Yellow group
Straightforward
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with C, C, P and T. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
CAKE belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
DESSERTS
Reveal all four words
- CAKE
- COBBLER
- PIE
- TART
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #67
hints & answers for August 17, 2023
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#67
This reference always shows August 17, 2023. It is released in at least one timezone; every answer stays closed until you reveal it.
Which group has you stuck?
Pick a colour. Reveal one step at a time.
1/4
Green group
A little trickier
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with F, M, M and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
FISHER belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
OCCUPATIONAL SURNAMES
Reveal all four words
- FISHER
- MASON
- MILLER
- SMITH
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with D, D, F and T. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
DISTORT belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
ALTER DECEPTIVELY
Reveal all four words
- DISTORT
- DOCTOR
- FUDGE
- TWIST
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
Wordplay hint
Try putting the same beginning before each entry.
Show one word
DANCE belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
SQUARE ___
Reveal all four words
- DANCE
- MEAL
- ONE
- ROOT
Each entry comes after "SQUARE" to form a word, expression or name: DANCE → SQUARE DANCE; MEAL → SQUARE MEAL; ONE → SQUARE ONE; ROOT → SQUARE ROOT.
Show categories only
- Yellow: DESSERTS
- Green: OCCUPATIONAL SURNAMES
- Blue: ALTER DECEPTIVELY
- Purple: SQUARE ___
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
DESSERTS
CAKE · COBBLER · PIE · TART
Green
OCCUPATIONAL SURNAMES
FISHER · MASON · MILLER · SMITH
Blue
ALTER DECEPTIVELY
DISTORT · DOCTOR · FUDGE · TWIST
Purple
SQUARE ___
DANCE · MEAL · ONE · ROOT
This puzzle’s recorded solution
The date and puzzle number identify this exact board. Use the individual group controls to compare its recorded categories and words, then return to the archive to find another puzzle.
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About the answers and hints
Categories and answers follow the recorded NYT puzzle. Our hints are independent: some are original category clues, while others give the first letters of the four words. Each hint is labelled so you can choose how much help to take.
Group colours follow the puzzle’s yellow, green, blue and purple order, from the most straightforward to the trickiest. Your own experience may differ. The reference tiles may appear in a different order from your game. Picture puzzles have separately hidden descriptions, since a description can give away the wordplay.
The daily page starts with the UTC puzzle date and, with JavaScript enabled, checks the puzzle for your local time zone. Every reveal starts closed when the date changes. Play Connections at The New York Times or contact us about a correction.