingers can represent: PEACE, SCISSORS, TWO, VICTORY
Oct. 15 (#492)
- π¨ Football positions: CENTER, GUARD, QUARTERBACK, SAFETY
- π© Cable channels: DISCOVERY, HISTORY, NICKELODEON, OXYGEN
- π¦ Fictional clowns: HOMEY, JOKER, PENNYWISE, RONALD
- πͺ What “D” might stand for: DEFENSE, DEMOCRAT, DIMENSIONAL, DRIVE
Oct. 14 (#491)
- π¨ Rummage: COMB, DIG, ROOT, SIFT
- π© Sounds of thunder: CLAP, PEAL, ROLL, RUMBLE
- π¦ Ways to wear your hair up: BRAID, BUN, PONY, TWIST
- πͺ Things that can have leaves: BOOK, SALAD, TABLE, TREE
Oct. 13 (#490)
- π¨ Made of keratin: CLAW, HOOF, HORN, NAIL
- π© Road runner cartoon staples: ANVIL, BOULDER, COYOTE, TNT
- π¦ Kinds of pants: CAPRI, CARGO, HAMMER, STIRRUP
- πͺ ___ roll: CALIFORNIA, DRUM, EGG, HONOR
Oct. 12 (#489)
- π¨ Draped accessories: SCARF, SHAWL, STOLE, WRAP
- π© Tolerate: BEAR, STAND, SWALLOW, TAKE
- π¦ Bird onomatopoeia: COO, GOBBLE, HONK, HOOT
- πͺ Starts of cell phone makers: APP, GOO, MOTOR, SAM
Oct. 11 (#488)
- π¨ Cherish: RELISH, SAVOR, TREASURE, VALUE
- π© Quick jump in the pool: DIP, DIVE, SPLASH, SWIM
- π¦ Additional benefit: BONUS, EXTRA, FROSTING, GRAVY
- πͺ Brashness: BRASS, CHEEK, NERVE, SAUCE
Oct. 10 (#487)
- π¨ Body parts: ARM, EYE, HIP, LEG
- π© Cool, in ’80s slang: BAD, FLY, ILL, RAD
- π¦ Movies: BIG, ELF, HER, SAW
- πͺ Words in “Do-Re-Mi”: DOE, FAR, SEW, TEA
Oct. 9 (#486)
- π¨ Effervescence: BUBBLES, FIZZ, FOAM, FROTH
- π© Burgeon: BLOSSOM, DEVELOP, MATURE, PROGRESS
- π¦ Music publications: BILLBOARD, MOJO, PITCHFORK, SPIN
- πͺ Ending with tableware: BOILERPLATE, BUTTERCUP, JACKKNIFE, WITHERSPOON
Oct. 8 (#485)
- π¨ Halloween symbols: BAT, PUMPKIN, SPIDER, WITCH
- π© Prohibit: BAN, BLOCK, DENY, FORBID
- π¦ Found on sheet music: ACCIDENTAL, NOTE, REST, STAFF
- πͺ Candy ___: APPLE, BAR, CANE, CORN
Oct. 7 (#484)
- π¨ Knucklehead: DING-DONG, DODO, YAHOO, YO-YO
- π© Car onomatopoeia: BEEP BEEP, PURR, SKRRT, VROOM
- π¦ Sounds of laughter: HAR-HAR, HOOT, WHOOP, YUK
- πͺ Famous primates: BUBBLES, GEORGE, KING KONG, KOKO
Oct. 6 (#483)
- π¨ Turn tail: FLEE, LEAVE, RETREAT, WITHDRAW
- π© Things cats do: KNEAD, PURR, SCRATCH, SHED
- π¦ Pages on a website: ABOUT, CONTACT, HOME, LOGIN
- πͺ ___ cheese: COTTAGE, CREAM, GOAT, STRING
Oct. 5 (#482)
- π¨ Steak cuts: FILET, HANGER, SKIRT, T-BONE
- π© Kinds of underwear: BIKINI, G-STRING, HIPSTER, THONG
- π¦ Involved in a dentist visit: DRILL, SINK, TOOTHBRUSH, X-RAY
- πͺ Brands that have become generic terms: CHAPSTICK, JACUZZI, Q-TIP, XEROX
Oct. 4 (#481)
- π¨ Concavity: DENT, DIMPLE, DING, DIVOT
- π© Small amount: DAB, DASH, DOLLOP, DROP
- π¦ Disney characters: DAISY, DALE, DOC, DORY
- πͺ ___ date: DELIVERY, DINNER, DREAM, DUE
Oct. 3 (#480)
- π¨ Beverages: JUICE, MILK, PUNCH, SODA
- π© Care for a plant: FERTILIZE, POT, PRUNE, WATER
- π¦ Item sold in Paris: BOOKEND, EARBUD, SKI, SOCK
- πͺ Bugs plus starting letter: BLOUSE, PANT, SMITE, STICK
Oct. 2 (#479)
- π¨ Put on the line: BET, CHANCE, GAMBLE, RISK
- π© Use a kitchen knife: CUBE, DICE, JULIENNE, SLICE
- π¦ Robert de Niro films: CASINO, HEAT, JOKER, TAXI DRIVER
- πͺ Distinctive number of arms (or lack thereof): OCTOPUS, SHIVA, SLOT MACHINE, VENUS DE MILO
Oct. 1 (#478)
- π¨ Flustered state: LATHER, STEW, SWEAT, TIZZY
- π© Fitness: CONDITION, FORM, HEALTH, SHAPE
- π¦ Fast-moving water: CASCADE, CURRENT, RAPID, WAVE
- πͺ Dishwasher cycles: NORMAL, QUICK, RINSE, SANITIZE
