Play Connections #1188
These are the 16 words in the order NYT shows them. Tap four words you think belong together and press Submit. You get four mistakes, and we'll tell you when you are one word away. Nothing is saved, so you can practise without touching your real streak.
Connections #1188 hints
Yellow is usually the easiest group and purple the trickiest. Start with one colour and see if the rest falls into place.
Hints used: 0
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Yellow group hintGentle hint
These are vendors you might book to make a wedding or party come together.
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Green group hintGentle hint
These are ways of making new information or food part of yourself.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
These are habits that help refresh your mind and body.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Common figures of speech pair each of these with the same forceful verb.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
Several words suggest paper goods or organizing your schedule, which tempts you to lump together things found on a desk.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- PEOPLE HIRED FOR AN EVENT
- INTERNALIZE
- WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE
- THINGS THAT ARE PUSHED METAPHORICALLY
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Difficulty: Medium. The two people-and-habits groups are fairly clear, but the figure-of-speech group is easy to miss and several words could pass for organizing tools.
Connections #1188 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for September 11, 2026, with why each word fits.
Reveal one group at a time
Each colour opens in three steps: one word from the group, then the group name, then all four words. Stop as soon as you can finish it yourself.
Show one word
BAND is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is PEOPLE HIRED FOR AN EVENT.
Show all four words
BAND, FLORIST, PHOTOGRAPHER, PLANNER
Show one word
ABSORB is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is INTERNALIZE.
Show all four words
ABSORB, DIGEST, PROCESS, TAKE IN
Show one word
EXERCISE is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE.
Show all four words
EXERCISE, JOURNAL, MEDITATE, UNPLUG
Show one word
AGENDA is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is THINGS THAT ARE PUSHED METAPHORICALLY.
Show all four words
AGENDA, ENVELOPE, LIMITS, LUCK
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- BAND: Musicians hired to play at a wedding or party
- FLORIST: Supplies and arranges flowers for an event
- PHOTOGRAPHER: Hired to capture the event in pictures
- PLANNER: Coordinates logistics and details of an event
- ABSORB: To soak up information or ideas
- DIGEST: To mentally or physically break down and take in
- PROCESS: To work through information until you understand it
- TAKE IN: To internalize or comprehend something
- EXERCISE: Physical activity to look after your body
- JOURNAL: Writing down thoughts to clear your mind
- MEDITATE: Quiet mental practice for calm and focus
- UNPLUG: Disconnecting from devices to recharge
Purple group explained
- AGENDA: You push an agenda when promoting your goals
- ENVELOPE: Pushing the envelope means going past normal boundaries
- LIMITS: You push limits by testing how far you can go
- LUCK: Pushing your luck means risking too much on good fortune
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 | #1187 | ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR "HAPPENING NOW" |
| Sep 9 | #1186 | WORDS BEFORE "FORCE" |
| Sep 8 | #1185 | CANDY BARS PLUS A LETTER |
| Sep 7 | #1184 | STARTING WITH DISNEY CHARACTERS |
| Sep 6 | #1183 | ENDING WITH WAYS TO CARVE A SURFACE |
| Sep 5 | #1182 | DESSERTS MINUS LAST LETTER |
| Sep 4 | #1181 | ACCESSORIES INSIDE STARTING AND ENDING LETTERS |
About Connections
Connections is a daily New York Times puzzle where you sort 16 words into four groups of four. Groups are colour-coded from yellow, the most direct, to purple, which usually relies on wordplay. You can make four mistakes. Looking back at past puzzles is one of the best ways to learn the kinds of tricks the editors like to use.
Other puzzles on Sep 11
Connections #1188 questions
What were the Connections answers on September 11, 2026?
PEOPLE HIRED FOR AN EVENT: BAND, FLORIST, PHOTOGRAPHER, PLANNER. INTERNALIZE: ABSORB, DIGEST, PROCESS, TAKE IN. WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE: EXERCISE, JOURNAL, MEDITATE, UNPLUG. THINGS THAT ARE PUSHED METAPHORICALLY: AGENDA, ENVELOPE, LIMITS, LUCK.
What was the purple group in Connections #1188?
THINGS THAT ARE PUSHED METAPHORICALLY: AGENDA, ENVELOPE, LIMITS, LUCK.
What made Connections #1188 tricky?
Several words suggest paper goods or organizing your schedule, which tempts you to lump together things found on a desk.