Connections Hints

Friday, February 2, 2024

Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — February 2, 2024

Jump to a hint level
Show the word gridAll 16 words — you figure out the groups
Show the themesCategory names only, no words revealed
One word per groupTheme name + one word per category
Full solutionAll words and explanations
← Back to hint toolLoad any date with the interactive hint ladder
Word grid

All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.

BREAK
BUCKLE
DOG
DRIFT
HOLE
HOLEY
HOLI
HOLIDAY
HOLLY
HOLY
LEAVE
LOOP
RECESS
SANDAL
STRAP
WHOLLY
↑ Back to top
Themes

The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.

TIME OFFStraightforward
FEATURES OF A BELTModerate
HOMOPHONESTricky
___WOODDevious
↑ Back to top
One word per group

Theme name plus one word from each category.

TIME OFFStraightforward
WORDS MEANING A PAUSE OR VACATION FROM WORK OR SCHOOL+ 3 more…
FEATURES OF A BELTModerate
PARTS YOU'D FIND ON THE THING THAT HOLDS YOUR TROUSERS UP+ 3 more…
HOMOPHONESTricky
FOUR WORDS THAT ALL SOUND IDENTICAL WHEN SPOKEN ALOUD+ 3 more…
___WOODDevious
EACH WORD CAN PRECEDE 'WOOD' TO MAKE A NEW COMPOUND WORD+ 3 more…
↑ Back to top
Full solution
TIME OFFStraightforward
BREAK,HOLIDAY,LEAVE,RECESS

BREAK, HOLIDAY, LEAVE, and RECESS all refer to periods of time away from work, school, or duties.

FEATURES OF A BELTModerate
BUCKLE,HOLE,LOOP,STRAP

BUCKLE, HOLE, LOOP, and STRAP are all physical components found on a belt.

HOMOPHONESTricky
HOLEY,HOLI,HOLY,WHOLLY

HOLEY (full of holes), HOLI (Hindu festival), HOLY (sacred), and WHOLLY (completely) are all homophones — they share the same pronunciation.

___WOODDevious
DOG,DRIFT,HOLLY,SANDAL

DOG, DRIFT, HOLLY, and SANDAL can each precede WOOD to form DOGWOOD, DRIFTWOOD, HOLLYWOOD, and SANDALWOOD.

↑ Back to top