NYT Crossword Puzzle Clues and Solutions for May 5, 2025 (Monday)
Groundbreaking Analysis on NYT Connections Puzzle for May 5, 2025:
Solve the mystery of the Connections puzzle for Monday, May 5, 2025, with our captivating breakdown! We'll share intriguing clues, secrets, and techniques to crack the challenge, and finally disclose the answers for all four categories. Along the way, let's uncover the meanings of perplexing words and learn how they connect in a fascinating dance. Be warned, spoilers are ahead for May 5, NYT Connections #694!
If you're seeking a quick way to revisit our Connections hints daily, save this page as a bookmark. You'll also find our past hints here, in case you've missed a previous brain-teaser.
Here's a sneak peek at some cryptic hints for the groupings in today's Connections:
- Yellow category - Ease your foot off the pedal and let momentum take over.
- Green category - "Bloodlust is my desire."
- Blue category - When something never shifts, it's locked in place.
- Purple category - The shape's close, but not identical.
Note: Enrichment data below has been selectively integrated into the text where it adds value.
Caution: Spoilers Ahead for Today's Connections Puzzle!
We're about to reveal some answers. Proceed slowly if you don't wish the entire mystery unveiled. (The complete solution is a bit further down.)
A Word on the Mind-boggling Parts
COAST and CAPE denote actions, not locations.
COAST is a verb, and CAPE is a piece of clothing someone may wear around their neck.
PLATEAU refers to a flat surface.
A HOAGIE is a lengthy sandwich you might find at a place like Subway.
Today's Connections Categories
- Yellow: MOVE SMOOTHLY
- Green: Related to Dracula's Haunts
- Blue: PERSISTENT
- Purple: Similar Shapes
Triple Caution: The Solution is Below
Ready to learn the answers to today's Connections puzzle? Let's dive right in.
What are the yellow words in today's Connections?
The yellow grouping is believed to be the most straightforward. The theme for today's yellow category is MOVE SMOOTHLY, and the words are: COAST, CRUISE, DRIFT, and FLOAT.
What are the green words in today's Connections?
The green grouping is expected to be the second-easiest. The theme for today's green category is related to Dracula's haunts, and the words are: BAT, CAPE, CASTLE, and FANG.
What are the blue words in today's Connections?
The blue grouping is the second-hardest. The theme for today's blue category is PERSISTENT, and the words are: FLATTEN, LEVEL, PLATEAU, and Settle.
What are the purple words in today's Connections?
The purple grouping is considered to be the hardest. The theme for today's purple category is Similar Shapes, and the words are: BATON, CIGAR, HOAGIE, and TORPEDO.
Insights into Solving Today's Connections
FLOAT and DRIFT might coalesce. COAST seems to fit there too. Ah, and CRUISE! Let's give these a spin. 🟨
SETTLE, PLATEAU, FLATTEN, and LEVEL appear to form another category of straightforward synonyms. 🟦
HOAGIE is an intriguing term. It's a name for a sandwich or a sub. Perhaps HOAGIE and TORPEDO go together because they both could be used to describe a sub, with TORPEDO referencing submarines. However, I don't see any other "sub" words evident.
CAPE initially meandered toward thoughts of seashores, but now that COAST is gone, it may mean something else—perhaps like the item a superhero dons. I wonder if it pairs with BAT, FANG, CASTLE, and COUNT DRACULA, forming images and items reminiscent of the master of the undead. 🟩
That leaves TORPEDO, BATON, CIGAR, and HOAGIE. Perhaps that is a subcategory, or maybe it's just objects that share a cylindrical shape? 🟪 Sweet.
Playing Connections
If you need a refresher on the rules of Connections, take a look at our comprehensive guide to playing Connections. In brief, you'll find the Connections game either on the New York Times website or in their Games app (formerly the Crossword app). You'll see a game board with 16 tiles, each bearing a word or phrase. Your assignment is to select a group of four tiles that have something in common. Often, they may all share a specific category (like different types of precipitation: RAIN, SLEET, HAIL, or SNOW), but sometimes there are wordplay elements involved (as in BUCKET, GUEST, TOP TEN, and WISH—all being various types of lists).
Select four items and press the Submit button. If you guessed correctly, the category and color will be revealed. (Yellow is the easiest, followed by green, then blue, then purple). If your guess was incorrect, you'll get a chance to try again.
You win when you've correctly pinpointed all four groups. However, if you make four mistakes before finishing, the game concludes, and the answers are revealed.
Winning Strategies in Connections
The key to winning Connections is understanding that the groupings are designed to be challenging. Expect overlapping categories. For example, one puzzle seemed to feature six breakfast foods, including BACON, EGG, PANCAKE, OMELETTE, WAFFLE, and CEREAL. However, BACON ended up being part of a group of artists (like CLOSE, MUNCH, and WHISTLER), and EGG was within a group of things that come in dozens (such as JUROR, ROSE, and MONTH). So, don't hit "submit" until you're certain that your group of four contains only those four things.
If you're stuck, another strategy is to focus on words that seem to have no apparent connection to the others. When I solved that particular one, I questioned if there was an artist named Close, as Close didn't fit any apparent themes.
Another technique to win when you're stumped is to revisit a few helpful hints—just like these pointers we share every day. Come back tomorrow for the next puzzle!
- The thrilling journey of unraveling the Connections puzzle on May 5, 2025, is not just about finding answers, but also about discovering intriguing connections between lifestyles and entertainment.
- The NYT Connections answer for May 5, 2025, not only tests one's problem-solving skills, but also offers a glimpse into the world of connections that link entertainment and lifestyles.

