Connections Hints and Answers for Monday, November 9, 2026 (#1247)
Stuck on NYT Connections #1247 for Monday, November 9, 2026? Below are spoiler-free hints and clues for all four color groups, the red herrings to avoid, the four category names, and the full answers, each hidden until you open it.
This board mixes fashion terminology plus dishonest tactics and physical traits of specific objects. Pay close attention to the final halves of the longer phrases.
| Puzzle | NYT Connections #1247 |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, November 9, 2026 |
| Editor | Wyna Liu |
| Difficulty | 3 out of 5 |
| Next puzzle | #1248 unlocks at midnight your local time (Tuesday, November 10, 2026) |
Connections #1247 hints and clues
Each color group has three clues. Open one at a time: each gives away a little more than the last, and none of them shows the category name.
Yellow group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Think about scams or being cheated out of money.
Hint 2: a stronger push
These terms refer to fraudulent activities or dishonest tricks designed to swindle someone.
Hint 3: reveal one word
One example of a dishonest trick on this board is FLIMFLAM.
Green group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
These words describe styles or conditions of a common clothing item.
Hint 2: a stronger push
Look for terms you would see on a tag in the denim section of a store.
Hint 3: reveal one word
A popular style of denim pants mentioned here is BOOTCUT.
Blue group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Consider the physical texture of the sides of these items.
Hint 2: a stronger push
These objects feature a row of small teeth or notches along their perimeter to help with cutting or gripping.
Hint 3: reveal one word
You will find a row of tiny teeth on the side of a TAPE DISPENSER.
Purple group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Focus on the second half of these two-word phrases.
Hint 2: a stronger push
The final word in each phrase is an animal that lives in the ocean.
Hint 3: reveal one word
One phrase on the board that concludes with an aquatic animal is CARD SHARK.
Connections #1247 red herrings
Words that look like they belong together but don’t. Seeing them can save you a mistake.
Show the traps
- CARD SHARK, STEAK KNIFE: Both could be found in a high-stakes environment, but they are not in the same group.
- SHELL GAME, MINT LEAF: You might think these are connected to nature or the outdoors, but they serve different purposes.
- SKINNY, RIP-OFF: These words might seem to describe the quality of a deal or a person, but they are unrelated.
Connections #1247 categories
Knowing the theme is often enough to finish. These are the four category names, without the words.
Show the four categories
- Yellow: DECEITFUL SCHEME
- Green: JEANS DESCRIPTORS
- Blue: THINGS WITH SERRATED EDGES
- Purple: ENDING IN SEA CREATURES
Connections #1247 answers
All 16 words sorted into their groups, with why each one fits. Spoilers inside.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow: DECEITFUL SCHEME
CON JOB, FLIMFLAM, RIP-OFF, SHELL GAME
These are all terms for fraudulent operations or swindles.
- CON JOB — A scam or dishonest act.
- FLIMFLAM — A confidence trick or swindle.
- RIP-OFF — An exploitatively overpriced purchase.
- SHELL GAME — A classic swindling game using three cups.
Green: JEANS DESCRIPTORS
BOOTCUT, DISTRESSED, LOW-RISE, SKINNY
These words describe the cut, fit, or treatment of denim trousers.
- BOOTCUT — Pants that flare slightly to accommodate footwear.
- DISTRESSED — Fabric that has been treated to look worn or old.
- LOW-RISE — A waistline that sits below the natural hips.
- SKINNY — A very tight fit from the hip down to the ankle.
Blue: THINGS WITH SERRATED EDGES
GRAPEFRUIT SPOON, MINT LEAF, STEAK KNIFE, TAPE DISPENSER
Each of these items has a jagged or saw-like border for functional or natural reasons.
- GRAPEFRUIT SPOON — A utensil with a jagged tip used to separate fruit segments.
- MINT LEAF — A plant part that possesses naturally toothed margins.
- STEAK KNIFE — A table tool with a saw-like blade for cutting meat.
- TAPE DISPENSER — An office tool with a jagged strip to cut the adhesive.
Purple: ENDING IN SEA CREATURES
CARD SHARK, FUN SPONGE, GAMMA RAY, NAVY SEAL
The second word in each of these phrases is a type of marine animal.
- CARD SHARK — Someone who cheats at gambling (ends in Shark).
- FUN SPONGE — Someone who ruins the excitement for others (ends in Sponge).
- GAMMA RAY — A form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation (ends in Ray).
- NAVY SEAL — A member of a specialized military force (ends in Seal).