Crossword Solution: NYT #561 for December 23

Today's Connections puzzle presents sixteen words to categorize into four groups. To win, you must correctly assign each word with fewer than four errors. This puzzle is designed to challenge even experienced players.

If you're stuck, this guide provides hints, category clues, and, if needed, the complete solution.

The words are: Boat, U, Bowl, M, Thou, Crew, V, You, 8, Ewe, Scoop, Glue, Tuesday, K, Grand, and Yew.

General Hints:

1. The categories aren't based on letter counts or similar properties.
2. While not strictly about rhyming words, sound plays a role.
3. "Glue" and "8" belong together.

Category Hints and Solutions:

(Yellow/Easy)

Hint: Words that sound alike.

Answer: Homophones

Words: Ewe, U, Yew, You

(Green/Medium)

Hint: Describes shirt necklines.

Answer: Necklines

Words: Boat, Crew, Scoop, V

(Blue/Difficult)

Hint: Ways to represent the number 1000.

Answer: Ways to Express 1,000

Words: Grand, K, M, Thou

(Purple/Tricky)

Hint: Words that can follow "Super" to create common terms.

Answer: Super __

Words: 8, Bowl, Glue, Tuesday

Complete Solution:

• Yellow - Homophones: Ewe, U, Yew, You
• Green - Necklines: Boat, Crew, Scoop, V
• Blue - Ways to Express 1,000: Grand, K, M, Thou
• Purple - Super __: 8, Bowl, Glue, Tuesday

Ready to test your skills? Play the Connections puzzle on the New York Times Games website.