Connections Hints Today: Sunday, November 15, 2026 (#1253)
Stuck on NYT Connections #1253 for Sunday, November 15, 2026? Below are spoiler-free hints and clues for all four color groups, the red herrings to avoid, the four category names, and the full answers, each hidden until you open it.
Today's board features a mix of formal event logistics and mathematical concepts. Watch out for words that might describe peak performance.
| Puzzle | NYT Connections #1253 |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, November 15, 2026 |
| Editor | Wyna Liu |
| Difficulty | 3 out of 5 |
| Next puzzle | #1254 unlocks at midnight your local time (Monday, November 16, 2026) |
Today’s Connections hints and clues
Each color group has three clues. Open one at a time: each gives away a little more than the last, and none of them shows the category name.
Yellow group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Think about things that have never happened before or are the best ever.
Hint 2: a stronger push
These terms describe a level of achievement or occurrence that stands alone at the top of its field.
Hint 3: reveal one word
One of the entries in this group of superlatives is the word RECORD.
Green group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Consider information you might look for after receiving a formal invitation to a celebration.
Hint 2: a stronger push
These are common tabs or pages found on a digital hub for guests attending a specific ceremony.
Hint 3: reveal one word
You will likely need to find the RSVP button on the page to confirm your attendance.
Blue group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
These words all precede a term for a flat surface or a type of aircraft.
Hint 2: a stronger push
Look for words that can describe different types of two-dimensional surfaces in math, physics, or spirituality.
Hint 3: reveal one word
The word ASTRAL is part of this set involving a specific type of geometric surface.
Purple group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Look at the last few letters of each word to find something pungent.
Hint 2: a stronger push
The tail end of these words spells out different edible bulbs often used in cooking.
Hint 3: reveal one word
The word SLEEK contains a crunchy green ingredient at the end of its spelling.
Today’s Connections red herrings
Words that look like they belong together but don’t. Seeing them can save you a mistake.
Show the traps
- RECORD, ARCHIVE: Both words relate to the storage of information or long-term documentation.
- JET, TRAVEL: These are both associated with high-speed movement or going on a trip.
- HISTORIC, UNPRECEDENTED, ARCHIVE: These terms all touch upon the concepts of time, memory, or historical significance.
Today’s Connections categories
Knowing the theme is often enough to finish. These are the four category names, without the words.
Show the four categories
- Yellow: UNMATCHED
- Green: WEDDING WEBSITE SECTIONS
- Blue: ___ PLANE
- Purple: ENDING IN VEGETABLES IN THE ALLIUM FAMILY
Today’s Connections answers
All 16 words sorted into their groups, with why each one fits. Spoilers inside.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow: UNMATCHED
ALL-TIME, HISTORIC, RECORD, UNPRECEDENTED
These adjectives describe something that surpasses all previous examples or benchmarks.
- ALL-TIME — Meaning unsurpassed or the best ever recorded.
- HISTORIC — Meaning unique and significant in the course of history.
- RECORD — Meaning the highest or best level ever achieved.
- UNPRECEDENTED — Meaning never before seen, known, or done.
Green: WEDDING WEBSITE SECTIONS
DRESS CODE, REGISTRY, RSVP, TRAVEL
These are standard components found on a personalized site created by a couple for their big day.
- DRESS CODE — A page providing attire instructions for guests.
- REGISTRY — A page listing desired gifts for the couple.
- RSVP — A page for guests to confirm their attendance.
- TRAVEL — A page with hotel and flight information for guests.
Blue: ___ PLANE
ASTRAL, CARTESIAN, INCLINED, JET
Each of these words can be followed by a synonym for a flat surface to create a common phrase.
- ASTRAL — Followed by plane to mean a spiritual or celestial level of existence.
- CARTESIAN — Followed by plane to mean a mathematical coordinate system.
- INCLINED — Followed by plane to mean a slanted surface used in physics.
- JET — Followed by plane to mean a type of high-speed aircraft.
Purple: ENDING IN VEGETABLES IN THE ALLIUM FAMILY
ARCHIVE, OCTONION, RAPSCALLION, SLEEK
Each word finishes with the name of a plant from the onion or garlic group.
- ARCHIVE — The word ends with the letters that spell CHIVE.
- OCTONION — The word ends with the letters that spell ONION.
- RAPSCALLION — The word ends with the letters that spell SCALLION.
- SLEEK — The word ends with the letters that spell LEEK.
Yesterday’s Connections answers (#1252)
Show the answers for Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Yellow — CUTTING-EDGE: ADVANCED, FOREMOST, MODERN, PROGRESSIVE
- Green — LOCATIONS FOR AN INSTITUTION: CAMPUS, CENTER, COMPLEX, FACILITY
- Blue — STRATEGY BOARD GAMES: CHESS, GO, OTHELLO, STRATEGO
- Purple — BABY GEAR WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED: BATTLE, MARRIAGE, MOTTLE, TRIB
Connections today: FAQ
What time does the new Connections puzzle come out?
A new NYT Connections puzzle unlocks every day at midnight in your local time zone. This page switches to the next puzzle at midnight US Eastern time, and every day’s hints stay available in our archive.
How hard is today’s Connections?
We rate Connections #1253 3 out of 5. The final category relies on spotting items hidden inside longer words, which can be tricky without seeing the pattern.
Who edited today’s Connections puzzle?
Connections #1253 was edited by Wyna Liu for New York Times Games.
How do these Connections hints work?
Every color group gets three clues: a nudge that only points you in a direction, a stronger hint you can act on, and a final hint that names one of the four words. Red herrings, category names and the full answers stay hidden until you open them.
Where can I find yesterday’s Connections answers?
Yesterday’s puzzle was #1252 (Saturday, November 14, 2026). Its answers are in the section above, and every past puzzle is listed in our archive by date and number.
Can I play more Connections puzzles today?
The New York Times publishes one Connections puzzle a day. For more, play Connections Unlimited on our homepage: endless word-grouping puzzles in the same style, free and with no daily limit.
New to the game? Read how to play Connections, or play Connections Unlimited.