Need the answers for the New York Times Connections puzzle? To me, Wordle is more of a vocabulary test, but Connections is more of a brainteaser. You're given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. Sometimes they're obvious, but game editor Wyna Liu knows how to trick you by using words that can fit into more than one group.

And do you also play Wordle? We've got today's Wordle answer and hints too.

We've also got today's answer and some general tips for Strands, a new game from the Times that's just moved out of beta and into the NYT's Games app.

Read more: NYT Connections Could Be the New Wordle: Our Hints and Tips

Hints for today's Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Load up your locker.

Green group hint: Of central importance.

Blue group hint: Move or convey.

Purple group hint: Bright public messages.

Answers for today's Connections groups

Yellow group: School supplies.

Green group: Fundamental.

Blue group: Transfer.

Purple group: Light-up signs.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today's Connections answers?

The yellow words in today's Connections

The theme is school supplies. The four answers are pen, ruler, scissors and tape.

The green words in today's Connections

The theme is fundamental. The four answers are essential, key, principal and staple.

The blue words in today's Connections

The theme is transfer. The four answers are give, hand, pass and send.

The purple words in today's Connections

The theme is light-up signs. The four answers are applause, exit, recording and walk.

How to play Connections

Playing is easy. Winning is hard. Look at the 16 words and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Click on the four words you think go together. The groups are coded by color, though you don't know what goes where until you see the answers. The yellow group is the easiest, then green, then blue, and purple is the toughest. Look at the words carefully, and think about related terms. Sometimes the connection has to do with just a part of the word. Once, four words were grouped because each started with the name of a rock band, including "Rushmore" and "Journeyman."