A little help. Your own aha.

Connections #885
hints & answers for November 12, 2025

Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.

This reference always shows November 12, 2025. 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.

Yellow group

Straightforward

1/4
Gentle hint

Different ways to compete through physical activity.

Show one word

GOLF belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

SPORTS

Reveal all four words
  • GOLF
  • JUDO
  • POLO
  • SUMO

Green group

A little trickier

2/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with B, D, D and Y. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

BOZO belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

DOOFUS

Reveal all four words
  • BOZO
  • DODO
  • DOPE
  • YO-YO

Blue group

More challenging

3/4
Gentle hint

Several words have been shortened into one pronounceable form.

Show one word

BOGO belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

ACRONYMS

Reveal all four words
  • BOGO
  • FOMO
  • GOAT
  • YOLO

Purple group

Wordplay & surprises

4/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with C, L, P and R. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

COMO belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

SPANISH WORDS

Reveal all four words
  • COMO
  • LOCO
  • POCO
  • ROJO
Show categories only
  • Yellow: SPORTS
  • Green: DOOFUS
  • Blue: ACRONYMS
  • Purple: SPANISH WORDS

Ready for the full solution?

All four categories and their words, together.

Reveal all four answers

Yellow

SPORTS

GOLF · JUDO · POLO · SUMO

Green

DOOFUS

BOZO · DODO · DOPE · YO-YO

Blue

ACRONYMS

BOGO · FOMO · GOAT · YOLO

Purple

SPANISH WORDS

COMO · LOCO · POCO · ROJO

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.

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.