Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #997 hints and answers for Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Edited by Wyna Liu · Groups listed easiest to hardest: yellow, green, blue, purple

Connections #997 puts four groups of four on the board, running from the yellow group through to purple. For each group below: read the hint first, then show the category name when you want it, then the four words.

Group 1 - Yellow

Hint: These four belong together for one clean reason. If two of them pair up in your head first, let the other two confirm it.

PURSUE

HOUND · SHADOW · TAIL · TRACK

Group 2 - Green

Hint: Four words, one thread. Say each of the four out loud - the link is usually plainer than it looks.

SPORTSMANLIKE

FAIR · HONEST · SPORTING · SQUARE

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

CLASSIC KID GIFTS

BIKE · BOOK · TOY · VIDEO GAME

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: The category name leaves a blank - each of these four words fills it to make a familiar phrase.

"___ GIRL" TITLES

GONE · GOSSIP · NEW · WORKING

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Piece of cake"