Issue #627 Sat 25 Jan
Connections hints — January 25, 2025
Today’s grid offers a measured pace, balancing two straightforward groupings against a pair of sets that demand a sharper look at how words are built and borrowed.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
The bell rings, chairs scrape against linoleum, and thirty people scramble for the door at once.
Educational administration
Synonymous items in a sequence
Members are 5–8 letters; first letters C, H, L, R.
SCHOOL PERIODS
One is CLASS.
CLASS · HOMEROOM · LUNCH · RECESS
green group 7 nudges
Green group
Cold air on the face, the smell of pine wax, and the heavy thud of boots on a wooden deck.
Mountain recreation
Thematic components of a common site
Members are 4–5 letters; first letters L, M, S.
FEATURES OF A SKI RESORT
One is LIFT.
LIFT · LODGE · MOGUL · SLOPE
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
A thumb hovering over a small face on a screen, or the neon glow of a late-night bar.
Etymology
Loanwords from a specific language
Members are 5–7 letters; first letters E, G, K, T.
WORDS DERIVED FROM JAPANESE
One is EMOJI.
EMOJI · GINKGO · KARAOKE · TYCOON
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
A bicycle wheel spinning, a three-legged stool, or the rhythmic counting of a heartbeat.
Linguistics
Common word endings for a specific prefix
Members are 3–5 letters; first letters A, C, D, P.
WORDS AFTER THE PREFIX “TRI-”
One is ANGLE.
ANGLE · CYCLE · DENT · POD