Need a nudge before seeing the solution? Connections #242 is the New York Times puzzle from February 8, 2024. Start with the four category clues below; the answer groups are further down, after a spoiler warning.
Hints for Connections #242
The puzzle asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. These clues move from the more straightforward category toward the trickiest:
- Equipment used in archery.
- Games played with cards.
- Words that can mean to hit hard.
- Motifs associated with traditional tattoo designs.
Try to identify all four words in a category before submitting a group. If only two or three seem to fit, check whether another word on the board also belongs—or whether a tempting connection is misleading.
Spoilers: Connections #242 answers
The categories and words below reveal the full solution.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
Yellow — Archery equipment
ARROW, BOW, QUIVER, TARGET
Green — Card games
BRIDGE, GIN, SPIT, WAR
Blue — Wallop
BELT, CLOCK, DECK, SLUG
Purple — Classic tattoos
ANCHOR, DRAGON, HEART, ROSE
How Connections works
The New York Times Help Center describes Connections as a daily word puzzle in which players sort 16 words into four groups of four. Each puzzle is designed to have one solution, and words may appear to fit more than one category. The color order runs from yellow, the easiest, through purple, the trickiest. Read the NYT Help Center’s Connections guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you replay puzzle #242?
The NYT Help Center says the Connections archive reaches back to June 12, 2023, and archive access is for subscribers. It also says the daily puzzle releases at midnight in the player’s timezone. These access details were checked October 8, 2026, and may change. The game is available through the NYT Games website and apps, according to the same help page.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
