Enjoying our puzzle hints?

Support independent coverage of NYT games and keep the hints flowing.

Buy me a coffee

Connections Hints for October 20, 2025 #861

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for October 20, 2025 #861

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 2025-10-20. 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 — October 20, 2025

Green Category — October 20, 2025

Blue Category — October 20, 2025

Purple Category — October 20, 2025

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Yellow group — _CORN

Why is “CAPRI” in the Yellow group?

a type of corn, likely referring to Capri corn, a variety of popcorn

Green group — REPRESENTED BY CONSTELLATIONS

Why is “CENTAUR” in the Green group?

a constellation in the southern sky, named after the mythological creature

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (October 20, 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.

BEAR
Definition: a constellation, not the animal
Why it's tricky: commonly known as an animal, but also a constellation
HUNTER
Definition: a constellation, not a person
Why it's tricky: can refer to a person or a constellation
LYRE
Definition: a musical instrument and a constellation
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a constellation and a musical instrument
I
Definition: a chemical symbol, not the pronoun
Why it's tricky: can be confused with the pronoun 'I'

Connections #861 explained

Why these words connect (October 20, 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: AFFLICTION

These are all words that can describe a psychological or emotional affliction, such as a phobia or a persistent problem.

Green group: REPRESENTED BY CONSTELLATIONS

These are all words that are represented by constellations in the night sky, named after figures from ancient mythology.

Blue group: PERIODIC TABLE SYMBOLS

These are all symbols for elements on the periodic table, used to represent the building blocks of matter.

Purple group: _CORN

These are all words that can be combined with 'corn' to form a type of corn, such as a type of grain or a type of food.

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.

BEAR

Seems like it belongs to: AFFLICTION

Actually belongs to: REPRESENTED BY CONSTELLATIONS

while 'bear' can be an affliction, in this context it refers to the constellation

COMPLEX

Seems like it belongs to: PERIODIC TABLE SYMBOLS

Actually belongs to: AFFLICTION

while 'complex' can refer to a chemical compound, in this context it refers to a psychological affliction

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.

Why “BEAR” didn't go with AFFLICTION

Seems like: AFFLICTION → Actually: REPRESENTED BY CONSTELLATIONS

while 'bear' can be an affliction, in this context it refers to the constellation

Why “COMPLEX” didn't go with PERIODIC TABLE SYMBOLS

Seems like: PERIODIC TABLE SYMBOLS → Actually: AFFLICTION

while 'complex' can refer to a chemical compound, in this context it refers to a psychological affliction

Browse by Date

2026

February

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1234567891011121314151617181920