The satisfying click of four words falling into place is a small victory many puzzle enthusiasts crave. For those tackling the New York Times Connections on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, a little guidance can turn frustration into a triumphant solve. If you're seeking today's NYT Connections hints, you've come to the right place. We'll break down the clues, offer strategic advice, and reveal the solutions to puzzle #947, helping you understand how the seemingly disparate words connect.
Navigating Today's Connections Puzzle
The New York Times Connections game presents a daily challenge that tests your ability to find common threads among 16 words. The goal is to group them into four categories of four words each. Success hinges on recognizing subtle associations, wordplay, and sometimes, deliberately misleading connections. This guide provides today's NYT Connections hints to help you conquer the puzzle, whether you need a gentle nudge or the full reveal.
Category Breakdown and Hints
Before diving into the answers, let's explore the nature of each category for Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Understanding the *type* of connection can be a powerful hint in itself. Remember, the game often plays on multiple meanings of words, making careful consideration crucial (NYT Games, 2025).
- Yellow Category: Related nouns. These are often the most straightforward, focusing on a shared identity or function.
- Green Category: Related verbs. Look for actions or processes that link these words.
- Blue Category: Related nouns. Similar to yellow, but often requires a more specific or abstract connection.
- Purple Category: Wordplay. This is where the game often gets tricky, involving puns, homophones, or hidden meanings.
To provide some initial direction without giving everything away, here are spoiler-free hints for each theme:
- Yellow Hint: Think about items often found together when preparing a gift.
- Green Hint: Consider actions associated with physical interaction or persuasion.
- Blue Hint: These are all iconic items associated with a specific fictional character's ensemble.
- Purple Hint: These words contain hidden anatomical terms related to the lower body.
Finding today's NYT Connections hints often involves thinking outside the box, especially for the trickier categories.
Potential Pitfalls and Tricky Words
The beauty of Connections lies in its ability to surprise. Words that seem obvious in one context might belong to a completely different group. For instance, words like BOWTIE and ELBOW might initially suggest pasta shapes, but they don't belong together in this puzzle. ELBOW, in particular, functions as a verb here, not just a body part or a pasta shape.
Similarly, OTOE, while the name of a Native American tribe, is included for its structural qualities rather than its cultural significance. Its spelling and how it fits with other words are key. Recognizing these potential misdirections is a vital strategy for solving today's NYT Connections hints.
The Solutions for January 13, 2026
Now, let's reveal the groupings for NYT Connections #947. Scroll down only if you're ready for the full spoilers!
Yellow Category: PRESENT ACCOUTREMENTS
This group often feels like the most accessible. The theme revolves around items commonly associated with gift-giving and wrapping.
- BOW
- CARD
- GIFT WRAP
- RIBBON
These words directly relate to the act of preparing or presenting a gift.
Green Category: PHYSICAL NUDGES
This category groups together verbs that describe various forms of physical contact, often to move someone or get their attention.
- ELBOW
- PRESS
- SHOULDER
- SHOVE
These actions all involve applying force or pressure to another person.
Blue Category: ICONIC BOARD GAME ATTIRE
This group focuses on specific accessories famously linked to a well-known board game character.
- BOWTIE
- CANE
- MONEYBAG
- TOP HAT
These are all sartorial elements strongly associated with Mr. Monopoly.
Purple Category: HIDDEN FOOT PARTS
The most challenging category often involves wordplay. Here, each word contains a term related to a part of the foot, often with a twist.
- OTOE (Toe)
- PARCH (Arch)
- RANKLE (Ankle)
- WHEEL (Heel)
This category highlights the clever linguistic construction typical of the purple grouping in Connections. It's a prime example of why reading today's NYT Connections hints can be so illuminating.
Strategies for Solving Connections
The New York Times Connections game thrives on ambiguity and overlapping meanings. A common pitfall is selecting a group that seems plausible but isn't the intended solution. For example, words like WHEEL and RIBBON might initially seem like they could fit multiple categories, but they belong to distinct groups in this puzzle.
One effective strategy is to identify words that seem out of place with any obvious theme. If a word doesn't immediately click with a potential group, set it aside and look for smaller, more concrete connections first. For instance, spotting the Mr. Monopoly items (BOWTIE, CANE, MONEYBAG, TOP HAT) can anchor one category, freeing you to focus on the remaining words.
If you're truly stuck, don't hesitate to use the hints. Reading today's NYT Connections hints can provide the necessary spark to see the connections you might have missed. Sometimes, a slight shift in perspective is all it takes. For example, realizing ELBOW can be a verb, not just a noun, opens up possibilities for the 'physical nudges' category.
Consider the structure of the words themselves, as seen in the purple category. The inclusion of OTOE, for example, is a clue that spelling and internal word components are important. This approach is similar to other word games like Spelling Bee, where manipulating letters is key (NYT Games, 2025).
Remember to trust your instincts but verify your selections. A group of four should only fit together in one specific way for that puzzle. Don't submit until you're confident that all four words exclusively belong to that category. Keep practicing, and you'll find your ability to spot these connections will grow with each daily puzzle.
