Yellow group
Straightforward
Gentle hint
The substance can change form as conditions change.
Show one word
GAS belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
STATES OF MATTER
Reveal all four words
- GAS
- LIQUID
- PLASMA
- SOLID
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #214
hints & answers for January 11, 2024
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#214
This reference always shows January 11, 2024. 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 G, H, I and L. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
GREAT belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
ALL-TIMER
Reveal all four words
- GREAT
- HERO
- ICON
- LEGEND
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with P, P, P and P. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
PHAT belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
“PH” WORDS THAT ALSO WORK WITH “F”
Reveal all four words
- PHAT
- PHEW
- PHILLY
- PHISH
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
Wordplay hint
Try adding the same ending to each entry.
Show one word
ELEVATOR belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
___ PITCH
Reveal all four words
- ELEVATOR
- FEVER
- PERFECT
- SALES
Each entry comes before "PITCH" to form a word, expression or name: ELEVATOR → ELEVATOR PITCH; FEVER → FEVER PITCH; PERFECT → PERFECT PITCH; SALES → SALES PITCH.
Show categories only
- Yellow: STATES OF MATTER
- Green: ALL-TIMER
- Blue: “PH” WORDS THAT ALSO WORK WITH “F”
- Purple: ___ PITCH
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
STATES OF MATTER
GAS · LIQUID · PLASMA · SOLID
Green
ALL-TIMER
GREAT · HERO · ICON · LEGEND
Blue
“PH” WORDS THAT ALSO WORK WITH “F”
PHAT · PHEW · PHILLY · PHISH
Purple
___ PITCH
ELEVATOR · FEVER · PERFECT · SALES
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.