Issue #851 Thu 9 Oct
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — October 9, 2025
A tidy grid today that relies on straightforward definitions and common associations. You will find that clarity comes once the initial traps are cleared from the board.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A half-finished novel on the nightstand, the daydream of a promotion, or the tall tale you tell to avoid an awkward truth.
Cognitive states
Synonyms
Members are 5–9 letters; first letters F, I.
FANTASY
One is INVENTION.
INVENTION · FANCY · FICTION · FIGMENT
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The skip-stone you pull from the riverbank, a heavy slab for the kitchen island, or the jagged edge of a primitive tool.
Geological materials
Synonyms
Members are 5–9 letters; first letters F, L, M, S.
KINDS OF ROCKS
One is FLINT.
FLINT · LIMESTONE · MARBLE · SLATE
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The bold text at the top of the column, the small print beneath a face in the frame, or the dateline stamped in ink.
Journalism components
Functional parts
Members are 4–8 letters; first letters C, D, L, P.
NEWS ARTICLE FEATURES
One is CAPTION.
CAPTION · DATELINE · LEDE · PHOTO
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A joystick worn smooth by years of use, the flickering glow of a CRT monitor, and the familiar chime of a start screen.
Gaming archetypes
Categorical nouns
Members are 7–8 letters; first letters G, H, P.
TITLE FIGURES IN CLASSIC VIDEO GAMES
One is GORILLA.
GORILLA · HEDGEHOG · PLUMBER · PRINCESS
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
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Reveal the yellow group
FANTASYINVENTION · FANCY · FICTION · FIGMENT
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Reveal the green group
KINDS OF ROCKSFLINT · LIMESTONE · MARBLE · SLATE
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Reveal the blue group
NEWS ARTICLE FEATURESCAPTION · DATELINE · LEDE · PHOTO
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Reveal the violet group
TITLE FIGURES IN CLASSIC VIDEO GAMESGORILLA · HEDGEHOG · PLUMBER · PRINCESS
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on October 9, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for October 9, 2025, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on October 9, 2025?
NYT Connections on October 9, 2025 rates 3 out of 4 on our difficulty scale — a tougher-than-average puzzle. As always you sort sixteen words into four colour-coded groups, and our hints tease what links each group without ever naming the words.
What's a spoiler-free hint for NYT Connections on October 9, 2025?
The hint ladder above starts with a one-line vibe for each of the four groups, then adds the connecting idea, then the wording of each category. You climb only as far as you need, and no grouped words are shown until the final reveal.
How many groups are in NYT Connections #851?
Four groups of four, ordered from the gentlest to the trickiest. For the categories and the sixteen words themselves, open the answer section on this page — the hints here keep them hidden.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words