NYT Connections puzzle #640, published March 12, 2025, asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Start with the spoiler-light hints below, then open the answer section when you’re ready to check the solutions.
The 16 words in Connections #640
BUTTER, CARDINAL, COTTON, EGGS, ELMO, EYE, FLOUR, JOHN, KETCHUP, MONTH, ORANGE, PURPLE, ROCK, ROSE, SILVER, SUGAR
Hints for March 12, 2025
Connections’ four color groups progress from yellow, the most straightforward, to purple, the most difficult. These clues move from the gentlest nudge to the most specific.
- Think of things found in a simple recipe.
- Look for items that are typically the same color.
- Consider words said to be difficult to rhyme exactly.
- Each of the four words comes before a common five-letter noun for a sweet treat.
Answers for Connections #640
Spoilers below. The four groups and their words are:
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| Color | Connection | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Ingredients in classic pound cake | BUTTER, EGGS, FLOUR, SUGAR |
| Green | Things that are red | CARDINAL, ELMO, KETCHUP, ROSE |
| Blue | Words said to have no exact rhymes | MONTH, ORANGE, PURPLE, SILVER |
| Purple | Words that form a phrase with “candy” | COTTON, EYE, JOHN, ROCK |
Why the purple group works
Add “candy” after each word: cotton candy, eye candy, John Candy, and rock candy. The category is a word-linking phrase, including the proper name of actor John Candy; Parade labels it “_____ CANDY,” while TechRadar labels it “CANDY.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the rhyme category
The blue group uses words commonly said to have no exact rhymes in English. The category is about reported rhyme status, not a claim that no dialect, pronunciation, or poetic workaround can ever produce a rhyme.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
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