NYT Connections Hint - October 28, 2025

Hey there, fellow puzzle enthusiasts! 🎉 Today’s Connections challenge was a delightful rollercoaster of brain twists, with categories that made me go 'Hmm...' more times than I care to admit. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a good challenge, right? I really thought I’d mixed up my words when I saw ‘PELVIS’ pop up! It had me reminiscing about that one awkward dance class I took back in college. Ugh, good times! Let’s dive into the words and see what kind of magic we can uncover together!

Word Explanations

• PELVIS

  • So let’s kick things off with 'PELVIS.' This word not only refers to that funky part of our anatomy that holds everything together but also sounds exactly like the name of an artist you’d groove to at a coffee house. It makes you think ‘cool,’ right? Plus, I can’t help but think about how pivotal our pelvis is in movement—just like it supports our dance moves! Who knew anatomy could be so... funky?

• CHESTNUT

  • Next up is 'CHESTNUT.' Besides being a tasty fall treat, this word has also wormed its way into our vocabulary to describe something that’s become old hat. You know those anecdotes you hear for the hundredth time at family gatherings? Yep! That’s the ‘chestnut’ moment! It reminds me of my uncle’s Thanksgiving stories—bless him!

• HOME

  • 'HOME'—ah, now there’s a word that brings a wave of cozy feelings, right? It’s more than just four walls; it’s where the heart is! But here’s a fun tidbit: it’s also a button on your devices that gets you back to your happy place on the screen. I still remember the first time I hit the 'HOME' button on my new smart TV. Let’s just say the remote and I had some sweet bonding time!

• HIP

  • 'HIP'—a word signaling coolness! If you’re hip, you’re in the know and stylish, which is such a fab feeling. But what really gets me is how it can also be a body part! I mean, it’s such a dual-purpose word! Whenever I hear this, I think of those dance classes where everyone wants to show off their moves.

• SELECT

  • 'SELECT'—this is the power word of control! Whether we’re discussing your favorite flick or going through the songs you want to jam to, 'select' is your magic command. Such a basic word, yet it comes loaded with the weight of choices! Makes me ponder about all my wrong Netflix selections—yikes!

• GUSHER

  • 'GUSHER' could not be more fun-sounding! It's the term for a sudden flow—like oil or excitement! You can almost imagine someone bursting with joy when they get surprise tickets to a concert—what a gusher of happiness! I personally still remember the excitement I had when a surprise party was thrown for me last year—it was a total gusher of delight!

• TROPE

  • 'TROPE' is one of those fancy, literary words that'll make you sound clever at parties! Think of those familiar themes and motifs we can’t escape in movies and books. They’re every writer’s go-to! It reminds me of that time I walked out of a movie because I realized it was just a giant cliché...oops!

• BACK

  • 'BACK' serves both as a body part and an action! It’s that word we throw into everyday conversations—and it’s also essential for all those remote control wars. Whenever I hear ‘back,’ I think about when I’m trying to rewind my favorite show for a second listen of a hilarious joke. Time to hit ‘BACK’!

• KENYA

  • 'KENYA' isn’t just a beautiful country; it’s also got a wonderfully rhythmic sound that makes it fun to say! It always conjures up images of safari adventures and beautiful wildlife. Plus, it’s often a name we'd find in artistic expression and pop culture. I mean, who else immediately thinks of that song about it? Such a vibrant name!

• WISE

  • 'WISE' is one of those words we strive for; we all want to be wise, don’t we? It’s not just about age but about making those sharp decisions that come with experience. It gets me thinking about all the advice passed down through generations—like my grandmother’s wisdom about always checking under your bed for dust bunnies. 😂

• MENU

  • 'MENU'—what a delightful word! It draws up images of choosing what to fill our bellies with. Whether at a restaurant or scouring the fridge, it’s all about options—delicious options! Sometimes I wish we had a ‘menu’ for life too, haha! Just lay all our choices out and pick the best one, right?

• CLICHÉ

  • 'CLICHÉ' is like the slangy kid at the party—so overused but hard to avoid. It's our go-to word when something is predictable or lacking originality. But hey, sometimes a classic is all we need, right? Just like how my friends tease me about my obsession with rom-coms—so cliché but I love them!

• AWARE

  • 'AWARE' is about being tuned in and present, right? It's one of those powerful words that can help us connect to each other. When I hear 'aware,' I think of those moments when your radar picks up on the needs of your friends before they even say a word. So much magic in being attuned to others!

• OCHER

  • 'OCHER' is such a beautiful word that rolls off the tongue! It stands for shades of warm earth colors, and it's the stuff of artists' dreams. It makes me feel artistic just saying it! Fun fact: did you know there's a whole spectrum of colors you can create with it? Talk about versatility!

• PLATITUDE

  • 'PLATITUDE' is that polite word for a statement that’s overdone. It’s when someone says something nice but predictable—like ‘it is what it is.’ You can't help but roll your eyes sometimes, can you? Kind of reminds me of pre-game warmups when everyone shoots those same three pointers; great for practice, but yawn!

• SAVVY

  • 'SAVVY' is another playful little word! If you're savvy, it means you have street smarts! Seriously, who wouldn't want that badge? It makes me think of the strategic choices we make in life. I mean, my friend can bartend like nobody's business—such a savvy move for making extra cash on weekends!

Theme Hints

1. BANALITY

   • Think about phrases or concepts that are so overused they’ve lost their zing. You’ve definitely heard these in casual conversation!

2. IN THE KNOW

   • These words come together to represent the savvy and street-smart knowledge we all wish we possess! What makes you feel ‘in the know’?

3. REMOTE CONTROL BUTTONS

   • Imagine lounging on your couch and how you would reach for your remote—it’s all about what buttons get you to your favorite channels!

4. ONE-NAMED SINGER PLUS STARTING LETTER

   • Think of famous singers known only by one name, and let your mind wander to words that carry a similar weight!

Answers Explanation

Today’s game was full of lightbulb moments, and honestly, it was such a joy to unravel everything. 🎉 I can’t believe how clever these categories can be; they really make you think! What creative person came up with the connections this time? Can't wait to explore more tomorrow!