Today's Connections has four hidden groups of four. Start with a gentle nudge and only open more if you need it.
Hint 1: One word from each group
Each of these words belongs to a different group.
- Yellow (easiest): PHASE
- Green: FLIGHT
- Blue: BOARDING
- Purple (hardest): BRIEF
Hint 2: Yellow (easiest) group theme
The yellow group is Segment Of A Process.
Hint 3: Green group theme
The green group is Assortments Of Food/drink.
Hint 4: Blue group theme
The blue group is Parts Of A Flight.
Hint 5: Purple (hardest) group theme
The purple group is ___case.
Show all four answers
Segment Of A Process
PHASE, ROUND, STAGE, STEP
Assortments Of Food/drink
FLIGHT, MEDLEY, PLATTER, SAMPLER
Parts Of A Flight
BOARDING, CRUISE, LANDING, TAKEOFF
___case
BRIEF, PILLOW, STAIR, UPPER
About this puzzle
- Edited by Wyna Liu
- Groups are listed from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple).
Connections deep dive
More about today's puzzle. Everything in this section can include the answer.
Why each word belongs in its group, with a short dictionary meaning where one exists.
Yellow (easiest): Segment Of A Process
- PHASE: A distinguishable part of a sequence or cycle occurring over time.
- ROUND: (physical) Of shape:
- STAGE: A phase.
- STEP: An advance or movement made from one foot to the other; a pace.
Green: Assortments Of Food/drink
- FLIGHT: The act of flying.
- MEDLEY: A collection or mixture of miscellaneous things.
- PLATTER: A tray for serving foods.
- SAMPLER: A representative selection of a larger group.
Blue: Parts Of A Flight
- BOARDING: The act of people getting aboard a ship aircraft, train, bus, etc.; embarkation.
- CRUISE: A sea or lake voyage, especially one taken for pleasure.
- LANDING: An arrival at a surface, as of an airplane or any descending object.
- TAKEOFF: A launch or ascent into the air or into flight, such as of an aircraft, rocket, bird, high-jumper etc.
Purple (hardest): ___case
- BRIEF: Of short duration; happening quickly.
- PILLOW: A soft cushion used to support the head in bed.
- STAIR: A series of steps; a staircase.
- UPPER: At a higher level, rank or position.
Play today's Connections at The New York Times
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