Play Connections #1209
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 #1209 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
-
Yellow group hintGentle hint
Think about putting money behind someone's project so it can get going.
Was this hint -
Green group hintGentle hint
Look at your own hand, leaving out the thumb.
Was this hint -
Blue group hintHelpful hint
Each of these describes what is typical and expected.
Was this hint -
Purple group hintHelpful hint
Each of these can follow a word meaning top quality.
Was this hint -
Where's the trap?Strong hint
Some words that sound like market or investment terms tempt you to group them with the money-backing words, but they belong with the everyday-usual words.
Was this hint -
The four group namesStrong hint
- FINANCE
- FINGERS
- CUSTOMARY
- PRIME ___
Was this hint
Difficulty: Medium. The groups are mostly straightforward, but a few words have several meanings and one group needs a fill-in-the-blank mindset.
Connections #1209 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for October 2, 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
BACK is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is FINANCE.
Show all four words
BACK, BANKROLL, FUND, SUPPORT
Show one word
INDEX is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is FINGERS.
Show all four words
INDEX, LITTLE, MIDDLE, RING
Show one word
COMMON is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is CUSTOMARY.
Show all four words
COMMON, ROUTINE, STANDARD, STOCK
Show one word
NUMBER is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is PRIME ___.
Show all four words
NUMBER, REAL ESTATE, RIB, TIME
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- BACK: To back a venture is to provide money for it.
- BANKROLL: As a verb, it means to pay for something.
- FUND: To fund something is to supply the money for it.
- SUPPORT: Supporting a project often means helping pay for it.
- INDEX: The pointer finger next to the thumb.
- LITTLE: The smallest finger, also called the pinky.
- MIDDLE: The longest finger, in the center of the hand.
- RING: The finger where a wedding band usually goes.
- COMMON: Something ordinary and widely found.
- ROUTINE: Regular and expected, done as usual.
- STANDARD: Normal and in line with what is expected.
- STOCK: Kept as a regular, default choice, like a stock answer.
Purple group explained
- NUMBER: A prime number is divisible only by 1 and itself.
- REAL ESTATE: Prime real estate is a top-quality location.
- RIB: Prime rib is a premium cut of beef.
- TIME: Prime time is the most-watched TV slot.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1 | #1208 | STARTS OF NYT PRINT PUZZLES |
| Sep 30 | #1207 | STARTING WITH MONTH ABBREVIATIONS |
| Sep 29 | #1206 | PHRASES HIDING GREEK LETTERS |
| Sep 28 | #1205 | THREE LETTERS PLUS REPEATED TRIGRAMS |
| Sep 27 | #1204 | ENDING IN CHINESE DYNASTIES |
| Sep 26 | #1203 | "COOL" THINGS, IN EXPRESSIONS |
| Sep 25 | #1202 | TAXONOMIC RANKS PLUS A LETTER |
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 Oct 2
Connections #1209 questions
What were the Connections answers on October 2, 2026?
FINANCE: BACK, BANKROLL, FUND, SUPPORT. FINGERS: INDEX, LITTLE, MIDDLE, RING. CUSTOMARY: COMMON, ROUTINE, STANDARD, STOCK. PRIME ___: NUMBER, REAL ESTATE, RIB, TIME.
What was the purple group in Connections #1209?
PRIME ___: NUMBER, REAL ESTATE, RIB, TIME.
What made Connections #1209 tricky?
Some words that sound like market or investment terms tempt you to group them with the money-backing words, but they belong with the everyday-usual words.