Blue group — BODIES OF WATER PLUS STARTING LETTER
Why is “FINLET” in the Blue group?
a small fin or a fish with a distinctive fin, related to bodies of water
Connections Hints for September 12, 2025 #823
Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for September 12, 2025 #823
Want to see NYT Connections hints? Below you'll find complete solutions and explanations. Want to try solving it yourself first? Visit the NYT Connections game 2025-09-12. Looking for today's NYT Connections hint? Head to our home page or play today's connection game here.
Navigation tip: Use the arrows below to browse through past puzzles. Each puzzle is organized from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple) categories.
Yellow Category — September 12, 2025
Green Category — September 12, 2025
Blue Category — September 12, 2025
Purple Category — September 12, 2025
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Green group — KINDS OF CAMERA LENSES
Why is “TELEPHOTO” in the Green group?
a type of camera lens that allows for long-distance photography
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (September 12, 2025)
Several words in today's puzzle have multiple meanings or obscure definitions that can throw you off. Here's what each one means in the context of this Connections grid.
- MACRO
- Definition: a type of camera lens
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a computer shortcut or a large-scale economic concept
- CALL
- Definition: a request or appeal
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a phone conversation or a decision made by a referee
- ADDRESS
- Definition: a person's contact information
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a speech or a location
- NUMBER
- Definition: a person's phone number
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a mathematical value or a quantity
- BID
- Definition: an offer or proposal
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a formal offer to buy something, especially at an auction
- ZOOM
- Definition: a type of camera lens
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a verb meaning to move quickly or a video conferencing platform
Connections #823 explained
Why these words connect (September 12, 2025)
Understanding the logic behind each group helps you spot similar patterns in future puzzles. Here's the reasoning for every category in today's Connections.
Yellow group: ENTREATY
These words are all types of requests or appeals, often used in formal or informal settings to ask for something. They can be used in various contexts, such as business, law, or personal relationships.
Green group: CONTACT INFO
These words are all types of information used to contact or identify someone, often used in personal or professional settings. They can include physical addresses, phone numbers, or online identifiers.
Blue group: KINDS OF CAMERA LENSES
These words are all types of camera lenses, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. They can be used to capture a wide range of images, from close-up shots to distant landscapes.
Purple group: BODIES OF WATER PLUS STARTING LETTER
These words are all related to bodies of water, but with an added twist of including the starting letter of the word. This twist requires solvers to think creatively about the connections between the words.
Red herrings and trap words explained
These words were designed to mislead you. Understanding why they don't belong where you first think sharpens your game for tomorrow.
“EBAY”
Seems like it belongs to: CONTACT INFO
Actually belongs to: BODIES OF WATER PLUS STARTING LETTER
EBAY seems like it belongs to CONTACT INFO due to its association with online transactions, but it actually belongs to BODIES OF WATER PLUS STARTING LETTER because it starts with the letter 'E', which is also the starting letter of some bodies of water
“NAME”
Seems like it belongs to: ENTREATY
Actually belongs to: CONTACT INFO
NAME seems like it belongs to ENTREATY because it can be used in a request or appeal, but it actually belongs to CONTACT INFO because it is a common piece of information used to identify someone
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “EBAY” didn't go with CONTACT INFO
Seems like: CONTACT INFO → Actually: BODIES OF WATER PLUS STARTING LETTER
EBAY seems like it belongs to CONTACT INFO due to its association with online transactions, but it actually belongs to BODIES OF WATER PLUS STARTING LETTER because it starts with the letter 'E', which is also the starting letter of some bodies of water
Why “NAME” didn't go with ENTREATY
Seems like: ENTREATY → Actually: CONTACT INFO
NAME seems like it belongs to ENTREATY because it can be used in a request or appeal, but it actually belongs to CONTACT INFO because it is a common piece of information used to identify someone