NYT Connections hints and answers for today (19 May 2025)

NYT Connections is back with another brain-teasing word puzzle for May 19, 2025, and today’s game might trip you up if you don’t spot the subtle wordplay in time. The New York Times' daily puzzle game, Connections, has quickly become one of the most popular features in the Times' Games section, drawing comparisons to Wordle for its daily reset and addictive challenge. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or new to the game, Connections is designed to make you think critically and creatively. You’re given 16 words and must group them into four related categories. But beware: some words might feel like they fit in more than one category, and only one solution is correct. If you're stuck, we've got you covered—with helpful hints, category explanations, and today's final answers. Let's dive in.Connections is a daily word game developed by The New York Times and edited by Wyna Liu. It challenges players to identify groups of four related words from a pool of sixteen. These connections can range from straightforward themes (like types of fruit) to more clever or abstract links (like homophones or metaphors). The goal is to correctly group the words into four sets, each reflecting a specific theme or pattern. It’s a game of logic, language, and a little bit of luck.Here’s how the game works:You’re presented with 16 words.Your task is to sort these into four groups of four that share a common connection.The connections could be anything—TV shows, synonyms, board game terms, parts of the body, homophones, and more.You can shuffle the words for a fresh perspective.You get four chances to make mistakes before the game ends.Each group is color-coded by difficulty:You can play it online through the NYT Games app or directly on the New York Times website.Need a little nudge before you dive into the answers? Here are some themed hints to point you in the right direction without giving the game away:Yellow: Think of events held to raise money for good causes.Green: These are spaces on a well-known board game.Blue: Look for terms related to marine mammals, specifically toothed whales.Purple: These are homophones of parts of the foot.If you're still stumped, here are the exact themes used in today’s puzzle:Yellow: Fundraising eventGreen: Spaces on a Monopoly boardBlue: Features of a toothed whalePurple: Homophones for parts of the footHere are the four correct groupings for today’s puzzle, Connections #708:Yellow — Fundraising Event:BALL, BENEFIT, FUNCTION, GALA These words all represent types of social gatherings often organized for fundraising purposes.Green — Spaces on a Monopoly Board:AVENUE, CHANCE, RAILROAD, UTILITY Each of these appears on a traditional Monopoly board, falling under different property or card types.Blue — Features of a Toothed Whale:BLUBBER, FLIPPER, FLUKE, MELON These are all anatomical features found on toothed whales. "Melon," for instance, refers to the fatty organ involved in echolocation.Purple — Homophones for Parts of the Foot:BAWL, HEAL, SOUL, TOW These are homophones for “ball,” “heel,” “sole,” and “toe.” This category was a bit trickier due to its reliance on sound-alike words.Today’s Connections puzzle was a clever mix of straightforward categories and subtle wordplay. If you managed to solve it all—well done! And if you didn’t, no worries; the beauty of the game lies in the challenge, and there’s always a new one tomorrow. Whether you’re playing over your morning coffee or on a break during your day, Connections keeps your brain sharp and your curiosity piqued. Come back tomorrow for more hints, insights, and answers. Happy connecting!