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NYT Connections Hints & Answers: How to Solve Today’s Puzzle (July 20, 2025)

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The New York Times Connections puzzle has quickly become a favorite for word game enthusiasts. Unlike Wordle, which challenges you to guess a single word, Connections requires you to find the common links between 16 seemingly unrelated words—grouping them into four secret categories.

But let’s face it: some puzzles are trickier than others. If you’re stuck on today’s Connections (July 20, 2025, #770), don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ll break down clues, categories, and solutions while sharing expert strategies to help you dominate the game.


How to Play NYT Connections

Before diving into today’s answers, let’s quickly recap the rules:

  • 16 words are displayed on a 4×4 grid.
  • Your goal is to group four words that share a common theme.
  • Each correct group is assigned a color (Yellow → Green → Blue → Purple), with yellow being the easiest and purple the hardest.
  • You get four mistakes before the game ends.

Pro Tip: Look for overlapping connections—some words may fit multiple themes, but only one is correct!


NYT Connections Hints for July 20, 2025

If you want spoiler-free hints, here’s a quick rundown of today’s categories:

Yellow Category (Easiest)“This is my jam!”
Green CategoryWords after a run (or after lighting up)
Blue Category“And how would you like that?”
Purple CategoryThey go with something lexical

Still stuck? Let’s dig deeper.


Today’s NYT Connections Categories & Answers (July 20, 2025)

🟨 Yellow: MOVE TO THE MUSIC

These words all describe ways people groove to a beat:

  • BOP
  • BOUNCE
  • GROOVE
  • SWAY

Why It’s Tricky: Some players might confuse BOP with the ‘90s game Bop It!, but here, it’s all about dancing.


🟩 Green: INHALATION

These terms relate to breathing in, often associated with smoking:

  • DRAG
  • DRAW
  • PUFF
  • PULL

Did You Know? “Take a drag” is slang for inhaling cigarette smoke, while “puff” and “pull” also fit the theme.


🟦 Blue: MARTINI SPECIFICATIONS

If you’ve ever ordered a martini, you’ll recognize these customizations:

  • DRY (less vermouth)
  • GIN (the base spirit)
  • SHAKEN (not stirred, James Bond fans)
  • TWIST (a lemon twist garnish)

Fun Fact: The “shaken vs. stirred” debate is a classic cocktail controversy!


🟪 Purple: _ WORD

Each of these words can precede “word” to form a common phrase:

  • BUZZ (Buzzword – a trendy term)
  • CROSS (Crossword – the NYT’s famous puzzle)
  • LOAN (Loanword – a borrowed term, like “sushi”)
  • PASS (Password – a secret phrase)

Why It’s Hard: “Loanword” is the least familiar term here, making this the toughest category.


How We Solved Today’s Connections (Step-by-Step Breakdown)

  1. First Guess (False Start): We thought BOP, PULL, TWIST, PASS might relate to Bop It!, but PASS didn’t fit.
  2. Yellow Solved: Noticed BOP, SWAY, GROOVE, BOUNCE all describe dancing. 🟨
  3. Green Identified: DRAG, DRAW, PUFF, PULL all relate to inhalation (smoking terms). 🟩
  4. Blue Cracked: TWIST, DRY, SHAKEN, GIN are martini orders. 🟦
  5. Purple Deduction: The remaining words (BUZZ, CROSS, LOAN, PASS) all fit _ word”. 🟪

Key Takeaway: Always double-check if a word fits multiple categories before submitting!


Expert Tips to Master NYT Connections

Want to improve your Connections skills? Try these strategies:

🔹 Look for Multiple Meanings – Words like “draw” can mean sketching or inhaling.
🔹 Eliminate Overlaps First – Solve the clearest group (usually yellow) to narrow options.
🔹 Think Like a Puzzle Editor – Categories often involve wordplay, pop culture, or niche knowledge.
🔹 Use Shuffle & Rearrange – Sometimes, seeing words in a new order helps spot connections.


FAQs About NYT Connections

What if I get stuck on a puzzle?

  • Try eliminating words that don’t fit any obvious theme.
  • Look for verbs, nouns, or compound word structures.

Why are some categories harder than others?

  • Purple usually involves abstract or less common links, while yellow is straightforward.

Can I play past Connections puzzles?

  • Currently, NYT only offers daily puzzles, but archives may come in the future.

Final Thoughts

Today’s NYT Connections (July 20, 2025) was a fun mix of dance moves, smoking terms, martini lingo, and wordplay. The toughest part? Spotting “loanword” in the purple category!

Want more Connections help? Bookmark this page for daily hints and solutions. And if you love word games, check out our Wordle and Strands guides too!

Now it’s your turn—did you solve today’s puzzle? Share your success (or struggles) in the comments!


Happy Puzzling! 🧩

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