Happy Monday, Connectors! A fresh week begins, and with it comes a new puzzle from The New York Times. I hope you had a relaxing weekend, because today’s Connections NYT Connections game might give your brain a light jog—just enough to wake you up, but not enough to fry those neurons.
Let’s dive into the hints, nudge you in the right direction, and—if all else fails—reveal the answers to June 16’s NYT Connections puzzle. Whether you’re playing on your lunch break or sipping that third cup of coffee, we’ve got your back.
Monday Mood Booster
Let’s kick off with a tune—because every good Monday deserves a soundtrack. Today’s pick? “Lemon Drop” by Ateez. Even if you’re not a K-pop enthusiast, this track is a total earworm. Think upbeat, bouncy, and just the right kind of bright to light up your day. Give it a listen!
Also read:
How To Play NYT Connections
For the uninitiated: Connections is a popular daily word game from The New York Times. The goal? Group 16 words into four sets of four, each linked by a common theme. Some links are straightforward—types of fruit, say—while others are tricky, full of wordplay or subtle categories.
Each category is color-coded by difficulty:
- Yellow – Easiest
- Green – Medium
- Blue – Harder
- Purple – Most challenging (usually wordplay)
Choose four words you think belong together and click “Submit.” Get it right? One step closer to victory. Make four wrong guesses? Game over.
Today’s Nyt Connections Words — June 16
Here’s the word grid for today’s Connections:
SHIPSHAPE, INANIMATE, CARBON, ROD, GLASS, WOODEN, BRACKET, GARNISH, BUSBOY, TRAINEE, FLAT, STRAW, BLANK, HOOK, COASTER, CURTAIN
Today’s NYT Connections Hints June 16
Need a little push before jumping to the answers? Here are your group hints:
- Yellow group — Where’s the emotion?
- Green group — Items that help keep things hanging (especially in your living room)
- Blue group — Things you might find with your cocktail
- Purple group — Begins like public transport or travel references
Let’s now look at one word from each group to jog your memory:
- Yellow: FLAT
- Green: ROD
- Blue: STRAW
- Purple: CARBON
What Are Today’s NYT Connections Groups?
Ready for the big reveal? Here’s how the puzzle groups break down today:
Yellow – Expressionless
These words describe a lack of emotion, reaction, or animation:
- BLANK
- FLAT
- INANIMATE
- WOODEN
A nice, thematic group. You’ve probably seen actors criticized for a “wooden” performance. Combine that with a flat tone, a blank stare, and you’ve got this set.
Green – Drapery Hanging Items
Things you’d need to hang curtains or similar window treatments:
- BRACKET
- CURTAIN
- HOOK
- ROD
Interior design fans might’ve spotted this one easily. ROD and CURTAIN were good entry points here, and once HOOK and BRACKET fell into place, the set was clear.
Blue – What A Drink Is Served With
These are common drink companions or accessories:
- COASTER
- GARNISH
- GLASS
- STRAW
This category practically shouted from the page. GARNISH is a standout clue—think lemon wedges, olives, mint sprigs. Pair it with STRAW and GLASS, and the COASTER seals the deal.
Related:
Purple – Starting With Modes of Transport
This one’s a bit of a curveball—each word starts with a method of transportation:
- BUSBOY (BUS)
- CARBON (CAR)
- SHIPSHAPE (SHIP)
- TRAINEE (TRAIN)
Classic purple wordplay here. None of these are about transport directly, but their first syllables hint at it. Tricky but clever!
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Final Thoughts
Today’s puzzle was smooth sailing. A few keywords like GARNISH and CURTAIN practically invited themselves into their groups. The yellow group—expressionless—felt thematic, while the purple group was one of those “aha!” moments once you caught the transportation prefix.
