If you’re stuck on today’s Connections and just want clear hints or the full answers for puzzle #951, this guide breaks everything down. You’ll find spoiler‑free clues, today’s groups and solutions, and a simple explanation of how all 16 words fit together. You can also try our Strands hints and answers and the latest Wordle today guide to keep the momentum going.
Today’s puzzle overview
- NYT Connections puzzle: #951
- Difficulty: Medium
- Mistakes: one before the game ends
What is NYT Connections?
Connections is a latest word game that is played daily on the New York Times where you group four words that share something in common. It could be anything like foods, colors, slang or even phrases. Each day gives you 16 words, and your job is to find the four groups of four that connect.
Today’s NYT Connections puzzle blends everyday outdoor items, states of stillness, textural descriptors, and a clever word-construction twist using men’s names. It’s a well-rounded grid that starts off practical and ends with a more abstract pattern that rewards careful word breakdown.
(If you’re also playing Wordle or Strands today, solving those first can help warm up your pattern-spotting instincts.)
NYT Connections Today (#951) Word List
Today’s NYT Connections words include:
| HOSE | STATIONARY | SNOW | CEREAL |
| SPADE | JACKAL | MELTED | STATIC |
| SHOVEL | PATRON | FROZEN | DANDRUFF |
| SALT | LEVITATE | RAKE | STILL |
NYT Connections hints today (no answers)
These spoiler‑free clues are for players searching things like “Connections hints today” or “help but no answers yet”. They push you in the right direction without giving away full groups.
Today’s puzzle clues:
- One group built around common gardening tools
- One group focused on synonyms for being unmoving or motionless
- One group featuring things that naturally appear in flakes
- One group centered on words formed by combining two men’s names
You little scroll can reveal the hints and answers. So don’t try to scroll 😁Today’s NYT Connections Jan 17, 2026 is below
Color group hints
- 🟨 Yellow group hint: Tools you’d expect to find in a shed or garden.
- 🟩 Green group hint: Words describing something completely still or unable to move.
- 🟦 Blue group hint: Items that are commonly described as flakes.
- 🟪 Purple group hint: Each word can be split into two recognizable men’s names.
If you’d like an extra nudge, start by spotting one clear average word and one obvious calming word — those usually point you toward the yellow and green groups. Now take your time and go to NYT Connections to give it a try.
NYT Connections answers Today – Full categories and answers
🟦 ANAGRAMS
INKS, KINS, SINK, SKIN
🟨 SPREAD OVER
BLANKET, COAT, COVER, PLASTER
🟩 THROW
CAST, HURL, PELT, SLING
🟪 FIRST WORDS OF KIDS’ GAMES
CAPTURE, HIDE, RED, SIMON
Today’s categories explained, How I sorted
The gardening tools group is the most straightforward and usually clicks immediately. The unmoving group is also fairly easy once you focus on physical stillness rather than emotional states.
- My Score: 2/4 mistakes
- Overall difficulty: Medium
- Hardest group: Words formed by two men’s names
- Easiest group: Gardening tools
The flakes group sits comfortably in the middle — familiar, but easy to overthink. The real challenge lies in the two men’s names group, where the connection isn’t semantic at all and only becomes clear once you start visually splitting the words.
Wordle Words: A genius word list of 5 letter words for WordleYesterday NYT Connections Answers
In case you missed last year’s last day Puzzle (#950) of Friday Jan 16, 2026 and want to catch up or compare difficulty:
- YELLOW (KINDS OF HATS) DERBY, FEDORA, PANAMA, PORKPIE
- GREEN (COMPONENTS OF A KID’S BEDTIME ROUTINE) BATH, BRUSHING, PAJAMAS, STORY
- BLUE (MUSICAL ACTS WITH “A” AS THE ONLY VOWEL) ALABAMA, BANANARAMA, KANSAS, SANTANA
- PURPLE (GRAND ____) BAHAMA, CANYON, PIANO, SLAM
How to play NYT Connections (quick refresher)
NYT Connections is a daily word game from The New York Times where you sort 16 words into 4 hidden groups of 4 based on shared themes.
- Colors show difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, purple (hardest).
- You get 4 mistakes; after that, the game ends, and all groups are revealed.
- You can play for free on the NYT Games site or in the NYT Games app.
If you want more help, check out the full how to play NYT Connections guide on your site, where you can explain strategies like finding obvious synonyms first, leaving purple for last, and avoiding “trap” themes.
Tips for Improving at New York Times Connections
The beauty of NYT Connections lies in its simple format and the challenge of uncovering nuanced word relationships. Here are a few tips to boost your game:
- Tip #1: Look for simple, clear groupings like colors, numbers, or types of food. The yellow and green groups are usually easiest.
- Tip #2: Say the words out loud, Sometimes hearing them helps spot a connection you might miss.
- Tip #3: Watch for wordplay, Some groups use rhymes, double meanings, or phrases.
- Tip #4: Don’t overthink the purple group, save it for last unless it jumps out at you.
- Tip #5: Use your mistakes wisely, You get four chances, so use early guesses to test ideas.
NYT Connections continues to be a fantastic brain workout for those who love word puzzles and mental challenges. So, whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, we hope today’s guide has helped you crack the code!
FAQs – NYT Connections
What is hardest group in Todays NYT Connections?
The “words formed by two men’s names” group was the trickiest, since the words don’t share meaning and only connect through hidden name combinations.
How many mistakes do you get in NYT Connections?
You can make up to four incorrect guesses before the puzzle ends and the remaining groups are revealed.
When does NYT Connections reset each day?
A new Connections puzzle appears daily at midnight Eastern Time.
Where can I play NYT Connections?
You can play directly on the NYT Games website or in the official mobile app.
What are today’s NYT Connections answers about?
Today’s answers focus on gardening tools, states of stillness, flake-based items, and words cleverly built from two men’s names.
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