The November 5, 2026, NYT Connections puzzle presents four distinct categories: shoe-related terms, floral varieties, teardrop-shaped objects, and a group of words formed by modifying the last letters of liquor names. The puzzle, identified as Connections #1243, challenges players to group 16 words into these four sets, with color-coded difficulty levels from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest).
The game, a popular New York Times word creation credited to associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, requires players to find common threads between words, allowing up to four mistakes. Each correct group of four words is removed from the board, and players can shuffle the board to spot connections. The solution to today’s puzzle reveals the specific groupings for each category.
Today’s Connections Categories
The four categories for the November 5 puzzle are defined as follows. Players were guided by a hint that the yellow category was shoe-related, the green category was floral, the blue category involved similar shapes, and the purple category was nearly alcohol.
Connections is a daily game about finding common threads between words. Players must select four groups of four words without making more than four mistakes. https://t.co/9L4ZG6J3kf pic.twitter.com/076YCknvAI
- Yellow (Easiest): Shoe-related
- Green: Floral
- Blue: Similar shapes
- Purple (Hardest): Nearly alcohol
The Solution to Today’s Connections
The correct groupings for today’s puzzle have been revealed. The yellow category, “Kinds of heels,” includes the words KITTEN, PLATFORM, SPIKE, and WEDGE. The green category, “Flowers,” is composed of ANEMONE, LOTUS, NARCISSUS, and ROSE. The blue category, “Teardrop-shaped things,” contains PEAR, RAINDROP, SPEEDBAG, and UVULA. The purple category, “Liquors with last letters changed,” consists of BRANDO, GIG, RUN, and WHISKER.
The solution to today’s Connections #1243 is…Kinds of heels: KITTEN, PLATFORM, SPIKE, WEDGEFlowers: ANEMONE, LOTUS, NARCISSUS, ROSETeardrop-shaped things: PEAR, RAINDROP, SPEEDBAG UVULALiquors with last letters changed: BRANDO, GIG, RUN, WHISKER
How to Play Connections and Find Resources
Connections is a daily word game available on web browsers and mobile devices that resets after midnight. Players can share their results on social media. For those seeking further assistance with today’s puzzle or other games like Wordle and Strands, additional hints and answers are available through Mashable’s entertainment coverage. More puzzles can be found in Mashable’s games hub.
Definitions for Several Game Clues
For players who need help understanding the words themselves, Mashable has provided definitions for several clues. For example, “Brando” is described as “possibly the last name of a famous actor,” while “Anemone” is “a sea creature or a flower.” Other meanings include “Speedbag” as “gym equipment used by boxers” and “Platform” as “a foundation from which to build or communicate.” The word “Run” is defined as “to move at a rapid pace” and “Uvula” is “a small, teardrop-shaped piece of dangling flesh at the back of the mouth.” The meanings for “Lotus,” “Narcissus,” “Rose,” “Pear,” “Raindrop,” “Kitten,” “Gig,” “Spike,” “Wedge,” and “Whisker” are also available.
