
NYT Connections Answers August 11, 2025 – Hints
NYT Connections is one of the most addictive and clever word puzzles, challenging you to divide 16 words into four groups by their hidden relationships. If today’s (Monday, August 11, 2025) puzzle stumped you, here’s everything you need: category hints, revealed answers, and strategies to help you see every connection with confidence.
How NYT Connections Works
You’re given a 4×4 grid with 16 words. Your job: group them into four sets of four words that share a secret theme. Each category tests your vocabulary, lateral thinking, and knack for spotting patterns.
- Difficulty ramps up by color:
- Four mistakes and the game ends, so choose wisely!
NYT Connections Hints for August 11, 2025
Each color group aligns with a unique connection. Today’s puzzle had especially sly links, so here are your themed hints:
- Yellow: ORDINARY
- Think plain, standard, or normal items.
- Green: ABANDON
- Words used for leaving or forsaking someone/something.
- Blue: SPECS OF CONSUMER PACKAGING
- Units and details you’d read on a product label or shipping info.
- Purple: DARK ___
Today’s Connections Categories & Answers
Here’s how all 16 words fit into today’s four secret groups:
1. ORDINARY (Yellow)
- NORMAL
- PLAIN
- STANDARD
- VANILLA
These words all mean “unremarkable,” “regular,” or “conventional.” Vanilla in particular is slang for something basic.
2. ABANDON (Green)
- DESERT
- DUMP
- MAROON
- STRAND
Each represents leaving something behind: “dump” or “desert” a job, “maroon” a character, “strand” someone on an island.
3. SPECS ON CONSUMER PACKAGING (Blue)
- COUNT
- MEASURE
- VOLUME
- WEIGHT
All these are standard specs found on packaging, like food labels or shipping info — “net weight,” “volume,” “count” of items, “measure” for size or content.
4. DARK ___ (Purple)
- AGES
- CHOCOLATE
- HORSE
- MATTER
Fill in the blank with “dark”: “Dark ages,” “dark chocolate,” “dark horse,” “dark matter.” All common idioms or phrases you’ve heard before.
Tips for Solving NYT Connections
- Start with the basics:
Easy categories (yellow and green) have the most literal or familiar connections. - Look for out-of-place words:
Some words intentionally mislead; try shuffling the grid for a new perspective. - Wordplay and double meanings:
Trickier categories (blue and purple) often involve idioms, wordplay, or abstract associations.
If you couldn’t crack today’s puzzle, no worries — Connections is meant to surprise and challenge! Save this post and check back every day for up-to-date hints and answer breakdowns.
Enjoy New York Times puzzles, and happy connecting!


