Connections: group the words

How to play Connections

Each puzzle has 16 words that belong to four hidden groups of four. Tap four words you think share a link and press Submit. If you are right, the group is revealed with its name. If not, you lose one of your four mistakes.

• When three of your four words belong together, the game tells you that you are one away.
• Each group you find gets its own color (blue, yellow, purple or green) and its name, so you can see what linked the words.
• Some words fit more than one group. Find the groups that are certain first, and the red herrings sort themselves out.
• Use Shuffle to see the board with fresh eyes when you are stuck.

Daily puzzle and unlimited mode

There is a new daily puzzle every day, the same for everyone, and your streak is saved in your browser. Once you finish it, switch to Unlimited for as many extra puzzles as you want. We have more than a thousand of them.

Tips for solving faster

• Start with the category that has the most obvious link, such as words that can follow or precede the same word.
• Look for words with several meanings. A word like “bank” or “light” is rarely where it first looks.
• Say the words out loud. Rhymes, sounds and hidden words are common groupings.
• Do not rush the last group. If you solved three, the fourth is automatic, so spend your mistakes on the early guesses only when you are fairly sure.

FAQ

Is this the New York Times game?

No. Wordly Connections is an independent game with its own puzzles. It is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free, needs no account and runs in your browser.

When does the daily puzzle change?

At midnight in your local time zone, so everyone starts a new puzzle on their own calendar day.

Can I play more than one puzzle a day?

Yes. Open the Unlimited tab for a new puzzle whenever you want. Only the daily puzzle counts for your daily result.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes. The board is made for touch screens and also works with a mouse.