Spoiler warning: Hints for NYT Connections #838 are below, followed by the category names and full solution. This is the Friday, September 26, 2025 puzzle—not the puzzle for September 26, 2026.
Hints for Connections #838
Try these clues from least to most revealing before reading the categories or answers:
- Yellow: Kitchen actions for mixing something with energy.
- Green: Words for something unclear or barely perceptible.
- Blue: Familiar kinds of bears—including one named for the sun.
- Purple: Each word completes the phrase “Dirty ___.”
The 16 words
BLONDE, SUN, WORD, PALE, DIM, CREAM, BROWN, RICE, BLACK, LIGHT, FAINT, BEAT, WHISK, POLAR, POOL, WHIP.
Connections #838 answers
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | STIR VIGOROUSLY | BEAT, CREAM, WHIP, WHISK |
| Green | HARD TO MAKE OUT | DIM, FAINT, LIGHT, PALE |
| Blue | KINDS OF BEARS | BLACK, BROWN, POLAR, SUN |
| Purple | DIRTY ___ | BLONDE, POOL, RICE, WORD |
Why the board is tricky
Several tiles invite a tempting color grouping: BLONDE, BROWN, BLACK, PALE and LIGHT all have color associations. But that set has five words, and the intended groups use the more specific meanings: PALE and LIGHT fit words for hard to make out, while BLONDE belongs with “Dirty ___.”
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Likewise, SUN is easy to overlook among the bear types. Once BLACK, BROWN, POLAR and SUN are recognized as the bear group, the remaining phrase-completion set is BLONDE, POOL, RICE and WORD.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Connections works
Connections gives players 16 words to sort into four groups of four based on a shared link. Groups are distinguished by difficulty colors. The reviewed guides describe a limit of four incorrect guesses; a fourth wrong guess ends the game.
The puzzle is played through NYT Games on desktop or mobile, including the website or Games app. Account access, archives and subscription terms can change, so check the current NYT Games details for your region.
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