NYT Connections Hints for Jan. 23 #957: Answers and Full Breakdown

NYT Connections hints for Jan. 23 (#957) are now available, along with the full set of confirmed answers. The daily word puzzle from The New York Times challenged players with four themed groups ranging from simple visual clues to abstract word pairings.

The puzzle was released on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2026, and many players reported difficulty identifying the final two groups. Below is a clear, verified breakdown of the hints, solutions, and how each group fits together.

NYT Connections Hints Jan. 23: Group Clues Explained

The Jan. 23 Connections puzzle followed the standard format of four groups of four words. Each group shared a common theme, but several words overlapped in meaning, increasing the difficulty.

According to coverage and gameplay analysis, the green group proved easiest for many players. The remaining groups required careful elimination and pattern recognition.

The four official hints were released in ascending difficulty order. These hints were designed to nudge players without revealing the answers outright.

Yellow group hint: Nose is another one.
Green group hint: Leave your car here.
Blue group hint: Measurements.
Purple group hint: Not dark.

The hints pointed to physical features, locations, standardized units, and word pairings that modify the term “light.” Each grouping followed a consistent internal logic once identified.

NYT Connections Answers for Jan. 23 #957

The confirmed answers for NYT Connections #957 were published after the puzzle reset and verified across multiple gameplay reports.

Yellow Group – Facial features
Cheek, Eye, Lip, Temple

This group focused on visible facial components. The hint referencing “nose” helped narrow the category quickly.

Green Group – Kinds of parking
Garage, Meter, Street, Valet

This was the most straightforward set. Each word clearly describes a common parking option encountered in daily life.

Blue Group – Imperial units
Acre, Bushel, Foot, Stone

This group relied on knowledge of traditional measurement systems. All four terms are used in the imperial system, covering area, volume, length, and weight.

Purple Group – Words before “light”
Flood, Lime, Pilot, Traffic

This was the trickiest category. Each word forms a common compound phrase when placed before “light,” such as floodlight or traffic light.

How the Jan. 23 Puzzle Challenged Players

The main challenge in NYT Connections #957 came from overlapping interpretations. Words like “foot” and “stone” can suggest anatomy or objects, but here they functioned as measurement units.

The purple group demanded abstract thinking. None of the words directly referenced illumination, yet all became clear once paired correctly.

Puzzle analysts noted that solving one group early was essential. Correctly locking the green group reduced confusion and helped isolate the remaining patterns.

NYT Connections hints remain one of the most searched daily puzzle terms, reflecting the game’s growing popularity and competitive player base.