If today’s NYT Connections puzzle has you second-guessing every word on the board, you’re certainly not alone. Connections Puzzle #1113, released on Sunday, June 28, delivers another clever challenge that combines straightforward vocabulary with subtle wordplay and a few well-placed red herrings.
At first glance, several words appear to belong together for obvious reasons. Terms like Begin, Go, and Start practically form a group on their own, while words such as Pick, Choice, and Select tempt players into creating another category. But as experienced Connections players know, the first pattern you notice isn’t always the correct one.
Today’s puzzle rewards careful observation and flexible thinking. While one category is fairly easy to identify, others require looking beyond the most obvious meanings of the words. In particular, the Purple group hides a creative connection that many players may overlook until the very end.
Whether you’re trying to protect your daily streak or simply need a gentle nudge in the right direction, this guide will walk you through today’s puzzle with spoiler-free hints before revealing the complete answers and explaining why each group works.
How To Play NYT Connections
NYT Connections is one of the most popular daily word games from The New York Times Games collection. Every day, players receive a grid containing 16 different words. The objective is to organize those words into four groups of four, with each group sharing a hidden relationship.
The connection could be based on:
- Similar meanings
- Common categories
- Pop culture references
- Shared phrases
- Word endings or beginnings
- Hidden patterns
- Clever wordplay
Each completed group is assigned a difficulty color:
🟨 Yellow – Usually the easiest category.
🟩 Green – A moderate challenge.
🟦 Blue – Often requires broader knowledge or less obvious thinking.
🟪 Purple – The hardest group, frequently relying on puns, hidden words, or unusual language patterns.
You can make up to four incorrect guesses before the puzzle ends, so choosing carefully is just as important as recognizing patterns.
Today’s NYT Connections Word List (Puzzle #1113)
Today’s puzzle includes the following sixteen words:
- Begin
- Capo
- Chess
- Choice
- Corporation
- Darts
- Fine
- Go
- Now
- Pick
- Prime
- Select
- Slide
- Start
- Strap
- Surfer
Take another look before scrolling further.
Can you spot four groups without revealing the answers?
If you’re still searching, the spoiler-free hints below may help point you in the right direction.
NYT Connections Hints for Sunday, June 28
Need a clue but don’t want the full solution just yet?
Here are hints for each of today’s four categories.
🟨 Yellow Group Hint
These words are commonly used to describe something that is excellent or of premium quality.
🟩 Green Group Hint
Think about the words someone might say when it’s time for a race, game, or event to begin.
🟦 Blue Group Hint
If you’ve ever played an electric guitar, these accessories should look familiar.
🟪 Purple Group Hint
The connection isn’t about what these words mean. Instead, think about something each one possesses.
One Word From Each Category
Still need a little extra help?
Here’s one word from each group.
🟨 Choice
🟩 Now
🟦 Pick
🟪 Surfer
These examples should help narrow your options without completely revealing every answer.
Today’s NYT Connections Categories
Ready for the official category names?
Here they are:
🟨 High-Quality
🟩 Signals to Commence
🟦 Accessories for a Guitarist
🟪 They Have Boards
If you’re still solving today’s puzzle, this is your final spoiler warning.
The complete answers begin below.
Today’s NYT Connections Answers
🟨 Yellow Group — High-Quality
Answers:
- Choice
- Fine
- Prime
- Select
The Yellow category focuses on words used to describe something that is considered superior or high in quality.
Each answer can be used to describe premium products, excellent craftsmanship, or top-tier items.
For example:
- Prime often refers to premium cuts of meat or something at its best.
- Choice is another grading term commonly associated with quality.
- Fine describes something well-made or exceptional.
- Select frequently appears in product labels to indicate a higher standard.
One reason this category can be surprisingly tricky is that words like Choice, Select, and Pick all seem closely related. Many players naturally associate them with the act of choosing rather than quality, making Pick one of today’s biggest red herrings.
Once you realize the category is describing quality levels instead of actions, everything falls neatly into place.
Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
🟩 Green Group — Signals to Commence
Answers:
- Begin
- Go
- Now
- Start
The Green group contains words commonly used to indicate that it’s time for something to begin.
Whether it’s the start of a race, a sporting event, a game show, or even classroom instructions, these words all communicate the same basic idea: it’s time to get moving.
- Begin
- Go
- Now
- Start
The inclusion of Now is what makes this category a little more challenging. Unlike the other three words, it isn’t always a direct command. However, in many situations, someone shouting “Now!” serves exactly the same purpose as saying “Go!”
This subtle difference may cause some players to overlook the connection during their first few attempts.
Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
🟦 Blue Group — Accessories for a Guitarist
Answers:
- Capo
- Pick
- Slide
- Strap
The Blue category is a fun one for music fans, especially anyone who has spent time playing the guitar. Every word in this group represents an accessory or tool that guitarists commonly use while performing or practicing.
Let’s look at each item individually:
- Capo – A small device that clamps across the guitar’s neck to raise the pitch of the strings.
- Pick – Also known as a plectrum, this is used to pluck or strum the strings with greater precision.
- Slide – A smooth tube, often made of glass or metal, that creates the distinctive sliding sound heard in blues and rock music.
- Strap – Essential for supporting a guitar while standing during rehearsals or live performances.
Even if you don’t play guitar yourself, you’ve probably seen these accessories in concerts or music stores.
Why This Group Can Be Confusing
The biggest distraction here is the word Pick.
Earlier in the puzzle, it seems like a natural match for Choice and Select, leading many players toward the wrong category. However, in this group, “Pick” isn’t being used as a verb—it refers to the small tool musicians hold while playing guitar.
This clever use of multiple meanings is one of the reasons Connections remains such an engaging daily puzzle.
Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
🟪 Purple Group — They Have Boards
Answers:
- Chess
- Corporation
- Darts
- Surfer
Purple groups are known for requiring players to think differently, and today’s puzzle follows that tradition.
The connection isn’t based on what these words are. Instead, it’s about something each one is associated with: a board.
Here’s how each answer fits the category:
- Chess uses a chessboard.
- Darts is played using a dartboard.
- Surfer rides a surfboard.
- Corporation is managed by a board of directors.
Unlike the other three, Corporation doesn’t involve a physical object. Instead, it refers to an organizational board responsible for guiding the company.
That difference makes today’s Purple category particularly clever because it combines both literal and figurative meanings of the same word.
Why This Was the Toughest Category
Most players immediately recognize a chessboard or dartboard, but “board” in the business world isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind.
The puzzle also encourages you to focus on the individual meanings of the words rather than what they share indirectly.
Once you realize the word board connects every answer, the category suddenly becomes much easier to understand.
Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Biggest Red Herrings in Today’s Puzzle
Every great Connections puzzle includes a few misleading patterns, and Puzzle #1113 is no exception.
Pick, Choice and Select
These three words appear to belong together because they all relate to choosing something. However, Pick actually belongs with the guitar accessories, while Choice and Select are used to describe quality.
Start, Begin and Go
These three words naturally fit together, but adding Now to the group is what makes the connection complete. Because “Now” isn’t always used as a command, it’s easy to overlook.
Board References
Players might quickly spot Chess and Darts, but identifying Surfer and especially Corporation requires thinking about different meanings of the word “board.”
These subtle misdirections are what make today’s puzzle more satisfying once everything clicks into place.
Puzzle Analysis
Overall, today’s Connections puzzle offers an enjoyable balance between straightforward vocabulary and creative thinking.
The Yellow and Green groups provide a solid foundation for most players, while the Blue category introduces a clever double meaning through the word Pick.
The Purple category is undoubtedly the highlight of the puzzle. Instead of relying on hidden letters or rhyming words, it challenges players to recognize a shared concept that appears in completely different contexts.
One of the strengths of today’s puzzle is how every category feels fair once the solution is revealed. Even the trickiest connections make sense in hindsight, which is one of the hallmarks of a well-designed Connections game.
Overall Difficulty Rating
Here’s my rating for each category:
| Category | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) |
| 🟩 Green | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) |
| 🟦 Blue | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5) |
| 🟪 Purple | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
Overall Puzzle Score
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
The puzzle starts off fairly accessible before increasing in difficulty with the final two categories. While the Purple group requires a bit of lateral thinking, today’s challenge remains approachable for both new and experienced players.
Tips for Solving Future Connections Puzzles
If today’s puzzle taught us anything, it’s that the most obvious connection isn’t always the correct one.
Here are a few strategies that can improve your success rate:
- Look for multiple meanings. Words like “Pick” often have more than one definition.
- Avoid rushing your first guess. Several words may seem connected at first but belong to different groups.
- Consider literal and figurative uses. Today’s Purple category mixed both types of meanings.
- Leave the hardest-looking words for later. Once easier groups are solved, the remaining connections often become much clearer.
With regular practice, you’ll begin spotting these patterns much more quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hardest category in today’s NYT Connections?
The Purple group, They Have Boards, is the trickiest because it combines both literal and figurative meanings of the word “board.”
Which category is the easiest?
Most players will likely solve the Yellow group first since the words all describe something of high quality.
What was the biggest red herring?
The word Pick is the biggest trap. It appears to fit with “Choice” and “Select,” but actually belongs in the guitarist accessories category.
What puzzle number is today’s Connections?
Today’s game is NYT Connections Puzzle #1113, published on Sunday, June 28.
Final Thoughts
NYT Connections Puzzle #1113 delivers another entertaining challenge that rewards patience, observation, and flexible thinking. The early categories are approachable enough to build confidence, while the final groups require players to shift their perspective and think beyond simple definitions.
The combination of premium-quality words, guitar accessories, starting signals, and the creative “boards” category makes today’s puzzle memorable without feeling unfair.
Whether you solved every group on your first attempt or needed a few hints along the way, today’s game is another great reminder of why Connections has become one of the most popular daily word puzzles.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for another complete guide featuring spoiler-free hints, detailed explanations, full answers, and puzzle-solving strategies to help keep your winning streak alive.
