NYT Connections: Hints and Solutions for October 8

Connections, the latest word game from The New York Times, has quickly gained popularity, much like the hit game Wordle. Connections challenges players to discover the "common threads between words." With daily resets after midnight, each puzzle gets progressively more difficult. To help you tackle today’s puzzle, we’ve put together some hints, tips, and the full solution for October 8.

If you're eager to see today’s answers, skip to the end of this article for the October 8 solution. However, if you'd prefer some helpful clues to guide you, keep reading for strategies that could help you solve the puzzle on your own.

What Is NYT's Connections Game?

Connections, created by New York Times associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, is the latest word game sensation. Available on web browsers and mobile devices, it asks players to group four words that share a common connection. Each puzzle contains 16 words, split into four groups, with each group representing a specific category. Categories can range from book titles to music terms or even country names.

Despite multiple words appearing to fit together, only one correct solution exists. If you successfully group all four words, they are removed from the board. Be cautious, though—incorrect guesses count as mistakes, and players are allowed up to four mistakes before the game ends. Players can also rearrange the board to spot connections more easily.

Each group is color-coded: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (most difficult). Similar to Wordle, players can share their results on social media platforms.

Today's Hints for October 8 Connections

Here are some hints to get you started on today's puzzle without giving away the full categories:

• Yellow: Think spooky symbols often seen during Halloween.

• Green: Words associated with stopping or forbidding actions.

• Blue: Musical terms often found on sheet music.

• Purple: Words that commonly come before "candy."

Today's Connections Categories

If you need additional guidance, today's categories are as follows:

• Yellow: Halloween Symbols

• Green: Prohibit

• Blue: Found on Sheet Music

• Purple: Candy___

October 8 Connections Solution

If you’re ready for the solution, here it is:

• Halloween Symbols: BAT, PUMPKIN, SPIDER, WITCH

• Prohibit: BAN, BLOCK, DENY, FORBID

• Found on Sheet Music: ACCIDENTAL, NOTE, REST, STAFF

• Candy___: APPLE, BAR, CANE, CORN

Don’t worry if you didn’t get it right this time—there will be a fresh set of Connections tomorrow for you to enjoy. We'll be back with more hints and solutions to help you along the way!

If you're also tackling NYT Strands, be sure to check out today’s hints and answers for that game as well. For more puzzles and brain games, explore Mashable's game hub, where you can play Mahjong, Sudoku, and free crosswords.