Looking for help with today’s NYT Connections puzzle? You’re in the right place. Puzzle #704 for May 15 throws a bit of a curveball—especially in the blue group, where opera knowledge is key. If you’re struggling to sort through today’s 16 words, we’ve got hints and answers to help you finish strong (or get back on a winning streak).
What is the NYT Connections Game?
Connections is a daily word game from The New York Times where you’re presented with 16 seemingly unrelated words. Your job is to group them into four sets of four based on a common theme or connection. The categories vary in difficulty and are color-coded:
- Yellow – easiest
- Green – moderate
- Blue – tricky
- Purple – hardest
Let’s dive into today’s hints and solutions.
Also read: Today’s Quordle Hints & Answers – May 15, Game #1207
Today’s NYT Connections Hints for May 15, 2025
Yellow Group Hint: Why Did You Do That?
This is your rationale category—words that answer the question “Why?” You might use these in everyday conversation or formal arguments.
Yellow group words:
- Basis
- Foundation
- Grounds
- Reason
These four words all relate to justifications or underlying logic. Whether in a court case or a philosophical debate, you’ll often hear someone refer to their “grounds” or “basis” for an action.
Green Group Hint: Think Frosty
This one’s a chill topic—literally. These are all types of snow or snow-related conditions. If you’ve ever skied, snowshoed, or just walked through slush in winter boots, these will sound familiar.
Green group words:
- Crust
- Ice
- Powder
- Slush
From the light and fluffy “powder” that skiers love to the messy “slush” that drivers dread, this group paints a picture of winter’s many moods. “Crust” refers to the hardened top layer of snow, while “ice” is self-explanatory.
Blue Group Hint: Carmen, La Traviata
This one’s tricky unless you’re a fan of classical music or opera. These four words are the final words in famous opera titles. A little cultural knowledge goes a long way here.
Blue group words:
- Bess
- Butterfly
- Flute
- Seville
Let’s break it down:
- Porgy and Bess
- Madama Butterfly
- The Magic Flute
- The Barber of Seville
It’s rare to see opera knowledge featured in a Connections puzzle, so this was a unique twist. If this group tripped you up, don’t worry—you weren’t alone.
Purple Group Hint: Not Fake
Today’s toughest category is all about the word “real.” Each of these words can be paired with “real” to form a common phrase or term.
Purple group words:
- Deal (as in real deal)
- Estate (real estate)
- Madrid (Real Madrid, the famous soccer club)
- World (real world)
This group required a bit of lateral thinking. “Real Madrid” stands out as a proper noun, while “real world” and “real deal” are idioms. “Real estate” ties it all together in a business context. If you were thinking of “fake” vs. “real,” this might have been your entry point into the set.
Related:
Final Thoughts on Connections Puzzle #704
Today’s puzzle tested your logical thinking (yellow), winter vocabulary (green), opera knowledge (blue), and creative phrase association (purple). It’s a solid reminder of how varied the Connections categories can be—and why it remains one of the more challenging daily word games.
If you completed all four groups without hitting your four-strike limit, congratulations! And if you needed some help (no shame—we all do sometimes), we hope these hints and answers kept your streak alive.
Also read: NYT Mini Crossword Answers and Hints for Thrusday, May 15
Want More Daily Word Puzzle Help?
Be sure to check back daily for hints and answers to:
- Connections
- Wordle
- Strands
- The Mini Crossword
- Connections: Sports Edition
