Another day, another brain-twisting challenge from The New York Times! Whether you’re a seasoned puzzle pro or someone who stumbled through this morning’s game, we’ve got you covered with gentle hints, category breakdowns, and — if you’re really stuck — all the answers.
Let’s dive into the hints and solutions for Friday, April 18, 2025.
🟨 Today’s Yellow Category – INTERJECTIONS
Hint: These are spontaneous expressions of emotion, surprise, or reaction.
Think of words you might blurt out when startled, amazed, or excited. They’re short, punchy, and often stand alone in a sentence. This category feels lighthearted and expressive — perfect for everyday outbursts.
Answers:
- BOY
- GOODNESS
- MAN
- WOW
These are the kinds of words you’d hear in classic comic strips or when someone just heard shocking news. A very “reactionary” set.
🟩 Today’s Green Category – HORROR MOVIES, WITH “THE”
Hint: Classic horror flicks that become recognizable when you add “The” in front.
These four are iconic scary movies, and each one becomes a recognizable title when prefaced with “The”. Even if you’re not a horror fan, chances are you’ve heard of these.
Answers:
- BIRDS (The Birds)
- EXORCIST (The Exorcist)
- HAUNTING (The Haunting)
- SHINING (The Shining)
This category had a chilling theme! It’s a neat twist — these words are just ordinary without “The”, but together they evoke unforgettable horror classics.
🟦 Today’s Blue Category – THINGS YOU CAN PICK
Hint: Think of things people often “pick” — literally or figuratively.
This group had a playful edge to it. Some of these are objects, some are actions or hobbies. Think of hands-on verbs and puns.
Answers:
- APPLE
- BANJO
- CARD
- NOSE
A real mix here — “picking” apples or cards is quite innocent, while “picking your nose” is… well, universally understood, if not universally approved. And “picking a banjo” adds that musical flavor.
🟪 Today’s Purple Category – PERSONAL PROPERTY MINUS “S”
Hint: Words that are typically plural (with an “s”) when referring to someone’s belongings — but here, they’re singular.
This category was definitely trickier and leaned on your understanding of formal or old-school language regarding ownership.
Answers:
- BELONGING
- EFFECT
- GOOD
- POSSESSION
These are singular forms of what are usually referred to in plural — belongings, effects, goods, and possessions. You might hear these terms in estate inventories or legal language.
Final Thoughts
Today’s puzzle offered a nice mix of whimsy, wordplay, and a dash of horror for good measure. The “Horror Movies” and “Things You Can Pick” categories probably came together quickly for most solvers, while “Personal Property minus S” may have been the trickiest of the bunch due to its abstract nature.
If you didn’t nail it on the first try, don’t worry — that’s part of the fun. And if you did get it, congrats! Time to celebrate with a hearty “WOW!” or “GOODNESS!”
Come back tomorrow for more NYT Connections breakdowns, hints, and full answers. Until then, happy puzzling!