NYT Connections hints and answers for today (October 17, 2025)

If today’s NYT Connections puzzle has left you stumped, you’ve come to the right place. The New York Times’ daily word association game continues to test even the sharpest minds with clever twists and layered categories.

Whether you’re a seasoned solver or a casual player looking for a little help, this guide covers everything — from what the game is to today’s hints, categories, and final answers for puzzle #859 (October 17, 2025). Read carefully, as spoilers are just below!

What is NYT Connections

NYT Connections is a daily word association puzzle by The New York Times. Players are presented with 16 words in a 4x4 grid and must group them into four sets of four based on a shared theme or concept.

Each group represents a unique category, ranging from simple everyday associations to more obscure or tricky connections.The four categories are ranked by difficulty:Yellow – EasiestGreen – ModerateBlue – ChallengingPurple – HardestYou only get four mistakes per game, so strategy and observation are key. The game is free to play on both desktop and mobile platforms and refreshes daily with a new puzzle.

Before revealing the full solutions, here are some subtle hints to help you think in the right direction:

If you’re still unsure, the next section lists today’s exact categories.

Today’s Connections categories

Here are the official categories for NYT Connections puzzle #859:Used During a PresentationItems in a Souvenir ShopFolktale CharactersWeather Terms

NYT Connections answers for today (October 17, 2025)

Below are the correct word groupings for today’s puzzle:Used During a Presentation: Clicker, Laser Pointer, Projector, SlidesItems in a Souvenir Shop: Figurine, Key Ring, Magnet, PostcardFolktale Characters: Chicken Little, Jack, Thumbelina, Tom ThumbWeather Terms: Beaufort Scale, Dewpoint, Heat Index, Wind Chill