‘Connections’ February 18: Hints and Answers for Puzzle #618

Mastering Connections Puzzle #618: A Strategic Approach

Understanding the Game Mechanics

Connections Puzzle #618, part of The New York Times series, presents a unique challenge by requiring players to categorize 16 words into four themed groups. Each category is color-coded by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest). The strategy involves identifying common themes among words, starting with the easiest to build momentum.

Yellow Category: Easiest Group

The easiest category, Yellow, focuses on words related to indentations or openings. Words like Cavity, Hole, Hollow, and Pit clearly fit as they all describe types of openings. Cavity refers to a dental hole, Pit is a general term for a hole, Hollow denotes an empty space, and Hole is straightforward. Recognizing these common terms quickly sets the foundation for tackling the rest of the puzzle.

Green Category: Availability

The Green category, of medium difficulty, revolves around the theme of being "At hand." Words such as Available, Handy, Nearby, and Ready all relate to accessibility. Available implies something is accessible, Handy suggests convenience, Nearby indicates proximity, and Ready implies preparation. These words naturally group together, making this category a logical next step after solving Yellow.

Blue Category: Substantial Meals

For the Blue category, the theme is "Terms for a satisfying meal." Filling, Hearty, Solid, and Square each describe meals that are substantial. Filling and Hearty are direct descriptors of robust meals, while Solid refers to a meal’s substance. Square references a "square meal," a term for a complete meal, tying all words together cohesively.

Purple Category: British Slang

The most challenging category, Purple, focuses on British slang. Words like Butty, Chippy, Footy, and Telly are slang terms. Butty refers to a sandwich, Chippy to a place selling chips, Footy to football (soccer), and Telly to television. Familiarity with British slang aids in grouping these words, though they may pose a challenge without prior knowledge.

Conclusion and Strategy

By systematically addressing each category from easiest to hardest, the puzzle becomes manageable. Recognizing common themes and leveraging word meanings facilitate quick categorization. This approach not only solves the puzzle efficiently but also highlights the importance of cultural knowledge, as seen in the British slang category. Each grouping brings a sense of accomplishment, underscored by the satisfaction of seeing words click into place.