NYT Connections Answer

Happy Sunday, puzzle lovers! If you’re waking up on this May 31, 2026, and reaching for your coffee and your phone, you might find today's NYT Connections a bit of a head-scratcher.

Wyna Liu has given us a mix of visual cues, sports terminology, and some very clever wordplay to wrap up the month. If you’re feeling stuck, don't worry—I've broken down every category to help you keep that streak alive.

Here is your NYT Connections hint and the full answer for 2026-05-31.

Hints for Today's Groups

If you just need a little nudge to get your brain moving in the right direction, here are some hints for today's categories:

• Yellow Group: Think about a specific vibrant color.
• Green Group: You’ll find these words at a pool hall.
• Blue Group: Old-fashioned nicknames for someone who lives their life on the ocean.
• Purple Group: Look at the first letter of each word and try removing it to find a hidden theme.

Yellow: Things That Are Yellow

This category was a bright spot! These are all items that are iconically known for their canary or lemon hue.

• BUTTER: A kitchen staple.
• PIKACHU: The world's most famous Electric-type Pokémon.
• RUBBER DUCK: Ernie’s favorite bath time friend.
• SCHOOL BUS: The classic American vehicle for students.

Green: Billiards Terms

If you’ve ever spent an evening playing pool, these words should feel right at home. They represent the equipment and the start of the game.

• BREAK: The initial shot that scatters the balls.
• CUE: The stick used to strike the ball.
• POCKET: One of the six holes around the table.
• RACK: The triangular frame used to set up the balls.

Blue: Slang for a Sailor

This group was a bit more "salty." These are historical or informal terms for mariners.

• JACK: Short for "Jack-Tar," a common term for a seaman in the British Royal Navy.
• SALT: Often called an "Old Salt," referring to an experienced sailor.
• SEA DOG: An old or experienced sailor.
• TAR: Another vintage term derived from the tar-treated canvas clothes sailors used to wear.

Purple: Kinds of Wood Plus "S"

This is a classic "wordplay" category that makes Connections so much fun (and sometimes frustrating!). Each of these words is a type of wood with the letter S added to the beginning.

• SASH: S + ASH (The wood often used for tool handles).
• SOAK: S + OAK (A classic hardwood).
• SPINE: S + PINE (Common softwood for construction).
• STEAK: S + TEAK (A durable, water-resistant wood).

The NYT Connections Answer for May 31, 2026

If you’re down to your last guess and just want the solution, here is the final breakdown of the board:

• THINGS THAT ARE YELLOW: BUTTER, PIKACHU, RUBBER DUCK, SCHOOL BUS
• BILLIARDS TERMS: BREAK, CUE, POCKET, RACK
• SLANG FOR A SAILOR: JACK, SALT, SEA DOG, TAR
• KINDS OF WOOD PLUS "S": SASH, SOAK, SPINE, STEAK

Today’s puzzle required a good mix of general knowledge and linguistic gymnastics. The Purple category was definitely the "aha!" moment of the day, while the Blue group tested our knowledge of nautical history.

How did you do? Did the wood types stump you, or did you spot the "S" trick right away?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NYT Connections?

Connections is a daily word puzzle from The New York Times where players must find groups of four words that share a common thread. Each puzzle has 16 words in total, divided into four categories of increasing difficulty (Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple).

How do I play NYT Connections?

To play, select four words that you believe belong to the same category and hit "Submit." You have four lives; every time you guess a group incorrectly, you lose a life.

When does the NYT Connections puzzle reset?

A new puzzle is released every night at midnight in your local time zone.

What do the colors mean in Connections?

The colors represent the difficulty level assigned by the editor:

• Yellow: The most straightforward/easiest.
• Green: Common knowledge or slightly more complex.
• Blue: Often features specific trivia or niche slang.
• Purple: The trickiest, usually involving wordplay, puns, or "fill-in-the-blank" themes.