Yellow group
Straightforward
Gentle hint
Go down, or politely choose not to accept.
Show one word
DIP belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
DECLINE
Reveal all four words
- DIP
- DROP
- FALL
- SINK
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #223
hints & answers for January 20, 2024
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#223
This reference always shows January 20, 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 B, F, R and T. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BLAZE belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
MOVE WITH SPEED
Reveal all four words
- BLAZE
- FLY
- RACE
- TEAR
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with M, S, S and T. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
MODERN belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
KINDS OF DANCE
Reveal all four words
- MODERN
- SALSA
- SWING
- TAP
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
Wordplay hint
Try putting the same beginning before each entry.
Show one word
BOOM belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
BABY ___
Reveal all four words
- BOOM
- CARROT
- SHOWER
- TALK
Each entry comes after "BABY" to form a word, expression or name: BOOM → BABY BOOM; CARROT → BABY CARROT; SHOWER → BABY SHOWER; TALK → BABY TALK.
Show categories only
- Yellow: DECLINE
- Green: MOVE WITH SPEED
- Blue: KINDS OF DANCE
- Purple: BABY ___
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
DECLINE
DIP · DROP · FALL · SINK
Green
MOVE WITH SPEED
BLAZE · FLY · RACE · TEAR
Blue
KINDS OF DANCE
MODERN · SALSA · SWING · TAP
Purple
BABY ___
BOOM · CARROT · SHOWER · TALK
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.