NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 9

Everything you need to solve 'Connections' #394.
By Mashable Team  on 
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'
Credit: The New York Times; Shutterstock / Piyaboot Jaikamlue

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for July 1's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

Mashable Top Stories
Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.
Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
  • Yellow: Events written down

  • Green: Crazy locks

  • Blue: Certain pop culture product made singular

  • Purple: Words to follow a synonym for "bush"

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: CHRONICLE

  • Green: MESS OF HAIR

  • Blue: TV SHOW MINUS "S"

  • Purple: WORDS AFTER HEDGE

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • CHRONICLE - JOURNAL, LOG, RECORD, REGISTER

  • MESS OF HAIR - MANE, MOP, SHOCK, TANGLE

  • TV SHOW MINUS "S" - CHEER, FRIEND, SCRUB, WEED

  • WORDS AFTER HEDGE - FUND, HOG, MAZE, TRIMMER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Topics Connections


Recommended For You
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 1
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 2
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 3
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 4
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 5
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

More in Entertainment
'Twisters' matches 'Oppenheimer' opening weekend success with $80.5 million
Tyler (Glen Powell) and Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones) in a still from Twisters. They are sitting on the hood of a truck.

'The Bear' can't wait any longer for Carmy to evolve
Chef Carmy stands with his head against the walk-in refrigerator

How to watch 'Challengers' at home: When and where is it streaming?
Zendaya and Josh O'Connor face off in 'Challengers'

How to watch Noah Lyles at Paris 2024 online for free
 Gold medalist Noah Lyles poses with a miniature Eiffel Tower

How to watch Eliud Kipchoge at Paris 2024 online for free
Eliud Kipchoge celebrates as first male finisher during the 2023 BMW Berlin-Marathon

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 22
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 23
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 6: Who is Daeron, Alicent's other son?
A woman in regal medieval clothes looks concerned.

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 22
a phone displaying Wordle

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!