Yellow group
Straightforward
Gentle hint
The name changes with the creature's sex.
Show one word
COW belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
FEMALE ANIMALS
Reveal all four words
- COW
- DOE
- HEN
- MARE
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #84
hints & answers for September 3, 2023
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#84
This reference always shows September 3, 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 I, I, T and W. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
I belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
PRONOUNS
Reveal all four words
- I
- IT
- THEY
- WE
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with D, L, M and V. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
D belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
ROMAN NUMERALS
Reveal all four words
- D
- L
- M
- V
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
Gentle hint
Try saying these aloud instead of looking at their spelling.
Show one word
EWE belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
HOMOPHONES
Reveal all four words
- EWE
- U
- YEW
- YOU
These entries are pronounced alike despite their different spellings.
Show categories only
- Yellow: FEMALE ANIMALS
- Green: PRONOUNS
- Blue: ROMAN NUMERALS
- Purple: HOMOPHONES
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
FEMALE ANIMALS
COW · DOE · HEN · MARE
Green
PRONOUNS
I · IT · THEY · WE
Blue
ROMAN NUMERALS
D · L · M · V
Purple
HOMOPHONES
EWE · U · YEW · YOU
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.
Continue from this date
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.