Waking up and opening the NYT Connections grid can feel like a personal attack some mornings. Today, December 4, is no different. You’re looking at sixteen words that seem to have absolutely nothing in common, or worse, they have too much in common. It’s that classic Wyna Liu trap where you see five words that fit a category and you just know one of them is a red herring designed to ruin your streak. Honestly, the December 4 puzzle is a bit of a head-scratcher if you aren't thinking laterally.
If you're currently staring at your screen wondering why "Spoon" and "Lego Set" are in the same game, take a breath. You've got this. We’re going to break down the nyt connections hints dec 4 needs to get you over the finish line.
Hints for the December 4 Categories
Sometimes you don't want the full answer right away. You just need a little nudge. A "vibes" check for the groups, if you will.
- Yellow Group: This one is all about physical affection. Think about what you do when you're feeling particularly cozy with someone.
- Green Group: This is for the hungry (or thirsty) folks. Specifically, it's about consuming things at a speed that would make your mother worry.
- Blue Group: Think about a rainy Sunday afternoon. These are things that arrive in pieces and require a bit of manual labor to actually use.
- Purple Group: This is the "look at the word itself" category. These words all refer to the same anatomical feature on different creatures.
Looking for More Specific Clues?
Okay, maybe the vibes weren't enough. It happens to the best of us. Let's get a bit more granular with the nyt connections hints dec 4 involves for those of us stuck at three mistakes.
The Yellow Group is titled CUDDLE. It’s pretty sweet, actually. The words you’re looking for are DRAW CLOSE, HOLD TIGHT, NUZZLE, and SPOON. Watch out for "Spoon"—it’s a classic pivot word that could easily belong in a "Kitchen Utensils" category that doesn't exist today.
The Green Group is IMBIBE. Or, more accurately, to drink something very fast. We’re talking GUZZLE, KNOCK BACK, POUND DOWN, and SWILL. If you’ve ever been to a college party or a very rushed happy hour, these should feel familiar.
The Blue Group covers THINGS YOU ASSEMBLE. This is where the game gets "meta" because it includes things you might actually be doing while procrastinating on this puzzle. The words are IKEA FURNITURE, LEGO SET, MODEL, and PUZZLE.
The Purple Group is the trickiest, as always. Today it's SNOUTS. It’s basically just different names for noses. You’re looking for BEAK, MUZZLE, PROBOSCIS, and ROSTRUM. "Rostrum" is the one that usually trips people up—it's a biological term for a snout-like projection, though in other contexts, it can mean a platform for a speaker.
Why Today's Puzzle is Tricky
The reason nyt connections hints dec 4 is trending is that "Spoon" and "Puzzle" are such versatile words. When you see "Puzzle," your brain immediately thinks of the game you are currently playing. It's a "meta-reference" that Wyna Liu loves to throw in to distract you.
Also, "Model" can mean so many things. A fashion model? A role model? A 3D model? In this context, it’s a physical kit you build, like a tiny airplane or a battleship. If you were trying to group "Model" with "Role" or "Example," that’s exactly where the puzzle designers wanted you to go.
The Full Solution for December 4
If you've run out of guesses or you're just done with the stress, here is the full breakdown of the NYT Connections solution for December 4.
Yellow: CUDDLE
- DRAW CLOSE
- HOLD TIGHT
- NUZZLE
- SPOON
Green: IMBIBE
- GUZZLE
- KNOCK BACK
- POUND DOWN
- SWILL
Blue: THINGS YOU ASSEMBLE
- IKEA FURNITURE
- LEGO SET
- MODEL
- PUZZLE
Purple: SNOUTS
- BEAK
- MUZZLE
- PROBOSCIS
- ROSTRUM
Expert Tips for Future Grids
To avoid needing a guide every single morning, try the "Shuffle" button more often. It’s not just there for decoration. Our brains are incredibly good at finding patterns in the way things are currently arranged. By hitting shuffle, you break those false connections and might see "Beak" and "Muzzle" next to each other, which suddenly makes the "Snouts" category click.
Another trick? Say the words out loud. Sometimes hearing the word "Spoon" makes you think of "Spoon-feeding" or "Spoonful of sugar," which helps you realize it's a verb here, not just a piece of silverware.
To improve your game tomorrow, try to identify the "Purple" words first without selecting them. Usually, there’s one word that is so weird (like "Proboscis") that it has to be part of the harder group. If you can isolate the weirdest words, the "Yellow" and "Green" groups often fall into place much faster.
👉 See also: Why My Hello Kitty Cafe Codes Still Matter This Year
Now that you've cleared the December 4 board, you're free to tackle the rest of your daily digital chores. Go grab your Wordle and Strands wins while the momentum is still on your side.