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Connections Hints for December 9, 2025 #911

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for December 9, 2025 #911

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Navigation tip: Use the arrows below to browse through past puzzles. Each puzzle is organized from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple) categories.

Yellow Category — December 9, 2025

Green Category — December 9, 2025

Blue Category — December 9, 2025

Purple Category — December 9, 2025

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Green group — BEGINNING WITH NUMBER HOMOPHONES

Why is “FIEVEL” in the Green group?

the main character in the animated film 'An American Tail', whose name sounds like the number 'four'

Blue group — ASSOCIATED WITH RAINBOWS

Why is “LEPRECHAUN” in the Blue group?

a small mythical fairy from Irish folklore, often associated with rainbows and gold

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (December 9, 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.

PRIDE
Definition: a feeling of deep satisfaction or joy, also a group of lions
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a group of lions and a feeling of satisfaction
COUNT
Definition: to include or consider something in a calculation
Why it's tricky: can be a verb or a noun, referring to a title of nobility
FACTOR
Definition: a circumstance or fact that influences a result
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a mathematical factor and a circumstance
WONDER
Definition: a feeling of great surprise or admiration
Why it's tricky: can be a feeling or a question, as in 'one' as in 'one-der'

Connections #911 explained

Why these words connect (December 9, 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: BEAR IN MIND

These words are all related to considering or including something in a calculation or thought process, such as taking a factor into account or counting something.

Green group: STRIPED ANIMALS

These animals are all known for their distinctive striped patterns, such as the zebra's black and white stripes or the tiger's orange and black stripes.

Blue group: ASSOCIATED WITH RAINBOWS

These words are all associated with rainbows, either through mythology, symbolism, or cultural references, such as Dorothy Gale's journey over the rainbow or the leprechaun's pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Purple group: BEGINNING WITH NUMBER HOMOPHONES

These words are all related to number homophones, such as 'one' sounding like 'won' or 'four' sounding like 'for'

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.

TOUCAN

Seems like it belongs to: STRIPED ANIMALS

Actually belongs to: BEGINNING WITH NUMBER HOMOPHONES

while toucans have brightly colored beaks, they are not typically striped, and their name sounds like the number 'two-can'

UNICORN

Seems like it belongs to: STRIPED ANIMALS

Actually belongs to: ASSOCIATED WITH RAINBOWS

while unicorns are often depicted with rainbows, they are not typically striped, and their association with rainbows is more mythological

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

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

Why “TOUCAN” didn't go with STRIPED ANIMALS

Seems like: STRIPED ANIMALS → Actually: BEGINNING WITH NUMBER HOMOPHONES

while toucans have brightly colored beaks, they are not typically striped, and their name sounds like the number 'two-can'

Why “UNICORN” didn't go with STRIPED ANIMALS

Seems like: STRIPED ANIMALS → Actually: ASSOCIATED WITH RAINBOWS

while unicorns are often depicted with rainbows, they are not typically striped, and their association with rainbows is more mythological

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