NYT Connections: clues and solutions for Monday, May 19

      Connections is regarded as one of the top puzzle games by the New York Times. In this game, you are required to categorize a set of 16 words into four secret groups by determining how the words are interconnected. The puzzle resets each night at midnight, with varying levels of difficulty for each new challenge. Similar to Wordle, you can track your winning streak and compare your scores with friends.

      Some days present more challenges than others, similar to other popular NYT Games like The Mini and Strands. If you find today’s puzzle a bit challenging, consider checking out our tips and tricks guide for Connections to discover helpful strategies, or refer to the hints for today’s puzzle listed below. If you still can't solve it, we will provide the answers at the end.

      How to play Connections

      Connections is a daily game focused on identifying common links among words. Players must group four sets of four words without exceeding three mistakes. You can play now. [Play link]

      You can access Connections through the New York Times website or via the NYT Games app on iOS or Android. In Connections, you'll see a grid of 16 words with the goal of organizing them into four groups of four by recognizing the connections between them. These groups can relate to themes such as video game series titles, book sequels, shades of red, or names of chain restaurants.

      Typically, some words may appear to fit multiple categories, but there is only one correct grouping. You have the option to shuffle the word grid to better visualize potential connections.

      Each group is designated a color: the yellow group is the easiest to identify, followed by the green, blue, and purple groups. Choose four words and click Submit. If your selection is correct, those words will be cleared from the grid, and their category will be disclosed. An incorrect guess will count as a mistake, and you have a maximum of four mistakes before the game concludes.

      Hints for today’s Connections

      We can guide you through today’s Connection by providing the four themes. For additional help, we’ll also give you one word from each group below.

      Today’s themes:

      - FUNDRAISING EVENT

      - SPACES ON A MONOPOLY BOARD

      - FEATURES OF A TOOTHED WHALE

      - HOMOPHONES OF PARTS OF THE FOOT

      One-answer reveals:

      - FUNDRAISING EVENT – BALL

      - SPACES ON A MONOPOLY BOARD – AVENUE

      - FEATURES OF A TOOTHED WHALE – BLUBBER

      - HOMOPHONES OF PARTS OF THE FOOT – BAWL

      New York Times

      Today’s Connections answers

      Still having trouble? That’s perfectly fine—this puzzle is meant to be challenging. If you simply want to see today’s Connection answers, here they are:

      FUNDRAISING EVENT – BALL, BENEFIT, FUNCTION, GALA

      SPACES ON A MONOPOLY BOARD – AVENUE, CHANCE, RAILROAD, UTILITY

      FEATURES OF A TOOTHED WHALE – BLUBBER, FLIPPER, FLUKE, MELON

      HOMOPHONES OF PARTS OF THE FOOT – BAWL, HEAL, SOUL, TOW

      Connections grids change significantly and are different every day. If you couldn’t solve today’s puzzle, be sure to return tomorrow.

      NYT Connection FAQs

      What time does the Connections puzzle reset?

      The puzzle resets daily at midnight local time.

      Who edits the NYT Connections game?

      Wyna Liu, who has been editing puzzles at The New York Times since 2020, oversees Connections daily. Liu noted in an article explaining her work process in June 2024 that she was excited about the opportunity to try something new after being assigned to create the game boards for Connections. Most of her experience has been with crosswords, and she enjoyed learning the puzzle editing process for a newly greenlit game, as well as seeing how her team contributes to the larger context of NYT games.

      To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Connections, Liu shared a TikTok featuring her favorite puzzles so far: @thegamesteam ? happy one year anniversary to connections, our newest official NYT game ? #nytgames #nytconnections #nyt