Playing Connections? Play the official game at The New York Times before opening a reveal.
Today's hints
Reveal one clue at a time and stop when you have enough help.
The 16-word board
Yellow group
Reveal category
KINDS OF HEELS
Reveal four words
KITTEN · PLATFORM · SPIKE · WEDGE
Green group
Reveal category
FLOWERS
Reveal four words
ANEMONE · LOTUS · NARCISSUS · ROSE
Blue group
Reveal category
TEARDROP-SHAPED THINGS
Reveal four words
PEAR · RAINDROP · SPEEDBAG · UVULA
Purple group
Reveal category
LIQUORS WITH LAST LETTERS CHANGED
Reveal four words
BRANDO · GIG · RUN · WHISKER
Reveal all groups and explanation
The solution, explanation and solve notes stay hidden until you choose to reveal them.
Reveal answer and explanation
Answer board
Yellow · KINDS OF HEELS
KITTEN · PLATFORM · SPIKE · WEDGE
Green · FLOWERS
ANEMONE · LOTUS · NARCISSUS · ROSE
Blue · TEARDROP-SHAPED THINGS
PEAR · RAINDROP · SPEEDBAG · UVULA
Purple · LIQUORS WITH LAST LETTERS CHANGED
BRANDO · GIG · RUN · WHISKER
Why these words belong together
Connections #1243 sorts 16 words into four groups, and the colors tell you how the setter ranked them. Yellow is kinds of heels: KITTEN, PLATFORM, SPIKE, WEDGE. Green is flowers: ANEMONE, LOTUS, NARCISSUS, ROSE. Blue is teardrop-shaped things: PEAR, RAINDROP, SPEEDBAG, UVULA. Purple is liquors with last letters changed: BRANDO, GIG, RUN, WHISKER.
For liquors with last letters changed, compare all four cards before committing. Connections can use meanings, spelling, sounds, or phrases; a shared meaning alone does not settle an ambiguous word.
Grouping explanation and misleading overlaps
Where to start
One possible starting group is yellow: kinds of heels (KITTEN, PLATFORM, SPIKE, WEDGE). If a word seems to fit two categories, hold it until one of them fills, and remember that four mistakes end the game, so a guess should always be a full set you can defend.
Questions about this edition
What are today’s Connections answers for November 5, 2026?
The groups are kinds of heels; flowers; teardrop-shaped things; liquors with last letters changed.
What is the purple group in Connections #1243?
The purple group is liquors with last letters changed: BRANDO, GIG, RUN, WHISKER.
What is the easiest group in Connections #1243?
Yellow is the setter’s easiest group: kinds of heels (KITTEN, PLATFORM, SPIKE, WEDGE).
When does the next Connections release?
Connections #1244 is the dated edition for Friday, November 6, 2026.
How do you play NYT Connections?
Sort 16 words into four groups of four. You can make four mistakes before the game ends.
TECHi provides independent hints and commentary. Play the official game.
Recent Connections answers
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Show the three most recent answers
Catching up? Here are the most recent solutions.
| Date | Puzzle | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, Nov 4, 2026 | Connections #1242 | TRIANGULAR PRISMS WITH A SHARP EDGE: DOORSTOP, FLATIRON BUILDING, PIE SLICE, WEDGE. WORDS AFTER "DO NOT" ON A CARE LABEL: BLEACH, IRON, TUMBLE DRY, WRING. MOVE IDLY, WITH "AROUND": LOLL, POKE, PUTTER, SHUFFLE. FIRE___: CRACKER, FLY, WOOD, WORKS. |
| Tue, Nov 3, 2026 | Connections #1241 | KEEP GOING: CARRY ON, CONTINUE, PROCEED, RESUME. THINGS WITH WHEELS: OFFICE CHAIR, ROLLER BAG, SHOPPING CART, STROLLER. THINGS A SERVER BRINGS AT A RESTAURANT: CHECK, FOOD, MENU, TAP WATER. ENDING IN MENU BAR HEADINGS: CREDIT, INTERVIEW, PROFILE, WHELP. |
| Mon, Nov 2, 2026 | Connections #1240 | THINGS TO BRING ON A TREK: BACKPACK, COMPASS, HIKING BOOTS, WATER BOTTLE. ANGER: INCENSE, NETTLE, PIQUE, WIND UP. MIST MAKERS: DRY ICE, FOG MACHINE, HUMIDIFIER, WATERFALL. THINGS WITH MIRRORS: DISCO BALL, DRESSING ROOM, KALEIDOSCOPE, MEDICINE CABINET. |
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