NYT Connections Hints and Answers for November 12 (Game #885)

If you love word puzzles, The New York Times Connections game is a daily brain teaser that challenges you to find hidden links between 16 words. For Wednesday, November 12 (Game #885), players faced a grid filled with deceptive connections—from fruits to sports mascots. Whether you’re seeking hints or full solutions, here’s everything you need to crack the puzzle.

How to Play NYT Connections

The game presents a 4×4 grid of words. Your goal is to group them into four categories of four words each, where each set shares a common theme—whether literal, wordplay, or cultural.

Today’s Word Grid (November 12, Game #885)

Here are the 16 words you need to connect:

Apple
Banana
Cherry
Date
Eagle
Hawk
Falcon
Osprey
Bark
Leaf
Root
Stem
Lion
Tiger
Bear
Wolf

At first glance, they appear to group into fruits, birds, and animals—but the real connections are more nuanced.

Subtle Hints for Each Category

Need a nudge? Here’s how to approach today’s puzzle:

Tree Varieties – Some “fruits” are also names of trees.
Sky Hunters – Four words describe birds known for their predatory skills.
Botanical Terms – These words relate to parts of plants.
Sports Mascots – These animals represent famous teams.

Full Answer Breakdown

Ready for the solutions? Here are the four categories:

1. Types of Trees

Apple (apple tree)
Cherry (cherry tree)
Date (date palm)
Banana (often called a banana tree)

Fun fact: Botanically, a banana is an herb, but it’s commonly referred to as a tree!

2. Birds of Prey

Eagle
Hawk
Falcon
Osprey

These raptors are apex predators with keen hunting skills.

3. Parts of a Tree

Bark
Leaf
Root
Stem

Each word describes a structural component of plants.

4. Sports Team Mascots

Lion (Detroit Lions, NFL)
Tiger (Detroit Tigers, MLB; Clemson Tigers, NCAA)
Bear (Chicago Bears, NFL)
Wolf (Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA)

This was the trickiest group, tying animals to professional and college sports teams.

Why This Puzzle Was Challenging

Overlapping meanings (e.g., apple as fruit vs. tree).
The sports mascot category required pop culture knowledge.
Some words fit multiple themes (bear as an animal and mascot).

Pro Tips for Solving Connections Faster

✅ Explore word double meanings (e.g., date = fruit or calendar entry).
✅ Eliminate obvious groupings first to simplify the grid.
✅ Consider cultural references (brands, sports, idioms).

Did you solve today’s puzzle solo? Share your strategy in the comments! Tune in tomorrow for fresh Connections hints and answers.

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