A new set of Connections are here and ready to be solved. There are some tough categories and today's answers could cause some players to lose their win streaks. Paying close attention and not rushing through will be the best way to win.

One of the best tips for Connections is to utilize the Shuffle button that the game provides. Oftentimes the editor will place words next to each other in a misdirection for the players. Using the shuffle button quickly and often is a great way to stop your brain from grabbing on to these incorrect links before they root. It's a simple mechanic, but incredibly useful at saving a few wasted attempts.

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8 Vertex Strategies To Quickly Solve The Picture

The New York Times Vertex game asks you to form a picture by connecting dots, but you have to understand the image to solve this puzzle quickly.

Today's Connections Category Hints

May 12 #335

Connections: The word Categories in big letters with a blurred background

Before we dive right into today's Connections answers, we wanted to provide the categories being used for the day. Sometimes, this is all you'll need to see the correct answer for yourself.

A yellow Connections game bar

PLAYFULLY POKE FUN AT

A green Connections game bar

CUTS OF BEEF

A blue Connections game bar

ACRONYMS

A purple Connections game bar

COCKTAILS MINUS PLACE NAMES

Today's Connections Answers

May 12 #335

Connections: The word Answers in big letters with a blurred background

Yellow Answers: Revealed & Explained

PLAYFULLY POKE FUN AT

A yellow Connections game bar

KID

NEEDLE

RIB

TEASE

Yellow was the second category we scored for the day and it wasn't too difficult to spot. TEASE and KID were the obvious first ones and the others fell into place eventually. RIB did have us waste an attempt when we tried to fit it into green's Beef category. We also danced around the idea of making MULE and RAM work somehow but that didn't have a lot of steam.

Green Answers: Revealed & Explained

CUTS OF BEEF

A green Connections game bar

CHUCK

LOIN

FLANK

ROUND

Our first category score for the day. After we failed at fitting in RIB it was obvious what the correct four were. CHUCK and ROUND were the first two words we saw and LOIN followed as third. We made our error there but came back after to score with FLANK.

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Blue Answers: Revealed & Explained

ACRONYMS

A blue Connections game bar

MIA

OMG

PIN

RAM

The blue category was our third score for the day and it was more difficult than it should have been. It's easy to forget some words are acronyms when you use them often. RAM and PIN for example. It took way too long to remember that those are not just words, they're acronyms.

  • MIA: Missing In Action
  • OMG: Oh My God!
  • PIN: Personal Identification Number
  • RAM: Random Access Memory

There are a few theories about how RAM has become a noun in recent years. Since there are many different methods of accessing memory now that all fall under the word RAM, Random Access Memory isn't the only way.

Purple Answers: Revealed & Explained

COCKTAILS MINUS PLACE NAMES

A purple Connections game bar

LIBRE

MAMA

MULE

SLING

The purple had our leftover words for the day, and what better way to celebrate our Connections win than with a little cocktail?

  • Cuba Libre: Rum, Lime, & Cola
  • Bahama Mama: Rum, Coconut Rum, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, & Grenadine
  • Moscow Mule: Vodka, Lime, & Ginger Beer
  • Singapore Sling: Gin, Bénédictine, Cherry Liqueur, Lime Juice, Club Soda, Simple Syrup

Other Games Like Connections

Before you run into the comments to let us know your favorite type of cocktail or acronym, check out these other browser-based casual games.

Game Name

How To Play

Is It Free To Play?

Wordle (NYT)

Solve a random five-letter word by using color clues. Every Wordle answer can be found in our daily updated list.

Yes

Hello Wordl

Very similar to Wordle, where players change the number of letters in the word.

Yes

The Password Game

Create a password in this ever-changing, not-so-simple game. You can find some helpful tips in our Password Game guide.

Yes

Worldle

Name a country based only on its silhouette, and a few geographical hints.

Yes