New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use physical shapes, clothing-care instructions, and phrases formed by adding words.
NYT Connections #1242 Puzzle Overview: 04 November 2026
IRON, PUTTER, and FLY each have more than one meaning. Check that a possible link works for all four entries before choosing a group.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: FLY, POKE, IRON, WORKS, WOOD, WRING, WEDGE, BLEACH, PUTTER, CRACKER, DOORSTOP, LOLL, FLATIRON BUILDING, SHUFFLE, TUMBLE DRY, PIE SLICE.
NYT Connections Hints: 04 November 2026
Each of the four color groups below opens in four steps: hints, one word, the category name, then all four words. Stop at the step that gives enough help.
Yellow group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about the shapes of these objects.
- Each has thickness and tapers toward a thin edge.
Step 2 · one word
DOORSTOP
Step 3 · category
TRIANGULAR PRISMS WITH A SHARP EDGE
Step 4 · all four words
DOORSTOP, FLATIRON BUILDING, PIE SLICE, WEDGE
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about instructions attached to clothing.
- Each completes the same warning against a particular clothing-care action.
Step 2 · one word
BLEACH
Step 3 · category
WORDS AFTER “DO NOT” ON A CARE LABEL
Step 4 · all four words
BLEACH, IRON, TUMBLE DRY, WRING
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about unhurried or aimless activity.
- The same word goes after each verb to form a phrase about such activity.
Step 2 · one word
LOLL
Step 3 · category
MOVE IDLY, WITH “AROUND”
Step 4 · all four words
LOLL, POKE, PUTTER, SHUFFLE
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Look for a word that can go in front of every entry.
- Adding the same word at the start creates four familiar compound words.
Step 2 · one word
CRACKER
Step 3 · category
FIRE___
Step 4 · all four words
CRACKER, FLY, WOOD, WORKS
Less common words explained
- LOLL: To sit, stand, or lie in a relaxed, lazy way.
- PUTTER: To spend time doing small tasks without hurrying.
- WRING: To twist and squeeze something to force liquid out.
NYT Connections Answers: 04 November 2026
Step 4 of each group above holds its answer. The full solved grid and notes on today’s tricky words are folded below.
Full solved grid
Tricky words (spoilers)
IRON can name a pointed household appliance, so it may seem to fit with the shape-based group. Here it belongs with clothing-care warnings: “do not BLEACH,” “do not IRON,” “do not TUMBLE DRY,” and “do not WRING.”
The blue entries all take “around” afterward: “LOLL around,” “POKE around,” “PUTTER around,” and “SHUFFLE around.” These phrases describe idle or aimless activity.
The purple entries take “fire” in front: CRACKER becomes “firecracker,” FLY becomes “firefly,” WOOD becomes “firewood,” and WORKS becomes “fireworks.”
Yesterday’s groups for 3 November 2026
- KEEP GOING: CARRY ON, CONTINUE, PROCEED, RESUME
- THINGS WITH WHEELS: OFFICE CHAIR, ROLLER BAG, SHOPPING CART, STROLLER
- THINGS A SERVER BRINGS AT A RESTAURANT: CHECK, FOOD, MENU, TAP WATER
- ENDING IN MENU BAR HEADINGS: CREDIT, INTERVIEW, PROFILE, WHELP
More Connections: Yesterday’s puzzle · Play Connections on The New York Times
Also today: Wordle · Strands · Pips · Phrazle · Quordle · Keyword · Colordle · Unwordle · Hurdle · NYT Crossword · NYT Mini · NYT Midi · Jumble · Spelling Bee · Letter Boxed · Parseword · Poeltl
Earlier days: 3 Nov · 2 Nov · 1 Nov · 31 Oct · 30 Oct · 29 Oct · 28 Oct
Questions about Connections
When does Connections change to a new puzzle?
A new puzzle arrives at midnight in the player’s own time zone.
How many tries does a player get in Connections?
The game ends after four mistakes.
Where can a person play Connections?
Play on The New York Times Games site or in the NYT Games app: Connections.
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