Issue #1049 Sat 25 Apr
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — April 25, 2026
This grid features a blend of literal descriptions and linguistic play. Sorting through the categories requires careful attention to how terms are used in common phrases versus their more clinical definitions.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The protective layers that shield a living organism from its environment.
Biology
Items sharing one feature
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters E, H, N, S.
BODY COVERINGS
One is ENAMEL.
ENAMEL · HAIR · NAIL · SKIN
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
Exaggerated quantities often used to describe things that are nearly impossible to find or count.
Idiomatic expressions
Items sharing one feature
Members are 5–8 letters; first letters C, H, M, O.
MASSES, IN IDIOMS
One is CROWD.
CROWD · HAYSTACK · MILLION · OCEAN
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The colorful, informal language used in pulp novels to describe investigators and patrol officers.
Historical slang
Colloquial synonyms
Members are 4–8 letters; first letters C, D, F, G.
OLD TIMEY SLANG FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
One is COPPER.
COPPER · DICK · FLATFOOT · GUMSHOE
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
Each compound phrase begins with a word that means to propel an object through the air.
Wordplay
Each starts with a hidden item
Members are 9–15 letters; first letters C, H, P.
STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "THROW"
One is CAST IRON.
CAST IRON · CHUCK E. CHEESE · HURLY-BURLY · PITCHFORK
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
BODY COVERINGSENAMEL · HAIR · NAIL · SKIN
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Reveal the green group
MASSES, IN IDIOMSCROWD · HAYSTACK · MILLION · OCEAN
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Reveal the blue group
OLD TIMEY SLANG FOR LAW ENFORCEMENTCOPPER · DICK · FLATFOOT · GUMSHOE
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Reveal the violet group
STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "THROW"CAST IRON · CHUCK E. CHEESE · HURLY-BURLY · PITCHFORK
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on April 25, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for April 25, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on April 25, 2026?
NYT Connections on April 25, 2026 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 April 25, 2026?
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 #1049?
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