NYT Connections, hints and answers for April 23

The New York Times’ viral brain teaser, NYT Connections, has returned with another delightfully devious challenge for April 23, 2025. Whether you're a daily devotee or a curious newcomer, today’s puzzle has just the right mix of logic, wordplay, and mild existential dread. With only four chances to group 16 words into four hidden themes, Connections manages to be both brilliantly simple and maddeningly tricky. Played by over 10 million people each day, it has become the go-to mental workout for word lovers and puzzle nerds alike. So if today's grid had you scratching your head, don't worry, help is here.

NYT Connections is a clever game that gives you 16 seemingly unrelated words in a 4×4 grid. Your job? Find four groups of four words that share a hidden link. Sounds simple? Well, it’s not always a walk in the park. Imagine spotting Drum, Guitar, Flute, and Piano, easy, right? They're instruments. But then there’s the Purple category, where Flag, May, Bean, and Tad are somehow united by one thing. It’s that kind of puzzle, delightfully tricky and often surprising.
The game increases in difficulty across four colour-coded groups:
You’ve only got four lives to solve the whole puzzle — use them wisely!


Need a little push before diving into the answers? Here are your category hints for today:
Yellow: Remember the last time you stared at a tree
Green: it's for pet lovers
Blue: Funny act
Purple: Things with the pole, either horizontal or vertical

Let’s stop guessing and get to the good stuff. Here are the official solutions for April 23, 2025:
Parts of a Tree (Yellow)
Branch, Leaf, Root, Trunk
These are the classic components of any tree — you might’ve even drawn them in science class.
Canine/Feline Features (Green)
Fur, Muzzle, Paw, Tail
Whether you're Team Cat or Team Dog, these are the furry essentials you know and love.
Comedic Routine (Blue)
Act, Bit, Gag, Sketch
From late-night TV to open mic nights, these are staples of a stand-up set or variety show.
____ Pole (Purple)
Bean, Flag, May, Tad
It’s not the most obvious bunch, but each pairs with “pole” — beanpole, flagpole, maypole, tadpole. That’s the Purple category for you.
Today’s puzzle was a playful mix of nature, animals, humour, and wordplay. Whether you breezed through or needed a hint (or three), NYT Connections keeps us all coming back for that daily dose of “aha!”
Check back tomorrow for more twists, tricks, and tightly themed sets.