Yellow group
Straightforward
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with P, S, S and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
PIC belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
PHOTO
Reveal all four words
- PIC
- SHOT
- SNAP
- STILL
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #340
hints & answers for May 16, 2024
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#340
This reference always shows May 16, 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 C, I, L and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
CINCH belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
ASSURE, AS A VICTORY
Reveal all four words
- CINCH
- ICE
- LOCK
- SECURE
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with B, C, G and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BREEZE belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
MOVE IN AN EFFORTLESS WAY
Reveal all four words
- BREEZE
- COAST
- GLIDE
- SAIL
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
Wordplay hint
Try adding the same ending to each entry.
Show one word
PICNIC belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
___ BLANKET
Reveal all four words
- PICNIC
- SECURITY
- THROW
- WET
Each entry comes before "BLANKET" to form a word, expression or name: PICNIC → PICNIC BLANKET; SECURITY → SECURITY BLANKET; THROW → THROW BLANKET; WET → WET BLANKET.
Show categories only
- Yellow: PHOTO
- Green: ASSURE, AS A VICTORY
- Blue: MOVE IN AN EFFORTLESS WAY
- Purple: ___ BLANKET
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
PHOTO
PIC · SHOT · SNAP · STILL
Green
ASSURE, AS A VICTORY
CINCH · ICE · LOCK · SECURE
Blue
MOVE IN AN EFFORTLESS WAY
BREEZE · COAST · GLIDE · SAIL
Purple
___ BLANKET
PICNIC · SECURITY · THROW · WET
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.