Mastering NYT Connections: Your Ultimate Guide & Answers for May 23, 2026

Oh, the daily ritual of Connections! You know, that moment when you open up the New York Times puzzle page, hopeful for a quick win, only to be met with a grid that just stares back at you. Today, May 23, 2026, might just be one of those days that has you scratching your head a little more than usual. But hey, that's half the fun, right? The thrill of the chase, the "aha!" moment – or, if we're being honest, the relief of finally seeing those categories click into place.

We've all been there, staring at those sixteen words, trying to find the hidden threads that tie them together. Sometimes, it feels like they're actively trying to trick you! Before we dive into today's specific puzzle, a quick, timeless tip: step away for a minute. Seriously. Grab a coffee, stretch, or just let your mind wander. Often, that fresh perspective is all it takes for a connection to suddenly, magically appear. It’s like magic, I tell you!

Right, let's talk about May 23rd's challenge. We’ll start with the Yellow category, which, if you're lucky, should offer a relatively smooth entry point. Think about common household items, or maybe things you'd find in a particular setting. Without giving too much away just yet, consider words that evoke a certain type of food, perhaps something you’d find on a charcuterie board. Got a feeling for something dairy? You might be on the right track!

Moving onto the Green group, things usually get a tad trickier, don't they? For today’s puzzle, if you’re finding yourself a bit stuck here, try thinking about words that describe things that catch the light or have a particular sheen. It could be something in the night sky, or perhaps a precious material. There's also an element of refinement or surface treatment here. A little polish, perhaps?

Now, the Blue category. This is often where the real brain-teasers begin, where words might have multiple meanings or require a more abstract connection. For today's specific set, ponder actions you might take when gathering items or people together. It’s about bringing things into a collection, almost like a methodical compilation. Don’t overthink it, but do consider the intent behind the action.

And finally, the notorious Purple category. Oh, Purple. This is always the one that makes you groan, isn't it? It’s usually a bit of a linguistic curveball, often involving wordplay, homophones, or words that precede or follow another common word. For May 23rd, try to find words that, when paired with a particular noun, form common phrases or compound words. Think about a specific dwelling or building type. What words often come before "House"? If you can crack this one, you're practically a Connections wizard!

Okay, enough beating around the bush. You're probably itching for the categories themselves now, aren't you? Let's reveal them, without giving away the individual words just yet, in case you still want to give it one last valiant effort. Today's groups are:
• Yellow: TYPES OF CHEESE
• Green: THINGS THAT SHINE
• Blue: VERBS FOR GATHERING
• Purple: WORDS BEFORE "HOUSE"

Alright, deep breath. If you’ve given it your all and just need that final push, or perhaps you're simply here to confirm your brilliant deductions, then read on. No judgment here, honestly! Sometimes, you just need to see the solution to feel that sweet relief. Here are the exact words that make up each category for the May 23, 2026 Connections puzzle:

• Yellow: TYPES OF CHEESE (BRIE, GOUDA, CHEDDAR, SWISS)
• Green: THINGS THAT SHINE (STAR, GEM, METAL, POLISH)
• Blue: VERBS FOR GATHERING (COLLECT, ASSEMBLE, AMASS, HOARD)
• Purple: WORDS BEFORE "HOUSE" (LIGHT, PLAY, PUMP, OPERA)

How did you do? Hopefully, with a little help from us, you managed to conquer today's grid. Or, at the very least, you got a good chuckle out of some of those clever connections. Connections is all about perspective, after all. Keep those word-sleuthing skills sharp, and we’ll catch you back here tomorrow for the next puzzling adventure. Happy solving!