NYT Connections Hints and Answers for November 9, Puzzle #1247
Everything you need to solve today's puzzle
How to play NYT Connections
The daily puzzle from The New York Times, Connections, has captivated millions of players worldwide. The premise is simple but intellectually demanding: players must sort 16 words into four distinct categories based on a shared theme. Each category is colour-coded by difficulty, with yellow representing the easiest and purple the most challenging.
A breakdown of puzzle #1247
The words for the 1247th edition, released on November 9, 2026, proved to be quite diverse. Players were tasked with grouping terms including STEAK KNIFE, CARD SHARK, CON JOB, BOOTCUT, NAVY SEAL, SHELL GAME, MINT LEAF, GAMMA RAY, TAPE DISPENSER, LOW-RISE, FUN SPONGE, RIP-OFF, SKINNY, FLIMFLAM, GRAPEFRUIT SPOON, and DISTRESSED.
The categories for today were as follows:
- DECEITFUL SCHEME: CON JOB, FLIMFLAM, RIP-OFF, SHELL GAME.
- JEANS DESCRIPTORS: BOOTCUT, DISTRESSED, LOW-RISE, SKINNY.
- THINGS WITH SERRATED EDGES: GRAPEFRUIT SPOON, MINT LEAF, STEAK KNIFE, TAPE DISPENSER.
- ENDING IN SEA CREATURES: CARD SHARK, FUN SPONGE, GAMMA RAY, NAVY SEAL.
Challenges and insights
For many players, the "THINGS WITH SERRATED EDGES" category proved the most difficult. While STEAK KNIFE was an obvious starting point, grouping GRAPEFRUIT SPOON and MINT LEAF caused some confusion. Regarding the deceitful schemes, identifying SHELL GAME relies on historical context; it is an ancient form of fraud that dates back to Ancient Greece and remains common in tourist areas today.
A key advantage of Connections is that players are allowed four mistakes, providing a degree of freedom. If you are uncertain about a category, the process of elimination makes the puzzle more dynamic and less stressful than games like Wordle.
Why is this game so popular?
Beyond being an excellent exercise for vocabulary and logical thinking, the game constantly presents new challenges. It frequently features homophones and other linguistic tricks that keep players on their toes. If you have not tried the game yet, it is available for free on The New York Times website, accessible via both desktop and mobile devices.