January 27, 2025 Connections Puzzle #596: Hints and Answers

Are you tackling today’s Connections puzzle and in need of some guidance? You’re in the right place! Many players found today’s challenge to be slightly more manageable than yesterday’s. However, there’s always a chance that luck—or a well-placed instinctive guess—can turn the tide in your favor. Today, I made a crucial guess that helped secure a win. I’m here to share some invaluable hints to help you navigate this puzzle without leaving it entirely to chance.

If you’re interested in a different type of challenge that doesn’t involve wordplay, consider trying the NYT’s Tiles puzzle instead. This game requires you to match images rather than words, and it comes with layered challenges. You’ll need to match various layers within each tile, adding an extra layer of complexity. Completing the entire puzzle in one go can lead to impressive streaks and high scores!

Today’s Connections Category Hints

JANUARY 27 #596

Scales in Connections Categories January 27

Looking for hints for today’s Connections puzzle? You’ve come to the right spot! Pay close attention to the finer details today, especially since the connections between words may not follow typical definitions. The initial category should be straightforward, but subsequent categories will require extra focus to identify the correct word combinations.

One category features items commonly served as appetizers.
Another pertains to four different items that can provide safety for living beings.
A third category involves four terms describing a singular concept.
The final category includes four elements all sourced from the same film.

If you crave additional hints, consider that the category names alone can often provide helpful nudges. On the other hand, if you’re seeking specific category contents, our spoilers may serve you better!

SMALL AMOUNT OF FOOD TO TRY

PROTECTIVE COVERINGS IN NATURE

“EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL”

SEEN IN “THE SHINING”

Today’s Connections Answers

JANUARY 27 #596

Scales in Connections Answers January 27

Yellow Answers: Revealed & Explained

SMALL AMOUNT OF FOOD TO TRY
BITE	MOUTHFUL	SAMPLE	TASTE

This was the first category I identified, and I found it to be the most straightforward. The concept aligns well with party foods or appetizers, which are commonly understood. Although it was easy to recognize, the included terms aren’t always directly linked to food. For instance, “SAMPLE”is commonly used in food contexts, helping to bring clarity to this category.

Green Answers: Revealed & Explained

PROTECTIVE COVERINGS IN NATURE
BARK	SCALES	SHELL	SKIN

Blue Answers: Revealed & Explained

“EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL”
EXTRA	OIL	OLIVE	VIRGIN

This category stood out to me for its uniqueness, differing from others as the words were not presented in a conventional order in the final answers, which I found somewhat confusing. Nevertheless, I ventured to make a guess with a couple of attempts remaining, and thankfully, it paid off!

Purple Answers: Revealed & Explained

SEEN IN “THE SHINING”
AXE	HEDGE MAZE	TWINS	TYPEWRITER

This category could potentially be deciphered more quickly than the previous ones due to its connection with a well-known film and book. The items included are iconic scenes, making them memorable and easier to group together. Furthermore, several of these items are also present in the sequel, offering additional context for recognition.

Other Games Like Connections

If you’re still in the mood to explore captivating wordplay, there are plenty of games to choose from in the table below.

Game Name	How To Play	Is It Free To Play?
Wordle (NOW)	Solve a random five-letter word using color clues. Find our continually updated list for every Wordle answer.	Yes
The Password Game	Create a password in this ever-evolving challenge. Our Password Game guide offers useful tips.	Yes
Nerd	Guess the mathematical equation and its solution within six attempts.	Yes
Dordle	Attempt to guess two words on side-by-side boards within six guesses.	Yes