Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,085 hints and answers for Sunday, May 31, 2026

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

Connections #1,085 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: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

THINGS THAT ARE YELLOW

BUTTER · PIKACHU · RUBBER DUCK · SCHOOL BUS

Group 2 - Green

Hint: One thread ties these four together. It is a fair link, not a trick - think about what the words can all be or do.

BILLIARDS TERMS

BREAK · CUE · POCKET · RACK

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.

SLANG FOR A SAILOR

JACK · SALT · SEA DOG · TAR

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: All four words start with the letter S - the real link runs deeper than that, but it is a place to start.

KINDS OF WOOD PLUS "S"

SASH · SOAK · SPINE · STEAK

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Places to go"